Friday 2 October 2009

Kid 's Day Out

Welcome to Kidz Fest 2009
Friday morning dawned bright and clear with a light
breeze blowing.
But by 9 am heavy rain clouds gathered
and it began to pour.
We took it as an answer to prayer
because we had been praying for
pleasant weather.

The rain really brought the temperature down
And everybody was ready to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.


It rained steadily the whole day.
And a cool breeze made the sanctuary seem
air conditioned.

Over 200 children
and 50 volunteers from
various Allahabad churches participated.
People represented a good mix
from all sections of the community.
I was surprised to see a mentally and physically
challenged boy which is very rare.
Because such kids are usually kept at home.

Bishop Dr. J M leading in prayer
and giving the opening word.
Under the church porch Operation Paet Pooja
was going on.
Paet Pooja literally means
Tummy worship!
Above you can see hot pakoras being fried.


Ouch Potatoes (boiled)

Onions are essential to Indian cooking.

Bhaturas sizzling in the wok.
They are very similar to
Mexican tortillas
except that they are made with
flour or maida.

Spices are being sauteed.

This is a chick pea curry called chole
to go with the bhaturas.


There were gulab jamuns for dessert.
Dumplings made with flour and milk and
soaked in sugar syrup.
The Paet Pooja Team (volunteers)
serving the food.

A petrol (gas) run generator was
hired to provide relief during
the power outage.

Projecting song lyrics on a screen.
The Bishop 's wife ,Auntie Clara
putting her grandson to sleep.
His Dad, Dr Justin, a young college
teacher was the organizer of the Fest.
Come along and sing with us.



Simran (remember her?) and her
brother Ayush learning action songs.

Little Miss Muffet suddenly felt
peckish in the midst of all the activity.
So she fished out a bag of chips from
her bag and polished them off!

A group enacting a skit.

The skits centered around the Fest Theme
What Would Jesus Do?
I took these videos
to show you the enthusiastic singing.



Justin told us when he was visiting
another church the kids tugged at his shirt
and asked him"Uncle when are we going to have a Kidz Fest?"

Pray that this day may leave a long lasting
effect on the lives of these children.

19 Fertilize my soul:

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

I will admit that much of my interest in traveling the world centers on the idea of eating myself silly in each country. Those dumplings soaked in syrup have me mesmerized.

I am glad it cooled down for the Fest! Much more pleasant!

David Edward said...

Holy God, shine your face upon these your children and fill them with your spirit. Raise up a well trained army of solid soldiers for your kingdom. Drive back the forces of darkness that would seek to hinder this great work. Thank you that the Joy of YOU is their strength. Show each of them how great your love is for them.

Simply Shelley said...

Looks like everyone has a very fun time praising God....may God bless each child who attended and may their life's bring him glory....thanks for sharing your special day with us....

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
No work is more important than that among the children.
You've made a wonderful report from the children's feast.
I feel uplifted here in far away land reading about your successful celebration.
I'm also glad that the church and the feast was open to all kinds of children. I think maybe the congregation is more challenged the the handicapped person in such meetings.
God has created us all for a special purpose. The more helpless a person is, the greater responsibility on the other members of the church.
From Felisol

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

It's nice to hold a kid's fest to celebrate the glory of God. Children know how to worship the Lord in its purest form. The photos are all fascinating. They tell their own stories. Thanks for the post. God bless you always.

Sita said...

How intertwined the global community of believers are! Jesus, You're my Superhero is a favorite at Daycamp and One Way Jesus is a fave at youth concerts! So great to see the fervor and food!
And what a pleasant sight to see a handicapped child not hidden away...so glad we could share in this..thx, Amrita!

Debra said...

That all looks like so much fun! Looks like you all had a great time!

Becka said...

May GOD bless you & All those children ,
very toughing,,

Mrs. Mac said...

What a great outreach for the children to experience God's love for them. Thank you for once again sharing the beautiful children of your beloved country. Very touching! Thanking you all for including the disabled child :) :)

Hugs,

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Amrita:)

If two hundred children and volunteers and others have gathered for this fest, I can see great planning and preparations must have been made. Pakoras and gulab jamuns made my mouth water. It was good it rained otherwise children would have been sweating and could have become restless. I am sure the children really enjoyed the get together.

It is amazing that such large cooking was done. Normally, here people would have handed over these parties to the caterers. But cooking together brings everyone close.

As regards your query in my post, Vallarpadam is an island close to Kochi and it is connected by road.

Have a wonderful day Amrita:)
Joseph

Glennis said...

A lovely day for the children and the adults, all were blessed it seems. I am sure it will live in the memories of the children for a long time and be up lifting for them.
I would have enjoyed the Indian food too, it looks great.

David C Brown said...

God bless you all!

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

It looks like a good time was had by all. May God bless you all.
XXOO Marie Antionette

Crown of Beauty said...

Dear friend Amrita,
How this post touched my heart. I am sure all the children had their fill of the presence of God, as well as the food...which I am sure must have been more than enough for everyone.

I have been away for a long time.

THank you for visiting my blog faithfully and leaving comments, even if at times it is a struggle for you to open my blog.

Must be the playlist at the bottom.

I look forward to some scarf sisters adventures with you, and the rest of the sisters!

Love
Lidj

Ash said...

Looks like a great time. The food (Chole/Bhattura/Gulab Jamun) sure looks yum. Makes me homesick :-(

God bless!

Rebecca said...

What a fantastic post about such a day for kids....and they loved it...Glad that you included to tummy worship...which I am now about to partake of...because of your post, I am leaving my friends office and walking down the road to a place where I know I can buy some delicious pakoras.......oh my!!!

Unknown said...

Amrita, dearest, you make me hungry!!! The foods you pictured are foreign to me, but look so yummy!

My favorite thing about your post, however, were the videos of the children learning to praise Jesus and worhsip Him with their whole being...beautiful!

Your Sister (in South Carolina, USA)...I love you, my friend!

Terry said...

hi amrita, my indian princess..
i just want to tell you how much i enjoyed looking at this post last week of all these children.
what an important work to be at!
the gold of all of our countries are the children and the elderly.
what would we ever do without them?
i am up earlier today and so i thought i would do a little catching up with my three friends from india...amrita, mama and sheeba.
you will never know how much i love you !
it was so nice to hear your voice on skype!
and we will have to do it again.
you say that your computer is faster now amrita...that is nice!
well i better mosey on now..want to do a little more reading before that bernie and his fat cat get up for the day...Love terry

Amrita said...

Hi Terry it was great alking to you on Skype even the connection was bumpy. Now I have a new modem, its better, but very sensitive too - the power supply has to be just right otherwise it snaps.