Nairn Mission, Day 1

Greetings from Nairn, Scotland,

Today was the first day of the Nairn Holiday Club. 61 children had preregistered; 49 children actually attended. The theme this year is Jungle Jamboree with lessons being Jesus' parables from the Book of Luke. Today's lesson was the Parable of the Great Feast with Susan Henderson from Nairn teaching after a time of singing about God's creation and a skit (featuring our very own Elaine Edwards). As in the past two years, Rev. Murdo MacLeod and his lovely wife Maggie set the stage for a happy fun-filled day as the emcees, tag-teaming with jokes and story-telling while the children listened intently.

We praise God for the fruit of the mission over the past seven years. Most of the teen helpers are youth who have actively attended the Holiday Club - some from the club's inception. Many of the children we saw today are boys and girls who have attended for several years as well as some new faces. They range in age from 5 to 12. It was particularly encouraging during small group time to have many of the youth answer questions about the message of accepting the invitation to the "great feast" and a life of obedience with the reward of eternal life.

Yesterday after the morning service, the congregation, teachers and teen helpers were treated to a barbeque Scotland style (i.e. cook out) by Ali Paul from Smithton Culloden Church. This was a great opportunity to reconnect with the members of Nairn Free Church and other participating churches as well as a wonderful way to kick off this week's events surrounding Holiday Club.

Sunday night we ate with Mud and Maggie and enjoyed a time catching up on the happenings at Nairn Free Church. We also saw the renovations in progress at the church. Tonight friends from the United Reformed Church fed us and we enjoyed a great time of fellowship.

In your service,

2011 Nairn Mission Team