Recently, we received an anonymous letter from a concerned individual due to the WCK Mardi Gras outreach. We greatly appreciate this person’s concern about Wee Can Know and Mardi Gras.
First, I do want to reassure this person that we completely agree with them regarding participating in the celebration and the need to separate ourselves from drunkenness and revelry (Romans 13:13-14).
Considering this individual’s concern, we will no longer call the outreach, Mardi Gras. Instead, we will call it what it truly is, The Gospel Parade. Wee Can Know does not “take part in the celebration of Mardi Gras” we are not involved nor pay fees with any Mardi Gras Society.
We do not “adapt to the cult of other Gods” but we shine God’s light in the darkness. We want to expel the darkness with the truth of God’s Word. The Gospel Parade was inspired by the children’s book written by Patti McDonald, “The Gospel Parade.”
As we reflect on scripture, we think of Jesus love for sinners and his willingness to go where they live. To one group who questioned His actions, Jesus replied, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick” (Luke 5:31). We also see Jesus love for sinners with the woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears (Luke 7:36-50) and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). While Jesus actions were questioned, Jesus intention was love for the sinner and their need for salvation. In Acts, we see Paul, at Mars Hill, he used the false gods as an object lesson to preach the Gospel (Acts 17:22-31). These are just a few references but there are many others.
Basically, the Gospel Parade happens early in the morning (5 am) before the first parade rolls. Adults and children are sitting and waiting in a family-friendly area (uptown New Orleans) for the first parade of the day (10:30 am). As they are waiting for the parade to roll, we share with them the story of Wordless Book using shoebox floats decorated to represent the meaning of the Wordless Book. We hand the children and adults a Wordless Book bracelet (the beads that tell His story) with a tract explaining the meaning of the colors. The packet also includes follow-up information. What a delight to see these children and adults reading the Gospel tract and wearing the Gospel bracelet after we pass on.
These children and parents along the parade route are individuals created in the image of God that Jesus bled and died for. Many of them are in darkness. They represent the “world” in John 3:16. It’s our desire to introduce them to the One True God and plants seeds that will bear eternal fruit. In New Orleans, the children make shoebox floats at their schools to represent themselves and the things they enjoy. We took that concept and the story from Patti’s book and created the Gospel shoebox floats.
By the time the Mardi Gras parade rolls, our volunteers pack up and go home. Believe me, it would be so much easier and convenient for us to take the day off and not “go.” However, God has called us to “go” and tell His story. What better place to go than where multitudes gather?
As we pray and seek God’s will regarding the Gospel Parade ministry, God continues to confirm His will for us to “go” and tell His story.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36
We love the easy- user friendly Easter Outreach Kit designed by Child Evangelism Fellowship. Below I’ve provided demonstrations of crafts, snacks, games, lesson, and songs.
The Greater New Orleans Good News Club volunteer, Vallerie, created these Bingo Cards for the recommended game. She created 22 different cards you can download right here for free! You will need to print an additional card to have calling cards.
What a blessing to partner with Pastor Trevor and Celebration Church (Arabi/Lower 9th Ward) once again for a neighborhood outreach.
This year we added colored lights to our Gospel Shoebox Floats!
We thank the Lord for volunteers: Mia and Mya Augustine, and Candy Campagna. We are grateful for those who helped bundle up our bracelets packs: Trudy Albarado, Mia and Mya Augustine, Cyndy Jones, and Liz McNabb. Also, Alfie Owens who hand-made 2200 bracelets.
This year we distributed almost 600 bracelet packs with a Gospel presentation on Palmisano Blvd, Chalmette and 144 bracelet packs with presentation at Jolly Kids Early Learning Center Fall Fest.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139: 23-24
Sunday, after children’s church, I felt defeated. Even Though there were only five children, the class didn’t go as I planned. Whenever I have an issue or incident when teaching my class, I always reflect upon it. What did I do wrong, how can I manage it better next time? Some people view the children as the problem. However, in most cases, there’s things the teacher or parent can do to better manage the problem in the future.
I examine if the incident was poor planning, issues in the environment, unmet needs in the children, or other circumstances? Sunday, the challenge was because of poor planning on my part. I was not prepared for an active 5-year old who came to class, and also, another new 5- year old who came to Children’s church. I had planned and prepared with older children in mine. Plus, I thought the upstairs A/C was working but it was too warm (environment). Along with other circumstances (unmet needs in the children)!
All of this created problems. At the end of church, I felt defeated and that I didn’t manage the class well. Looking back, I could see changes I need to make next time and also individuals I needed to apologize to (which I did). What I’ve learned over the years, teaching and parenting is like a classroom. We can always learn, change, and improve. We will have “incidents” but we can always grow from them. If we point to the child, life circumstance or environment as the problem, we will become bitter and want to give up.
We can thank God for allowing the “testing” in our lives to reveal our weaknesses and help us grow and mature. We can commit each day to Him and ask for His help and guidance along the way. He is the Good Shepherd and Divine Teaching Coach!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to guide me and teach me. Cleanse my heart from sinful and selfish ways. Fill me with your patience and love for the children in my life. May your joy be my strength.
Phil discusses helps for the families in three aspects of life in his course: Relationships, Stress, and Resiliency. You can download the class notes here. You can access additional information here.
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