AWANA

As a young girl, I was an AWANA cubbie. I loved the vest, the song, the pledge, the book- the whole thing. Then I moved up to being a spark- then we moved to Mexico so I was out of the Awana loop for a bit, but then coming back to the US in 6th grade, I was a chum. Awana was always part of growing up- playing games, memorizing verses, learning from leaders- it was a great experience for me.
Here in Caraballo, the kids LOVE Awana- more than just sort of like it, I mean LOVE it. As we were working on their Christmas projects, many kids would choose their color of ribbon or crayon based on their Awana team color. We have Awana every Friday at the care center and the kids look forward to it all week.
In Spanish it is called Oansa-Obreros Aprobados No Son Avergonzados (means the same as Awana- Approved Workers Are Not Ashamed).
I am totally impressed by my coworkers here. They are great leaders and get so passionate about it which makes the kids get really into it too! It is amazing to see all the kids lined up saying the Awana pledge and the pledge to the Bible around the familiar Awana circle-the same circle that I was on as a kid growing up in the States. I love sitting in on council time, hearing my coworkers give the life giving message of the Gospel in Spanish- and I love seeing the kids memorizing their verses- I'm praying that the truths of God's word sink deep into their hearts and lives.

                                          the younger kids during game time

                                            older kids

                                             Karen and I in our new Oansa uniforms :)