Refreshing Waters -how RAISE charityishelping children

Openingthe ChristmasBox Story

Norfolkjournalist, SandieShirley,spotlightstheinspiringstoriesof menand womenfromthe region andbeyondthathaveseenthemreachforvictory. FormorestoriesvisitFacebook Refreshing WatersChristian edia.

sthe festiveseason approaches, theheartbeatof hristmaswill cometolifeacross theregion again,as ndy ones unfolds thenativitystoryfrom abo of delights forchildren in churchesandschools. Andy,whoheadsupthe charity RAIS , helps youngsterscapture thewonder oftheChristmasstory through smell, touchand sound. Theteachingis engaging,visualand hands on. It means children can thinkaboutthestoryand whatit means to them andwonder inthe moment, says Andy,who cutthe cordsasa churchchildren’s worker andtookagiganticleapoffaith to launch RAIS . He hasridden thesurfof adventureand challenge andin 2018 RAIS becameacharity.Its hallmarkiscreativity,funand ingenuityasitportraysOld and NewTestamentstoriesinsurprising ways.Ithas wonthe supportand favourofsponsors,parents, pupils, teachersandchurchesandhas taken Andy to une pected places,as he openstheBible andhas shared God’s love letter withthousands of children over theyears. But he knowshislifewould have taken adifferent courseif not forthe faithful prayersofhislate mother,who diedsuddenly during thepandemic last summer. When Iwasborn,shemadeapledgeto give my lifetoGod forhisuse. Her faithshonethrough with hertrust in esus.Shechampioned me and anyone in herfamily. Iwould not have pushedthrough thatdarktime of losing my mum withoutmyfaith, butIknewGod wasalwaysthere andheisstill goodandfaithful. Andy hasbeenthe fruitof her prayersand love,andhe continues to sharethemessagesof hopethat were faithfullyconveyedtohimas achild. ast year,thefather of two ranamarathonraising 4,000 to createand fund an ‘escape room’for youngsters.Theportable inflatable podwillbetransformed intoabiblicalsettingwith uestionstoanswerand puzzles to solve, to helpe plore different gospelthemes.Theideaisready for trialintheNew earwiththeBible storyof osephand hiscoatof manycolours. When schoolsclosedduring thepandemic,Andydidonline assemblies, reachinghundredsof pupilsat once. He alsotrainedwith ‘ChristiansAgainst overty’to run

twoshortsessionstohelpchildren withfinancialmanagementand giving RAIS another dimension. Thecourse looksathow people earn money,as wellasfamily spending, creating abudgetand savingandgiving, says Andy. He reflects on hismission It’s helpingkidstounderstandthat faithis notsomething thatbinds us, butfreesus to be ourselves and whoGodhascalledus to be.Iwant them to know thattheBible says they arechosen, lovedand God’s masterpiece;thereisnomistakein what he creates.

To supportRAISE orfindout more– usethelinksbelow: www.raisekidswork.org.uk www.facebook.com/ raisekidswork