The nation of Vanuatu goes on a public holiday to celebrate National Children’s Day, which falls on July 24th each year. It is an annual event that allows families to spend extra time together with their children, to promote the welfare and well-being of children, and to support the fight against child abuse.
This year, the Church of the Nazarene in Port Vila, the Capital of Vanuatu, was delighted to host the children’s day program as part of their Sunday School activity at the church. Around 40 children attended the church event.
The District President for the Sunday School Ministry coordinated the program with the topic “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6.
The key speaker for the day was Pastor Taku Taso, who encouraged parents to train their children while they are young and not to allow their children to have their own way, or else they will not depart from their foolishness when they are older. Train the children in the Lord to trust God for provisions and protections upon their lives against abuse and other forms of evilness that are prevalent in today’s society. Constant reminders from the Word of God and to be disciplined by God will make children of today mighty and great leaders in the future and also become responsible adults.
The encouragement goes to all parents during that time for them to understand their identity, place and their role in society by being good role models for their children.
The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) shared the national theme for Children’s Day with all schools, churches, and communities. Thus the church decided to host the program for their children along with the parents and the church as a congregation. The District Superintendent Rev. Gideon Iwaki and the Bible College Principal Rev. Peter Issac and other elders were part of the program.
The theme for this year’s Children’s Day from the government’s Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) is “Our actions and talk can shape the children of Vanuatu in a changing world”
Consider what we impart into the lives of our children. Our actions and words as parents to our children. What we say and do is reflected in the lives of our children when they are adults.
The theme message referenced with corresponding scriptures was one of the highlights of that event which reminds all parents to continue building their godly relationship with their children to shape them to become respectful individuals in their communities and to the nation as a whole. Thoughtful and motivational thoughts were also shared by other church members who had brought smiles to all parents for their dedication and hard work toward their children’s lives.
The children in the church were very happy. There was joy and happiness on their faces when they came together.
That event was considered a success, which reflects a strong team spirit that the church highly upholds, and we are looking forward to celebrating this annual event with our children in the years to come.
By Joshua Stewardson
