At our kids school, they have several non-U.S. traditions. They don't celebrate halloween, or president's day because the kids that attend are from 17 different countries. But they have other special days, one of which is Book Week.
During Book Week the teachers emphasize reading through several fun events. The classes compete in different challenges, the biggest of which is to see which class can read the most pages in a week. Typically my kids say "whatever class has Jo in it will win" one kid is to books what piranha are to meat.
Most of the kids here read a lot because frankly there isn't too much else to do at home.
Yesterday kicked off Book Week with a bang. The principal paid for a helicopter from our Aviation department to come and land, dropping off "Sparky" the clown (one of our neighbors when dressed as Sparky, becomes an entirely different person and the kids love it.
Sparky talked about reading, the Bible, and getting "taken away" by books. In the end, the helicopter lifted off, and took away their principal and vice principle (and one very excited Finish onlooker who got a free ride).
At dinner it was all the kids could talk about... how exciting it all was, how funny the clown was, and the message stuck with them.
It's great when something unique like this happens, because it reminds you that for all that our kids will not experience that other U.S. kids will, they will experience as many things that the U.S. kids will not.
I enjoy taking time to appreciate these little blessings from God that I see as encouragements that our kids will turn out to be adults who follow God.
