Umana-Anderson Family Prayer requests - March 2008

Teaching the Bible to young children in a creative and non-traditional manner:

Workshop to be held this Friday and Saturday, March 14-15

We anticipate a gathering of some 150 Sunday School teachers and Elementary ed. Teachers representing some 30 institutions to participate in 12 hours of teaching and hands-on practice.

Through learning the theory and having the opportunity to have hands on practice, those who attend will be able to guide the children under their care to experience God’s Stories through hearing, seeing, and touching it.

Key notes:

* The research and design for this workshop is the final project for the class I just attended in Feb. on Models of Nonformal Education at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

* I will be teaching a modified version of Young children and worship by Sonja Stewart, enriched by the past 4 years of experience in coaching the Pre-kinder and Kindergarden teachers on how to teach the Bible at the school Valerie and Victor attend. You might say, I have a vested interest there!

* This past Saturday morning I was interviewed for an hour on the radio to discuss Christian Camping International’s aims and promote the workshop. As I spoke I found myself thrilled with the opportunity to be an advocate for joining children on their spiritual journey. (The book by the same title, by Catherine Stonehouse has greatly broadened and solidified my understanding of how lasting and foundational children’s’ first images of God are.)


* Joining me as trainers are 4 CCI-certified instructors from San Pedro Sula who have used Patricia Garza’s material we are featuring in this workshop (Patricia Garza has adapted Young children and worship material for use in Latin America). Each team of participants will make full use of the workshop material that contains a textbook, packet of reproducible visual aids, a CD with original music, a DVD which contains the songs/ choreography, and demonstrations of the Bible lessons.

I ask you to join me in prayer with these faith goals. If the Lord were to richly bless this workshop, I picture:

* Teachers (and parents) guiding the young children under their care to experience God’s Stories through hearing, seeing, and touching it.

* Schools and churches shifting from entertaining 3-4-5 year olds with coloring pictures to engaging their hands and imaginations in God’s stories (holy play as Stewart calls it).