Sorry, couldn't resist the play on words (Awana... I wanna...? Anyone?) It's 0927 on Saturday, a time I would normally spend sleeping in *yawns* woke up at 7:25 and all I can think of is having tea, while not trying to think of some other things.
Last night, I and my friend Liz went to an Awana class last night after being invited to speak there by a friend of my mother. This friend apparently overheard that I did origami and wanted me to do a demonstration for her class. I obliged, back in November. The date continued to be pushed back until it was decided I would open up Awana 2011. My topic: God the Creator -- it was my first time teaching little kids, so it was definitely an interesting experience. I opened up asking about why God created the things he did, it may have been a bit too much to ask about but I got some interesting answers. The conversation then went over to those in the room that drew, painted, or did any sort of artwork. Half of the kids raised their hands and we were back on track. I asked them why did they created art, to which I got a good round of replies, expression, because they love to create art, etc. I asked whether they wrote their names on it and why; they got the answer dead on. After telling them how God had his signiture on everything He created, I told them to pick up a sheet of paper.
Now, usually when I teach origami it's an one on one experience, not one on twenty experience. Luckily, Liz already knew the model and was helping me out with making sure the kids knew how to follow the directions. A few of the adults were trying it out as well but I guess I didn't make the instructions clear or they couldn't see the example I was working on. Sadly enough, I had picked a piece of paper that was near the same color as the wall behind me — whoops. At the end we had some rather unique cranes.
I did have a girl ask a good question though, how will this be a bird? (we were on step five or three if you were starting with the bird base) I stopped the class and told them that life would have points were you'd be wondering what's going on and how will this bring you to where you're going. Something will be unclear, but nessecary to what God has planned for you. After that, I showed them how the model opened up to reveal the wings and neck of the bird. Pretty nice timing huh?
The experience was only for half an hour. I had planned to show them how to make a fox puppet, but that will have to wait for another time. That may actually happen as they were all asking if I'd be available to help out again; we shall see. The night did hold some nostalgia for me as I'd explained to JennyBeth later that evening:
"Anyways, somewhere in 3-4th grade a trio of Japanese women stopped by our school to give a cultural lesson. They gave us bookmarks with our names in Japanese and started teaching the class how to fold a crane and a helmet. Well, lets just say I as already finished with both by the time they were on stepped 3 What made tonight so nostalgic was we had some ukrainians visiting us tonight, and they were already doing origami with the paper I'd set out for the class before I started on the crane."
Overall, it was a fun and enlightening evening during and after the lesson and I'm glad I got to do it though I'll be bringing advil with me next time. How do my friends in Doulos manage it daily? *chuckles*
Today I plan on doing some work for Ten3. It's going to be a long day at the desk, but nothign that can't be handled. I pray you all will have a great weekend, take care!
~ John
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