Back in June, we started a weekly Saturday afternoon Kid's Bible Club in Parque Brasíl (Brazil Park), which is several blocks away from our apartment building (see photo below).
Parque Brasíl is the MAIN park in Antofagasta, since it is the BIGGEST, definitely the greenest, and is conveniently centrally located. We have been very thankful that the Lord provided an apartment for our family in the middle of this strategic area of the city. It has proven to be a very furtile area to minister to young families.
Within a 10 block radius of the park there are at least 60 apartment buildings full of families with children. Every afternoon, the park is full of people. During the weekends, the park is totally packed with grandparents, parents, and children from all over the city.
A few weeks before we moved to Antofagasta, new playground equipment was installed. This has made the park even MORE POPULAR. Our children enjoy playing on the new playground equipment. There are three different sizes of playground equipment that cater to the different stages of child development and mobility. We set up our Kid's Club on a small patch of grass alongside the new playground. The close proximity to the playground has its pros and cons. For example
Pro: Parents and children see our little group and come out of curiosity...plus, it's something free.
Con: The proximity to the playground can be a distraction to the children who are listening to the Bible story.
We are constantly ministering to different families and children each week, thus making our presence known and gaining contacts. There are several families who come on a weekly basis (i.e. Raúl and The Candy Man's daughter).
There ARE challenges to this type of ministry. We are constantly tweaking and evaluating what we do. In the Chilean culture, "the desire to be entertained" is the default attitude. Our desire is to teach the Bible and share the Gospel in ways that avoid the popular "Bait 'n Switch" or "Veggie Tales" methods. A chainsaw juggling clown that gives gifts and throws candy would be "entertaining" and would guarantee large crowds, but in the end, numbers do not equal ministry success or spiritual depth. We need wisdom as we desire to glorify God in our methods in this new ministry each Saturday.
The Kid's in the Park ministry is totally different from a controlled S.S. classroom ministry. Sometimes, families and children come and go "at will", which is very distracting to the teacher as well as to those listening. The general mentality of parents who walk by is "oh, look kids, someone is telling a story over there, why don't you go and sit down for a few minutes so I don't have to keep an eye on you."
We are constantly ministering to different families and children each week, thus making our presence known and gaining contacts. There are several families who come on a weekly basis (i.e. Raúl and The Candy Man's daughter).
There ARE challenges to this type of ministry. We are constantly tweaking and evaluating what we do. In the Chilean culture, "the desire to be entertained" is the default attitude. Our desire is to teach the Bible and share the Gospel in ways that avoid the popular "Bait 'n Switch" or "Veggie Tales" methods. A chainsaw juggling clown that gives gifts and throws candy would be "entertaining" and would guarantee large crowds, but in the end, numbers do not equal ministry success or spiritual depth. We need wisdom as we desire to glorify God in our methods in this new ministry each Saturday. 
The Kid's in the Park ministry is totally different from a controlled S.S. classroom ministry. Sometimes, families and children come and go "at will", which is very distracting to the teacher as well as to those listening. The general mentality of parents who walk by is "oh, look kids, someone is telling a story over there, why don't you go and sit down for a few minutes so I don't have to keep an eye on you." Of course, the lack of attention span of the children (and parents) + the seemingly lack of candy + cell phones and blackberries going off + the "mama, could you go buy me some popcorn!" + the noise of the city buses and taxis speeding by = a mind draining exercise of trying to keep children's attention on the Bible lesson (without turning into a clown to do so). We would appreciate your prayers as we minister in this difficult context.
Kristi has been doing a wonderful job teaching each week, despite the distractions and challenges. Our confidence is in our powerful God, His powerful Word, and His powerful Holy Spirit to work in the hearts and minds of the children and parents who listen (even if it is sometimes a "drive-by-hearing").
Kristi has been doing a wonderful job teaching each week, despite the distractions and challenges. Our confidence is in our powerful God, His powerful Word, and His powerful Holy Spirit to work in the hearts and minds of the children and parents who listen (even if it is sometimes a "drive-by-hearing").Follow the ministry by "Liking" our "Flincks in Chile" Facebook, where you can find daily updates, prayer items, photos, and videos.
2 comments:
Definetly sounds challenging, I've run into the same sort of issues in children's ministry before. I'll be praying! We know God's Word does not return void and will accomplish it's purpose in those He will draw to Himself!
Sounds challenging but very exciting!
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