Ministry to MK's & MK Fun (Part 4)

My wife, Kristi, has always said that one of the highlights of each year while on the mission field was going to missionary conference each Jan. Now that I have personally been to camp with our three children, I am beginning to understand why her statement is SO true.

For the MK's, the week of camp is a mix of VBS, freetime, and eating. That's about it. Basically, "the life of Riley". Their little imaginations take over and flesh out into "selling junk" at a little store they made up (see above).


Each year at missionary conference, there are short-termers who help with the little MK's. We were blessed this year to have Jodie Kunnari and Bethany Heckman to serve in this ministry to the MK's. Jodie (above) came down to Chile on the same plane as us, to visit her parent's for three months (Dan & Diana) and to occasionally help our family.

Bethany Heckman came to Chile for a one year short-term experience. Before conference, she helped Dan & Liz Thompson by helping with the homeschooling of their children. Then during conference, she (along with Jodie) was in charge of teaching the MK's Bible lessons, songs, and craft times during the adult preaching sessions in the morning and evening.

Bethany is now in Argentina for several months, but will be coming back to Chile sometime before she flies home in the fall.

Thank you Jodie and Bethany for your willingness to serve on a short-term basis and for your involvement in serving & teaching our children.

The MK tradition at conference is to have a parade at the end of the week for all the parents. Each year a theme is picked for the parade based on what has been taught during the week. This year the theme was "The Army of The Lord". All the kids were dressed up in camouflage and "war paint".

One of the many faces of Kaylee.

Jordan, Bryan V. & Ben

After the parade, another short-termer, Greg T., took all the little ones on a "hay ride" (minus the hay) around the campground.

Probably the only day during the week of conference where you will see all the MK's clean and their hair combed is Sunday. But even Sunday, dress clothes can get dirty...so cameras need to be ready to click quick.

All the MK's sing the songs they have learned during one of the last evening sessions. They are a joy to watch.

The teen MK's usually have someone else to teach them throughout the week. This year Dan & Rita Chamberland (from Maine) served at the teen leaders. Above: the teens sang a song at the end of conference. During the afternoons of conference, the teens have activities that keep them busy. Things like...horseback riding, going to the zip-line, hiking, swimming, going into town, and games of soccer.

Well...that's what the MK's do during camp. Maybe you, or someone you know, would be willing to serve in this ministry to the MK's next year? There is a great need and opportunities for service are numerous.

Please pray for all of the MK's. They have many challenges and hurdles to go through during their childhood. But they also have the great privilege of living in another culture, being bi-lingual, and being involved in cross-cultural ministries. We would appreciate your prayers for our children as they continue to adjust to life in Chile.