May 30, 2018 Do I Have to Pack This?

When we send mission teams into the field, I’ve sometimes been asked why we also send so much material and supplies with our children’s outreach leaders. All of the paper for ten craft projects is heavy! Crayons, scissors, glue and tape are bulky to pack. Why not just have children’s leaders make copies and buy supplies once they are on location?

The short answer is that it is always time-consuming and sometimes even impossible to get paper, copies and craft supplies in the countries where we serve.

I personally experienced that challenge on a mission in Cuba. I needed a few additional copies of the crafts because we had so many children attending our program. I don’t speak Spanish, however, and I had no idea where to go for paper and copiesÑand I had no transportation.

Fortunately, my translator had access to the copy machine at the local Adventist conference office. They only had regular white paper instead of colored card stock, but that was better than nothing. The copy machine was old and slow, so it took all morning to get the copies I would have had in minutes, back at my office in America. Despite the time and effort, I was grateful to have the copies so that every child would be able to participate.

My friend, Jackie Tucker, once told me that before a mission years ago, she decided to buy scissors, crayons and glue after she arrived in Cuba. She found a few scissors and a few crayons, however, she couldn’t find any glue. She even tried to get some flour or corn starch to make her own glue but couldn’t get that either! She searched for anything else that would stick two pieces of paper together. Finally, she found an unusual solutionÑnail polish!

During my mission, the church where I was serving in Cuba had no craft supplies. The children’s leaders were incredibly grateful when we left behind all of the scissors, crayons and glue that we brought with us, as well as a complete Bible story felt set.

Providing these resources for churches overseas is well worth finding space in our suitcases to hand-carry them from the USA. The children are always thrilled to make their own crafts and take them home as reminders of the Bible stories they learned. The opportunity to give the children a brand-new experience while they learn about Jesus is invaluable!

May

Andrea Griggs
QHM Chief Administrative Officer

Sign upGive now

Related Posts

Feb 12, 2025

“If It Weren’t For My Son”

If it wasn’t for my son’s bravery, I don’t know where our family would be. In first part of my life I was an Adventist, rooted in the teachings of…

more
Feb 5, 2025

A Nightmare, Turned Into a Dream

Suddenly, Adrian awoke, panting heavily while trying to catch his breath.  A nightmare woke him up, a nightmare that would forever change his life. Adrian is a 13-year-old boy from…

more
Jan 29, 2025

Small Device, BIG Impact

Thousands of miles away, in the dust-swept villages of Northern Ghana, there are three individuals’ who received a 3-inch-long plastic device and were never the same again. Ibrahim, Kwabena, and…

more
Jan 22, 2025

Hei Hu Paw’s Testimony

My name is Hei Hu Paw, I’m eighteen years old, and I’m from Mae La Camp. I would like to share with you how I became a Christian and the…

more
Jan 15, 2025

How Radio Changed a Heart and Home

Every week, Mrs. Simfukwe faithfully walks the familiar path to the Seventh-day Adventist Church near her home in Zambia.    A few paces behind her, her husband, Mr. Simfukwe, follows—not with…

more
Jan 8, 2025

The Missing Puzzle Piece

Ezra grew up in a devout Islamic family, where religious teachings shaped every aspect of his life from a young age. He lived out the demands of his faith with…

more