INTRODUCTION

All my life, I have always had a special connection with children. Whenever there were children around, despite what is happening, my focus would automatically be drawn to them unconsciously and I would always almost zone off the “adults’ conversations”. I had the privilege of babysitting my nieces and nephews when growing up. Thus, it was a no-brainer for me when I decided to join a ministry in church – kids ministry had my name on it.

It’s been 12 years since, and when I look back, I can only thank God for this journey. In the first volunteers training meeting, when we were asked to choose the age-group to teach, I chose the 3- & 4-year olds for 2 reasons. One – my nieces and nephews were at that age and I realized that every time I was with them, we always had lots of fun together and the interaction always left me more energized. Secondly, the name given to that age group at that time was “furaha” – a swahili word meaning joy or happiness 😊

When many people find out that I teach Sunday school, after the disbelief on their faces, they ask me where I get the strength and patience to deal with children. This is especially from people who have encountered my stricter, strong-willed self (according to colour personality test – I am a red-personality 😊). First, I am a living testimony that God’s grace and mercy is sufficient. There is this song by Elevation Worship & Maverick City known as Mercy. The first verse says “Am living proof, of what the mercy of God can do, if you knew me then, you’d believe me now, He turned my whole life upside down, He took the old and he made me new, that’s just what the mercy of God can do.” Secondly, it’s amazing how much easier it is to deal with the young ones. I truly believe that if a child can feel your genuine love and concern for them, then they will want to be around you. It’s amazing how even today, if I see one of my Sunday school kids, I will say hi and even have a conversation with them and sometimes I will embarrassingly forget to acknowledge and engage the parents until I am done with the kid☹.

All in all, my teaching of the kids also has a selfish motive, you would not believe how much I learn from these little ones. There are times I could be teaching on a certain bible story and then a child asks a question that I have never thought of and this gives me a completely different perspective of a bible truth. The other thing is that while teaching, you can only give what you have. This has really helped in my walk with Christ – you can’t “wing it” with kids – contrary to popular belief. So, I have had to fill up myself daily with God’s word so that I am able to share the bible truths to these young ones from a place of revelation.

Looking back, what would I do differently? I would start volunteering when I was younger! I would stop doubting my capabilities and capacity as a teacher and really open myself to doing God’s work knowing that it’s “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty…” Zechariah 4:6