Journey of Purpose : Melanie Dill: Children's Sunday School Outing

With amazing connections from Living Hope, our little church was given the opportunity to take 27 of our Sunday School children on an outing to the movies. Pick n' Pay, the local grocery store, sponsored the event. It was a promotion of the movie 'Rio' and a theme party! The whole event was free to us; we just had to provide transportation, and in our little tiny church, that was a feat in itself. Transportation was sorted, permission slips to/from all the parents, color-coded groups made and emergency numbers attached to each child, and we were off!

It was so much fun watching these kids take it all in - many who had NEVER been to such a large mall nor ever been to the city just miles away. Upon arrival at the event, the kids were each fitted with a long-sleeve 'Rio' t-shirt, given a goodie box with all kinds of candy and a cupcake with the 'Rio movie art' on top, and then they were let loose in a large room to play and get 'sugar highed.' There were balloon sculptors, face painters, games and more. All the adults just sat back and watched the children go wild, participating in all the exciting activities. I was snapping pictures and taking it all in myself!

Once the pre-party ended, we all lined up, each was given a huge box of popcorn and a soda. We took our seats and watched 'Rio' and had a grand time (... but that wasn't without a few toilet breaks during the movie. We had small children who can't sit through an hour and a half movie with a soda the size of their bodies and NOT go to the toilet).

Once the movie ended, each child was given a Pick n' Pay sling-back-bag loaded with goodies (tooth brush, hand-cloths, tissues, water bottle, etc) AND LUNCH (a chicken salad sandwich, smoothie drink and a chocolate dessert). Need I remind you these are little children, carrying all their free-goodies home was a sight. Much to my surprise there was one last prize handed out at the last exit door - LARGE BALLOON BALLS WITH SOUND-MAKING SAND. Picture this, not only are we juggling all their left-over popcorn, drinks, coats, but the people KEPT giving us more things. I know I sound ungrateful because it was a lot to carry, but seriously, couldn't they have called it quits before the large balloon balls? You should have seen us walking through the mall to the parking deck trying to keep up with our 27 children, 27 coats, 27 backpacks, and 27 large, noisy balloon balls. Ridiculous.

But oh, the children had a blast! It was a day they won't soon forget. I hope they remember the adults that spent time with them that day and that they continue to add to their little love-tanks the love Christ has given to us for these sweet Capricorn children. My heart is full thinking about how much love God has given for them and all the lessons He's taught me through their little lives.

Recap in photos: