Lots to have in mind...

Working with kids sure is a big responsibility. Yesterday I got back from a few days of preparation for childrens' work. YMCA & YWCA have summer camps in a few different places in the country side, as well as a day camp in town. To prepare us for the summer we had seminars in Vatnaskogur (where the boys' summer camp is). On Thursday we learned about childrens feelings and how they deal whith trauma and difficult situations, - how we can help by doing the right things, reacting in the right way and so on.

At the end of the day we played a game, a role play game which is supposed to help the kids imagine what other kids are going through in other places in the world. We were divided into a few groups of 6. One group was pulled aside - they were the soldiers. The rest of us were fugitives. A story was read to us and it was written as a kids' journal. What happened in the story was happening to us. We had to try to get to the fugitive camp because the soldiers were after us. We didn't know where the camp was and on our way there we had to try to buy some food from a salesman and then get to the place where we could get info about the fugitive camp. So we ran off, each group in a different direction with the soldiers on our heels. We went into the forest to hide, but the soldiers were very organised and we had no chance of getting away. After about half an hour or so all of us were captured and noone got to the fugitive camp! I thought it was a brilliant game! It's fun but at the same time it helps you understand what it must be like to be on the run, never knowing when or where the soldiers will apear. It must be the so terrifying!

On Wednesday we learned about first aid. For me it was a review from what I learned at the hospital just two weeks ago. It was good though, cause you can never hear that often enough. Knowing exactly what to do if an accident happens is very important and the more often you hear it the more likely you are to do the right thing. Makes sense ;o) We got to do some rescuing. Two people were outside pretending to be badly hurt and we had to figure out what to do. We also learned about the fire-alarm-system and what to do in case of fire. Last but not least we learned the mouth-to-mouth method (CPR) on a doll.

In Iceland you call 112, but if you call 911 you'll still get through.

So we had good days in Vatnaskogur and learned a lot. Although we have a lot to think about and be aware of when we work with kids we also need to remember that we are working in God's kingdom. Jesus himself said:

"... Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14)