KidsGames - the finale but also a beginning.

The days have been busy,

In some ways I've been lazy,

Finally I complete the picture,

Of KidsGames and fun,

Of rain and of sun,

Oh days of thrills and adventure.

- Ken -

:)

A limerick to start the final of my writings of three days ... over a couple of weeks (odd huh?). Well, here it is:

KidsGames: the final day (day 3)

After the hustle and bustle of the previous two days, the final day dawned upon us all. The day started at 4pm (as we all had church on Sunday) as the children gathered for the closing ceremony and sports day: the championships of the 10 by 12 relay and the waterbucket.

4pm and the children were all afrenzy, playing with pools of water formed upon the soggy field under a dull, rainy March sky (and they say April showers bring May flowers). Cats and dogs could begin to describe it, but on our way to Bukit Berunutung, we started to wonder if the skies would relent. Upon our arrival, our answer met us. Rain, rain everywhere. It was cool (a difference from yesterday's blistering heat) but it was wet. Ironic.

Oh well, on with the games, we thought. The children would love to play and splash about in the puddles of water. Say, when was the last time you played in the rain? I guess growing up has made us more sensible but less adventurous. You know what they say, play in the rain and get sick or even play in the rain and get lightning struck. Oh the fun of growing into adulthood.

Anyway, forgive my digression. As I was saying, two tents had been set up at a field and the larger one played the umbrella for the kids. It was a funny sight, not hilarious funny, but ironic funny. They were sheltered from the pelting rains but were ankle deep in muddy water - and loving it! The other tent housed the electrical items, some food and the medals and helpers. Yung Ling, Sahaya and I had to survey the whole field to see how and where would be a good stretch to place the cones and track for the relay.

More people came, the rain continued, puddles grew. All of a sudden, someone complained of being bitten by a centipede!

The tent was in the process of being moved when it was decided by the leaders that we should shift back to the church hall. Whew.

Back at Dwelling Place: by now it was more hectic than before. We were all cramming in outside the hall to facilitate the march in and the opening of the closing ceremony (haha). Teams were once again separated by colours and the ceremony began. The torch was lit (and extinguished by mistake) and the flags brought in, prayers, KidsGames song and dance, all ably and capably introduced by our 'emcee', Rocky. Then, there was a clown show. His name was Ravi and the performance was, in the words of Siskel and Ebert (now Ebert and Roeper) 'Two thumbs up'. Fun and more fun. Even the adults were having a good time. The gospel message was presented during this time to which so many responded (Amen). Truly, the Lord our God can use anyone who is willing to be used. All praise to Him.

After that (pause, can you hear the trumpets blast?), it was time for the sporting events. We had to use the church hall (thankfully big enough) for the relay and the outside road for the waterbucket.

Relay: Woo hoo... and they're off..... the children raced through the church hall, boys and girls exchanging the batons in various ways to race, running, skipping, side stepping. The noise, the cheers, the exultation and the propriety, propriety in the sense of (if I remember properly) no false starts. Amazing.

Water bucket: If you think that the relay was a 'ruckus', haha, the waterbucket was whoa. At the blow of the whistle, the four teams raced to fill the empty bucket. Even the sound of my voice through the hailer was almost drowned. Three minutes ... you have hardly seen such activity in three minutes. At the count of 3, 2, 1 ... the games were officially over.

Soon, the children were brought back into the church hall and they were treated to a song, a very beautiful song, 'Still', sung well.

It was then time for the results. The children were all geared up, the counsellors, helpers were all standing by and the winners stated. You had to be there to appreciate the atmosphere. The children were all in a roar. F-U-N. Medals were presented to all. In God's eyes, if we have Him/Jesus as our Lord, we are all winners.

We then had the closing prayer and a final KidsGames song and dance. Pull the curtains (for now) and take a bow (for now), we will see you again in November for a bigger, better, God blessed KidsGames.

KidsGames for Christ's glory. Hallelujah.

p.s: Keep posted for a special Good Friday and Easter write up (Christ our Lord is risen today... Haaaaallelujah...).

God bless you all.