Our theme for the month of MAY is GENTLENESS. Some highlights for May include a toy collection project (see info below), a Cinco de Mayo celebration, and a 5^th GradeGraduation Ceremony on the last day of Kids’ Connection, May 26.

May Service Project for Kids’ Connection: We will be linked with the Fordham Manor Reformed Church in the Bronx, New York this month. Mity, a member of Fordham Manor, feels called to do Gods’ work among the homeless and less fortunate in the Bronx. Her ministries include clothing the homeless, feeding the hungry and blessing young children with food, clothing and toys. The children and volunteers at Kids’ Connection will be asked to help Mity with her ministry to young children by donating new and/or gently used toys for children in the Bronx. Bonnie De Jong met Mity on a mission trip to the Bronx in March 2011. Bonnie will join us on Tuesday, May 3, to tell us more about Mity’s ministry and more about the children and families she met while in New York. God calls us to feed the hungry and clothe the poor. Thank you!!!

In the game room...

Recycled Creations...

Pine Wood Derby Race

We had 12 race cars at the 1st Annual Pine Wood Derby Race this afternoon at First Reformed Church! What a great time! The boys voted on their favorite cars for "Best in Show". We then awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons for "Best in Show" cars and after every car raced, we awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the entire race. Congratulations! All of you were winners!!!

Thanks Parents for your efforts in helping your son or grandson create a fast and beautifully painted car. Thanks to Don Wynia for letting us use his track. Thanks to Lois, Suzanne, Mark, Rick, Galen, Claudia and Pastor Tim for their help with setup, clean up and encouragement!!

Watch for pictures soon!!! :)

Sand Dollars, Sock Pets, Spanish, Some Cool Marble Mazes

I hope your child received a sand dollar and a sand dollar poem about Easter. What a marvelous story of symbolism and FAITH. April is our month to celebrate the fruit of FAITHFULNESS. Our theme verse is John 3:16. We are working on memorizing the verse and applying it to our hearts!

The children created adorable sock pets using rice, ankle socks, movable eyes, pompoms, felt and more. Also, the boys were able to create marble mazes using wood, markers and nails. The boys were carefully coloring and pounding in nails. The entire project will be completed next week. Thanks to the Kidzone (the FRC Sioux Center after school club) for the sock pet idea and to Norm Plender, and Galen Kleinwolterink for preparing the wood for the boys, and to Jim Aberson, JR Siebersma and Stan Van Otterloo for the hammers and patience!!

Thanks again to Claudia for teaching Spanish to 6 enthusiastic young ladies! We are excited to hear your songs in Spanish!!

Volunteers: Thank you, thank you for sharing your afternoon with us at Kids' Connection! The children are blessed by your presence! Welcome to the 5 Senior students from Unity Christian High School this week, too.

The Pine Wood Derby race is scheduled for this afternoon at 2:00! Anyone is welcome to watch and cheer on your favorite car!!

Faith and Faithfulness

If your child was at Kids' Connection on Thursday, he/she should have come home with a 'Resurrection Egg' set. We will fill 'Resurrection Egg' sets again this coming Tuesday for the children who were not able to be at Kids' Connection last week. The 12 days before Easter begin on April 13. We hope to have the 'Resurrection Egg' sets in the hands of all of the children by that date. Enjoy that special time with your child(ren)!

This week at Kids' Connection, the children will hear the stories of FAITH and FAITHFULNESS from the Bible. Our verse of the month is taken from John 3:16-"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." What a promise of salvation!

Pinewood Derby is coming Saturday, April 16 beginning at 2:00. Come for racing, food and prizes! Everyone is a winner!!!

Claudia, our missionary from Ecuador, is teaching Spanish to a group of 5th grade girls every Tuesday and Thursday at Kids' Connection. Thanks Claudia!!

Girls, Goodness, Gadgets, Giggles, Gift books, Glory!

Girls- We had GREAT time last Friday evening at the first annual 'Girls Get-Together' for Kids' Connection girls, grades 2-5. The girls experienced foot care, massages, hand care, new hairdos, scrap booking, and value in God's eyes!! Thanks to all of the professionals for their help in making the night eventful for all of the girls!!

Goodness- March was Goodness month! We celebrated the fruit of the Spirit of goodness by coloring and decorating place mats for the nursing home residents and hospital patients on Orange City. April is FAITHFULNESS month. Faithfulness means doing the right thing over and over and over. We will also emphasize FAITH to celebrate Easter. Your child will come home with a 'Resurrection Egg' carton filled with numbered eggs telling the story of Easter, Jesus' resurrection. You will need to begin on April 13 in order to 'tell' the beautiful story. We will be assembling the cartons on Thursday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 12. One person per family will assemble the carton. Rejoice!!!

Gadgets- on Saturday, April 16, the boys, grades 2-5 will enjoy a Pine Wood Derby race at Kids' Connection. The deadline to sign up is tomorrow, April 5. Please pick up a pine wood car kit when you return your forms at the Sign out table.

Giggles- Tomorrow at Kids' Connection, Lisa Laird will be introducing FAITHFULNESS to the children with her puppets.

Gift books- A man named Howard Bomgaars started a ministry in memory of his wife, who died recently. He and his children started collecting children’s books to bring to the Banquet in Sioux Falls. Howard’s late wife believed every child should have the opportunity to read. They have already collected many books, however, the Banquet is in need of so many more. We are hoping that the children at Kids’ Connection would be interested in donating some of their used books for this ministry. You will find a box to deposit your books for the Banquet.

Glory- Easter is all about Jesus! Glory to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!!