Just when we thought we'd be having a quieter week....actually there does not seem to be any such thing here. Tomorrow (Saturday), the group going to Amambai (that's us plus 6 other students) are going accross the city to a church in another favela to run a kids program for them. We knew this on Thursday (yesterday) and we had one afternoon plus any spare time we wanted to give it, like when we should be sleeping, to prepare a 2 hour program which we would deliver to about 100-150 kids aged 2-14! We have been given a theme for this by the church which is 'drug prevention' as they want to run an anti-drugs campaigne in the favela, educationg the children about the dangers of getting involved in them. Ironicaly, it is likely that the young children know a lot more about drugs than any of the team.
So, what are we going to do? Why am I writing this blog and not preparing for it? Actually, I am just having a break. Our conclusion was that if these children had a relationship with Jesus then they would have the strength to say no to being involved with these drug gangs, so we have decided to sock them with the gospel instead as the anti-drugs message. I (Dave) will be giving my testimony which has something to do with how Jesus freed me from drugs, but it is nothing like these children experience every day of their lives in one way or another. Beckie is leading the younger children's work with puppets and will be exploring creation and how God has made them and loves them, therefore they need to honour Him by what they do.
As you can imagine, this is a HUGE challenge for us so please pray that this will be fruitfual and that all will go well. May the author and perfector / finisher of our faith finish and make perfect what we do tomorrow for the glory of God.