Schools around Ireland’s midlands welcomed the Big Red Bus last week as the Creative Arts team and a short-term team from Georgia put on puppet shows, crafts, songs and Bible stories. In the afternoons, the team held a kids’ club in Battery Heights—a housing estate area in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Each day on the school tour, primary school students boarded the bus, watched a puppet show and listened to a story about Jesus, followed by crafts, songs and games.
“God gave me an opportunity to share the gospel with many different kids this past week,” said Kaylan (USA). “By doing crafts that related to books in the Bible, I was able to share the gospel and explain the love God has for them.”
Throughout the week, it was apparent God was stirring the kids’ hearts.
“I saw God at work in a little girl’s life,” said Lauren (USA). “Her dad wouldn’t allow her to bring the crafts into her house if they had Bible verses on them. But she asked me a lot of questions about God, and I got to tell her about how great of a dad God is to us.”
Since the kids’ club in Battery Heights ran every night, the team saw the same kids every day and develop a relationship with them.
“The first day, the kids just seemed to do whatever they wanted,” said Creative Arts team member Lee. “But each day they would listen more and we could engage in conversation with them.”
Jenny (USA) was encouraged by the last day. She was watching a fellow team member show some of the kids the “evangi-cube”—a cube that shows pictures of the gospel message.
“Many of the kids began asking questions,” she said. “I saw the kids’ eyes begin to light up as they all became engaged in the conversation. This was a great way to end the week and I will never forget their sweet faces!”
The Lord was at work not only in the hearts of the children they encountered, but also in the lives of the team. The short-term team from the U.S. came out of the week with a different perspective on missions and a stronger relationship with God.
“This week has shown me what an awesome God we have and has made me so thankful for Him,” said Courtney. “The Lord has further confirmed in my mind and heart that missions is where I’m supposed to be. I feel like God really wants me to come back to Ireland for the Immersion Programme.”
Please pray for the impact made in the schools and in the lives of all the children reached.
