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Gracehaven Outreach - Loving One Another

On 14 July, GBC Young Adults organised an outing to Fort Canning Park for the children of Gracehaven. Although only seven children from Gracehaven could join us and we outnumbered them four to one, we had great interaction and fun. It was a very encouraging time of ministering to one another.

On the morning of 14 July 2018, GBC Young Adults (YAs) organised an outing to Fort Canning Park for the children of Gracehaven. This is the fourth outreach that the YAs have led since their first visit to Gracehaven in 2015. (You can also read about last year’s outing here.)

The outing was originally scheduled for 7 Jul, but due to some conflicting schedules of the children, it was postponed to 14 Jul. However, even with the postponement, the number of children who could turn up was much smaller than expected, and the number was further reduced to just seven children on the morning itself – the lowest number that we had for this outreach. Feeling somewhat discouraged, some of us wondered if the outreach was worth the while. However, Matthew Seah – who has been leading the YAs in organising this outreach – reminded us in the opening prayer that every single child is precious and encouraged us to practise what the YAs have been studying recently from 1 John on loving one another. 

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Matthew Seah briefing the YAs.

After committing the day to the Lord, the YAs started the preparations at the four game stations around the park for the ‘mini’ amazing race. At around 9.30am, seven children and two staff from Gracehaven arrived and we started a game of ‘Blow-wind-blow’ just to break the ice, it was a fun game to get everyone acquainted. The children and GBC volunteers were then grouped into three teams and played another game within each team to get to know one another’s name.

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Playing 'Blow-wind-blow' – a great start to getting everyone acquainted and warmed up.

After getting to know one another better and all warmed up, Matthew shared a short message on Rahab, encouraging us that though we may feel unworthy, God will never turn us away if we come to Him. He will love us even when no one else will. The message ended with an exhortation to us to listen to and obey God, even when it's difficult, as God can use us to make good things happen. The message was meant to tie in with Gracehaven's theme for the year on the importance and blessings of obedience and we were pleasantly surprised that not only did the children know the story well, they were also very attentive during the message. This was further evidenced during the amazing race when a question about the message was asked at each station and the children got them ALL correct! We pray that the message will not just be head knowledge but that the seeds that fell on the hearts of the hearers would bear much fruit. 

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Listening attentively to the story of Rahab. 

After the message, the amazing race started! Each of the three team had to go on a route to complete games at four game stations located across the park. Everyone enjoyed the games and there were lots of opportunities for interaction. The small number of children turned out to be a blessing as it allowed us to have deeper engagement with the children, a similar sentiment shared by the staff from Gracehaven.

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The race was completed in good time and we were very thankful that the slightly overcast weather held up through it all. This was followed by a time of refreshment and fellowship. As we chatted, we got to know some of the children better and also how to pray for them. We are very thankful for these children and the staff from Gracehaven, and we pray that God will continue to work in them and protect them. It was also great seeing the YAs engaging so well with the children and it is our prayer that the words and actions of our YAs would point the children towards Jesus. 

Soon, it was time to say goodbye and we bid farewell to the children and staff from Gracehaven after a group photo.  

The Gracehaven ministry team members are very grateful for the YAs' continuous support and partnership in helping to organise the outreach once a year. We thank God for the 23 YAs who took time off on a Saturday morning to join this outing. This came during a period when some of the regular team members were feeling rather weary from coordinating this once every two-month outreach due to schedules that are getting busier and busier. But God refreshed and encouraged us during this outing and we are all looking forward to the next!

The next Gracehaven outreach will be on 8 Sept 2018, and will be led by Kim Cheng's caregroup. If you would like to join us, contact Sandy Tung at tunglcs@yahoo.com.sg or Cheryl Chan at Clyrehc@hotmail.com. Please pray along with us that God will provide the support needed to organise the outreach and enable GBC volunteers to build upon the good works that He is doing at Gracehaven for His glory. 

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18

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You can read more about our outreach to Gracehaven here.