Printed Post issue 20 | Page 4

Roll up, Roll up The Circus is about to begin The September school holidays, once again saw ‘friends’ from Engadine travel to Hay for the School Holiday Kids Club. Sixty six adults and kids made the self funded trip to provide a safe environment for kids to ‘hang out’, make new friends and share Christian communion. With a circus theme, the visitors relayed the messages of “be kind to each other’, “be honest and fair”, “being sorry is important”, and so is forgiveness . Leprechauns, an elephant, a strongman and other circus characters entertained local youth with singing, sport, crafts and bible stories over a busy first week of the school holidays. Morning tea was supplied and parents were encouraged to ‘hang around’ and chat over a cuppa. In the evening a coffee lounge was set up at the Anglican Church and teenagers encouraged to meet and connect. Over forty children attended the Kidz Club activities each day. The week finished with a BBQ on the Friday night. Rollup, roll up, the circus is in town. Left: Rob and Rhonda Thompson visiting with the Engadine friends have a connection to Hay. Rob’s grandfather, Roderick Thompson was a bank manager many years ago. He and his wife Lottie have a son Geoff Thompson, (Rob’s dad) who was born in Hay. Twenty year old Jacob Pattinson, spent a lot of time in hospital when he was young. He says he spent a lot of that time feeling sorry for himself, until he found God and the fellowship within his church; which has helped him through the rough times. “This trip isn’t a holiday,” he says, “We want to tell youth how God has affected our lives.” Jacob wanted to connect with young people who may be suffering depression, “I have suffered and can connect with them.” The church community has helped Jacob during his down times and he wants to give back some of ?????????????????????(?((0