Puppets in the Sun

Sunscreen? Check
Sunhat? Check
Two litres of Water? Check
Puppet paraphenalia? Check
Guess I am ready for another four hour laid-back evangelism afternoon!

Mandlinkosi and Naledi, Youth leaders just back from youth camp, take a turn as ad hoc puppeteers :)

THis year we are using the puppets I made for the Rosedon House Christmas party as a propomotion for our Church's Christmas events, plus a medium for gospel-connection with our church-neighbours.  

We have colonised the little triangle of grass across the road from our church, and everyday I am setting out progressively more of the eighteen puppets I made to tell the Christmas Story and be a location for contact with those who are on the way to the shops but not celebrating christmas.

I have had many friendly conversations already.  People are amazed that I am not selling anything.  Including the law-enforcement officials who find this particularly difficult to fathom (under SA law I have freedom of speech and action so long as I am not vending in an illegal place or causing a blockage in the traffic!)

Anyway, yesterday three shepherds appeared.  Next up the wise men will start their journey.  Angels will appear in due course, as will Joseph and Mary, and eventually Baby Jesus.

In the mean time King Herod will be tormented by a pun-making skeleton from his closet (who has a bone to pick with him)...

We hope that the net result will be a better positioning of our church as a community centre for spirituality, and a network of friendships developed with residents in the surrounding flats. My heart always feels extra tender for those who have no inner reference point of faith at these great festival times, and who have essentially empty Christmases. 

 And of course it will be a fun and confidence boosting channel for friends from Claremont Methodist and other churches to hang out and interact with outsiders.  Please pray for us