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Page 1: STREET CHILDREN IN LA PAZ - World Mission Prayer League · Minneapolis, MN 55403 La Paz, Bolivia attn: Cindy Lindquist South America (612) 871-6843 (Note: send Airmail/Por Avión)

STREET CHILDREN IN LA PAZA ministry of the

Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Boliviain partnership with the

World Mission Prayer League

A Kid-to-Kid Mission Education GuideWorld Mission Prayer League

232 Clifton Ave.Minneapolis, MN 55403

(612) 871-6843E-mail: [email protected]

Page 2: STREET CHILDREN IN LA PAZ - World Mission Prayer League · Minneapolis, MN 55403 La Paz, Bolivia attn: Cindy Lindquist South America (612) 871-6843 (Note: send Airmail/Por Avión)

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BACKGROUND INFORMATIONWhen Jesus said, “Let the children come,” he sent a message to his followers and to

us. Children are important. They should not be ignored. Their joys, their cries areimportant to him and should be to his followers today. The reality that the world’schildren experience day after day is ignored all too often by those in authority, by society,and by the church. Around the globe, there is no other group that is more oppressed thanchildren. It is a “hard-knock life” for at least 100,000,000 children who are trying tosurvive mainly in the urban areas of developing nations. Some startling statistics areworth pondering:

• About one third of the world’s population is under the age of 15.• About 35,000 children die of malnutrition and preventable diseases every day.• About 100,000,000 children live or work on the streets.• Mexico City alone has 1.9 street children.• Latin America has the largest number of street children.• There are at least 1,000,000 children forced into prostitution each year.• Between 100 and 200,000,000 children are involved in child labor.• 1,500,000 children are currently infected with AIDS• In the Third World, girls receive consistently less food, less health care and less

education than boys. [Viva Network, “The Oxford Statement on Children at Risk”,1997]

Poverty is the basic reason for this crisis. Poverty is the reason that thousands ofchildren are displaced after a natural disaster like the devastation caused by HurricaneMitch in 1998. Livelihoods were gone in a single moment when landslides took the land.Poverty is the reason that loving parents have no choice but to send their children into thestreets to work, often knowing they will be exploited. Poverty destroys self-esteem, thewill, and sense of dignity.

When we feel overwhelmed by the needs of children in the world, we need toremember that compassion works one person at a time, like the boy who rescued thestranded starfish from certain death on the beach. He picked it up and placed it in thewater. He felt good about it. When asked by an onlooker why he went to the trouble torescue one starfish when there were thousands of starfish, the boy replied, “it made all thedifference to that one, sir.” Children need to know that they can make a difference, also,even in the lives of street children. How their stories are presented is crucial; we mustremember that they are children themselves with the same fears and hopes that allchildren have.

Mike and Cynthia Fehrenbach are missionaries with the World Mission PrayerLeague. They work in partnership with a team of college students from El RedentorLutheran Church in La Paz, Bolivia. The goal and prayer of this team is to challenge theChristian church to notice this forgotten population and become actively involved insharing God's love with these children. They have asked for prayer for the street children.

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The needs of these children are spiritual, emotional and material in nature. They haveexperienced a lot of hurt and rejection in their young lives and are not quick to accept ortrust anything or anyone. Medical, food and clothing needs are constant. Good, nutritioussnacks for the kids at the soccer program, clothing, blankets, shoes and socks, medicineand treatment are needs also. Financing for field trips and for scholarships is needed aswell.

Food and clothes are distributed to about 60 people a week. A recreation program onSaturdays attracts children who are shoe shiners and candy sellers. Their ages range fromten to late teens. Other activities include friendship building in the areas where thechildren live, taking children to the doctor, and any other means to share the love of Godwith an ignored population.

There are street children in almost any major city of the world. Are there any in yourneighborhood? An invaluable resource could be a representative from a local shelter orchild advocate to present the needs of these children in your city or neighborhood. Whyare children homeless? What needs do they have? Can we help?

CONTACTS: World Mission Prayer League Mike and Cynthia Fehrenbach 232 Clifton Ave. Casilla 266 Minneapolis, MN 55403 La Paz, Bolivia attn: Cindy Lindquist South America (612) 871-6843 (Note: send Airmail/Por Avión) fax: (612)871-6844 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

NOTE: The video “Kids These Days” by Good News Productions, Int’l is a shockingview into the life of children who live on the streets. See Resource List.

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OVERVIEW

THEME: Street children in La Paz, Bolivia. This unit seeks to help children realize thatthe needs of all children are the same. It also seeks to encourage them to make adifference in the lives of a certain group of children who need help.

BIBLE VERSE: “Let the children come,” Matthew 19:14. Use this verse in all thepublicity and with the children during the time of the Mission Minutes, when appropriate.Also have it visible on the Offering Board.

OFFERING: Offerings would be used for medical, food and clothing needs. Also,offerings would be used to take the shoe shine boys and candy sellers on retreats withsome church members to get away from the city and to build friendships. In addition,offerings could be used to offer scholarships to promising shoe shine boys and candysellers to go to school.

MISSION MINUTES: Mission Minutes are to be used in the large group time. We haveprovided ten Mission Minutes. Use these minutes to inform the children about the natureof the ministry and the country of Bolivia. Use one Mission Minute each Sunday duringthe emphasis. Use Mission Minute #5 on a Sunday when more time can be spent in theclassroom to do the hands-on project (below).

HANDS-ON PROJECT: Dedicate one Sunday’s classroom time to make one of thefollowing items that will actually be used by the children in La Paz. The Fehrenbachsprepared this list of projects and said they would be wonderful gifts, especially for theshoe shine boys and candy sellers. (See Appendix #1 for instructions)

• Hand stamped or painted caps for the candy sellers who stand for hours in the hotsun.

• Hand-stamped or painted T-shirts for the soccer program.• Hygiene kits (comb, toothbrush, paste, chapstick, hand lotion, etc.).• School kits (paper, pencils, pens, erasers, crayons, metric rulers, compasses, etc.).• Large buttons with the picture of the Sunday School class on it, possibly wearing

sports T-shirts to emphasize the common love of sports.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES: These are activities that can be done in the individualclassrooms as time permits throughout the weeks of the emphasis:

1. PAPER KID CHAINS- An activity to reinforce the concept that all children arealike more than they are different.2. PRAYER BOX- A prayer activity that encourages children to pray for otherchildren.3. PRAYER CUBE- An activity that encourages children to pray for other children.4. FUN FACTS ABOUT BOLIVIA- An activity that encourages children to learnabout the country of Bolivia.

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5. BUILD AND PRAY- A prayer activity that encourages creativity and spontaneityin prayer for children in Bolivia.6. YOU’VE GOT MAIL!- An activity that allows the children to communicate withchildren in Bolivia.7. NOT ONLY SPANISH- An activity that teaches the children to write in Aymara,Quechua and Spanish, the three national languages of Bolivia.8. CANDY AND SHOES- An activity to inform the children about who sells candyand who shines the shoes in La Paz.

VISUAL RESOURCES: Some slides of the ministry and a video of the soccer club areavailable. They are available in check-out form only. Call WMPL for more information.

SONGS: Choose one of the following songs. They reflect the theme of why we loveothers. Sing the theme song as often as possible; repetition is important.

• “We love, because he first loved us" by Ann F. Price from Little Ones Sing Praisec1989, Concordia Publishing House

• “Freely, freely, you have received” by Carol Owens, Maranatha! Music PraiseChorus Book, page 263 and Borning Cry, compiled by John Ylvisaker, page 385,c1972 Communique Music, Inc.

The chorus of the song, "Jesus Loves Me" has been translated into Spanish (below).It is written in a phonetic way so it is easily learned. (See Appendix #2 for master)

SEE, CREES-TO MAY AH-MAHSEE, CREES-TO MAY AH-MAHSEE, CREES-TO MAY AH-MAHLAH BEE-BLEE-AH DEE-SAY A-SEE

The Spanish translation is as follows:

Sí, Cristo me ama, Yes, Jesus loves me,Sí, Cristo me ama, Yes, Jesus loves me,Sí, Cristo me ama, Yes, Jesus loves meLa Biblia dice así. The Bible tells me so.

OFFERING BOARD: Use a big (3’ x 5’) poster board with a picture or drawing of acity on it. Buildings, park, bridge, bus depot, shops, market, etc. should be easily seen.Hidden in various places are children, covered with a piece of paper. Every Sunday, avolunteer is to find a child in the city when the offering totals a certain amount (ex. $10per child). That amount represents how many children your offering will reach. Thisboard should be used every Sunday. Option: Use the paper chain cutouts for the childrenon the offering board. Simply cut them apart and “hide” them in and around the city.

OR

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Use a big (3’X5’) poster board with an outline of a soccer field on it. Cutouts of childrenwith sports T-shirts and soccer balls are set aside. Each one represents a certain amountof offering collected each Sunday. Put one child or ball on the field when that amount iscollected. Children love to see the Offering Board take shape. Try to make it happen sothat one item can be place on the board each week.

CELEBRATION EVENT: When the emphasis is over, take time to celebrate what youhave learned. Some ideas for this event are:• Invite a mission agency representative to the large group time and show them what

you have been doing. Present the check and hands-on project at that time.• Take a field trip to a local shelter with the older children, taking a treat and ideas for

games or a craft.• Arrange for several children to present to the congregation what has been learned.

Use the offering board and show the congregation the projects that were made.• Present a musical or dramatic presentation at a local shelter.• Provide an “open gym” at your church for children of a local shelter.

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WEEK #1

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: Long strip of paper to make a paper kid chain, scissors.Preparation: Fold paper accordion style. Practice cutting out a figure of a child.Remember not to cut the paper where the hands meet.

As you speak to the children, hold paper in view. Ask:

• How are children different all over the world?• For example, what do you think a child in China will have for lunch?• How might a boy living in Papua New Guinea dress on a hot day? (Start cutting

out a paper doll.)• How might children in Mexico celebrate Christmas?• What language do children in Bolivia speak?

Have two children come up to the front and open the paper doll chain. Exclaim: Theyall look alike! Even though we were talking about how children all over the worldare different, children are alike – exactly the same. Next week, we’ll talk abouthow children are alike.

OFFERING BOARD REPORT – The Offering Board will not be used until week #4.

SONG – “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You HaveReceived”

PRAYER – Lord, even though we all look different on the outside, we all are the sameinside. We all laugh, cry, get mad, love…no matter where we are from. Help us toremember that. Amen.

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

PAPER KID CHAINS- Give a strip of paper to each child. Fold the strip into anaccordion. Cut out a figure of a child. Be sure not to cut at the place where the hands willconnect. Talk about the differences between children around the world and then afteropening up the chains remind the children of ways children are alike all around the world.

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WEEK #2

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –You will need: Paper doll chain from last week.Preparation: If your church has a connection with a missionary in a differentcountry, use that information in the examples.

Have two children open up paper doll chain. Elicit ways children are exactly thesame by asking questions like the following:• When a girl in Tanzania gets sleepy, what does she do? (Sleep.) Do you sleep?

(Yes.)• When a boy in Ecuador falls off his bike on gravel, what might happen to his

knees and hands? (Get bloody) Would it hurt? (Yes!) Would it hurt you? (Yes!)• When a girl in Bangladesh is real thirsty, what would she want to do? (Drink

clean water) Would you? (Yes)

Kids have more in common than they do differences.

OFFERING BOARD REPORT – The Offering Board will not be used until week #4.

SONG – “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You HaveReceived”

PRAYER – Dear Lord, when we see someone that looks different than us this week, helpus to remember that we are all the same on the inside. Amen.

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

PRAYER BOX- Use a shoebox or other container. Cover it with a collage of children’sfaces and title it “Prayer Box”. Have each child write a prayer on a slip of paper and putthem into the box. Take turns pulling out a prayer to read in class. Remind them that Godhears the prayers of his children. Use the Prayer Box whenever there is time; add prayerswhen there is time, also.

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WEEK #3

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: Boy’s coat, a small blanket, backpack with some books, soccer ball,lunch box, Bible. You do not need to use all the items, you might want to use just afew.Preparation: Each item represents a need that all children share, whether they live inMinneapolis or on the streets of a big city. Have in mind what each item represent:

Coat – the need for clothing.Blanket – the warmth of home.Backpack and books – school.Soccer ball – playing with friends.Lunch box – the need for food.Bible – the need to know that God loves them.

Have a child stand in front to represent Mario. Dress him in the coat. Give him theblanket, lunch box, ball, backpack and Bible. Say:

I want to tell you a story about Mario. Mario lives in Bolivia. He’s 9 yearsold. Just like you, he went to school – see his backpack? And books? Hewas in the third grade. He ate lunch at school, too. Mario lived on a farmin the mountains. There was a time when it rained a lot where he lived. Itrained for days and days. A terrible thing happened. There was a landslidethat slid down the mountainside and it took Mario’s house with it. (Takeblanket away from the child.) The farm disappeared too. His father andmother didn’t know what to do. The father said to Mario, ”You must go tothe city to find work.” So Mario left his school (take backpack andbooks), and his friends (take the ball), and traveled to the city, La Paz, tolook for work. He got hungry (take lunch box) and cold (take jacket). Hedidn’t know where to start. Mario is a street kid. Next week, we will learnmore about Mario and where he lives now.

OFFERING BOARD REPORT – The Offering Board will not be used until week #4.

SONG – “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You HaveReceived”

PRAYER – Dear God, we know that you love children all over the world. Hear theprayers of boys and girls like Mario who have lost so much. Teach us how we can help.Amen.

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

PRAYER CUBE- (See Appendix #3 for master) Give each child a copy of the PrayerCube. Have each child draw and color or write a word in each square that will help thempray for boys and girls like Mario who have lost the things they need. Remind them ofthe items in the mission minute (ball, Bible, coat, lunch box, books and backpack,blanket), and talk about these as needs that all children have, no matter what theircircumstances. Cut out the Prayer Cube and assemble it. When they are done, have thechildren throw up the cube, notice what lands face up, and pray for that need. They canpray silently or out loud.

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WEEK #4

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: Offering Board.Preparation: On a large poster board (3’ x 5’), draw the outline of a city. A largeposter from a travel agency would work also. Be sure to include things like a park, abridge, public buildings, a bus station, a market place, a river, etc. Cut out pictures ofchildren from magazines, or draw pictures of children and put them in various placesin the city. “Hide” them by putting a piece of paper over them. Option: Use the paperchain cutouts for the children on the offering board. Simply cut them apart and “hide”them. This will reinforce the idea that children are alike all around the world.Each Sunday, as the offering is brought forward, children will be uncovered,representing the children that are being helped by the efforts of Christians in La Paz.Each Sunday, you will need to know the amount of the offering actually going to theproject and how much determines it is time to look for a hidden child on the board.(Estimate you offering goal. Divide this number by the number of Sundays. This is theamount to determine when the children can find a hidden child on the offering board).For example, if the offering was $20 the week before, and if $10 represents helpingone child, then two children could be uncovered.

OR

Use a big (3’X5’) poster board with an outline of a soccer field on it. Cutouts ofchildren with sports T-shirts and soccer balls are set aside. Each one represents acertain amount of offering collected each Sunday. Put one child or ball on the fieldwhen that amount is collected. Children love to see the Offering Board take shape. Tryto make it happen so that one item can be place on the board each week.

Tell children where their offering is going to go. Tell them that you want to help Marioand other children like him who are alone on the streets of La Paz.

OFFERING BOARD REPORT – If enough offering has already been collected to startusing the Offering Board, do so today. Remember to thank the children and remind themthat what they give will make a difference. As the offering grows, encourage the childrenwith a “Good job, children! They will really appreciate all the help you are giving.”

SONG - “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You Have Received”

PRAYER– Dear God, we pray that you will bless the offering that we bring eachSunday. We want to make a difference and this is one way to help. Thank you for thechance to help other children. Amen.

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

FUN FACTS ABOUT BOLIVIA- (See Appendix #6 for master of the map of Bolivia)Put the map of Bolivia on the wall. Explain to the children that as they learn somethingnew about Bolivia, they will write it on a card or slip of paper and tape it to the map. Startby locating the city of La Paz and noticing where it is, etc. Ask questions about what theynotice about the country of Bolivia, also. Ask them to share what they already knowabout the country. Write it on a slip of paper and post it on the map.

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WEEK #5

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: slides of Mike and Cynthia Fehrenbach, the college students from ElRedentor Lutheran Church (Redeemer Lutheran Church) and slides of the ministry(See Resources Available at end of unit)Preparation: Memorize names of the missionaries and the name of the church tomake it easier to help the children get to know them.

Introduce the slides by saying:

The city of La Paz (show slide #1) is nestled in a valley surrounded by high mountainpeaks. Mike and Cynthia Fehrenbach (show slide #2) live there. They aremissionaries with a very special job. They look out for kids like Mario. Let’s get toknow their names. The dad’s name is Mike. The mom’s name is Cynthia. They havefour children. Their names are Nathanael, Arielle, Eliysha and Matthew. Nathanael is11, Arielle is 9, Eliysha is 7 and Matthew is 4.

Mike and Cynthia along with some college students (show slide #3) belong to achurch called El Redentor Lutheran Church. That means Redeemer Lutheran Church.They go downtown and look for kids like Mario (show slides #4, #5 and #6) whohave come into the city looking for work. They know that many become shoe shinersand candy sellers. They go up to them and start talking (show slide #7), just like youwould if you wanted to make a friend. Then they invite them to come and play socceron Saturday afternoons. They know that all Bolivian children love to play soccer.(show slide #8) These children will play, eat a nutritious snack and then listen toBible stories and have a chance to chat with new friends.

OFFERING BOARD REPORT – Remind the children that their offerings are making adifference. They will help buy food for the shoe shine boys like Mario and candy sellerswho come to play soccer. Thank them for their gifts.

SONG – “Jesus Loves Me” in Spanish (See Appendix #2)

PRAYER – Dear God, we pray for Mike, Cynthia, Nathanael, Arille, Elyisha andMatthew. We also pray for the college students that help out also. Give them joy as theyhelp the street children. Help them show the kids that you love them. Amen.

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***SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY***

HANDS-ON PROJECT- This project is the highlight of the unit. The children have theopportunity to make something to give to the children they have been learning about.The work itself will take only a few minutes, but they will be satisfied in knowing thatthey have made something to give. See Appendix #1 for instructions for one of theprojects suggested. These were projects that were recommended by the Fehrenbachs inBolivia. They will be wonderful gifts to the shoeshine boys and candy sellers. Theoptions are:

• Hand stamped or painted caps for the candy sellers who stand for hours in the hotsun.

• Hand-stamped or painted T-shirts for the soccer program.• Hygiene kits (comb, toothbrush, paste, chapstick, hand lotion, etc.).• School kits (paper, pencils, pens, erasers, crayons, metric rulers, compasses, etc.).• Large buttons with the picture of the Sunday School class on it, possibly wearing

sports T-shirts to emphasize the common love of sports.

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WEEK #6

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: Props from Mission Minute #3, slide #4 (See Resources Available inback of this unit)Preparation: Be familiar with what each item represents:

Blanket – the warmth of home.Lunch box – food.Backpack and books - school.Ball – playing with friends.Coat – clothes.Bible – knowing that God loves him.

Show the props to the children. Ask:

What did Mario lose? Elicit the needs that the props represent.

Are these things Mario needs? (Yes) I wonder how Mario is doing. (Showslide #4) I heard he found a job almost right away as a candy seller in themain park of downtown La Paz. He works all day long. He has to give almostall the money he makes to his boss, but at least he has a job. Some kids haveto beg for money.

Mario sleeps in a shelter for children downtown. They give him one meal aday and sometimes there are free clothes there to choose from. Sometimessome college kids come to help them with school work. It’s not the same asgoing to school, but he is keeping up on his reading and writing.

Mario was invited to play soccer with the group from El Redentor church(Redeemer Lutheran Church). He goes to soccer club every Saturday. He’snever missed one practice since starting. The leaders of this club always givegood snacks and they also read Bible stories. They tell him that God loveshim.

OFFERING BOARD REPORT – Thank the children for their offerings and remindthem that they are making a real difference by giving and praying for the children wholive on the streets of La Paz.

SONG - “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You Have Received”

PRAYER – Dear God, we pray for the soccer program that helps the shoeshine boys andcandy sellers have a time of fun and a chance to make friends. Amen.

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

BUILD AND PRAY- This is a prayer activity that gives the children a chance to prayspecifically for the street children in La Paz. Collect items such as:

Egg cartons, cutToilet paper tubesCardboard piecesPieces of aluminum foilPaper cupsPaper and styrofoam platesWood scraps

Tell the children that they are going to build the city of La Paz. Help them to think of onepart of the city they will build: rivers, buildings, churches, bridges, cars, bicycles,children, moms and dads, playgrounds, marketplaces, homes, etc. Don’t take too long inthe building process. As they build talk about the children actually living in the marketplaces, under the bridges, etc.

When they are done, tell them that everyone is invited to pray for the children in the cityof La Paz. Have them place their hand over or on the part they built and have them prayfor the children they imagine there. End with a prayer for the children of La Paz who liveon the streets.

Take more time to add to the city of La Paz and pray for the children who live on thestreets like Mario.

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WEEK #7

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: A big, inflatable globe, hard candy or other prize.Preparation: Blow up the globe.

Throw the globe balloon into the group of children. Direct the child that catches it tocome up front and to find Bolivia on the globe.

Ask the group questions like:• What continent is Bolivia in? (South America.)• What language is spoken in Bolivia? (Spanish and other native languages.)• What is one thing about Bolivia that is different from all the other countries in

South America? (It has no beach. It is landlocked.)• What mountain range is Bolivia in? (The Andes.)• Bolivia has the highest fresh water lake in the world. Can you find it on the

globe? (Lake Titicaca.)• Where is La Paz?• What are the names of the missionaries we are getting to know? (Mike, Cynthia,

Nathanael, Arielle, Eliysha, and Matthew.)

Throw candy to the children who answer correctly.

OFFERING BOARD REPORT – Continue to thank the children for their offerings.

SONG - “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You Have Received”

PRAYER – Dear God, we pray for the street children that roam the streets of La Paz.They need so many things that we take for granted like food and clothes and a place tosleep. They also need to know that you love them. Amen.

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

YOU’VE GOT MAIL!- Write a class letter to the children that the Fehrenbachs and thecollege students work with. Take a class photo. Tell them about yourselves, your school,your pets, your hobbies, etc. Send it to the Fehrenbachs (see “Background Information”for address). Maybe someone will send a letter back!

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WEEK #8

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: Slide #4 (See Resources Available in back of this unit)Preparation: None.

Tell this story to the children:

Have you heard the story of the child who was on a beach? He was walkingalong and he noticed a stranded starfish behind some rocks. He knew enoughabout starfish to know that if it didn’t get back to the water, it would either beeaten by a sea gull or shrivel in the hot sun and die. So, he carefully picked itup. He also knew starfish are fragile. He put it back in the water. Well, anadult was watching him. The man asked, "There are thousands of starfish inthe ocean, why did you bother to help that one? What difference does it make,anyway?" The boy looked up at the man and replied "It means all thedifference to that one, sir." (Show slide #4) Can we say that about Marioalso?

OFFERING BOARD REPORT – Thank the children for their offerings.

SONG - “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You Have Received”

PRAYER – Dear God, thank you for loving all children wherever they are. Thank youfor teaching us that we are all the same inside and that you love us whether we live withour families or whether we depend on others to take care of us. Thank you for you love.Amen.

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

NOT ONLY SPANISH!- Use Appendix #5 for this activity. Explain to the children thatthere are three national languages in the country of Bolivia: Spanish, Aymara andQuechua. The Aymara people lived in Bolivia for a long time before the great IncaEmpire. When the Incas came to conquer the land, Quechua, the language of the Incas,was spoken. When the Spaniards conquered the Incas, Spanish was the language of theland. One would think that Aymara and Quechua would have disappeared long ago, butthat is not the case. Forty percent of the people of Bolivia speak either Aymara orQuechua. Allow time for the children to write in Aymara and Quechua as well as inSpanish.

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WEEK #9

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: Prayer cards.Preparation: Copy prayers onto cards so they are easily read. Select four children tolead others in prayer.

Mike and Cynthia and their family have asked us to pray for the street children in LaPaz. That’s what they need most of all. So, that is what we are going to do. Directvolunteers to the front.

Prayer #1 Dear God, we pray for the street children that roam the streetsof La Paz. They need food, clothes, friends, an education, ahome, and most of all, they need to know that you love them.Amen.

Prayer #2 Dear God, we pray that you will bless the offering that webring each Sunday. We want to make a difference and this isone way to help. Thank you for the chance to help otherchildren. Amen.

Prayer #3 Dear God, we pray for Mike, Cynthia, Nathanael, Arielle,Elyisha, and Matthew. We also pray for the college studentsthat help out also. Give them joy as they help the streetchildren. Help them show the kids that you love them. Amen.

Prayer #4 Dear God, we pray for the soccer program that helps the shoeshine boys and candy sellers have a time of fun and a chance tomake friends. Amen.

OFFERING BOARD REPORT- Thank the children for their offerings.

SONG - “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You Have Received”

PRAYER – The Mission Minute contains prayers for the children to read. No otherprayer is necessary.

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

CANDY AND SHOES- Use Appendix #4 for this activity. Make a copy for every childto take home as a reminder to pray for these children. Explain to the children that manypeople buy candy and have their shoes shined in La Paz as well as in New York, Chicagoor Mexico City. As they buy candy or have their shoes shined, do they know that it is a“Mario” who is selling them the candy? Do they know that the shoeshine boy has a nameand is shining shoes because he needs a job just to eat?

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WEEK #10

LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY

MISSION MINUTE –

You will need: Six props from Mission Minute #3 and #6, and Bible and videodepicting the soccer club (See Resources Available at end of unit)Preparation: Look up Matthew 19:14. Highlight: “Let the children come.”

Have a volunteer read the Bible verse.

Ask a volunteer to come forward to represent Mario. Ask children: What does Marioneed? Elicit answers as you raise props and guide them:

• Blanket – the warmth of home.• Backpack and books – school.• Lunchbox – food.• Ball – friendship.• Coat – clothes.• Bible – knowing that God loves him.

Explain that when Mario came to the city of La Paz, he lost so much. He lost allthese things. (Point to props.) But, because of people who cared, he got a place to callhome (give blanket to Mario), a chance to go back to school (backpack and books),love (Bible), clothes (coat), food (lunchbox), and, something he never thought hewould ever have again, friends to play soccer with (ball).

Show the video of the soccer club. When the video is done, ask questions like:• Were the boys having fun?• Why is it good for a boy like Mario to come to soccer club? (to have fun with

other kids and have time off from working)• How are the shoe shiners and candy sellers just like you? (They hurt when they

fall down, they laugh when they are having a good time, they are talented indifferent ways, etc.)

Repeat Bible verse: “Let the children come!”

OFFERING BOARD REPORT- Thank the children for their offerings.

SONG - “We Love Because He First Loved Us” or “Freely, Freely, You Have Received”

PRAYER- Thank you, God, for giving Mario the things he needed. Bless him and keephim close to you.

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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (optional)

PRAYER BOX- Finish this unit by praying for children like Mario who are living on thestreets of La Paz. Also, pray for the children that live in shelters in your city orneighborhood. Talk about ways you can help those children also. Could you arrange to govisit a shelter? Could you arrange to put on a musical or dramatic presentation at ashelter? Could you volunteer to play games with children who live in a shelter? Remindthe children again that all children are the same inside no matter what has happened tothem.

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APPENDIX #1

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE HANDS-ON PROJECTSNote: Some projects need parental notification and preparation

HAND STAMPED OR PAINTED CAPS- Have each child bring a new baseball-typecap with no logo or writing on it to class. Provide fabric and stamps that depict a soccertheme. Have each child stamp the cap. Let dry and collect. You might want to have thechildren design and write in a small greeting card, also.

HAND STAMPED T-SHIRTS- Follow the above instructions except use T-shirtsinstead of caps.

HYGIENE KITS- These kits would be given to the children’s shelter to be given tochildren who need basic items to stay healthy. Have the children collect the followingitems and bring to class to assemble in the kits:• Combs• Toothpaste• Toothbrushes• Chapstick• Hand lotion• Soap

Let each child assemble at least one kit. You might want to have the children designcards and write a small greeting.

SCHOOL KITS- These kits would also be given to the children’s shelter to be given tochildren to encourage them to go to school. Have the children collect the following itemsand bring to class to assemble in the kits:• Paper, lined and un-lined• Pencils• Pens• Erasers• Crayons• Metric rulers• Compasses• NO NOTEBOOKS- school children in Bolivia use different kind of notebooks

Let each child assemble at least one kit. You might want to have the children designcards and write a small greeting.

SPORTS BUTTONS- Take a color photograph of each student and have themdeveloped onto large sports buttons. Let the photo representative know about this projectand maybe you will receive a discount.

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APPENDIX #2

Sí, Cristo me ama,Sí, Cristo me ama,Sí, Cristo me ama,La Biblia dice así.

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APPENDIX #3

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APPENDIX #4

BOLIVIAN STREET CHILDREN

SHOESHINE BOYShoeshine boys work in theparks in all Bolivian towns andcities.

CANDYSELLERCandy sellers willapproach hungrycustomers hopingfor a sale

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APPENDIX #5

SPANISH, AYMARA AND QUECHUA

Bolivia has three national languages: Spanish, Aymará (ah-ee-mah-ráh) and Quechua (kéh-choo-a). Almost all Boliviansspeak Spanish, but many also speak languages that have beenspoken since before the Spaniards arrived in South America.The Aymará people were among the first to live in Bolivia.Then the Incas conquered them and taught them Quechua.But they never forgot their own language. Then the Spaniardscame and taught Spanish to everyone. But the Aymará andQuechua people like to speak their own languages, too. So,there are three languages in Bolivia. Learn how to count toten in all three!

“Dios es amor” means “God is love in Spanish. Try writing it for yourself!

SPANISH AYMARA QUECHUA

uno ma hoqdos payai iskaytres quimsa kinsacuatro pusit tawacinco pesca pisqaseis htaso soqtasiete pakalkok qanchisocho quimsa pusagnueve yatun isqondiez tunca chunka

• Dios es amor

• ______________________________________

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APPENDIX #6

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RESOURCES AVAILABLEThe following resources for use with this unit are available at the World Mission PrayerLeague for check-out only:

• “Street Children in La Paz” slides• a video depicting the soccer club• “Kids These Days” video by Good News Productions, Int’l• Inflatable globe

CONTACT: Cindy Lindquist232 Clifton Ave.Mpls., MN 55403

(612)871-6843FAX: (612) 871-6844e-mail: [email protected]

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WE’D LIKE YOUR FEEDBACK!WHAT WORKED? WHAT DIDN’T?

As we seek to promote mission education for children and attempt to providesome guides for Sunday School directors, we need to hear from you. Was this a helpfulguide? Please fill this form out, fold and place it in the mail or fax it to: World MissionPrayer League at (612)871-6844.

Name of your church or organization ______________________________________Address ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________

Name of contact person ______________________________________Position ______________________________________Telephone/e-mail ______________________________________

• When did you use our materials?

• Which Mission Minutes did you use?

• With what age groups did you use the materials?

• What worked best?

• What didn’t work? What needs to be improved?

• Please comment on Mission Minutes:

On Offering Board

On the songs

On the hands-on project

On the related activities

• Is there anything else we should know?