How To Support Grieving School Aged Children And Teens

 

Children  ages 7-11 generally understand a little more about death, although a young 7 year old may need to be reminded that death is permanent but can grasp the concept more quickly. Children at this age can sometimes think in terms of cause and effect. They may think that they did something to cause a death. Therefore, it is important to reassure the child that they did not cause the death and talk about death as being part of the life cycle.

 

Teens often look like adults but we must remember that in fact they are still teens. Teens have a lot going on in their world, it is a time of significant change. They are trying to figure out who they are and what they believe. Peer groups are highly important to teens. Therefore, providing an opportunity for teens to meet other teens who have had a loved one die can be very helpful. Be available to talk but also provide opportunities for another trusting adult (outside the family) to support the teen.

 

Here are some possible reactions and some helpful hints on how adults can be supportive:

 

Children 7-11 years old

 - Have a greater understanding that death is final

- Can view death as punishment

-  At this age children are very curious and may ask specific questions and desire details about death, for example, about the body, etc.

 

How adults can help:

- Answer questions appropriately and honestly

- Encourage expression of all feelings

- Offer choices

- Provide physical outlets to express grief

- Listen and provide a time to talk about the death

 

Children 11 years and older

- Understand death more fully

- Peer group is very important, may be more willing to talk to someone outside of the family

 

How adults can help:

- Encourage verbalization

- Provide choice

- Honesty

- Model, older children and teens look to adults on how to grieve and express emotion

- Be available but do not attempt to fix the situation

- Offer a support group where there are other children and teens who have had a loved one die

 

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

 

He is with you. He is close.

Praising God for Ghana Blind Camp 2013

Praise the Lord!! We were able to have a very successful Easter Annual Camp. March 27 - April 1.

God gave us a great line-up of Bible Teachers/Preachers. Pastor Alex Boamah, our old Camp Staff from Aburi, eastern part of Ghana; Pastor Joel Quansah our friend and also a former Camp Coordinator now serving under Joni & Friends and Pastor Richard Avavor a Blind evangelist, one of our old campers we had a part in training, now win souls and serve the Lord in his village and other Christian leaders were used by God to inspire our Campers.

Praise the Lord!! We were able to get enough food and donation to cover the entire event.

Eight weeks before the Camp, we started raising funds for the Campers. We needed 60 dollars for each camper, rental of additional Tables and Chairs, food to feed 200 Campers per day, fruits and vegetables for the guest speakers. Praise the Lord!! Each preacher paid for his own expenses in order to get to the Camp, for which we say – Thank you so much.

As usual our prayer partners in US were incredible. They sacrificed and gave the money they could. We were not able to raise all the funds, so we started asking for donations of food, firewood for cooking from our local friends and partners. God used some friends to supply us with all kinds of foodstuffs. We also contacted some women in the market to supply us with some food on credit.

Praise the Lord!! We had 15 saved and 16 for re-dedication. Each soul saved is fruit for your account.

The Spirit of the Lord was good and the excitement for the Camp was very high. During the meeting we averaged 178; we had approximately 45 first time campers. Many lives were transformed by the preaching and teaching of God’s word. This was great event with (11) Pastors present. We are excited about the Camp Ministry God is Blessing.

Statistical Breakdowns:

Youth with Blindness – 140

Elderly with Blindness – 10

Guides with no Blindness – 29

Children with no Blindness - 9

Praise the Lord!! We have already received the additional $10,000 to cover the cost of a pick-up-truck.

We love you all very much for your faithful prayers and investment in the lives of these precious souls. Please pray for our finances and the need for a pick-up truck. Recently $3,000 was received toward the purchase of used one. Additional $10,000 is needed to cover the cost.

Other Requests:

• We still have problems with our Land because of encroachment. Please Pray!
• Also pray that we can raise funds to buy our Blind Campers Braille materials. We can buy a Box of Braille sheets for $30.00. We have many Blind students in the Akropong School for the Blind who are in need for Braille sheets for class work.

Check Out the Pictures