Soaring Beyond for Children in Out-of-Home Care

In the Mustard Seed Youth Home, the annual bicycle riding camp is one of the most anticipated activities for teenagers. During the riding, the hot weather and physical strength are good challenges to hone their endurance; they can also build self-confidence, symbolizing a breakthrough the plight of life.  Since last year, a task that teenagers have never tried before has been added to the riding camp:  learning to serve.

Teenagers visited ShouFeng Presbyterian Church to serve a group of lively children, who are younger than themselves, from the tutoring class of elementary school. In this service event, the youngsters witnessed and learned the meaning of the phrase "the more mature and plump the wheat, the more it knows how to bend and stay humble."

In the face of elementary school students younger than their age, the arrogant teenagers in the Youth Home became moderate team mates to drive morale, cordially and patiently led the naughty children to achieve the missions. If a team loses the game in the process, teenagers will reassure and persuade the team mates, just like the teacher patiently teaches them at the Youth Home. It turns out that what was taught a good character by the teachers was fully demonstrated when facing people who are weaker and disadvantaged. They learned to see the needs from disadvantaged people, and more importantly, are willing to serve. 

The Youth Home expects that in the process of serving the learning camp, the teenagers will learn to be humble and bend down just like mature wheat. They will be wholeheartedly devoting themselves and serve others. This will become an important nutrient for cultivating good character in life, furthermore in the future, help to build confidence and affirm oneself when facing difficulties.  This will allow to develop a strong foundation of confidence, not to be overthrown; to be inspired and break through one's life with a positive and optimistic attitude. 

Support disadvantaged youths through diversified positive courses to develop good character and break through life difficulties.

Thank you for being the strongest support! 

"A happy future for my children, and hope that they can grow up safely." -This is the great hope of every parent.

The teachers in the Agape Children's Home, loving the children as their parents, also gave the children a wonderful summer vacation this year. Through outings and various activities, the children learned and grew in happiness, leaving unforgettable lifetime memories for them.

The first stop of the summer vacation, the Agape Children's Home participated the reopening of Lillian Dickson Conference Ground in Wanli. In addition to giving a singing performance, they also visited the Bible Cultural Park and knew more about Jewish culture through the guided tour. It was like a 4D experience of visiting Israel.

In the annual summer camp, different from the previous year, the older children in junior high and senior high students became team leaders leading the primary school students to receive training before the camp. Although the process was full of challenges, the children broke through their own limitations and learned empathy from caring for younger children, and cultivated a humble heart to serve others.

The primary school students enjoying the camp

 

In addition to camp, English tutors are also arranged for children who are about to enter junior high school to strengthen their English skills.

In talent courses like inline skating, piano, tambourine, choirs, etc., hoping that the children’s interests and dreams can be inspired.

Diversified Learning: Inline skating courses

 

In addition, through self-reliance training courses, such as cooking meals and sharing from the workplace leaders; the extensive working experiences of them open up the children's plans and vision for the future. And the regular character education every week aims to cultivate children's ability to live happily, learn how to interact with others, improve their stress resilience and think positively.

 

Character Education cultivating the positive thinking ability

 

Looking back at the various activities and courses arranged during the summer vacation, we hope to enrich their summer vacation, and also cultivate children's living abilities externally and internally.

Externally, the children can connect with the society smoothly, use their own advantages in future career, and become independent adults who can take care of themselves.

Internally, the children can motivate oneself to have integrity and caring characters, not to be afraid of hardships, persist in doing the right things, and give back to the society one day.

The children cleaning the space independently

 

After more than 60 years, Agape Children’s Home has bred many small seeds along the way. Watching them overcome difficulties, say goodbye to the past, and grow up hard. Now they have their own family, but they still remember to return to this "Home" and sharing with their own children about the mission of Agape Children’s Home and pass on the spirit of kindness. The Mustard Seed Mission hopes that every child can have a new life and heart transformation, and allow more lives to fly smoothly in the sky in the future.