Easter in Communities

     Part of our mission here in Okinawa is traveling to surrounding communities.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings are saved to travel to 12 different communities each month.  We arrive at the school in each community in the morning and divide the kids up into 2-3 groups (depending on the size) based on age.  In these groups we teach the kids catechism based on a theme.  Afterwards, since we are Salesian Missioners, we play games with the kids.  I thought I would share what we are teaching the kids right now.

     This month, since we are celebrating Easter, we have a fun activity for the kids.  First we pray followed by singing a song about how we all have a friend who loves us, and His name is Jesus.  Then I read a kids version of Jesus' death, starting with Palm Sunday.  Lastly, I show the kids that I have 5 different colored plastic eggs and I tell them that there is something inside.  The kids get really excited, especially when I ask who wants to open the egg and show what's inside to the rest of the class.  One by one we open the eggs and talk about why that object is inside.

The first egg contains a palm branch, which represents when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and the people celebrated His arrival by waving palm branches.

The second egg contains bread, which represents the Last Supper Jesus had with his 12 disciples.  Jesus gave us Himself in the bread and the wine at the Last Supper, and we participate every Sunday when we go to mass.

The third egg contains nails, which represents when Jesus was nailed to the cross.  He died for us because he wanted to save us from our sins and He wants to be with us in Heaven.

The fourth egg contains rocks, which represents the rock they used to close the tomb after Jesus died.

The fifth egg is empty, which represents the vacant tomb.  I ask the kids why the tomb is vacant, and explain that it's because Jesus lives!  He rose from the dead and he lives not only in Heaven, but in every one of our hearts.

After the catechism is done, we tell the kids that for Easter in the United States kids look for plastic Easter eggs that have a treat in them and that the Easter Bunny made a visit to their school and dropped eggs outside that they have to look for.  It was so much fun being able to share one of our traditions with the kids and watching them having so much fun looking for the eggs!  Happy Easter everyone!

The kids looking for the eggs.

These kids were excited to show off their eggs!