HIS Blessings' Day for Children at Joyoboyo Bus Station

HIS BLESSINGS' DAY

 by Rudy and Merry Tejalaksana

June.23.2010.The due date had come. The children at Joyoboyo were waiting for this blessing day. It's time for the children to celebrate their great works, good job, and character training for almost 6 months. 

Every learning week, the children got appreciation for their passions, works, characters, diligent, etc. of learning English. Every week, they collected sticters, pieces by pieces. We tried to appreciate all good things, even some hidden things from the children. We liked to appreciate all children not only by their big works, but specially by who they are in God's love. This approach is something special in the street community. In the street, the children have to face hard time of being judged, being hit by negative comments, actions, even from their parents. But at House of Joy, the children felt acceptance, because we measure them with God's standard. God says that the children are so special and lovely whoever they are. 

My Wife, Merry prepared all stuffs for the children. After hours of shopping at a cheap prize mall at Surabaya, it was the time to share the toys, study stuffs, and crafts things to the children. Merry packed all stuffs into small groups to help the children easier to choose them later. My nephew, Glenn, helped us at the moment. God sent helper at the time in need. Thank You God. Thank You Glenn.

After hours of preparation, we were ready to serve the little ones. When we arrived at Joyoboyo, so many children (even not the student of House of Joy) came to celebrate the day. Before we started, we said sorry to the rest 

of the children and tell them that the stuffs were only for the students. They seemed to understand, tried to help me and Merry to arrange the room. (the picture on the right side is our rent room. The room is quiet small for our 30 students, but it was our best home ever. (My wife always think that the small home is representing Bethlehem, a small town where the baby Jesus was born. We pray that the small home will be HIS second Bethlehem... a home for JESUS). 

We started the Blessing day with some games first. We divided the children into small group and they played in group. Some new boys asked me weather they could join the game. I welcomed them with warm hug. As the children played, Merry and some moms, and little girl voluntaree prepared the room. We thank God for this ladies team. So excellent job. .... to be continue...