Merry Christmas!
Backyard Bible Club staff and volunteers welcomed Christmas break with a wonderful 12th week of program sessions, and now seems like a good time to reflect back on the 1st half of this program year. BBC has grown, averaging more staff and volunteers weekly, more regular outings, and more attendees. Children have come to spend time with interested adult role-models, and have continued to come consistently week in and week out. Staff and volunteers have intentionally condition and reinforce positive behavior, and children have earned fun outings through attendance and good behavior! Several children have participated in Agape’s basketball program, and others have begun attending Restoration Community Church, where they’re finding a new family.
This past week, one child didn’t feel like coming the day of our Christmas party. She’d had a stressful day, and seemed angry. Her mother mandated she go. So she came, but hesitated to participate. She changed her mind when we began decorating cookies for Christmas and drinking hot chocolate and a smile crossed her face; the first smile I’d seen on her face that day. Her smile stayed the rest of the day, and the stresses she’d brought into the day melted away for an hour. She wrapped a gift for her parents that Mrs. Ann Cochran brought. She’d never wrapped a present before. Many of the other children hadn’t either. Mr. David Hill read the Christmas story during the party, and one boy said he’d never heard a story at a Christmas party before.
The children were excited to receive gifts at the end of the party, but they weren’t allowed to open them until Christmas. We’ll see how many can hold out, but I’ll let you know what they received. They received a sketch pad, coloring pencils, an eraser, and some play dough. But don’t tell!
To the volunteers, you’re wonderful! You’re making an eternal difference in the lives of many little ones. To those who’ve donated supplies and resources, you’re wonderful! The quality of this program is high due in large part to your generosity.
To be continued in January!
