We spend most of our time at the HATS orphanage, but HATS impact extends beyond the walls of this compound into the community as well. Sundays are a good example…we go next door to the school compound, which also houses the church. Lots of community children and some adults call this their church. There is a pretty impressive group of teens who have really taken on some leadership roles in the church. There is a rotation made up mainly of teens who take turns leading worship, reading scripture and singing specials.
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| Carrying Mama’s Bible to church |
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| teens singing a special in church |
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| teens leading worship |
| some of the teen boys drumming |
Some of the teens even came up with the idea to offer Sunday School lessons prior to church on Sunday mornings.
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| Sunday School on the porch of the school |
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| what a crowd of kids! |
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| Moving from Sunday school to church |
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| One section of Sunday morning service |
On a recent Sunday afternoon the teens got together for a fun game of soccer in between the church and the school. They were really good! Notice that the “soccer field” is a little rocky – that didn’t stop a few of them from playing in their bare feet. They kindly offered to let us play with them, but I’m afraid our skills weren’t up to their level.
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| Flora, one of the goalies makes a great save! |
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| A great game of soccer! |
I love it that the teens are providing a great example of leadership to the smaller kids. I’m sure they are watching and learning, because
~By Mike and Nicki
