So... She Emptied Her Piggy Bank!

Yep, I'm in Chiang Mai Thailand about to write to you about my time in Chicago last month! I'm a little behind, but this story HAS to be told!

The Convoy of Hope interns were invited to minister at a kid's conference in Hammond Indiana (right outside of Chicago!)  The theme of the conference was set to be, "Tell the World."  It was pretty much a mission's convention for kiddos!

We went to challenge them and expose them to missions.  We played the parts of not so super heros.

 They laughed, but somehow along the way they got the message that there are people all over the world that need food and clean water, and most of all need to know Jesus.  They were challenged, they got it, they understood.  How do I know?

I watched the tiniest of them all lift her hands in worship to God and pray that she could be a better sister.  (What if we adults prayed this prayer?!)

I watched them write letters to the children of Thailand sharing the love of Christ in each note! (What if WE all wrote letters of love to those we know need Jesus?)

Top part the Hammond kids making their message in a bottle for the Thai kids, bottom the Thai kids writing them back

I watched them write the names of their friends and family on little pieces of paper and commit to pray for them and share Christ with them.  A couple of them came and asked for more paper. Then I watched them kneel and pray. (What if everyone in our church made this commitment?)

I watched Parker on her 10th birthday get up and share the gospel and about how bad the nations need Jesus.  (What if we ALL had this boldness?)

And then during the last service they were challenged to give to missions, to Convoy of Hope.  They were told about the opportunity to give the day before.  I watched a 5 year old make her way to the offering basket with her piggy bank and shake it till every last penny was out.  We told her of the need so she emptied her piggy bank?!  (What if every Christian gave this sacrificially to missions?!)  All my missionary friends just said, Yes and Amen to that one!  Evidently the secret to a successful mission's convention is down the hall in kid's church! :)

We went to challenge them and in turn they challenged US, in their worship, their prayer, their commitment, their help, and their giving! Needless to say they have a great children's pastor in Debbie Wells, who had them primed and ready to receive from God!  If you have a great children's pastor, show them some love today!

This blog doesn't do the sweet children of Hammond, Indiana justice, but if you want to be challenged I can introduce you to some inner city & suburbanite kiddos that just plain GET IT!

"I tell you the Truth, unless we come to Him like these little children...."

Here are some of the sweet Buddhist kiddos who got the messages in a bottle from the conference. I KNOW the kids in Hammond Indiana are praying for these guys and I'm excited to be their missionary representative, their hands extended here in Thailand!