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The journey to make disciples of Jesus who live on mission begins as you lead your preschoolers to grow in missions. Preschoolers come to understand that God loves me, God loves all people, and some people do not know about God’s love.

You can teach your preschoolers about missions by helping them learn about missions work in North America

and around the world, pray for missionaries and people who need

to hear of God’s love, give to missions through cooperative giving

and special missions offerings, and do missions by helping others in your

church, your community, and around the world.

WMU: Making disciples of Jesus who live on mission.Why MissionsDiscipleship Is Important for Preschoolers

“How awesome it is to watch God work in the hearts of these little ones and see them grow in Christ.” —Roberta Richardson

“Those little folks exude excitement when they learn about Jesus and pray for the missionaries!” —Mission Friends teacher

Table of ContentsWhat Is Mission Friends? . . . . . . . . . . . 2Resources for Preschoolers. . . . . . . . . . 3Sample Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Mission Friends is the WMU missions discipleship group for preschoolers from birth through kindergarten. In Mission Friends, preschoolers develop a missions heart as they move from a focus on themselves to a focus on others. Preschoolers grow toward God as they become aware that God wants everyone to know of His love.

Preschoolers can learn about missions through Bible thoughts related to missions, fun hands-on activities, mission stories, cultural learning activities, sensory activities, prayertimes, giving offerings, and helping others.

WMU: Making disciples of Jesus who live on mission.

HOW TO START MISSION FRIENDS

Begin with prayer. Make prayer a part of each step in starting and leading Mission Friends.

Select leaders. Based on the number of preschoolers expected, secure the number of leaders you will need.

Order materials. Place your order for Mission Friends materials by visiting wmustore.com/preschool or calling 1-800-968-7301.

Invite preschoolers. Let parents of preschoolers know Mission Friends is starting by sharing in your church newsletter and on social media.

Enjoy! Plan fun activities from Mission Friends Leader for your first session and gather supplies. Greet preschoolers with a smile and enjoy leading them to develop a heart for missions.

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP!For questions about starting or leading Mission Friends, we would enjoy talking with you.

State WMU: Links to state WMU websites may be found at wmu.com/statecontacts.

National WMU: Contact Joye Smith, preschool ministry consultant, at jsmith@wmu.org or (205) 991-4980.

What Is Mission Friends?

Connect with us online!wmu.com/preschoolfacebook.com/WMUPreschoolpinterest.com/missionfriend

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Resourcesfor Preschoolers

Our resources for preschool teachers will help you engage preschoolers of all ages in hands-on missions awareness and involvement.

Mission Friends Leader KitEnergize your preschool classes with games, picture puzzles, posters, Bible thought markers, and more. You’ll also receive vibrant photos of missionaries and the places where they serve. The kit complements the learning experiences in Mission Friends Leader.

Order one per classAnnual subscription (four quarterly issues): $74.99

For a full listing of all resources available to enhance preschool missions experiences— including preschool storybooks— visit wmustore.com/preschool.

Mission Friends LeaderThis quarterly magazine provides weekly sessions with creative activities and mission stories. Every month, preschoolers learn about missionaries who serve through North American or international missions. Each monthly unit also focuses on one of the Christian concept areas: God, Jesus, Bible, Church, God’s Creation, Self, Family, World, or Community.

Mission Friends Leader includes reproducible pages (Mission Friends at Home) to share with families as take-home leaflets.

Order one per leaderAnnual subscription (four quarterly issues): Print: $23.99 Digital: $21.99 Digital/print bundle: $25.99

wmustore.com To order these materials, visit wmustore.com or call 1-800-968-7301.

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Kay Bennett grew up on a dairy farm where her dad was a farmer and carpenter. Her mom was a nurse. She always liked help-ing others and grew up in a Christian home. Since 1988, Miss Bennett has been working in some kind of ministry that helps others. She is currently the director at Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans, Louisiana. Miss Bennett has been at the Baptist Friendship House since 1997. She is also the Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) site coordinator and WorldCrafts leader at Baptist Friendship House. Miss Bennett enjoys walking, woodwork-ing, and pottery. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 40:31, which shares that those who love the Lord will be strong and courageous as He renews their energy. Miss Bennett relies on the Lord to keep her strong as she helps men and women, families, and the homeless.

Meet the Missionary

Prayer Requests and Contact Information1. Pray for the homeless to find jobs.2. Pray for affordable housing for the

homeless.3. Pray for strength and encouragement

for people to get out of dangerous situations.

4. Pray for more resources so the Baptist Friendship House will have what it needs to keep helping community members.

5. Pray for our missionaries and the people they see and help each day.

Address: 813 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117Email address: Kbennett@sendrelief.orgWebsite/blog: www.baptistfriendshiphouse.org, www.sendrelief.org

Helping Others Activities

Threes and Fours will work with kinder- gartners to make Blessing Bags for the homeless. Preschoolers will collect new socks, fruit snacks, and protein bars. Kindergarten will work with threes and fours to make Blessing Bags. Preschoolers will collect canned sausages, warm gloves, and bottled water.

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Missionary: Kay BennettMissions Area: New Orleans, LouisianaConcept Area: GodWriter: Andrea Floyd

Mission Friends Leader wmu.com/preschool 1

Each unitfeatures facts

about the people group, geographic

location, and topic.

Helping Others Activities are included with

each unit.

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Activities and Ideas Babies, Ones, and Twos Missions Area: New Orleans, Louisiana

Concept Area: God Writer: Janora Skeens

OutcomesBabies, ones, and twos will learn about Kay Bennett. They will hear that God cares for them and the people Miss Bennett serves.

Bible Thoughts God loved us and sent His Son (see 1 John 4:10).God cares for you (see 1 Peter 5:7).

ActivitiesIn advance, prepare kit item 1, “Fall Bible Markers.” Place Bible markers in the Bible. Read Bible thoughts as babies, ones, and twos pull book-marks from the Bible.

Care for Baby DollsSet out baby bottles, blankets, and items for ones and twos to use as they care for a baby doll. Say: Miss Bennett helps mommies by giving them things they need to care for their babies. God cares for you and all people.

Sing “Helpers Kind and Good,” page 19.

Play with Play DoughPost the allergy alert chart. As twos pound on the play dough, say: Ladies come to the Baptist Friendship House to make clay art from special dough. Sing “Thank You, God, for Hands,” page 19.Caution: Supervise carefully.

Build with ToolsProvide play tools and blocks for ones and twos to discover and pretend to build. Add a ring tower for babies. Say: Miss Bennett loves to build with wood.

Look at Pictures 1-4 with babies, ones, and twos.

Play a Matching GameIn advance, prepare kit item 2, “Miss Bennett Helps Others Puzzles.” As a two-year-old finds the matching pieces, talk about the many ways Miss Bennett helps people.

Decorate Bags for Hygiene KitsIn advance, fill one ziplock bag with soap, washcloth, toothbrush, tooth-paste, shampoo, and comb. Place other hygiene items in a large bag. Show the filled hygiene bag. Say: Let’s decorate bags. We will give them to an older missions group so they can fill the bags to make gifts. Miss Bennett gives gifts to people who are homeless. She tells them about Jesus. Let preschoolers decorate bags with stickers. Give bags and hygiene items to an older missions group to fill for distribution to the homeless in your community.Open the Bible and read: God loved us and sent His Son (see 1 John 4:10).

Make Finger and Thumb PrintsUse a washable stamp pad for preschoolers to place their fingers and thumbs on and stamp on paper. Sing “I Am Happy,” page 19.Open the Bible and read: God cares for you (see 1 Peter 5:7).

Look at BooksSpread Tell Me About God and picture Bibles on a blanket. Picture read with preschoolers. Sing “God Made Us So Special,” page 19. Say: Miss Bennett gives Bibles to mommies, daddies, and children to keep and take home.

SuppliesPictures 1-4Kit items 1-2Mission Friends Promotion Pack, W158103, $9.99baby dollbaby care itemsplay doughtoy toolsinfant ring towerwrapped bars of soapnew washclothsnew toothbrushestubes of toothpastetravel-sized bottles of shampooscombslarge ziplock plastic bagsstickerswashable stamp padblanket

BooksTell Me About God / Dime sobre Dios, E188109, $1.99Check libraries for: picture Bibles

Display the God poster from the Mission Friends Promotion Pack

all month.

All songs are from Sing to the Tune.

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Plan several activities each week.

Babies, ones, and twos love repetition!

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Threes and Fours Missions Area: New Orleans, Louisiana

Concept Area: God Writer: Celeste Albaugh

SuppliesPicture 4Kit item 3Mission Friends Promotion Pack, W158103, $9.99“Mission Friends at Home” (p. 9) small plastic spray bottlesbutcher paperclothespinswater-based paintelectronic tablettoy tractorsbrown carpet squares or felt“Helping Others Parent Note,”

wmu.com/preschool, Free Downloads

small paper plates, napkins, and cupssmall powdered donutspitcher of waterindex cardssmall gift bagconstruction paperdowel rod, yarn, paper clips, and

magnetsalphabet puzzles

BooksTell Me About God / Dime sobre Dios, E188109, $1.99

Bible ThoughtsGod made me (see Psalm 139:14).

Display the God poster from the Mission Friends Promotion Pack all month.

All songs are from Sing to the Tune.

OutcomesPreschoolers will hear that Kay Bennett tells others in New Orleans about God. Focusing on the concept God, preschoolers will hear that God loves everyone.

ActivitiesART—Outdoor MuralIn advance, clothespin butcher paper to the playground fence. Fill each spray bottle with a different color of paint. Thin the paint with water. Help preschoolers put on paint smocks and spray the paint towards the paper to make a mural. Say: Kay Bennett helps families by providing back-packs. As they play games, she tells them that God loves everyone. Let mural dry. Add a prayer request for Miss Bennett. Display near your classroom door to encourage others to pray.Note: If you don’t have a fence, place paper flat on the ground.

BLOCKS—Sugar CaneIn advance, prepare kit item 3, “Sugar Cane.” Search online for images of sugar cane. Show the kit item and sugar cane images. Provide tractors, blocks, and fields (brown carpet squares or felt) and let preschoolers build farms, plow fields, and pretend to plant sugar cane. Say: Kay Bennett lives in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she tells others about God’s love. Farmers in New Orleans grow sugar cane.

BOOKS/HELPING OTHERS—Tell Me About GodIn advance, make copies of the “Helping Others Parent Note” for making Blessing Bags. Include items to be collected (new socks, protein bars, and fruit snacks) and the collection date. Discuss Picture 4. Read Tell Me About God. Say: Miss Bennett works at the Baptist Friendship House. She helps people get things they need. As she helps people, she tells them about God’s love. Miss Bennett helps some people by giving them Blessing Bags. A blessing bag contains items a person needs like snacks, water, socks, and toiletries.

Send note home with preschoolers.

HOMELIVING—BeignetsPost the allergy alert chart. Give each preschooler a plate, napkin, water, and a donut. Say: Miss Bennett helps people know God by giving backpacks to chil-dren in the park. New Orleans is famous for beignets, a type of donut.

Guide preschoolers to pray for Miss Bennett.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT—God Made YouIn advance, write each child’s name on an index card. Place names in the gift bag. Sit in a circle. Pull one name from the bag. Encourage that child to stand in the center of the circle. Sing “God Made You,” page 19, using the pre-schooler’s name. Continue for each preschooler.Open the Bible and read: God made me (see Psalm 139:14).

NATURE—FishingIn advance, cut fish shapes from construction paper. Attach a paper clip to each fish. Tie yarn to one end of the dowel rod. Attach a small magnet to the opposite end of the yarn. Encourage preschoolers to fish by dangling the magnet over the fish. Say: Miss Bennett lives in New Orleans, near the Mississippi River. Many fishermen fish in the river.

PUZZLES AND MANIPULATIVES—Alphabet PuzzlesAs preschoolers work alphabet puzzles, ask them to name letters in their names. Say: Miss Bennett helps people know God by giving backpacks to chil-dren for school.

See page 8 for Group Time and story.

Choose three to four interest area activities for each

session.

Mission Friends Sample Session

Collect supplies needed for each activity you’ve

chosen to lead.

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Kindergarten Missions Area: New Orleans, Louisiana

Concept Area: God Writer: Celeste Albaugh

SuppliesPicture 1Kit item 4Mission Friends Promotion Pack, W158103, $9.99“Mission Friends at Home” (p. 9) plastic tableclothcotton ballshinged clothespinspaperwater-based paintsmall plastic tubstoy vehiclescylinder hat boxalphabet flash cardsbackpack, paper, and pencils electronic tabletjazz musicwater play tabletoy fishsmall nets“Helping Others Parent Note,” wmu.com/preschool, Free

Downloadspuzzles about food

BooksAlways Remember to Pray, W168103, $8.99Check libraries for: picture books about jazz music

and instruments

Bible ThoughtsGod loves us (see 1 John 4:10).

Display the God poster from the Mission Friends Promotion Pack

all month.

OutcomesPreschoolers will hear that Kay Bennett tells others in New Orleans about God’s love. Focusing on the concept God, preschoolers will hear that God is everywhere.

ActivitiesART/HELPING OTHERS—Cotton PaintingIn advance, cover the table with plastic. Pour one color of paint into each tub. Clip a cotton ball onto each clothespin. Guide preschoolers to paint a picture. Discuss items made with cotton, especially clothing. Say: Miss Bennett lives in New Orleans. Cotton is grown on farms around New Orleans. If a person needs clothes, Miss Bennett helps him get some.Note: Prepare the “Helping Others Parent Note” for making Blessing Bags. Include items to be collected (canned sausages, warm gloves, and bottled water) and the collection date. Send notes homes.

BLOCKS—StreetcarsIn advance, prepare kit item 4, “New Orleans Streetcars.” Provide streetcars, toy vehicles, and blocks. Let preschoolers create build-ings and travel around New Orleans on streetcars and cars. Compare each mode of transportation. Say: Many people use streetcars to travel around New Orleans. God is everywhere and loves the people of New Orleans.

BOOKS—All that JazzIn advance, place books in the hat box. Play the hat box like a drum. Open the hat box and pull out books. Read Always Remember to Pray and look at books about jazz music. Ask: What instruments do jazz musicians play? Say: Kay Bennett lives in New Orleans. She hears jazz music being played as she helps people. We can pray for people in New Orleans to hear about God’s love.

HOMELIVING—Backpack LearningIn advance, place flash cards, paper, and pencils in the backpack. Let preschoolers share the supplies and pretend to go to school. Help them use alphabet flash cards to find letters in their names, copy letters, and draw pictures on paper. Say: Miss Bennett gives backpacks to children who need them for school. She tells families about God’s love.Open the Bible and read: God loves us (see 1 John 4:10).

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT—Jazz MusicIn advance, locate jazz music on the tablet. Let preschoolers play rhythm sticks and move as they listen to jazz music. Discuss instruments used to play jazz. Say: New Orleans is called the “Birthplace of Jazz.” Miss Bennett loves and helps families in New Orleans.

NATURE—Mississippi RiverIn advance, fill the water table to cover the toy fish. Supervise preschoolers as they use small nets to catch fish in the Mississippi River. Say: Many people fish in the Mississippi River in New Orleans. Have you been fishing? Fishing provides food. Miss Bennett and the Baptist Friendship House help people to get food. Use towels to dry hands when preschoolers are done fishing.Caution: Carefully supervise preschoolers during water play.

PUZZLES AND MANIPULATIVES—Food PuzzlesDiscuss Picture 1. Invite preschoolers to work food puzzles as you discuss things families need. Say: Miss Bennett and helpers at the Baptist Friendship House help families get the things they need. She loves to tell people about God’s love.

Mission Friends Leader wmu.com/preschool 4

Provide both active and quiet

activities for preschoolers to choose from.

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Group Time Tip:If you need to get the attention of preschoolers, try clapping a pat-tern and ask them to repeat the pattern.

IntroductionAsk the preschoolers: Do you like to get new crayons and paper? The boys and girls in our story today are about to receive supplies for school.

Backpacks for ChildrenIt was a beautiful, sunny Saturday as Kay Bennett and many helpers were loading the van with backpacks. They had 100 backpacks to hand out to children before school started. “I’m so thankful for everyone who helped gather supplies and filled these backpacks,” said Miss Bennett. “Me, too,” said a helper. “We’ve been working for months. But just look at all of these backpacks, pencils, paper, crayons, scissors, folders, and glue. The children are going to love them!” Miss Bennett and her helpers drove to a nearby park. They spread out and walked through the park, looking for children who might need school supplies. Miss Bennett saw children playing by the swings, so she walked towards them. “Hello,” said Miss Bennett as she smiled and waved at the children. But Miss Bennett kept walking to the parents she saw sitting on a bench. She waved and said, “Hi! I’m from the Baptist Friendship House.

Miss Bennett said, “I am so glad that you are happy with your new backpack. Can I tell you a story?”

All the children yelled, “Yes!” Miss Bennett began to tell the story of David taking food to his older brothers where they camped. “David left his sheep and took cheese, grain, and bread to feed his brothers.” She told how David listened and did what his father told him to do. God helped David listen to and obey his father.

Bryan, one of the boys, said, “Wow! That is a cool story. I always like to pretend that I am Superman, but now I am going to pretend like I am David.” As Miss Bennet was leaving, she invited the parents to attend the community Bible Study later that week.

Ask: What story did Miss Bennett tell? Do you ever pretend to be people from the Bible?

We are handing out free backpacks filled with school supplies. May I talk to your children and give them a backpack?” One woman named Susan said, “Yes! Thank you so much. I’ve been worried about how I would have enough money to buy school supplies for my children.” Miss Bennett made her way to the swings where two boys and one girl were playing. “Hi, I’m Miss Bennett. Would you like a backpack for school?” All three children looked at their mother, who nodded yes. “Yes, we would like a backpack,” said one boy.

“Thank you,” said all three together.

Stop here for Threes and Fours.Ask: What was Miss Bennett passing out? How did the children feel when they received their new back-pack?(Go to Prayertime below.)

Tell the Story

Pray for children in New Orleans who received backpacks to learn about God’s love.

Encourage preschoolers to act out their favorite Bible stories. Distribute “Mission Friends at Home” page 9.

Continue for Kindergarten

Prayertime

Closing Activity

Group Time Missions Area:

New Orleans, Louisiana Concept Area: God Writer: Andrea Floyd

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Kay Bennett, a missionary of 30 years, is helping others as the Director of the Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans, Louisiana!

• Miss Bennett helps peoplein her community get food,clothes, shelter, and othersupplies.

• Miss Bennett enjoys walking,woodworking, and makingpottery.

• Pray for those needing help tofind jobs and a place to live.

• Pray for those Miss Bennetthelps to learn about God’s love.

• Pray for Miss Bennett to haveplenty of resources to helpothers.

• Pray for Miss Bennett and herworkers to stay healthy andstrong as they help others.

For more activities to share with your preschooler, visit: wmu.com/families

Helping Others in New Orleans

WMU® grants permission for leaders to copy these pages for each child’s parents(s) or guardians(s).

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Tell your child that Miss Bennett lives in New Orleans. Discuss how she helps people.

Talk about ways Miss Bennett and her workers help people. Brainstorm ways your family can help others.

Use a stamp pad to make finger-prints of family members. Look at how finger-prints are alike and different. Say: God made us and loves us all.

Read the Bible thought together: God gives us things to enjoy (see 1 Tim. 6:17).

Let your child draw pictures of things for which he is thankful. Pray together, giving thanks to God for what He gives. Ask God to provide for Miss Bennett and those she helps.

Listen to jazz and gospel music. Talk about music and how people in Louisiana enjoy this type of music.

Make snack packs and hygiene kits with your child. Keep them in your car. Give them out when you see some-one in need.

Tell your child that God gives Miss Bennett strength to do things when she is afraid. Talk about how God can help your child when she is afraid.

Go on a walk with your preschooler and observe the changing leaves. Talk about how God makes beautiful things for us to enjoy.

Play Follow the Leader. Encourage your child to step exactly where you step. Tell them that Miss Bennett used to do this with her dad.

Show your child pieces of pottery. Say: Miss Bennett makes pottery with some of the people she helps.

Read the Bible thought together: God made us and we are his (see Psalm 100:3).

Play in the mud with your child. Talk about how Miss Bennett uses clay, which is like mud, to make pottery with the people she helps.

Take your child on a walk. Talk about how Miss Bennett enjoys walking.

Make red beans and rice, a popular meal in Louisiana. Pray and thank God for providing good food.

Read the Bible thought together: God loves us (see Psalm 107:1).

With your child, pray for Miss Bennett and the people she helps.

Fill a backpack with school supplies, like Miss Bennett does. Donate the backpack to a local ministry to be given to a child who needs a backpack.

Read and explain Isaiah 40:31. Say: This is Miss Bennett’s favorite Bible verse. She likes to read it to remind herself that God cares for her.

Families on Mission Calendar Missionary: Kay Bennett Missions Area: New Orleans, Louisiana Concept Area: God

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All suggested songs are from Sing to the Tune, unless otherwise indicated. (W108103, $7.99) Order from WMU Customer Service – online: wmustore.com; or call 1-800-968-7301.

Helpers Kind and Good(Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”)Helpers kind and good,Helpers kind and good,Mission Friends can learn to beHelpers kind and good.

After singing, name a helper who is kind and good (firefighter, police officer, teacher, disaster-relief volunteer, etc.). Sing until each child names a helper.

Thank You, God, for Hands(Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)Thank You, God, for ______’s hands,______’s hands, and ______’s hands.Thank You, God, for ______’s hands,I thank You, God, for hands.

I Am Happy(Tune: “Are You Sleeping?”)I am happy. I am happy.God loves you. God loves me.I’m so very happy. I’m so very happy.God loves you. God loves me.

Repeat using preschooler’s names.

God Made Us So Special(Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)I am special. You are special.So is she. So is he.Everyone is special.God made us so specialThank You, God. Thank You, God.

God Made You(Tune: “God Is So Good”)God made (preschooler’s name).God made (preschooler’s name).God made (preschooler’s name).He’s so good to (preschooler’s name).

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