Dedication

On Thursday we marked an important first in the history of Gentle Hands and our new little church. We celebrated our first child dedication service in the courtyard right here at Gentle Hands.
Presented for dedication were two of the children at our center. Roger (age 2) and Kimberly (age 3). Both came to us severely neglected and malnourished.
Read Roger's Story
Read Kimberly's Story
In order to get birth certificates for these two children to process their adoptions (many births go unregistered here) the National Statistics Office asked that we provide baptism or dedication certificates for identification purposes.
As we cast about trying to find the fastest way to get them dedicated it dawned on me that I could do it. Three years ago I received my Exhorter's License from the Church of God which allows me to do stuff like baptisms and dedications...
This was to be my first and it wasn't exactly a textbook case. With no parents in the picture to present the children for dedication I had make some major revisions to the dedication program I found in the Minister's Service Manual, but within an hour or so, we had the program worked out.
Music was taken care of by Art (guitar-playing musician types come in very handy) who got a couple of songs organized in the half hour he had to prepare.
After a worship song, Jazz and Moises each read a scripture (Matt 19:13,14 and 1 Sam 1:27,28 respectively). For the part of the service where the parents are supposed to commit to their roles as Godly parents all present were asked to stand in (this included some staff and a few of the boys).
Finally the two children were brought forward and as Charity held Roger and Jazz held Kimberly we lifted them up in prayer and dedicated them to God for the rest of their lives wherever they go. A last song from Art and the job was done! Some video from this is on our youTube channel. The quality isn't great, but see it here.

Comments

[tracey]

this is so cool! who'da thunk you'd be a pastor hey evan!!?? wow.. very cool. love you guys.