Friends and Heroes Holiday Club 2012
Our Friends and Heroes Half-term Holiday Club
Tuesday 30 October - Thursday 1 November 2012
A fantastic time was had by all!
Kim Curle, Family Worker, reporting:
Even well before the closing date for applications, we were fully booked with over 70 children, age range 4-11, and were hearing from parents about how much their children were looking forward to it! This was our fifth holiday club held in the last two years and many children have attended all of them!
The ancient world of the first century came alive in this epic animated series as each day we followed the adventures of two friends - Macky and Portia - in their fight for justice, and even survival, against the might of the Roman Empire. Set in Egypt, at the Port of Alexandria, home of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world - the Lighthouse of Alexandria, Pharos - Macky and his friends got into many difficult situations in their stand against the Romans and retold Bible stories to help them understand what to do next.
On the first day, in Lost in Alexandria, we met little Leah who went missing in the back streets of the city and the stories of Ruth and Naomi, and the Parable of the Good Samaritan helped us to discover how important it is to accept others and be a true friend.
On the second day, in The One That Got Away, a silver fish encoded with secret information about the Christians was stolen. The challenge for Macky and his friends was could they get it back? Through their adventures and retelling of their people's stories Peter and John heal a lame man and Shadrach and the Furnace - we learnt the importance of doing right and keeping true.
On the last day, in Doing Our Part, it was Purim time, and while Macky , Sollie and friends acted out the story of brave Queen Esther, Diana (Macky's mother) too showed courage as she tried to lead destitute refugees through the dangerous streets, and recounted the tale of Joseph of Cyprus (Barnabas) to her Roman jailer. Through our friends' exploits and the retelling of these stories, we understand how important it is to be brave, and to be generous.
With opening crafts including Egyptian headbands and hieroglyphics, and a mix of weaving, pottery, baking and other activities each day in the Alexandria Bazaar; together with games sessions, times when we got to know each other and to reinforce the Biblical theme in the small groups, and our gatherings all-together when we followed the story line on the big screen, sing and pray together; the Friends and Heroes programme was action-packed with something for everyone. And then on the last day of the holiday club, we followed the tradition of welcoming the children's families for our closing session before sharing a picnic-style lunch together.
It was great that so many people were involved in one way or another: in the preparatory workshops, as group leaders or helpers, as activity providers, or organising the games or providing refreshments for all the team. Without this practical assistance it would not be possible to put on such an event. I am incredibly grateful. Most especially, I thank everyone for their prayers for it is only through the Lord who gives us strength that all things are possible and therefore we praise him for his blessings.
On the Sunday following we held our Holiday Club Special, in the church, café-style with many of the children taking part, ending what had been a tremendous week. Praise the Lord!
