The highly anticipated Family Day had arrived. There was excitement among the leaders because this final 2024 Australian Family Day held extra surprises. Along with the usual program of a Bible story, songs, and a lesson on the command of Christ to “Go to Offenders,” we had a musical planned, as well as one other surprise.

Despite the hot December weather, the day ran smoothly. The children thoroughly enjoyed the musical with its original scores written by Jacob and the elaborate costumes created by Taylah. Appropriate for the command of Christ studied this time, the musical was on Joseph in the Old Testament. Although it was changed slightly to be more child-friendly, the message of forgiveness shone through clearly and gave the children a great example of how to “gain thy brother.”

On this extra-special Family Day, an unexpected, delightful surprise occurred. A family of ten had found out about the event that was posted online. They lived four hours away, in a rural area with very little Christian fellowship.

Even though it was a huge undertaking (as they had never traveled through the city before), the family came and attended their first Family Day on that very last one for the year! We enjoyed meeting these brothers and sisters and seeing them make instant connections with other like-minded families in Christ. Several of their children said it was the best day they’d had all year!

After lunch, the children had free time for a bit. Then, it was time for our other planned surprise for this year’s final Family Day: making gingerbread houses! The families loved the time spent building their gingerbread houses and getting ideas from others for creating their own original designs. 

Afterward, everyone commented on how amazing the whole day had been. What an encouragement they find these monthly get-togethers to be!

Family Day keeps to its original vision of providing a setting where believers on a similar journey can meet together and learn and encourage each other to love Christ by keeping His commands. This year ended on a high note, and the families are all eagerly waiting to meet again in 2025!