Well, here I am! It’s the last week, and I can hardly believe it! Honestly, this summer has gone by like a whirlwind.
Last week I taught in Lethbridge/Bow Island area. I had three clubs – one in the morning, afternoon, and evening. I drove more than two hours every day, which was actually quite enjoyable, and I got the chance to billet with a really kind family.
My first club had an extremely young age range. The kids who participated were between two and five years old, and there were only six or seven of them throughout the whole week. It was fun but of course a bit challenging. I had actually requested to teach this club because I knew the hostess, and as I plan to attend university someday there, I enjoyed driving in and out of the city. The club was obviously condensed, and sometimes we finished within 20 or 25 minutes. Haha!
My second club was in a little village called Burdett. Several of the kids came from Mexican Mennonite backgrounds, and the week started off well. Nearer to the end, there was more distraction and fewer kids began showing up each day. It’s hard not to get discouraged by that…but the club hostess and her husband were very sweet people, and there were definitely a few very eager kids attending. It was also pretty hot out, which might have caused some of the distraction. Thankfully we had a tent to have club under, which was a HUGE blessing.
Finally, my third club was at my billet’s in Bow Island. This was in total usually the largest club. The kids were quite eager to listen and learn, and I found that after teaching the Bible story twice before that day and the extra story once before, I was a lot more comfortable with it and could carry the details even further. This club also had a few Mennonite children, both Mexican Mennonite and Holdeman Mennonite. This was a pretty new experience for me, but I found myself quite drawn to these kids. My hostess had told me at the beginning of the week that these people are very good at keeping the rules…but having a relationship with Jesus…maybe not as much. One of the oldest girls at the club really caught my attention. As the week went on, she became more comfortable with me, and she actually helped listen to verses on the last day, etc. Though she was thirteen, she seemed so much older, and I really hope to stay in contact with her. I actually asked if we could write letters to each other. She seemed quite open to that. My hope for her is that she will understand the truth of Jesus’ love and that that will in turn free her. I believe that if Jesus doesn’t free her, she will seek to free herself and rebel. Please pray for her and her family and for the billets living in their neighbourhood. Pray that they would continue to have an effective witness. While I didn’t end up praying with any kids this week, pray that something these kids heard would stick with them. God is still working, even after club week.
Well, this last week I have the opportunity to teach at a VBS just a few minutes outside of my hometown. The first day went pretty well, but I would so appreciate prayer for this as well. It’s easy to think that because this is the last week and that I’m pretty sure many of these kids are churched, that I don’t have as a big of a witness. But God is faithful. He is able to do mighty things in any and every situation.
Pray also for a lady who was going to host a club this week. She had to cancel due to doctor appointments and hospital visits, etc. Pray for healing and no other problems for them. Pray also for the kids who would’ve come to the club. I actually taught this one last year, and I pray that even though they couldn’t come to this club, God would still have his hand on them.
Thanks so much for all your prayers.
Without prayer, none of this would be possible.
Felicia Oostra
Hey! My name is Felicia, and this is my second year teaching 5-day clubs. I am excited and a little nervous for this summer, but I trust it's going to be great. In the fall, I'm planning to attend Ambrose University College in Calgary, Alberta. Prayer Requests: - That I'd be sensitive to God's Spirit and how he would lead me this summer - That I would stay healthy and energized - That I'd be able to navigate well as I expect to be driving to most of the clubs - That God would open up doors and soften hearts before, during, and after clubs