Awana and The Great Pumpkin

We resumed Awana on September 14th, and the first night was somewhat disappointing. But look out, the next few weeks have been an explosion! We have also started using our bus this year to pick up those who have no transportation. Over half of our total attendance this year are first time Clubbers!


Due to the new children attending, we have begun a new class for the older children, called Trek. These are sixth through eighth graders. That gives us four age groups, but we only had room for three groups. Additionally, we had no room for game time for a large group. The solution?

The Deacons and I met with the Director of Scheduling for our local Middle School. She was able to accommodate our Club with two large rooms, and one smaller room for our Puggles class. The cost was very minimal, for which we thank the Lord, and not due until May 2012, when the Club concludes for the summer.  We agreed to pray about the possibilities.

The problem? I was very uncomfortable with the Club leaving the atmosphere of the Church, the local Church where the Awana Club began. For Bible teaching, it seems to me, should be held at the Church, the spiritual place where we gather. So I called our Awana Missionary, Brother Bob Pycraft. He told me that many Churches did not have the facilities in which to hold their Clubs. He stated that the schools have been very helpful in the growth of Clubs. So after a Sunday morning discussion at Church, we agreed to use the Middle School. We will move there on Wednesday November second at 6 PM. An answer to prayer, but continue to pray for us!

Last night we held an Awana Halloween Party, at the Church, complete with a bonfire, hotdogs, cider, smores, and popcorn. Treats included wonderful cupcakes, decorated sugar cookies, and a bag of candy to go. Games included a doughnut biting contest, (a spin on the old apple bobbing contest) and a best costume contest. Four adults carved pumpkins and the children were the judges this time. Cleo and Rod even saved their pumpkin seeds for Debbie to roast in the toaster oven. She thanks them! The seeds are wonderful.

We are thankful for the adults leaders who teach and listen to verses which are memorized. They also help the children understand the meaning of the verse which is learned. So important!  

"Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11