For the last year I’ve worked in two different areas of Barrouallie holding Bible Clubs. The areas aren’t far apart (they are very close) but children in both areas don’t know ones from the other ones very well.
The fact that one group was mostly boys, and the other mostly girls didn’t help!
But I knew the Lord would have me combine the groups so ministry could grow.
In early December, I began combining the groups so they could practice songs for our Christmas program. At first this was a bit awkward since they didn’t have good relationships, but slowly they started to get more comfortable with each other.
The week before Christmas we went to the sea after practice (a short walk) as a reward after singing well. A little girl in the group was especially shy since her older sister was not there that day, and she almost always stayed close to big sister.
Since big sister wasn’t there I held her hand at all times
But at the sea I was needed to make sure things were kept under control.
While the boys ran around being boys, the girls waded into the water letting it flow over their feet. The youngest girl was especially nervous, but one of the others took her by the hand, and carefully led her into the water. Making sure that none of it splashed on her face.
Watching her reminded me the Gospel unites us.
The beautiful thing about the church is it isn’t a lot of people who look the same. We often disagree on other issues, but agree on Doctrine, and are bound together by the Holy Spirit. Christ makes us brothers and sisters.
Yes this is sometimes awkward
but that’s okay
because relationships will come
Today I had to have a talk with one of our boys who was being extra crazy in order to impress one of the new girls. I once again explained the way to get a pretty girl to like you is leave her alone :-) But the awkwardness and boys being boys is worth it to see them become one family of children that loves the Lord.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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