Carol Service/Nativity at Croftlands

Today started out reasonably well for us we had no morning service at Croftlands so we went to Urswick and shared in the Christingle Service there, then lunch at parent in laws, followed by Christmas party for Sunday School children and Kidzone then the final dress rehearsal ready for tonight. I think it was part of Murphy's Law that says what will go wrong will go wrong and it did. With less than half an hour to go before the service we stopped the practise and panic set in. The service unfolded and then it was the time for the children - Christmas with the Aliens - And they performed it beautifully the best they had ever, ever done it, God be Praise for the message those young children gave out tonight during that play, God be Praise for everything going well from scene changes to the music to entrance's to exit's. We had a wonderful time with the children and i think they have enjoyed it a bit too.

Messy Day at Croftlands Junior School with church

Today with our church we did a messy day - the first of many I hope. There was lots of glue and paint and mess and no really order to what we did - which made it more fun. There was a big overall plan and that was to made props and decorate costumes for the Nativity play tomorrow. But we gave the children a free choice as to what they did, we needed some tools for Joseph a brush for Mary, then a wiseman/King decided to make a water bottle/flask holder. Some painted bushes while others drew pictures to go into the programme. And in my lack of faith I looked at the clock at 10.30 and thought we will never find enough for them to do, but by 2.30 having done a technical run through we couldn't kick some of them out they would still be there now if we let them. Both Sarah and I were very pleased with today considering it was our first time with this kind of thing, the children have asked us when's the next one...very soon I hope. Praise God for today, for the bridges built and the conversations had with parents.

Low Furness School

Yesterday we went into Low Furness School for 9.00 to see the last part of Bible Explorer which is part of Walk Through the Bible Ministries. It is great to see the children engaged and enjoying some of the great stories that are found in the Bible. I have been asked if I would like to train to do it which is again another blessing from God.

Following this we went on to do an Assembly about Advent telling the children what Advent is really all about and how it leads up to Christmas Day when we yes open presents and eat lots of nice food but we also remember the birth of Jesus. I followed this up at Christianity club last night with Scruff the Dog who gave me A Vent because it was A Vent time and I explained to the children that so many people get the meaning of Advent and Christmas wrong.

Bible Explorer

Now here is a really blessing. Many years ago I did Walk Thru the Bible and loved it, so much so I did it again the following year. Now BX as it is known is the children version and I have been asked if I would like to be trained to teach it ... is that a daft question or what I said YES! YES! YES! This is just another one of God's ticks that confirms to us that what we are doing is from Him.

Praise God

Croftlands Infant School

Tuesday
This afternoon we took the assembly in the Infants school. We did a similar thing to the Juniors but I took along Henry the Hedgehog. Who behind my bag was getting excited about Christmas much to the amusement of the children. Again we told them about the time of year advent and what it means and reminded them that Christmas is about a baby born in a stable who's name was Jesus.

Croftlands Junior School

Tuesday
Today we visited the Junior school and we waited .... and waited..... and waited..... As that was what we wanted to talk about as it is coming up to advent. We showed a Power Point about what advent is and explained that Christmas is an exciting time that has lots to do with food, presents, Father Christmas, decorations etc but it is also the time of year when we remember the birth of Jesus. We told them to remember the real meaning of Christmas as they for Christmas Day.

Pennington C of E School

Monday
Did an assembly today for the school and took along Gary... The children thought he was great. We told the children about the importance of the Bible and about some of the things you might find in the Bible. Gary was standing on it to see out of his house!!! Sarah told him that he wouldbe better off reading it, Gary asked why and Sarah told him about the stories that we find in the Bible to which Gary then decided to get off the Bible and go and read it.

Windermere Junior School

Today we visited Windermere Junior School to take the assembly. We had a lovely drive up past the lake and marvelled at the wonderful orange, yellows, reds and browns on the trees - I think God has great fun with colours at this time of year.

The children and staff welcomed us as we played Friend of God as the children sat down in the hall. We started with Our God is a Great Big God before Gary came up and talked about his Bessie mate Ben (best mate that is). We then linked this to the friends that Jesus had when he was on the earth, Sarah asked the children to name the 12 special friends the children managed to name 7 which was good. We then talked about how some of them like Peter let him down, but Jesus forgave him and welcomed him back and in fact the church was started with Peter. Although we had slightly gone over time we sang Shine to end the assembly.

Low Furness School

Again as always at Low Furness the children enjoyed the assembly. Today we talked to them about how Jesus was also a man and lived with a 'normal' family - we told them he was very special too and we talked about how we should be when we are around our families and how we should help one another and how we should love our brothers and sisters.

Pennington CE School

Had a great time with Pennington School yesterday morning. We sang a few songs and talked about what people might say about them and used the Fruit of the Spirit to tell them what they should be like and how they should be towards other people. Considering it was our first time at the school the children really took to us and enjoyed what we did for them.

Sir John Barrow School

Yet another late blog!

On Friday we went into the school and took an assembly for the juniors. Following a very enthusiastic response to Our God is a Great Big God we invited out two boys and gave them a plate and a tube of tomato puree. Which at our instruction emptied onto the plate - why what a waste I hear you cry? It was to demonstrate that what sometimes comes out of us - like words can't too easily be taken and put back in our mouth. So it was a lesson in watching what we say. We ended the assembly time with singing Shine.

For a first time assembly we felt in went well and after Christmas we hope to be able to go back in again.

Windermere Junior School

This was today!

Yes a blog published on the right day.

Today we went up to Windermere Junior School, however we were a little late as there was a delay on the A590, But God answers prayer and the road was clear after Sarah took a short Detour. The children welcomed us with silent cheers as we arrived to take the assembly. A quick burst of 'Be Happy' and on with the main part, just like Croftlands Junior school on Tuesday we did a talk about what people might think about us and linked it to the Fruit of the Spirit. We concluded with Shine which was a new one on the children. Following the assembly we booked up dates up to and New Year and we have to take Gary next time.

It is a pure joy to be able to work with children and in particular to teach them about how they should live their lives for Jesus. It must be the best job in the world.

Croftlands Infant School

Another late blog.

But what a joy and uplift it is to be back at Croftlands Infant School. The children and Staff are so warm and welcoming it is great. As usual we have a very loud version of 'Our God is a Great Big God' before a very shameful Scruff the Dog came out. He had been a naughty boy, he had taken a sausage from the butcher's shop and then bite the butcher on the leg!! Sarah told him he would get a bad name for himself, and I pointed out that we should show love, kindness, goodness, patience, peace etc to each other. Basically the Fruit of the Spirit but I didn't use those words to the children.

Our prayer is that God will continue to Bless the work that has been started in the school.

Croftlands Junior School

This is a little late as we did the assembly on Tuesday, but we had a great time with the new year 2 classes in the junior school. We sang a few of the old favourite songs and talked about 'what people might think about them' and linked it to the Fruit of the Spirit. We have a monthly slot now in the school up to Christmas, which is just great. We pray that God will continue to bless us in this work.

A fun filled night at Cubs

Tonight we went to the 1st Duddon Cub group and had a fantastic time with them. We sang some songs and took along Gary who fell off the family Bible so Sarah told him what was in the Bible then I told a story from the Bible using my shape changing square, then the kids all made a somple one so they could re-tell the story for themselves. We rounded off the evening with a a short magic show and Wonderful Lord - a truely enjoyable time. I am thoroughly enjoying my new way of life.

Low Furness School

What do you think?

This was the title of the assembly this morning the first one back after the summer. We sang a few of the old favourite songs from holiday club and I then talked about Jesus asking his disciples who people thought he was and who they thought he was. It was used to demonstrate the point that although Jesus did do and still does great things for us we need to decide what we think about him, just as the disciples of Jesus had to. To get the point across we asked two people out who then told us what the favourite TV programme was and why then we asked them what they thought of the other persons choice of show as other peoples opinions are equally as important as our own. Thinking back to the holiday club I asked the children about some of the things Jesus had done in his life and asked them if he was here right now doing those type of things what would they do and who would they say he was.

All in all a good assembly and a good start to the year.

Spent the rest of the day ringing round our other schools and booking in assemblies as well as contacting some new schools and asking to go in and talk about what we do.

Urswick Holiday Club

We have had a fantastic time this week doing the Holiday Club 'Seaside Rock' at Low Furness School with the people from Urswick Church. I would be on very safe ground - one could say rock solid ground (wise and foolish builders one of this weeks stories) when I say that everyone from the youngest child to the oldest helper has thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It is great to be involved with God's work in this way. The children have enjoyed singing songs learning new ones, doing craft, playing games, listening to 'Peter' as he told us about Jesus and some of the things he got upto with Jesus. This week seeds have been sown that now need to be watered and looked after by all of us, and at the end of a very busy week we pray that God will show us how, when and the where to water those seeds. God's Glory be Praised in Heaven for the work that has started this week with some of the children in Urswick.



Sarah and I are praying into our future as to where God wants us to go. We both feel called into some form of full-time children's ministry. We therefore thank you and ask for your continued support and prayers as we seek out God's will for our lives.

Wet Wet Wet

No not the pop group but how our holiday club ended today. The day was great and we managed to get outside for a picnic and then have the usual water fight a good soaking was had by all. The week has gone so fast we can't believe it is now over. The children have been great the junior leaders did a brill job and a really good time was had by all.

We just have the Sunday service to do now at 10.30 on Sunday morning which will be a mix of traditional songs and hymns as well as giving the parents a small taste of what has happened during the week. Talking to parents at the end of the morning was great too as they told us just how much their children had enjoyed what they had done during the week.

It would be good if we could build upon this and hold another event in the Autumn we'll need to think about that one.

Thanks to all our blog followers who have been praying for us during the week.

Sarah and I are now taking a three week break before doing the Urswick holiday club on August 16th.

A jester at WAC

Yesterday I was asked to go and talk to the Wednesday Afternoon Club that meets in the community centre on Croftlands. My brief was to talk about our work with Jester For Jesus - so I did. Then I told them all to imagine they were 7 years old again and I did a children's magic show for them. Except I did add in one or two card tricks. They loved it! I ended the show with my usual ending about Jesus taking all our sin away and God pouring out His love for us. Despite being told not to do too much God stuff - I did what I felt was right and yes sowed a few seeds - great fun all round.

Croftlands Community Church Holiday Club

Our God is a Great Big God.

Not only was this the first song we sung today but Our God really is a Great Big God. Last Sunday we had just 29 children booked in for holiday club. We thought it was as a result of the cheap holidays some people had got this week. But slowly over the week the number started to rise. When it got to 40 we said great that is 10 per group - we can cope with that. Then the numbers went up a bit more and then a bit more and then even more still. We then past last years 54 number for those that had pre-booked. God is really working out His purpose we thought. We got to 60 which is 15 per group well we have had that before - lets print the list - ring ring went the phone 2 more - OK print it now - ring ring again 3 more - so that's 65 - WOW!! This morning 68 children turned up for holiday club and we have another new starter tomorrow. God is certainly Blessing us as a Church with His goodness. My prayer tonight as I write this is that God will Bless all those children that came today and if they don't come back tomorrow I pray that God will work on them with something they have picked up today. So I just want to say thank you God - You are a Great Big God.

Jonah@Low Furness

We did our last assembly of the year at Low Furness today. I wanted a story they could remember over the summer as well as give them something to think about. It was also the last assembly with the year 6 children so I wanted them to take something with them to their new school.

Jonah came to mind yesterday, I was told to go and he did in the opposite direction which is what we do at times. But God had a plan for his life as he has for ours, also God protects us and looks after us. God sent the fish to Jonah, Jonah then went the right way.

Sarah told the story from one of the kids bibles and I encouraged children to help act out the story. Some became a boat others sign posts still others operated a dark sheet for the sea. We prayed with the children and for the leaving year 6 class before singing Wonderful Lord together, Sarah's heart was melted by one little boy's singing.

It is an absolute privilege to be able to go into these schools and interact with these children. We don't know what September will bring but it is my prayer that God will direct us back into the schools to continue the work started this year and to perhaps increase it as well. Looking back over the year it has been fantastic. Praise the Lord.

Jester For Jesus -plays the Palladium

Yes you read the headline correctly. Yesterday we had a very busy day and Bertie the Clown perfomed on the stage of the Palladium - Millom!!

We went over to Millom to do a Gala day fund raiser for the Rotary. It should have been outside but due to the 'Heat wave' - not it was inside. The only space after the various stalls had been set up was the stage which meant the children had to sit up on the stage too which was fine. We did two different shows during the day both had a Christian message to them and we gave out several childrens leaflets and a few bussiness cards. There were a few people there from some local church's who asked us questions about our work.

We followed the afternoons events with a meal round at Fred and Lorraine's house (Lorraine was Sarah's help and nannie when we had Grace and Fred is Pastor of Millom Community Church). We had a blessed few hours with them catching up.

Croftlands Infant School

Just done our last assembly of the year at the infant school. We had a great time. It has been such a joy to be able to go into that school and share a little of God's message with the children. They do so love to sing songs except this time we did not sing Our God is a Great Big God. Inright Outright was the first song we sung followed by the talk we do on reflecting God's Glory in our lives, we followed this by singing Shine.

I hope and pray that we will still be able to do assemblies in September. Of course if I get a full time job that can't happen, that's why working part time has been so good this year. It would be even better I feel if I was called to do more of God's work.

After the assembly I spent an hour or so walking round the estate planning a treasure hunt for Kidzone on Wednesday. It was a time for me to reflect about the work we do on the estate I spoke to a couple of people and introduced myself to them. I hope to do more walking about in the coming months around the estate and pray into verious areas and parts of it.

Croftlands Junior School

What a reflection!



Today i went to the junior school and took the assembly. The children were so pleased to see me I was greeted with calls for the chicken song and where's Sarah? Sarah had stayed in bed this morning still feeling the effects of a very busy weekend. I didn't do the chicken song but I promised that we would sing it lots and lots at holiday club. Hey Diddle Diddle was the order of the day. I followed this by looking into various mirrors I had taken with me which brought a bit of a laugh. The whole point was to ask the children what they reflect. I talked about how a mirror reflects 100% of the light that enters it and I showed them a verse from 2 Corithians 3:18 which talks about reflecting God's glory. I finished with Shine and a little talk about holiday club before I said a prayer for year 6 and prayed for the rest of the school.

St. Helens Festival

Sarah and I along with the family have been off this weekend to St. Helens at the invitation of SHINE - St. Helens Inter Neighbourhood Evangelism. who have a space at the festival each year. They target the youth of the town through a group called Youth Aflame. Our task is to entertain the children in between the sound checks and acts performing. On Saturday we did 3 magic shows from 12 noon till 5pm and today took part in the Praise in the Park open air service then went on to do 2 other magic shows. Each show had a Christian message at the end following one of my gospel tricks. We have between 15 and 20 children each show as well as their parents. We first of all worked the crowd as they passed by and invited them to the show and gave away over 200 leaflets to children on Saturday. Today we gave away slightly less than that. I was also able to talk to a few adults who happened to pass a comment about the clown costume. My approach was to tell them who I was, what I did and then why, ending with God loves them. On my clown suit I have 4 badge's which represent the 4 points - God loves us, we have done wrong, God sent Jesus to save, we have to decide to follow Him. I can't remember how many people I have spoken to over the weekend and I guess I'll never know how many lives God has touched. So my prayer tonight is that God will work on those people that have been challenged and that they will decide to follow Him - To God Be the Glory.

Croftlands Community Church Fun Day

What a busy day!

That was yesterday. I think I have just about recovered now. We were really blessed by the hot sunshine which made this event so fantastic. Over 200 people attended the event throughout the afternoon, which is more that double the number that came last year so what will next year bring ... God Knows!! We thank the Lord for all that happened at church yesterday, the feedback we have recieved has been really good. The looks on peoples face's when they find out it is free says it all.

Bertie the Clown was there and he did two shows, the first had no gospel message however the second did as he talked about the love God has for us by sending His son to die for us. It was a great time because we that is Sarah and I have had so much contact with the schools on Croftlands, it gave the children the chance to tell their parents who we were.

I love the work we do I feel so honoured to be involved with children and in particular telling them about Jesus I couldn't think of a better job. So I pray that God will continue to work in us to spread God's word to children (and adults)

Croftlands Infant School

JOY JOY JOY!!

What a joy it is to be able to take an assembly at Croftlands Infant School. Today's assembly set me up for the day and possibly the week. To see and hear the children singing along to Our God is a Great Big God and later Wonderful Lord is just ... words fail me. It is one of those situations where Sarah and I go in to bless the children with a story or a song or a puppet sketch and come away feeling more bless than ever. We just love it ... and with God's help next year we will be able to do more, possibly in small groups what a privilege that would be. Tomorrow we will be taking the assembly over with the juniors.

Low Furness School

Today we went to Low Furness school, it has been a little while since we last went as the year 6 pupils have had SATS. Following on from the Pentecost service on Sunday and the fact that only a few children were there we did the postcard from Ben sketch again for them. We also sang 'Shine' our newly acquired song from Spring Harvest, along with a few old favourites like 'Our God is a Great Big God' and 'Inright Outright'. It is such a joy to see the children taking part in the singing and being asked to sing particular songs too.

What ever God has planned for me in September we are praying that it will be more of the same. There is no better job I could think of in the world than taking the gospel message to children.

Mark

Sunday Pentecost Service

In the words of Gary (our blue skined, pink haired, scouse puppet) WoooowwwWeeee!!!

God is Good!

We were invited at the last minute to take part in the Pentecost Service at Urswick Parish Church. This was a joint service with the other three churches in the adjoining parish's of Aldingham, Rampside and Dendron. The service was held in the playground of Low Furness School and boy was it HOT HOT HOT!! We had a great congregation and the theme for the day was 'Journeying Together'. We did a puppet sketch with Gary recieving a postcard from his best friend Ben who was on holiday in Australia. He was having a great time and was making use of the things that Gary had given him. We went on to do a comedy sketch about the story of Jonah before Mark talked to the children and adults about how God helps us along life's journey even when we turn away from him like Jonah did. Our travelling companion is the Holy Spirit, Mark read from Acts chapter 1 verse 8 when Jesus promised the disciples the Holy Spirit and told them that they would be witnesses for Him in Jerusalem, Judea and Sameria and to the ends of the earth. No matter what life throws at us with the Holy Spirit our journey through life is made better. The vicar Rev. Alex Armstrong summed up the service to the adults.

As we were asked at the very last minute Mark and I felt very unprepared but with the gifts God has given us and through the power of His Holy Spirit we had a great and blessed time. God is Good!!

May He challenge you to use the gifts He has given you on your journey today.

Sarah

Low Furness May Fayre

HOT HOT HOT - is the best way to describe today. The weather was hot, I almost melted I think in the heat. Had a great time at the school and shared God's word with the children using a number of gospel tricks. Unfortunatly one or two failed due to the excessive heat (glue failures and thnigs). Just getting ready for tomorrow as we are involved with the Pentecost service at Urswick Sarah tells me that it is going to be hot again.

Croflands Junior school

Today we took the assembly at the junior school. The year 6 class was out on a school trip to Manchester and another class was out swimming. We told the story of the lost coin and the lady that searched everywhere for it ... yes I was the lady in the story complete with pink wig. The children responded very well to the story and we were able to get across 2 points the first was about respecting the things we have and the second was about how God loves us so much He would do as the lady did and search and search for us. Sarah read the story from the Lion Children's Bible and it said the lady had 10 coins, some were shiny, some dull, some small, others big, some thin and some fat. I was able to get the point in that no matter what we look like God loves us. We sang Touch a Finger next before ending with Wonderful Lord, which the children joined in with - it was brilliant to hear and see all the children singing. It is such a blessing to see all the children in the school welcome us and wanting to talk to us both Sarah and I feel really privileged to be doing what we are doing.

It was Magic at the Mothers Union

Tuesday this week we had a talk to do at Bouth Mothers Union. It was great!! First I gave a talk about my early childhood in church and Sunday School then went on to talk about our work with children now. Following a tea break I then went on to do a magic show ending it with an extended gospel routine. Both Sarah and I enjoyed ourselves and I think so did the ladies. You see Bertie the Clown the Jester for Jesus is not just for the children.

Our God is a Great Big God...

Our God is a Great Big God and He holds us in His hands.
Today I went to my school to find out that my part-time 1 year contract is not being renewed. This has come as no surprise to us as the school role has dropped and the school is running at a great loss at present.
We are both praying that God will open up a new door for us somewhere. This year has been so wonderful being part-time has enabled us to open up a schools work and ministry in three local schools, plus being a teacher with week ends free enables us to do fun days and Sunday School also doing something other than teaching would mean not being able to do holiday clubs.
So this blog is a request for your prayers too: to ask God what the way forward is. I have long had a desire to do more with the children and more outside market type work trying out the car boot sale and taking the gospel message there. My really big idea is a double decker bus that can go to markets, car boot sales, schools, shopping centres who knows where. God is in charge I know that and Sarah knows that. So this morning as I read the letter I felt very happy and I've been excited all day knowing that God has something better for us. Praise the Lord for His goodness to us and His Blessing are new every morning.

Croftlands Infant School

Well what a good time we had this morning with the children from the Infant school. Again as we started to set up the song request came in (it was actually several ) all for : Our God is a Great Big God. The hall filled up and the kids are so excitable. We sing the request song which goes down a real treat with all the kids joining in. Then Sarah started to tell a story about a lady in the Bible and guess who had to act out the part? So with a pink Stephanie wig on and Sarah reading away we told the story of the Lost Coin, which the children thought was great. Sarah followed it up with a little talk and then we sang our new favourite song Shine.

It is so good to be able to get into the schools in our area and teach the children a little something about the Bible, God and Jesus. Part-time teaching has really blessed us this year and in turn we have been able to bless others. We would ask for your prayers though at this time as my part-time 1 year contract has not yet been renewed so we are concerned a little about what happens next. With the success of this year we can't believe that it was just for a year, which might be the case if I have to take a full-time job elsewhere. Sarah and I have talked about how we would love to do more within the schools particularly on Croftlands. So that is why we ask you to pray for us. It is an exciting time - and our problems are God's opportunities.

God Bless
Mark

Millom Fun Day

Well what can I say? In the words of Gary it would be WOW!!
Today Sarah and I travelled with the family over to Millom to take part in their Fun Day. It started at 12 and finished at about 4. Sarah and I did 5 slots during the day and entertained about 30 people each time children and adults. We did 2 magic shows one I called a family show which seemed to be the best attended, there were people crowding the door and all the seats were taken inside. We also did 2 story slots, 1 was an interactive story with Bertie helping out (HA HA) and 1 was for younger children (which was good but maybe a bit too long). We then did a final slot which was all gospel based stuff, magic and Molly singing His Love Will Go On. All in all a great day, certainly our children enjoyed it and the feedback we got from the organisers was positive so much so they have already booked us for next year.
We will never know what impact we have had on the children and adults today but we have sown the seeds of the gospel and about God's love for us, and we pray that those seeds will in time start to develop and grow. To God be the Glory for today.

Mark

Saturday - Millom

We are both very busy this week not only with our every day things and assemblies etc and other church activities but on Saturday we have the first of our many Fun Days. We (I) have lots of new material to work through, tricks in particular. So I am looking forward to Thursday my day off when I can sit down and plan, practise and perfect my acts. I am trying to put together two different acts for the children each one with a slight gospel message to it then a final act with a more powerful message to it. As well as the magic we are also going to be telling a few stories with a bit of a twist to them. I am looking forward to it. We would ask though that you would pray for us. It always or nearly always happens that whenever we put ourselves out there for God, Satan starts to destroy it, either by illness, or stops the wheelchair from working. So please pray for protection over us and our children this week and on Saturday so that God's Glory may be seen.

Low Furness School

Shine, Shine, Shine
Today we introduced the pupils of Low Furness School to Shine. A new song that we pick up from the all age worship at Spring Harvest. I feel that it is going to be one of those songs that never goes away. The children loved it. For the story today we told the Lost Coin Story from one of the children's bibles. But before Sarah read the story we had someone looking round the room for a lost coin. During the telling of the story Sarah had me acting out parts of it, complete with pink (Stephanie) wig. Then as the children had enjoyed it so much we sang Shine again. At the end one of the teachers told a real life story about losing her purse on Monday - thankfully two men found it and returned it to her so she said they Shone out by doing a good thing. It fitted in well. It just goes to show that God has all things planned.

Croftlands School Assemlies

NO! NO! NO!
This was the theme for the assemblies at both schools this week. Saying NO! However it was not based on a negative, it was based around Daniel and his friends who said NO! to the Kings special food. We tried to teach the children that it is sometimes bad to say NO! and it is sometimes good to say NO! We also told them that they should let their lights shine for Jesus and we demonstrated this by singing with them a new song (for us) that we picked up at Spring Harvest called Shine. The children really enjoyed it. So much so that on Monday afternoon our friend came round for tea with her two children both of which go to the Infant school and they were singing it.
God is really working in those schools and we pray that he will continue to do so and that he will show us what else we can do to further develop the work within the schools. The response we get as we are getting out of the car, setting up and during the assembly is great. We have children asking us for certain songs. We have seen children outside school who have recited words of songs back to us. We consider ourselves privileged to be able to work with them.

Mark

Spring Harvest 2010 - Skegness

Well what can I say about Spring Harvest - It was rubbish...when we had to leave to come home. We could have stayed longer and soaked up the atmosphere. Sarah and the girls had a ball, and as for me I had a great time. It was good to listen to some powerful God inspired teaching in the Big Top and be involved in the worship with thousands of others. One can only imagine what Heaven will be like with millions of people worshipping God. We have come back refilled, refreshed, recharged and re-challenged to take God's word out to the people. The theme for the week was Seeing the World Through Different Eyes ... God's Eyes. Each day part of the story of Esther was brought to us and in particular the verse that says ...for such a time as this... When we look at the world with different eyes we can see all the - for such a time as this - parts of if. It made us realise that loosing my job last year was one such thing. And now facing that same situation again both Sarah and I and both say the same thing - for such a time as this. And we can face tomorrow knowing that we are firmly in God's plan and His story is part of our story and our story is part of His story. We can say that when we see the world through different eyes.

Croftlands Infants School

Just got back from the Infants school. The day started with a number of children greeting me with Hi Mark...can we sing Our God is a Great Big God. How can you refuse that. Sarah wasn't with me today as her wheelchair is out of action. This was met with concerns from both the staff and the children. However I took a long with me the crow and the hedgehog and talked about how God listens to us. We don't have to shout and make a lot of noise like the crow does we just need to talk quitely and God always listens to us. We then finished off with Great Great Brill Brill as the words tell the children that God always hears us when we talk to him.

1st Duddon Cub Scout Group

We have had a great time tonight. Sarah and I got asked to talk to the Cubs as they are doing a World Faith Badge. We was not really sure what to do or even what to expect - so we went and introduced ourselves to the children and told them a little about what we did as Christians. We had a Scruff the Dog slot followed by a talk from Sarah about watching what we say, we sang some lively songs, we told a story from the Bible in a modern way which we got the children to help us with by dressing up as characters from the story. I did some magic tricks about God's promise never fails and then I gave them a short message about God's love. We sang some more songs and ended with Wonderful Lord. I didn't dress as Bertie the Clown but I told the children about him and about why we do what we do - because we love God so much and He loves us so much that we just want to tell people about him. Sarah and I really enjoyed ourselves and feel that some more very presious seeds have been sown again tonight so please pray for those little ones that the seeds will start to grow.

Low Furness School

Half term is over. Had a great time away with the family in Wales. Today I went to Low Fueness School while Sarah who had rather a bad sleepless night stayed in bed (also recovering from the long drive home on Saturday). Did a game of Simon Says with a few children out front. I used it to demonstrate that we shouldn't always do what people tell us to do - particularly if it is wrong. So I did the usual Simon Says this Simon Says that then I said Simon Says go and smash that window, and Simon Says draw on the wall. I then told them the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from Daniel 3. The children responded very well to the story laughing at bits of it to. We finished off with the Chicken Dance song.

Low Furness School

Just got back from Low Furness School having done an assembly there. Today we focused on what we say - that is not what we say Mark and Sarah/Jester for Jesus BUT what we say you get the idea I'm sure. Anyway it involved a tube of toothpaste and it got a bit messing. But we got the message across to the children that they should be careful what they say as you can't put back into your mouth the words that we speak out - just like you can't put toothpaste back into the tube. The bible verse we used was from Psalm 19:14.

Croftlands Junior School

Hi a day or so late but hey.

Tuesday I went to the Junior school to do the assembly. I am always trilled when the children respond to us in the way they do. The love us going into the school and singing with them and telling them stories. I makes us feel really blessed that we are being a part of their education and introducing them to God. What a great job I have that enables me to work part-time in my school and be able to go into other schools with the gospel message. Praise God! He is Great and truly blessing Sarah and I.

Croftlands Infant School Assembly

Yesterday Sarah and I went back into the infant school. It was the first time this year. The warm welcome we recieve from both the staff and pupils is just great. Our theme was about protection and about how God can, will and does protect us. We dressed a few of the children up in safety equipment and talk about each piece in relation to what it protects. We ended with Wonderful Lord and prayed God's protection on the school. We will be doing the same talk to the Juniors today.

Low Furness CE School

A Happy New Year to all our supporters and friends.

Today we went into Low Furness School to do an assembly for them (they have OFSTED in so please pray for the staff and pupils). We had a great time with the children singing Be Happy, Our God then did a talk about How God protects us. We also showed a video clip about Moses and how God protected him on the river. We followed this with Wonderful Lord and a prayer. I think the OFSTED person liked it and the staff were so grateful for what we had done.

Also today contacted the Croftlands Schools and got some dates for assemblies this coming term. Check website in a few days to see the dates.

God Bless.