Today proved to be another interesting day at RA Padayachee. It was a big day in terms of outreach but it is hard to evaluate how well the kids retained the message for the day. I stressed to Mrs. Mirage, the school’s assistant principal who usually organizes which classes I can work with for the day, that for today and tomorrow it is really important that I work with the 6^th and 7^th grade students. From experience the 6^th and 7^th grade students are generally the students that can comprehend the most, as most kids that are grade 5 and below generally haven’t responded well to devotionals and don’t typically understand or follow what I am trying to get across to them.

This is an important time period in the ministry at RA Padayachee because time is running quite low in regards to exposure at the school. Today I tried discussing with the 6^th and 7^th grade groups God’s laws and how they are still relevant today. We went through a few of them that the kids were familiar with, such as not stealing, not lying and honoring your father and mother. From discussing the law I talked about how we have all broken the law at some point and have fallen into sin. At this point, I handed out New Testament Bibles to the kids in which we could go through some passages together. We talked about Romans 3:23 and 6:23 on how sin of not obeying God’s law is something that we are all guilty of and from that sin we are faced with the punishment of death.

This was a heavy message to get across today and it’s hard to gauge how the kids received it. I challenged them to think it over and come to me with any questions. I told them that tomorrow I would be bringing them good news. Tomorrow I plan on discussing with them the Good News that is found in Christ. I know God is at work in these kids’ lives and I’m thankful for the opportunity of being able to bring the Gospels to the kids and possibly share it with them in the next week as well.

When looking at the masses it can be quite frustrating in regards to evaluating the progress and receptivity of the kids. When I look at the group as a whole, in any class really, it can be quite frustrating. This being because moral decency is at such a bare minimal at this school and in this community. To illustrate this point with an example from today, I was walking the kids through God’s law, of all things, and we all admitted together that stealing was wrong and we shouldn’t do it. About 45 seconds later I told them that I brought gifts for all of them and they were each free to take a Bible. I put the box in front of the group thinking since they are all guaranteed to get one they may be somewhat civil about it. When that box hit the ground it seemed like a pack of savage dogs pouncing on an injured cat. They went crazy. 45 seconds after we just had a discussion on theft, kids were literally trying to steal the Bible. Now I would like to say that this was the kids’ thirst for God’s word but I’m pretty sure it was just there tendency to fight for anything material.

There are bright spots though. Each class seems to have at least a few students that care and pay close attention when we talk about God’s word. To be honest, that’s good enough for me. I’d be pleased if I could be an impact on just a few lives right now and help kids out of the lifestyle of their community. At this point in the ministry at RA Padayachee, I am going to preach God’s word to the masses but keep my eyes on the work that God is doing through the bright spots in these groups that care. These are the kids that will walk away with the most from my time at the school.

Last night I found out that I had more unexpected financial support coming from the states. At the end of my stay we are having a Junior Youth Camp that is targeted towards kids in grade 5 through 7. I did the math on the money that is supposed to come in and it would be enough to sponsor in full 7 kids to go to camp. I want to be able to send some of the bright spots from RA Padayachee, so in the next couple days I will also be working on organizing that with a few possible students. It would be an amazing opportunity for some of these kids to go to camp, that would not be able to pay for something like that otherwise.

Altogether, this ministry can be frustrating at times but it also very rewarding when I look at the few lives that it seems to be having an impact on. I am so thankful for this opportunity and am excited about where it is going to lead in the next couple days and week.

Funny kid questions:

How many WCW wrestlers do you know?

How many hip-hop celebrities do you know?

Above: 7th grade class before talk

Below: GOAL!!!!!