What a packed month, so many things happened…. The month kicked off with a church conference, which sees an extra +-1000 people on the base for a 4 day Spirit-filled weekend, as people came flocking to worship God and hear His word. We got to watch the bible school graduate and be sent off to start their various callings and churches. We were blessed to hear Pastor Supresa, Rolland Baker and other guest speakers and be encouraged. The following week we were blessed again during a one-day visit by Mamma Heidi.
After the conference we rolled into a week of the children receiving test results, hearing if they have passed the academic school year and attending their annual prize-giving. After all the formalities, the summer holidays officially started. It was filled with an array of activities for the children to do. Various dorms and groups had different outings organized. These included a variety of places, activities and fun. Some went for trips for ice-cream, others to the pool, one dorm even got to try tenpin bowling at the local alley. Another dorm was blessed with an opportunity to a trip to the local water park. Most of the children on the centre each got a chance to go the beach, local zoo and check out the shops. Typically each dorm had one outing a week to keep them entertained during their almost 3 month summer break… but the fun did not stop there. When they were at the centre, there were so many things to partipate in. For the older ones, there was a sports tournament and daily arts and craft class which had them learn to make beaded key rings and baskets out of newspaper. Each dorm organized a variety of activities and programmes, the girls dorm had a slip and slide, the one boys dorm had a dance party and pizza night. One of the older boy dorms had a couple times where they got to help prepare an additional snack, which not only kept them busy and having fun but equipped them with life skills needed when they leave the centre one day. Some of the older youth partipated in a culinary holiday school and learned how to make food. Others got to attend a summer camp for a few days. And in between all this, all the children of the centre got invited to a local hotel, where they were treated to a special lunch and presents.
Of course the countdown to Christmas created its own fun and kept everyone busy; making Christmas crafts, making paper chains to decorate the dorms, putting up Christmas trees and getting into the festive mood. The baby house even got to decorate Christmas cookies.
Christmas itself was lot of fun and one of the highlights of the year for all the children living on the centre; the excitement was so great it was tangible. As a centre we throw Christmas parties for all the various ministries and people we minister to throughout the year… There was a party for “street ministry” and the street kids and homeless were blessed with a meal and presents, as were 100 children from the Hulune community and those who attend the weekly church service/feeding programme at the “Boccaria (the local rubbish dump) ministry”. Patients at the local government hospital were visited by volunteers who shared the love with them too.
And then of course there was the Christmas party and celebrations for our 250+ children on the centre. On Christmas Eve they all enjoyed a church service. After watching the Baby house toddlers present the Nativity scene drama, every child lit a candle and we had our version of carols by candle light. The next morning each child woke up to enjoy a special breakfast, and a new outfit. After church and worshipping Jesus, children went back to their dorms to open up their gift bags. So much joy and so many smiles as kids opened up their bags of toys and snack treats. After building up an appetite unwrapping all the gifts and new toys, children headed to the dining hall, and enjoyed putting on and watching a variety of dances and singing groups. Afterwards we ate a family dinner- a special Christmas meal of chicken and spaghetti.
The week that followed Christmas, the base wass filled with giggles and joyful glees as children enjoyed their new toys and waited for another highlight of the year, New Year's Eve or as some call it “night of fireworks” New year’s. We threw a party for the kids on the centre. The party started off with a range of games and activities for the children to rotate through, (face-painting, craft, biscuit decorating, pass the parcel, throwing games) followed by Youtube clips and group games. There was food and snack treats, and a movie, and finally wrapping up a night of fun, a year of God goodness, we went down to the sports field and watched a magnificent display of fireworks as we counted in the new year. We ended the year off with a bang, and excitedly wait to see what God has in store for us in 2017
By Heather