Busy at the Beach

I have just finished another interesting work assignment. Servants to Asia's Urban Poor had a 25-year celebration at Pattaya, Thailand around the Easter weekend. I went along to lead the program for the 5-14 year olds. Out of the 20 kids, 7 were from German speaking families. I am very thankful that a Swiss colleague from Cambodia agreed to come along as my translator/ assistant.

I enjoy running camps with Third Culture Kids/ youth. It helps their parents- freeing them to participate in meetings, join in workshops or talk over coffee with other like-minded people. It helps the children- giving them time to hang out with other kids who have similar experiences growing up in different cultures. It is cool to give smiles, time, stories, love, songs, games, stickers, snacks and other small things to show that they are celebrated. It is also a time to challenge kids- giving them some teaching about holistic ministry, talking together about what we can do about poverty and encouraging them to see that it isn't just mum or dad's work that keeps them in Bangkok/ London/ Delhi but that each member of the family can find ways to love their neighbour and share with the poor.

I can't say that 5-year-old Jasmine or 6-year-old Alex really understood all this. But I hope that they carried home a few reminders that they are great people with exciting futures ahead of them. And if 7-year-old Emma remembers her own words that one thing she can do to help the poor in her community is to "play with them"... I think the week was well worth it.