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Praise God for what he’s done this past year
Kids making a difference
Kids helping kids!One little girl, only nine years old, made a difference. After experiencing Operation 1+1 at VBS, she brought her prayer card home and shared it with her grandmother. She reminded grandma to pray every day for the children on the card. She could make something! From her other grandmother, she had learned to knit. She began to knit cotton washcloths and sell them. All the proceeds went to Operation 1+1. She worked for many weeks during the summer, praying and knitting for kids. As a result of her work, nearly a dozen new kids will be reached for Christ! Kids CAN make a difference!
TeamsLast year, we saw 52 team members travel to 11 different countries on 12 different teams to train nearly 1000 children’s leaders around the world to reach kids in their own communities for Christ. Not only did these team members have an impact in the various regions they served, but for many, their lives will never be the same! "The people we met were such a blessing to us. I have never been treated with such hospitality and generosity before in my life. Our team even received a rooster as a thank-you!" - Kenya Team "Kidzana is filling a deep need in the world. Many lives are being touched ... and I would include myself among those who have been changed. Thank you for equipping me and also reminding me how important children’s ministry really is." - Ethiopia Team "Praise God for the 166 children's workers and Sunday School superintendents who attended the training ... and for 1000’s of kids who will be affected by them in the future. I truly believe God allowed us to be a catalyst for what he wants to do in the future. What a delight!" - Trinidad Team
InstitutesLast year, we enjoyed training over 50 children’s and missions leaders from across North America at our intensive 3-day Reaching Global Kids Institutes. In addition, over 25 leaders in other countries have also been trained to train others to reach and disciple their children for Christ. Does “training trainers” sound boring? Just the opposite. These leaders have been some of the most sacrificial, dedicated and talented servants of God we have ever met. We have learned more from them ... than we have taught! This group also represents a powerhouse of activity for children:
Helping children at riskAt least 2/3 of the unreached kids around the world (including the children in areas in which Kidzana works) are also “at risk” children:
Please pray as we ask God for wisdom about what part we should play in helping to reach and disciple children who live in desperate or crisis situations around the world.
TrainingTraining? Does it really help? EgyptOne man confessed that he felt useless to help others to work with children, even though he had a passion for kids’ work. After the training institute, he has exploded with ministry to teachers and to leaders across the region. Thousands of children’s lives are being impacted! South AfricaA couple, leaving shortly to work with an unreached African tribe, attended the training in South Africa. They hung on every word with excitement, realizing they could use everything they were learning to reach out to the families of the tribal people they would serve. Previously, they had not seen the huge potential of kids’ ministry in their work! JordanTwo Egyptian children’s leaders were part of the Kidzana training team in Jordan this fall. After the training, participants reflected: last year, our teams taught them to reach their own children for Christ. But this year, the teams brought people who speak their language and know their culture. They were SO thankful for the training that will help them create relevant ministry to their own kids.
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