Heart of a Missionary

Don't you love opportunities for giving that call for "putting things together"? They allow for small contributions to fill big needs. They also allow the giver to go unnoticed. It is almost as if we are "caught" doing it, somehow the act is diminished. You know. . . we have received the attention of others. I love the idea of teaching our kids to give and to try to avoid being seen!

Here are some programs that lend themselves well to not letting the other hand see:

• Backpack Missions
• Operation Christmas Child
• Love Packages
• Heart of a Missionary (my term)

Several years ago, my cousins (then missionaries in Wyoming) sent out a plea for items. Because Wyoming can be so very cold, they requested many items that they could offer to warm visitors. 

Sometimes a missionary might call for school supplies; others might call for toiletries; and yet others might request simple first aid supplies. They are calls from the Heart of a Missionary.

Here is a way to teach kids about the Heart of a Missionary.

Materials

• small heart-shaped plate
• several items that represent the theme of the missionary's call
• map or globe
• list of requested items to take home

The Activity

• Explain Jesus' charge to go into all of the world and spread His Word.
• Talk about the missionaries who are answering the call in ____________ (name of the place).
• Show the children where the place is on the map or globe.
• Then, talk about each of the items on the heart plate and how the missionary might use each.
• With the children's eyes closed, remove one of the items. Can they remember which item was removed?
• Repeat with the other items as time allows.
• Give each child a Heart of the Missionary list to take home for future collection.
• Pray that God will use the items collected to help the missionary spread God's Word to all the world. 

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Notes from Carol

These days I have the awesome responsibility and blessing of writing two devotional books for Zonderkidz. Will you pray with me about the devos? You can sign up to be a prayer partner on the right. I won't share your contact info. Promise.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will come back often! Let's connect on Twitter and Facebook too!



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copyright (c) 2013 Carol McAdams Moore

Family Bible Hunt

I love a good sale. . . You know the garage sales that dot our neighborhoods with treasures. I particularly love the boxes of books.

Often I find Bibles in those boxes. Maybe they are children's Bibles whose readers have gone on to other versions. Maybe they are teen Bibles that have been replaced with ones with more adult-looking covers. 

Maybe your family has some of those at home. I'm not talking about the ones that are you are using now or the family heirlooms, but the other Bibles that could be passed on to someone else to read and enjoy and treasure.

Today is a great day for a Family Bible Hunt. Look for the extra copies of God's Word that you might share (as put it in their hands).

If you are looking for a place to do that, you will want to check out Love Packages. Click on their link to take "The Nickel Tour". They send used (and new) Bibles and Sunday School materials all over the world. It's okay if you don't live close to them. They take mail. (See the video.) And mail for print items is pretty reasonable.

Happy hunting!

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Notes from Carol

Hey Tweens! Hey Parents and Grandparents! Hey Children's Ministry Workers! Are you in the Doodle Race? 

Read all about it here!

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copyright (c) 2013 Carol McAdams Moore