UK Mission Update Four

Hello from the Tees Valley! It has been a long, but fun day here in the UK. We started early this morning walking to Beech Grove Primary School. This school recently received a name change and some renovations in an attempt to beat the school's poor reputation here in Middlesbrough. As we walked toward the school our team passed dozens of homes that have been condemned by the local government in an attempt to rid the community from some of its worst citizens. Honestly, we didn't know what to expect. Our goal in going to the school was to host a program called, "The Games". With the Olympics being in London this year, this program is designed to take students through a full day of activities and subtlety insert Christian themes. We had all the school's "Year 4" students for the day. They were divided into host countries like China, Brazil, and Canada to represent the countries that participate in the Olympics. We were divided into three zones. There was a Discovery Zone in which students could had a series of different experiences including hearing the story of Zacchaeus. There was another zone dedicated to creativity in which students had to come up with the beat of a rap song using the lyrics of the Bible's creation account. In the sport zone, we interacted with the students a played a number of olymipic-style games. During the closing ceremony we taught the children, "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands" and "This Little Light of Mine". We recapped the story of Zacchaeus and reminded them that Jeus loves them whether they are big or small or wherever they find themselves in life.

(Sorry there are not more pictures. Strict school rules prohibit us from photographing children.) It was a full day, but a great one. We were able to plant several seeds in these students hearts about God's love and hope that can be found in Jesus Christ. Tomorrow we head over to the The King's Academy. We are told that we can do everything short of actually presenting an altar call. Pray for open doors, open hearts, and God's favor as we go. We'll be doing assemblies and teaching in classrooms. Pray for the students that will be sharing their testimonies. Pray for lives to be changes through the power of the Gospel here in Middlesbrough! Steve