To Bowie, AWANA, a second look

Mama and I left church before the preaching was done so we would have time to drive to Bowie and make the evening service at a church there. We left the twenty two little ones in Victoria’s care along with a stand in for the last fifteen or twenty minutes of the morning service in order to leave on time. I am not sure if I will get a lecture over the decision or not – we will see.


We did make it to the church on time and we had a great time at the service. It was given over to the AWANA program for the entire service. Mama and I have not participated in AWANA since leaving Ripley, WVa. It was fun to see the awards ceremony. The group was about thirty kids from Cubbies up through T&T. It is their fourth year.

As one of the youngest got up to recite a Bible verse he adjusted the microphone, took a deep breath and…nothing. The AWANA leader asked if he needed help to which he replied, “I forgot the phone number.” Everyone in the congregation busted up laughing which usually embarrasses a little one to death, but it seemed to delight this little one. He made it through the verse eventually, but it was a great opening.

A short time later they were giving out attendance awards (starting with the very youngest) and since every other award had been some token or badge or other physical item, the children whose names were being called rushed forward to collect their prize. Slightly embarrassed, the leader’s wife, who was in charge of distributing the awards being announced, looked at the little ones and explained that there was no prize, only a pat on the back – which she gave to each child. The disappointment was obvious.

With the next older group, as the attendance was being recognized, one little boy charged forward. The leader’s wife looked a little surprised, somewhat questioning. The little boy quickly explained, “I didn’t get my pat on the back!” The congregation almost lost it again. He got his pat and an additional hug.

A very sweet moment happened a good bit later when some type of outstanding achievement awards were being given out; a gentleman in his sixties – or older – called a little girl up to receive an award. She was kindergarten age. He explained, “You all remember that I couldn’t read too good a couple years ago. This little one and me learned to read together through the AWANA program. I’m sure gonna miss her helping me with words.” You do not get to see many moments like that.

Mama and I went to look at the property last night since we were only a few miles from it. She was not too sure I remembered where it was so for once I got to impress her; that doesn’t happen very often either. As we rounded the corner and the property came into view we were even more thrilled to see it again. The person running cattle on the farm currently had a herd of long horns grazing the meadows. It made it seem more nostalgic that ever.

We came towards a pretty significant storm system as we came east. It had dumped several inches of rain on the area; something we have not seen since we moved to Texas. Water was rushing down the ditches and filling creeks, streams and tanks all over the area. To the north and east of us, tornados were wrecking havoc on the area.

All we could see of the storm was the runoff and the rainbow.