To Waco for Master Clubs Event with Kerby

Our first week in Brownwood flew by, and that weekend (February 14-15), Karen and I took a road trip to Waco to see our brother Kerby, who was down from Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is the General Director of a program called Master Clubs (www.masterclubs.org).  Their purpose is to "teach...and train children how to serve the Lord, based upon their characteristics and their abilities." 

That's Kerby in the red shirt.

Kerby travels around the country selling and teaching the program to church leaders and volunteers far and wide.  (He's also taken it internationally, as well; I know he's been to Brazil and the Bahamas.)  What he was doing in Waco is what they call a Regional competition.  From February through April, he and/or other members of his team travel across the United States to conduct these competitions for children in the program.  The children have studied and practiced what they've learned in the program, and they compete against other children in nearby churches.  They sure know how to make learning fun!  And it's obvious my brother is in his element when he's doing this stuff.  He acts as MC for the event.  It's a super high energy day, and he and his staff don't stop for a moment. 

Just a few of the day's activities...



There are basketball competitions... 

Stacking cups

Kerby, getting some of the leaders lined out for the day.

Crafts

Presentations

Quizzes

And all kinds of competitions

This guy was one of the "line judges".  He has a real gift for
getting the kids involved.

There is also music events (both individual and group, instrumental and voice), puppet theater, and a bunch of other activities too lengthy to get into here.  And at the end of the day--ribbons and trophies! 

The kids absolutely had a blast.  And it's fun to watch the adults, too.  You can really see the pride they take in watching their kids achieve. 

Kerby and Karen

The Toastmaster, project manager, and event coordinator in me was watching my brother that day.  I know the pressure someone in that position feels.  And yet, he made sure that every child he touched that day walked away with a good feeling.  When he was conducting an event in which a group of children was not competing well, he took the time at the end of the event to talk to them and to provide for them an opportunity to compete in a different way so that they could walk away feeling encouraged and understanding how they can do better next year.  All while I knew inside he had to have been feeling all kinds of time pressures to get on to the next thing.  And yet, he never forgot the real thing...the real reason for being there.  I'm proud of that guy.  Even if he is my stinky little brother.  :)

Until later, take care!

Max and Paula