Belfast: Broadway Hall Holiday Club

It seems as though I've held you in suspense long enough...so, what exactly was I doing in Belfast? Anne Marie and I were there to help some of the local believers with a 2 week outreach they had planned for the area.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes."

Romans 1:16

In case you're not familiar with Northern Ireland...

...here's a map so you can orient yourself to Belfast geographically!

One of the first days we were in Belfast, about 6 of us went "letter boxing"! We passed out about 2,500 fliers announcing the Broadway Gospel Hall Holiday Club that would be going on the next week. We had one little mishap when Anne Marie's lotion exploded in her bag, not only landing some of our fliers in the rubbish but also causing her phone to be rendered useless for several days.

The Holiday Club was being put on by the Broadway Gospel Hall and we met with the kids from ten to noon, Monday through Friday, August 4th-8th. But our day didn't begin at 10 am with the kids. It began at Josh's with a time of prayer, committing the kids to the Lord and asking the Lord to use us to reach them with the truth of the gospel.

After prayer, we would walk to Broadway Hall and get the activities started! Each day we had 40-50 kids, aged 4-12 years old. Set up is quite similar to VBS, where we started with arts/crafts and games. The older kids LOVED playing "football"! I joined in with them a few times and am proud to say that I scored my first goal on kids that could run circles around me!!

As crafts and games were winding down, we would serve snacks. The first day got a bit interesting when one little girl threw up right after the snack. As we were getting her cleaned up a second girl began to throw up...and then number 3...and then number 4....thankfully, it ended with number 4 but I was a little nervous to see so many vomiting in succession! Praise the Lord that none of the team got sick and all the kids came back and enjoyed the rest of the week!!

After snack time, we rounded up the kids to sing and do the verse prior to Yule giving the message. On Monday, we didn't have any music for the singing so I had to step up and play the piano...accompanying for songs I had never heard of! For those of you that know me well, playing the piano is not my favorite thing to do in front of people. Generally when I play my hands go one step beyond shaking...I actually tremble! So, for me, to play songs I wasn't familiar with, in front of people I just met was a huge test for me. I went to Belfast with a plan in my head of what was going to be expected of me. When that plan changed, I had to choose to be willing to allow the Lord to use me in whatever capacity He chose..even if it was to play the piano. And, I will have you know, that our God is faithful and not only did He get me through the piano playing event but I actually was able to enjoy it....a little! And, then we were off to teaching the kids their verses for the week...Heather M. taught them a song to get the Word of God in their hearts!

Our time with the kids was wonderful. We were able to enjoy getting to know them as we worked on crafts or played with them. Anne Marie had plenty of "helpers" to enjoy while she was registering the kids every morning! It was such a blessing to be a part of the Holiday Club and get to know the kids of "The Village".

When Bible Club concluded, we would go back to Josh's to fix lunch, share what had happened with the kids that morning and then spend time in prayer. The afternoons were also busy with various activities. One afternoon, we spent time at the park, playing frisbee and football with the kids, using the opportunity to invite them to Holiday Club as well as to the events planned for the following week.

All in all, it was such a sweet time of fellowship, working together for the sake of the gospel and committing the work that we were doing to the Lord and trusting Him. No matter how much my heart was drawn to those kids, the Lord loves them more than I ever could and He desires that each one of them be saved, that none should be lost.

"The Village"

I was not able to take any pictures of the children (because of rules designed for their safety) so I can't share with you the faces of the children of Belfast that are impressed on my heart. But I miss them and think of them often, praying that they might see the love of Christ shown by those who labor on in The Village for the sake of the gospel!

So, there you have it! A very brief summary of what we did with the Bible Club that first week! I will be back...hopefully sooner than later...to continue to share with you the many more stories that are circling in my head!

"The Team"

Back Row: Kelly, Jason, Sami, Josh, Sean
Front Row: Heather, Sarah, Anne Marie