I first heard of Awana when I was in college. One of my good friends, Erin, loved Awana growing up, and I believe she is still involved as a leader today. In case you’ve never heard of it, you can find out more here, but basically it is a non denominational Bible club for little kids in which they memorize verses, sing songs, hear stories, puppet shows, do crafts, and make friends. I always thought it would be cool for my kids to do something like that. Although I read the Bible, and had Bible stories and verses read to me growing up, I never memorized verses, and decided it was something I wanted my kids to learn how to do.
I tried on my own to help Elias memorize verses, but I never knew how to make them toddler friendly enough. That project faded into nothing along with many other of my ideas.
One day last spring I was driving home from the vet and saw a big sign hanging on a church in Bethany about Awana. I was immediately interested and started looking into it. There are ten or so churches in the Beaverton/Hillsboro area that offer the club. Unfortunately, it was something we’d have to wait to the start of the school year for. In July, I registered Elias for Awana at the nearest club at Harvest Community Church in Hillsboro. He’s gone three times (tonight will be his fourth) and he really likes it.
The first night he was really nervous because it was a new place with new kids, and he cried pretty hard when I dropped him off. But the leaders were very helpful and comforted him, and when I came to pick him up he was very happy and wanted to go back. The next two times he went we had no problems.
Elias has memorized three verses and the cubbies motto so far. He is one proud boy. I’m glad that he has another community now which will help him grow in faith and life.
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