If Every Child Could Grow Up Like I Did …
Colombia
Raised in a nurturing, faith-centered home, an Awana Global missionary named Saidys had a starkly different childhood experience from a lot of other kids in her community. Where violence, drugs and broken families were commonplace, she grew up surrounded with love. And now, as an adult, she says, “I want every child to grow up like I did, knowing they’re loved.” Saidys is committed to passing her blessings to the next generation.
At 16, Saidys connected with Awana and has remained connected ever since. She served as an Awana secretary, and now she coordinates programming for all of Awana Colombia, simultaneously running a club in her own home. Her desire: instill biblical values to help the next generation overcome hardships and be part of the solution in troubled Colombian neighborhoods like hers.
It takes more than games, songs, and even memorizing Bible verses to cultivate that kind of outcome. Those kid-centered activities are staples of every Awana club, without a doubt. But at the heart of all that is helping kids understand how the truth of the Gospel applies to life and can sustain them through anything — not just during childhood.
Leaders like Saidys have children’s futures on their minds — when they’re in their 20s making their own decisions about going to church; in their 30s and 40s trying to reflect Jesus at work or with their own children; when they’re basking in life’s sweeter moments; and when they’re trudging through heaviness, praying Jesus might lighten the load.
This mission is to shape children for lasting faith in Jesus, and when Awana kids grow up to be ministry leaders and pastors, as so many of them do, we praise God for the spirit-filled disciplemakers who poured into them along the way.
In the Awana club Saidys started, adults are sharing life, equipping children and working with them week in and week out. She shares, “We give them the opportunity to put their faith into practice while growing in a faith community that loves them. It is a personal encounter with the Lord and it changes lives.” And it’s happening in communities all over the world, thanks to disciplemakers and supporters of child discipleship. Thanks to you.
God is good.
