The story that we decided that we would tell the children was 'Joseph the Dreamer'. We gave the teachings to roughly sixty children aged between eight and twelve years old. The way in which we led that group was by giving a simplified version of the story complete with a set of actions and memory words in which we got the children to repeat and perform.
The children loved the actions and memory words and really seemed to engage with the leader of the teachings which was our team member Henry. They picked up the actions really quickly and were able to remember the key plot points of the story when asked.
 |
| Henry leading the children through the story of 'Joseph the Dreamer'. |
There once was a young man named Joseph and his father was called Jacob. They lived together with Joseph's eleven brothers in the town of Canaan. Jacob gave his son Joseph a coat made of special colours, because of this Joseph's brothers became exceptionally jealous.
One day Joseph had a dream about bunches of grain that him and his brothers had picked, whereby his brother's bunches of grain all stood up and bowed down to his. He also had another dream about the sun, moon and stars where yet again his father and brothers bowed down to him. This infuriated his brothers even more.
A few days later Joseph went to go find his brothers in the field they were working in. His brothers had been plotting to kill him, however they sold Joseph to a group of travelers going to Egypt. To convince their father that Joseph had been killed they dipped his robe of many colours in animal blood and took it to him. This made Jacob incredibly upset and he wept for many days.
However the Lord had blessed Joseph, as Potiphar his master had put him in charge of everything that he owned in his house. However Potiphar's wife was not happy about this, and therefore lied to Potiphar in order to get Joseph thrown into jail.
Nevertheless the Lord remained with Joseph. Two of Pharaoh's workers were sent into jail with Joseph and each of them had a dream - they explained their dreams to Joseph. Joseph told one of the workers that he would be getting out of jail soon and to tell Pharaoh about him. But once the worker was let out of jail he forgot about Joseph and so Joseph spent a further two years bound.
After two years Pharaoh had a dream that no one in his kingdom could explain. The worker remembered Joseph and bought him to Pharaoh. Joseph explained to Pharaoh that it was God that helped him to understand dreams. He explained that Pharaoh's dream about seven fat cows and seven thin cows was actually a warning from God about seven plentiful years followed by seven years of famine.
Pharaoh asked Joseph for advice, in response Joseph told him that God had already shown him what he had to do. God's advice was for Pharaoh to save food in the seven prosperous years so that they would have plenty in the seven years of famine. So that it what Pharaoh did.
Seven years passed and people from all around came to buy food, some of the people that came were Joseph's brothers. Although Joseph recognised them, they did not recognise him. Just as Joseph had originally dreamed all of his brothers bowed down to him.
Joseph arranged to have meetings with his brothers in which he revealed his true self and told his brothers not to be scared. Further he told them not to be worried or angry with themselves for selling him, as it was Gods plan for his life - and through this he has managed to save many peoples lives.
Joseph's brothers and father all came to live with him in Egypt and they all had plenty to eat.
We are aware that this is quite a simplified version of the actual Bible story, but we wanted to talk to our audience in terms that they could understand and to keep their attention by not making it too complicated.
Incorporating the actions into the story really grabbed the children's attention and after we had finished the Sunday school leaders asked if we would be able to teach them in how to create such actions and stories. It is amazing that they liked our ideas and we can't wait to see what they themselves do!
After we had shared the story and the messages from the story, we were treated to a singing and dancing performance from some of the children.
Once Sunday school was over we played the classic game of 'Stuck in the Mud' which was so much fun, and so exciting to get to interact with the children - despite some of them not understanding that once you were caught you had to stand still!!
The event carried on throughout the whole day and moved venues from the local church to a field nearby. Here we were able to join in with some of the local/traditional dancing. Which was absolutely amazing, it was such a warm and welcoming environment and the sense of community spirit and bonding was so intense. The dancing was a one of experience and it was such a pleasure to be able to join in.
 |
| One of the choirs performing a dance. |
Included in the event was singing from numerous choirs, and a sermon from our very own AEE staff member - NAMARA. It continued through a time of prayer and people coming to Christ for the first time by laying their lives before Jesus - which was such a beautiful event to witness. The AEE staff members informed us the next morning that through the event eighteen people had been bought to God which is fantastic and a real blessing to have been a part of.
Throughout the entire day the children were incredibly keen to play games and interact with us. One of the most favourite things that we did was pulling faces! The children found it hilarious and so did we!!
 |
| Everyone pulling their best faces!!! |
It was a real blessing and privilege to had been invited to be a part of this celebration and we are incredibly grateful to the staff of AEE for asking us, and also the members of the church and the community for accepting us and making us feel so welcome. It was one of the best experiences we have had since being here (which is a tough call because we have had so many wonderful times!!). It is a day I am sure that none of us will forget for a very long time to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment