Discipleship for Children

July-August 2010

                  The last few months have been equally busy as every other month.  My home church sent me to a retreat for missionaries in July, the retreat took place in Colorado Springs and wow was  it ever so refreshing.  It was a blessing to be in the company of so many other missionaries and hear their stories of ministry in their respective fields.  I arrived back home refreshed, which was a good thing because there were 7 girls in my apt when I got home.  My down stairs neighbors and fellow missionaries the Metzes hosted 3 different groups and I usually keeps the girls of the group.  I was here for one  group and gone for the second and came in the middle of the 3rd.  My house was wall -to-wall air mattresses.  Thankfully there was enough room for everyone, although an extra bathroom might have been nice, they were a great group so they worked really well together the whole week. 

                After returning from the retreat I jumped right back into the swing of things.  Prior to leaving for the retreat another missionary couple (Mark & Donna Whiffen) had asked me about the possibility of spending some time with their ministry to help them disciple their children who are saved and just help with some ideas for their children’s ministry.  I spent two weeks visiting with the Whiffen’s ministry to get to know the kids before beginning the discipleship program. 

               The first day of the program was a pretty amazing day.  The class started out with a couple of the kids looking like they weren’t sure if they were going to like the program.  As the class progressed it was so cool watching the transformation as it took place.  Their attention was piqued when we began to discuss security of the believer and briefly baptism, suddenly everyone was sitting up listening intently with hands raised to get their questions answered.  The tide had turned and I had the kids attention.

               The parents had been told about the discipleship program and the devotions that came with it, so not only were the kids engaged, so were the parents.  On Monday Donna called the different kids to remind them about their devotions, what she found out from the parents was that the kids were eagerly doing their devotions.  The following Sunday they all had their devotional book done for the week AND they had ALL learned their memory verse.  

              This past week one of the parents mentioned to Donna that she had seen a difference in her sons’  interest in the things of the Lord, so much so that now they were concerned and witnessing to their dad who is an unbeliever.  Isn’t it amazing what a difference having security of salvation can make in a believer’s life?  Pray as we continue our discipleship.  I’m in the process of helping this church work on a plan for their children’s ministry.

              I did want to update you on some of the results of the teacher training I did back in June.  I met with Ruth last week and she shared that her teacher is SO excited about teaching as she now sees how God’s plan for salvation is intertwined throughout the Bible not just in the Gospels.  She’s been so excited and as a result has shared that wonder with her husband, he recently told the Pastor that he’d like to be come more involved as well.  Yay!!!  I’ve also been invited to two more churches to do the teacher training, as well as  a follow-up training at the Hornbrooks' church. 

             The Lord is opening more and more doors for me to realize my passion of Teaching Them to Reach Them.  I can’t wait to share with you some other upcoming opportunities.  In the meantime please pray that I will be sensitive to the Lord’s leading and not get ahead of Him.  I truly love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else.  Thank you for partnering with me to see the Gospel spread to the littlest of Mexico City.

Cynthia Castillo

Cracker Barrel, The Lord's Supper and Discipleship

May-June 2010

             One of my favoritest (I know not really a word) Bible stories ever is that of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  When trying to decide on the next series to teach the children of Bible Club, Elijah was it hands down.  I couldn’t wait to get to that story.  While that may have been my favorite for all it’s excitement, it turns out the kids’ favorite story was the story of Elijah being taken away in a chariot of fire.  Another story they enjoyed was Naboth’s Vineyard.

             Bible Club has been consistent in its growth and excitement each week because of the kids.  In a culture where the concept of time tends to be “fluid” and punctuality is optional the kids show up  20-30 minutes EARLY.  We put out a couple of games and puzzles for them to play with until time to start.  It has given us an opportunity to catch up with them about school and home and also settle them down for club. The games are simple games, like the Cracker Barrel triangle with golf tees in it or one called Rush Hour that requires moving plastic cars around a grid to get the key car out of the grid. While the games and puzzles seemed inconsequential, in fact it proved to be key to getting kids to club on time and settled down...who knew!?!

             I posted on Facebook sometime ago that we had seen 5 children saved,  I know we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens but we still are in awe each time...it NEVER gets old.  Three girls (ages 9-10) came just as we were sitting down for dinner on a Sunday afternoon and told us they wanted to know how they could come to Christ, they were dealt with and each of the three made a profession for Christ as their Savior that day.  Two days later one of the girls brought two of her cousins she had witnessed to, who now wanted to be saved as well.

             For some time we had wanted to do a discipleship class but hadn’t yet.  With 5 new converts plus the few others that had been saved previously we decided the time was right.  I taught the class during SS and wow it was so cool.  The course is 4 weeks but very comprehensive.  We learned terms that are commonly used; that we take for granted children know and understand; like ordinance , perish, and testimony.  We discussed security of salvation, baptism, the Lord’s Supper,  how to share your testimony, with whom and even places that it can be shared.  We also learned what makes up a church.  When the course was done each child shared their testimony with the congregation.  There were tears from children and adults alike.  It truly was a precious time.

             In between Bible Club, Discipleship on Sunday mornings and our Ladies’ Bible study I took on a teacher training opportunity.  Ruth Hornbrook, one of my fellow missionaries asked if I could give a basic course.  Ruth and her husband have a church here that is young and growing.  She was doing most if not all the teaching of the children but was expecting their 5th child and really needed to get someone trained to be able to be in place before she gave birth.

             We opened the teacher training up to the other missionaries as well and ended up with 8 teachers from 3 churches.  We met every other Saturday for 3 weeks and crammed in a whole lot of learning.  Most of the ladies that came had little or no experience in teaching so they were a little scared.  They soon were excited about getting started in the children’s ministry.  Ruth now has her teacher in place who is so excited by all that she is discovering as she teaches.

             The gospel is getting into the hearts of children because of the sacrifices you make, thank you for all that you do to see these precious ones hear His Word.

Cynthia Castillo