We had so much fun at the Noah’s Ark Kid Party on September 3rd, 2023. With over 30 keiki and their families learning about Jesus through the history of Noah and his families dedication to God. As the families arrived, they got to register under a beautiful Rainbow balloon arch created by our youth leader, Taylor. She and her best friend Maile, we’re the catalyst for this community event.
During the summer months they attended a church camp that was so amazing that when they came back to Sunday church at New Hope Puna they wanted to give the kids an opportunity to experience God’s love for them. As their Youth Leader, I saw this yearning to share God’s love and ran with it! We quickly came up with a theme for the event and spoke to the children’s youth coordinator at New Hope Puna, Pastor Courtney. She guided us to share this event idea at the church council meeting and get the approval of everyone. It was unanimous! Everyone thought this event and the plans we had developed thus far were a wonderful chance to connect with the kids in our community. Our youth’s first outreach.
With support from all of our volunteers, especially the crafty stylings of Karen, DarrylLynn and Taylor. We were able to create a puppet theater on Noah’s Ark, rainbow tie-dye shirts and bandanas for all the volunteers and many more beautiful details that made the event come alive for the kiddos. Many church members donated food to the event as well. Pizza Hut corporate donated 8 pizzas, and our local Boogie Woogie Pizzaria donated two pizzas! So we were all well fed, including the vegan-gluten free family because God cares about all our needs. Thank you Sarah, Karen and Adiel for putting together some options for them!
After the kids arrived they were greeted with shaved ice treats by Pastor Morris. You can meet him this Sunday at New Hope Puna where he shares his love for God with his church family almost every Sunday by making these beautiful shaved ice creations for free, and they often include ice cream!
After getting sugared up (there were sugar free options as well), the kids got to color their own animal masks and watch the Noah’s Ark Story theater style.
“It’s like a movie theater!” Little Alohi exclaimed as she wore her 
fox mask and slurped up her shaved ice.
During this time our volunteers, Queila and Teresa were holding a mini petting zoo for the kids. Baby 
Rabbits, Puppies and Kittens. In these photos you can see how much the kids loved petting God’s wonderful creatures.
Then we had everyone come into the sanctuary for prayer, worship and the Noah’s Ark play, where all kids got to wear their animal masks and board the ark with Noah and his family. I had the pleasure of writing the play myself and narrating it too. Even though their were not any rehearsals (other than one for my husband–who played Noah) the play went really well and all the kids loved it!
After the play, we got to eat all the yummy food, and delicious rainbow cupcakes! Then we broke into smaller groups to enjoy the water slide, puppet show and a fun round of “Noah” basket ball, you might remember it as a game of horse.
At the end, each child was connected back to their parents at the registration table under the balloon arch and got their very own gift bags. My son particularly loved the rainbow pencil, and the animal stickers. And the youth vollenteers went wild over the “Jesus Loves You” bracelets of many colors and the finger puppets. Karen even made little Noah’s Ark themed coloring and activity booklets.
And at our following church council meeting, I was told everyone is looking forward to our next community outreach event. Maybe Jonah’s wild ride!
Feel free to visit our event site, it has YouTube videos of all the worship and Noah’s Ark Movies we watched at the party. Www.Linktr.ee/noahsark2023
All Glory and Praise to our wonderful creator, almighty father, God. We are so thankful to be used by His will and our prayers of joy and peace are sent to him for all of the families who came and those who were unable to come (this time.)
