Just for Kids February 2023

Hi kids!

Every year, more than four million people visit the island of Jamaica. It’s a popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches and palm trees. But far from the hustle and bustle of tourists, in the farming village of Cave Valley, there are some families who cannot afford to send their children to school.

In this issue of Just for Kids, you will read about The Salvation Army Cave Valley Basic School where children can go to learn, make friends and have a nutritious meal every day.

Your friend, Abby

Sending Kids to School!

In many parts of the world, including Jamaica, parents must pay to send their children to school. But many families in Cave Valley cannot afford it.

At The Salvation Army Cave Valley Basic School, 35 children ages three to six receive an education and healthy meals each day. The children who attend the school, along with their families, are so thankful that they receive an excellent education and good nutrition.

Every year, The Salvation Army raises money through Partners in Mission to help run schools like Cave Valley Basic School. Many people choose to work together to fundraise for Partners in Mission. Fundraising means to collect money that will go toward a good cause.

Kids can help fundraise, too. Here are some easy and fun ideas:

• Have a bake sale at your church.

• Set up a lemonade stand.

• Participate in a walk-a-thon or read-a-thon and ask friends and family to sponsor you.

• Hold a “fill a jar” coin drive by collecting spare change.

If you’d like to help fundraise for Partners in Mission, ask your parents or corps officers for help.

Did You Know?

The island of Jamaica is the tip of a huge underwater mountain. It is home to the Homerus swallowtail, an endangered species and the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere. Its wingspan is 15 centimetres wide!

Source: kids.nationalgeographic.com

Time for School!

Hi kids!

Sometimes when we have an important task to do, it is easy to get caught up in other things. Maybe we have homework to do, or we need to go to church or visit with family, but instead we get distracted. God wants us to focus on what is most important—and to make sure we take time to rest and listen to Him.

In this issue of Just for Kids, you will read about Mary and Martha. They were sisters who met Jesus and while one of them was too busy, the other stopped to spend time with Jesus.

Your friend, Abby

and

Luke 10:38-42

One day, while Jesus and His disciples were on a journey, they were invited to visit the home of two sisters named Mary and Martha. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him as He talked. But Martha was very busy with all the things that had to be done. She felt frustrated. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don’t You care? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered. “You are worried and upset about many things. But it is not important. Talking to Me is the only thing that matters.”

While Martha was worried and distracted, Mary had chosen to speak to Jesus and it was the most important thing she could do.

Twin Suns

Find the two identical suns.

How many of each item can you find? I Spy How to be an active listener:

It is important to take time to show others they are important. One way to do this is to be an active listener. Here’s how to do it:

• Practise making eye contact when someone is speaking to you.

• Do not interrupt when someone else is speaking.

• Use body language such as nodding to show you are interested.

• Ask questions to help you understand.

• Put aside distractions to give the speaker your full attention.

If you spent an hour talking to Jesus, what would you talk about?

Hi kids!

Last week, many people celebrated Valentine’s Day with people they love.

On Valentine’s Day, we give our friends and family cards and candies to show them that we care.

The Bible tells us countless stories about love and what it means to love one another, just as God loves us. But what does the Bible say about the people we don’t get along with?

In this issue of Just for Kids, you will read about an important lesson that Jesus taught His disciples: to love our enemies. It’s a lesson we should follow, too.

Your friend, Abby

ISSUE 7

Help the cat find the candy.

Love Your Enemies

Jesus once gave a very important sermon to His followers. He went up on a mountain and taught them lessons that would make them kind and faithful children of God. This is what He said about loving our enemies:

“You may have been told to hate your enemy. But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for people who hurt you. When you love people who you don’t get along with, you will be children of God. It is easy to love people who love you back. God in heaven loves all people, so you should, too.”

Hi kids!

What does it mean to be a good leader? When you think of a good leader, maybe you think about your teacher at school, your corps officer at church, your youth leader, a parent or an older sibling. Good leaders are courageous and confident, but they are also patient and caring.

God is the most important leader. He has great plans for each of us and helps guide us every day. We can follow Him and have faith that He will lead us in the right direction.

Your friend, Abby

Lead the Way!

Help the dragon find its friend by jumping only on clouds that equal eight.

ISSUE 8

Count the Shapes

A Roman Commander Has Faith

Jesus went to a village called Capernaum. When He arrived, a Roman commander came to Him. He asked Jesus for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant is at home and can’t move. He is suffering.”

Jesus said, “Shall I come and heal him?“

The commander replied, “Lord, I am not good enough to have You come into my house. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” The commander believed in Jesus so much that even if Jesus could not go to his house, He would still heal the servant.

When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. He said to those following Him, “What I’m about to tell you is true. I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong.” Then Jesus said to the Roman commander, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And the servant was healed at that moment.

Jesus was amazed by the commander’s faith because, even though he led his own people, the commander knew that God is the most important leader of all.

Matthew 8:5-13