In September we began our 9th year with 17 boys, 7 Leaders and 4 Junior Leaders. New Junior Leaders are Stephanie Jamison and Leanna Tate who are working for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Jason Seawright and Kyle Telford, P7 boys help by setting out equipment and do tuck shop duties, “in training” as Junior Leaders.

Our programme this session is based on the chorus “If I were a butterfly”, each week we work on a verse throughout the evening, doing a story, craft and games, we have included butterflies, birds, fish, elephants, kangaroos, octopus, worms, bears and crocodiles. We had Kirsty McCaughtry visit with her goldfish. Another night Leader Beth told us a story of how the robin got his red breast and a bag of mealy worms to feed the birds went home with each boy and some very reluctant mothers! One night we had great fun at a “Teddy Bears Picnic” when some really, really old bears were produced, well some of our Leaders are really, really old!

Three years ago our friend Claire from Helping Hands Ministries, in the Philippines, told us of brothers Josef and Jojo whose welfare was in great need. We saved almost £1100 to provide uniforms and books for them to start school and medical needs were paid for when needed. The boys now 7 and 8 still attend school and are very well. Claire administered £20 per month sent by Direct Debit from The Adventurers. The boys’ parents were given a small amount of money from the fund to start a business – a canteen, making and selling small rice cakes, (money goes a long way in the Philippines), this has been a great success and they are now in a position to maintain their family, no longer requiring our assistance.

Claire has again requested our help, John Marios is a 3 year old who almost starved to death, living on a beach with his parents, who try to survive by fishing. John Marios was taken to the Child Recovery Unit and is now living with Claire, he will return to his family with our support, when the time is right. Helping Hands Ministries have now employed Cora his Mum at the hospital Claire runs.

We are all looking forward to Christmas, when we read about Jesus birth. Activities will include decorating Christmas logs, putting our own photographs into snow shakers, making Christmas decorations and lots more. Our Christmas party will be on 15 December with a Special Guest appearance.

Boys aged from 3 years can join with us any Friday night, just come along at 6pm and have a look. Information is available from the Church office.

Please continue to remember our little group in your prayers, as we work together over the cold, dark winter months.

Roberta Davison