By: Antoinette Balungcas
It is one of the most awaited event again for the children – gift shop! The theme for this quarter is Food Frenzy. As Oxford Dictionary would define, frenzy means uncontrolled excitement. True enough, who wouldn’t be excited when a variety of food choices are laid out before you and you get to exchange them with your hard earned points.
Last August 27, 2017 we held the 2nd gift shop at the TKC hall. Initial plan was to have it set up in the garden but due to unpredictable weather, we decided to have it indoors. We decorated the hall with underwater designs as inspired by the computer game Feeding Frenzy. Six different tanks (as what we would like to call it) were designed with octopus and crabs, fishes, shells and starfishes respectively. The first two tanks displayed different candies and chocolates. The third tank was for hotdog buns. The fourth tank was for chicharon and fish crackers. Last tank, set up outside, was for drinks like shakes, sago’t gulaman and juice tetra packs. Also, a DIY pirate ship docked in the hall for design-your-own cupcakes and make-on-the-spot pizza bread.
A total of 336 children attended the event. The children sat in chairs as they waited for it to start. At 2:30pm, they lined up for the distribution of gift cards. The event started at 3pm with prayer and praise and worship afterwich the children swam from one tank to another, contemplating what to exchange their points with. Two of the best sellers were the cupcakes and pizza bread where we had to buy another 50 cupcakes to supply the high demand. In the end, it’s just a relief to know that every child was able to claim their price and not one went home empty handed.
Months prior to the event, we experienced a decrease in the children’s attendance. So Pastor Anelene and the team made a conscious effort to bring the kids back again. We conducted various community connect to reach out and make new contacts. Also, every teacher or helper was assigned a specific area of responsibility where they need to fetch children every Sunday. This gift shop served as an oppurtunity to encourage children to be more faithful in coming to church and be more hungry in knowing God. Plus it is a reminder not only for the children but for us teachers as well, that so long as we persevere in doing His work, God always rewards those who are faithful, maybe not in this life but in the life to come. (Proverbs 28:20)
Thank you to hands and minds behind this event. To all teachers and helpers who are one in mission and vision. To our TKC Pastor, Pastor Anelene who has always been very supportive and helpful. To our Senior Pastors Toh Nee and Lily for putting their trust in this ministry. Above all glory to God for his goodness and strength.
