February 14-20, 2011
Church Ministry News
Winter camp’s fun activities teach children maturity and faith
Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan
Written by Lydia Ma
Leaving children at home to play during winter break may not be the wisest way to spend such a vacation. That’s the reason Tainan Presbytery organized a winter camp during Lunar New Year vacation and urged parents to monitor their children so that they wouldn’t spend all their time playing computer games.
The camp held between February 8-10, 2011, at Tsengwen Youth Activity Center near Tsengwen Reservoir attracted more than 100 children. Its goal was to train children into diligent students and active Christians. Children also learned how to serve one another through games designed by MEBIG.
In an age of computer games and virtual reality, camp director Chen Ching-hsiu stressed on the importance of human contact and interaction and the role it played in children’s physical and mental health and development.
Through corporate worship, outdoor activities, and group games, the children were able to relax and have fun. Though conflicts inevitably arose from time to time, it also provided a great opportunity during the second night to teach about notions such as sin and repentance.
During that session, Chen asked children to close their eyes first before he went on to name a list of misdeeds – each time asking children who thought they’d done those things to raise their hands. Adults prayed over every child that raised a hand and a few children wept because they experienced God’s love and forgiveness.
