Kid's Thanksgiving Craft

Every year in our 4&5 yr. old Master's Club class, we teach the children about the first Thanksgiving.  It is a great chance to explain to the children how God takes care of His people.  We tell them how God went before the pilgrims and allowed Squanto to learn the English language.  I am sure that this was a time in his life where it didn't seem that God was there to take care of him.  Later God greatly used that indian's knowledge of English to preserve His people who wanted to freely worship Him.  What a powerful lesson to the children that God WILL take care of you!

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 Ps 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

For the Thanksgiving week, 

we always have a special craft for the kids to make and take home.  

This year I found an idea on line and changed it alot to make it my own.  Here is what we did.

Each child made this Thanksgiving set  of spoon puppets to take home.  

As they made each puppet, 

we talked about the part that each character played in the first Thanksgiving.

To prepare for the craft, I designed a headpiece and outfit for each spoon puppet, 

and a band to sit around our clementine turkey.

I used these four Stampin Up paper punches 

and differant colors of Stampin Up cardstock to create thier head pieces and outfits.

I made the headpieces and outfits ahead of time.

In class each child placed the pieces on thier spoons with a glue dot. 

The teachers secured thier pieces on the back with a piece of clear tape.

Then each child drew a face on each of thier spoon puppets.

SQUANTO

PILGRIM MAN

PILGRIM LADY

For the turkey, I cut a 1 x 8 1/2 in. paper strip and taped it in a circle that would hold a clementine (our 4&5 yr. olds love when I take clementines to class).

I handcut the head and beak of the turkey, 

but the tail feathers are punched from Stampin Up's Scalop Oval Punch.  

To attach the feathers, we put a strip of double-sided sticky tape

on the back and allowed the kids to pick & place thier own feathers.

We then secured the feathers with a piece of clear tape over top.

The children thoroughly enjoyed making thier own pilgrims, indian, and turkey.

Each made plans to take them home to tell the 

First Thanksgiving story to thier families on Thanksgiving Day.

It is such a blessed thing to instill in a small child the character of giving thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Philippians 1:3 ¶ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  

Philemon 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

 Romans 1:8 ¶ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

My dear praying friends,

         On a day like today, how can anyone forget all that our dear Heavenly Father has done for us.  The Bible tells us that He "daily loadeth us with benefits" (Psalm 68:19).  He has given you and me so many things to be thankful for.  I cannot help but praise Him for His provision, protection, and guidance while on the deputation trail.   I am also very thankful for faithful praying people like you.  THANK YOU!  You have been such a blessing and used by God in many ways in my life.  The last verse above, Romans 1:8, is a reflection of having you in my life.  Your faithfulness to God, and in prayer and financial support of me, is and will be known throughout all the world as I serve in the mission field of South Africa.  Let us take every day to give thanks to our wonderful Lord for everything!

In His Service,

Gina A. Frey

Days of Thanksgiving pt3

As I continue to meditate on God's Word,as it relates to Thanks-giving, I can also see a missions emphasis.  Wouldn't you know that the missionary in me can see God using our giving of thanks as a way of testimony for Him to the unsaved.

We tell our children the story during this holiday about the Pilgrims and Indians first Thanksgiving.  Those "Strangers in a strange land"(what the word "pilgrim" means), came to this New World for that very thing - the freedom to give thanks to God and to worship Him alone.  

As they first set foot on shore, I wonder if they knew all that God had planned for them.  God would use them to shine His Light on this dark continent.

 2Samuel 22:50 "Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy name."

 1Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people."

Even though they were "strangers", the pilgrims gave thanks to the Lord for His provision, protection, and providence in bringing them together with the Indians for their Thanksgiving feast.  Like the Bible says, they gave thanks, sang praises, and made known His deeds among the people.

When I get to South Africa, I will be a "stranger".  How I long to be used by God to give Him thanks among the unsaved and to tell them of the great things that He has done for us.

Everyday we are "pilgrims and strangers" in this world.  As a Christian, these verses remind me that I should be bursting with thanks to God.  I should not just keep those things to myself, or only share it with other Christians, but also share those wonderful things with the heathen.  How much more effective we could be for Him, when we freely share how truly blessed we are!

 Ps 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever. 

Days of Thanksgiving pt 2

Luke 17:11-19 "And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.  And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

The other day, as I read this passage during my devotions, I was again reminded of the importance of giving thanks.  The leprous man is a great picture of our sinful state.  We have the incurable disease of sin and it is only the Savior who can miraculously make us clean again.  How many times do I walk away from some great (or even small) thing that the Lord has done for me and forget to give him thanks(vs16)? What a lesson we can learn from this man in Scripture!  Jesus healed 10 men, but only 1 returned to thank him?  10 men who were condemned, living outside of the world, never to kiss their wives, hold their children, hunt with the men...  They were living the lives of dead men.  

Then everything changed.  

Jesus came into their lives.  

What a day!  

Still only ONE returned to give thanks.  

 Don't forget to give God thanks!

Days of Thanksgiving pt1

We all have so much to be thankful for.  In a day when the local stores go from Halloween decor and right into Christmas, we need a day for Giving Thanks to God more than anything else.  Who has given each of us bodies to put clothe on and food into, air to breath, sounds to hear, the gift of salvation to all who call upon Him - GOD!!!  

Colossians 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Fall is my favorite time of year.  Mostly, I love the colors of Fall.  The crisp cool air, smell of the leaves, bonfires, wagon rides, trips to the cabin with family, and all of the tasty treats are things I look forward to this time of year.  God has blessed my life in so many ways.  You know, it is easy for each of us to forget all that He has done for us.  Sometimes I find myself saying, "Lord, why can't my life be like that person's?"  or "Why haven't you blessed me with __________? (fill in the blank).  My Lord, then lovingly reminds me that His way is best.  What a thought!  I have the best of everything, because I following God's way.

BLESSED WITH THE BEST!!!

What does "assisting church planting missionaries" really mean?

Ask yourself this - "How much more could my local church grow if I gave up everything to get behind my pastor and his wife to help them serve God and be used by Him in my local church?" Our churches would be growing and productive places. We would be sending out church planters in the States and countries abroad. Friends, family members, and co-workers would be coming to church, receiving Christ and getting involved in the local church. Whole communities would start following God's Word instead of man's rules. Now think about how much it would mean for someone to get behind a missionary and his wife on a foreign field in a different culture, and with a different language. What an impact we could make on the world for Christ!

Don & Karen Kilmer have been serving the Lord among the Zulus in Durban, South Africa for over 17 years. During this time they have planted churches and seen many souls saved and growning in the Lord.

The village of Embo is a very large area with many people. Embo is known to be the village with the highest rate of aides in the world. The life expectancy is around 40 yrs of age. Many of the grandmothers in the village outlive thier own children. This leaves us with many children roaming the streets. The Kilmers have faithfully served in Embo through preaching, teaching, Bible Study, and discipleship ministries in order to plant more local churches in this vast area.

Just think about what their ministry would be like if they had one, or two, or many more to assist them with their church planting ministry~

Currently, along with all of his other preaching and teaching ministries, Mr.Kilmer teaches Friday Kids Club. When I get to South Africa, I can help with that responsibility, so he can spend more time preparing, preaching, teaching, holding more boys discipleship, and Bible Studies throughout the village.

How will my being there help Mrs.Kilmer? Well, it is always nice to have another lady to serve the Lord with! My being there will help in a number of ways.

I can help Karen with her many responsibilities like - paperwork, preparing for church services, cleaning the church and stacking and re-stacking the chairs, keeping the kids in order, helping to train some of the young ladies to serve in the local church, and also as a visitation partner (it is always safer to go by twos).

God has already allowed me to see that this is His place for me. Here are just a few ways that He has allowed me to already be used- During the 2 years that I taught VBS, 14 kids came to know Christ as their Savior. Thank you, Lord for using me!

I was able to witness to people in the community.

There is a school, just a few houses down from the church, that will not allow the Kilmers to come and teach the Bible during opening exercises. While I was there last, I met with the principle. She asked why I was in South Africa. I told her that I was asking the Lord if it was His will for me to come to South Africa to live and help the Kilmers with their ministry in Embo. Then I said to her, "If God allows me to come back to South Africa to help at the church in Embo, may I teach the Bible at your school?" She said, "Yes". God had already gone before me to prepare her heart for what I would ask. Think of all of the children who could learn about God's love for them through the sending of a Savior!

I have also been able to teach the children and work closely with a few of the single young ladies.

As you can see there is alot to be done and "so little time". The Bible says, "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." John 4:35 Everyday for me, is a day closer to getting to the mission field. Everyday, I think about each of those children. They are all about 3 years older than when I saw them last. How much have they grown physically? How about spiritually? What more can be done for God's glory among the people of Embo?

Single Servants

1Corinthians 7:32 "But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:"

On my trip to Indiana, a friend asked me to go to breakfast with her and some of her single friends (one of which is now married). It was a great time! We had Starbucks coffee and Panera Bread breakfast items. What a treat!!! It is always a blessing to get to know other single ladies who are faithfully serving in thier local church. The Bible says that the unmarried should care for the things of the Lord. If I am busy serving Him, there is no time to feel sorry for myself. Being single comes with many blessings and many eternal rewards.

After breakfast, my friend took me over to the dunes of Lake Michigan.

As we stood there on that shore, with the wind blowing and snowflakes fluttering, I was thankful that I obeyed God and went with our teen group to Indiana. Thank God for the simple things, like: contentment (most of the time), breakfast with old and new friends, the sand (that is now in my shoes), and the beauty of the falling snowflakes.

Travel Journal: Teen Competition

Here is a look at the competitions that our teens participated in for the last two days. The college has this competition in preaching, vocal music, instrumental music, storytelling, and girls' 5-on-5 volleyball. Everything is done to help the teens learn to prepare for ministry (except volleybal, that is). Volleyball is purely for fun!

Our church had two teams and they ended up having to play eachother in the second round. They were pretty competitive too.

On Wednesday morning our two Bible quizzing teams went against 8 or 9 other churches.

These three young ladies from our church were the overall winners. they really did a great job!

Others compeated in instrumental and vocal solos.

And a few of our young men preached.

It really was a great day to see how the Lord could use these young people for His glory!

Travel Journel: Youth Trip

This week I don't have any meetings scheduled so I have gone along with our youth group to a youth conference in Indiana. Our youth pastor asked me to be one of the van drivers (we take turns), a chaparone, and I am the Dorm Mommy (staying in the dorms/there when the girls need me). I love spending time with them.
Please pray that the Lord will use this trip in each of our lives. Most of our teens are at the age where they have to make some big decisions in thier lives concerning the future- college, job,... I am excited to spend the week with them!

Prayer Request

Please pray for my inner ear infection. I have not been able to hear out of my right ear for 3 weeks now. I have tried natural remedies and have also gone to the doctor for antibiotics and other medication. There is still no relief and the pressure in my head hurts quite often. Please pray with me that I would regain my hearing in that ear soon. I do feel that it somewhat impairs my ministry because I cannot hear when someone is talking to me (especially if they are sitting on the right of me or if we are in a crowded room).

Reaching People

There is a ministry about an hour from my home called TAP ministries. This ministry collects teaching materials, books and Bibles for pastors and missionaries all around the world to use.

They carefully go through everything to make sure it is truly Biblical teaching. People donate unused Sunday school materials, new & old concordances, Bible encyclopedias and dictionaries, missionary biographies, devotionals, CEF 5-day club books, Bible pictures, song visuals, and much, much more.

They ship boxes all around the world. Last week while I was there they told me a story of an Indian man who was attending a Bible institute that a missionary was teaching in his area. This man has been studying the Bible for 3 years. He wrote them and asked if they could send him a Bible of his own. I could not believe what I heard. This man loved God and was dedicated to studying the Bible to teach others, but did not have his very own. He had to borrow someone else's Bible. How sad it is that most American homes have an average of 3-5 Bibles and hardly study God's Word, while this man does not have his own and has faithfully studied for 3 years.

There are many more stories about how this minsitry has reached so many people with the Gospel and has helped pastors and missionaries train men and woman to serve Him.

As a missionary, I love to go and visit with the people who are responsible for this ministry. They are such a blessing to me. It is like Christmas when I go because God uses that ministry to provide many children's Bible lessons, Missionary stories, and visualized songs that I use now on deputation and will use on the mission field.
The best thing about my trip last week was that I found a new Bible. My study Bible has been in very bad shape. It falls apart when you pick it up, so I leave it at home and carry my smaller Bible with me. As I was looking on the huge shelf of Bibles, I found a brand new King James Study Bible with wide margins. I had looked everywhere for a wide margin Bible and could not find one. TAP Ministries gave me one and it was brand new! I can't wait to fill up those wide margins with nuggets that the Lord gives to me as I study His Word.
THANK YOU TAP MINISTRIES!

If you would like more info about TAP please contact me.

Blindness

One of the messages last week at our Annual Missions Conference really broke my heart. It was a message called "Blindness". The missionary challenged us to open our eyes and see the world the way that God sees it. He went on to say that he was legally blind in one eye, but could still see things around him. The application of the message urged us to give ourselves a Spiritual Eye Test.

People all over the world need to hear about our Savior, Jesus Christ.

My burden, as you know, is for the people in Africa. Africa is called the "Dark Continent". The people there, as well as, all over the world need someone to show them how to be saved from thier sins. My burden becomes greater with each day that goes by until I can get to the mission field. Matthew 9:37, 38 encourages us to pray for more labourers. My prayer is that others would open thier eyes to see that need in Africa and all around the world.

Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

My mission field in Durban, South Africa consists of the Valley of a Thousand Hills. As you look across the valleys and hills, you can see the homes of the people who need to hear about Christ.

In the Valley of a Thousand Hills is the village of Embo. Our church is at the top of the hill in Embo. It is a place for people to hear from God's Word. We teach them how to be saved and to grow in the Lord by obeying His Word and serving in the local church.

If you open your eyes you will see people everywhere who need to be saved. The ladies who sell things at the roadside have time to hear about what God has done for them.

Zulus schools have hundreds of children who have been so confused by cultural traditions. They are in need of hearing the truth from God's Word.

Durban, South Africa is known for the second largest Hindu Temple in the world. The largest group of Indians, outside of India, live in that city. Who will go to South Africa to work with those Indians?

The Zulus believe that they will go to Heaven if they pray to thier dead ancesters and the ancesters are not angry with them. Animism (believing unanimated things have souls), witch doctors, and charms are what they think they need to help them get into Heaven.

When I look around, I see many children who will soon be adults. Each one of those kids could become a Christian and raise thier children for the glory of God.

Some are hungry to know more about the Bible and salvation.

Others have received Christ as thier Savior.

And still there are more to tell.

A while ago, as I was driving through town,God opened my eyes again. I was sitting at a stop light and watched a very long line of cars go by me. God broke my heart for those people. I wondered, how many of them were saved? How many were hurting Christians who needed to be fed by His Word? Where are they going in such a hurry? Who will tell them? This was not the first time I sat in traffic with tears running down my cheeks for the lost souls who were all around me. God opened my blind eyes.

Our missionary speaker said that we could not see as God wants us to see until we have two things in order.
1) We must have the proper view of God. Is.6:1-10, I Peter 1:15, Mt.6:24
a) God is Holy!
b) He wants us to desire to serve Him.
2) We must have the proper view of the world. Jn.4:31
a) Weep for the world. Lk.19:41
b) Pray for the world. Mt.9:36-38
c) Go out into the world. Mk.16:15

Help me, O Lord, to see the people around me as You see them. May they one day be able to reflect what the below verse says, because one of us opened our eyes and went out to tell the dark world of the Light.
2Corinthians 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."