We have enjoyed lots of fun picnics, and this one is no exception. The difference is that this picnic was not just fun, but it was also a picnic with a purpose. We mixed great reading and themed food with helping others.
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The Book
For today’s picnic, we read Who Was Mother Teresa?
You can also find amazing “What Was” and “Where Is” books. You can keep track of which books you have read and want to read at WhoHQ.com. We have loved all of the ones we have read.
Food and Location
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!” 1 Chronicles 16:24 ESV
Since Mother Teresa helped the poor of India, we decided to dine on Indian cuisine. You can get jars of pre-made Indian sauces and mix them with rice and even a little chicken and veggies. It’s an easy meal. If your kids aren’t into Indian, perhaps they will enjoy plain rice. (For my picky eaters, I mix just a bit of the food into the rice. I’m hoping they will get a bit more nutrition and eventually acquire a taste for it!)
We decided to have our picnic in the back yard so we could get right to our other activities. You could also pack up the food in a bowl and head out. Better yet, pick up some takeout Indian food! A beautiful church yard, monastery, or anywhere you know you could go serve for an afternoon would make a great choice of location.
Questions to Talk About While You are Eating…
- Would you rather be a missionary, a preacher, a children’s minister, or a worship leader? Why?
- If you had to move to another country, what country would you move to?
- What group of people would you most like to help?
Activities with a Purpose
In the spirit of Mother Teresa, we decided to make this a picnic with a purpose and help others. First we took trash bags and walked around the neighborhood picking up trash.
Then we cleaned out our rooms and chose things to donate.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 ESV
Teaching Our Children to Serve
Although this has been one of our simplest picnics, I like to think of this picnic with a purpose as one of the most impactful. When you teach kids that helping others is important and can also be fun, it is something they will continue with their whole lives.
What is your favorite way to serve as a family?
Check out these inspiring Picnic Parade ideas:
A Nighttime Picnic with Night Animals
Picnic at the Oklahoma Land Run
Burgess Bird Book–Welcome Spring!
Imagination Station’s “Light in the Lion’s Den”
Picnic with a Purpose: Who Was Mother Teresa?
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Mother Teresa did so much for so many people in her life
Mother Teresa was a great woman.
Mother Theresa was an incredible inspiration. Picnic with a purpose seems such a unique concept. I like how you ate Indian food as Mother Theresa served in India. Thanks for sharing and for offering such great ideas.
Penny recently posted…5 Healing Truths From The Book Of Ruth
We have several of these! My daughter was reading about Blackbeard tonight. Her favorite is Helen Keller. But I think the next one I’ll buy is Mother Theresa! This is such a neat way to introduce service as a tangible concept.
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard recently posted…How to Make Homeschooling ADHD Kids Possible
What a great idea! This concept of a picnic parade really helps kids develop text to self connections with the book, and this one in particular has them serving!
Alex recently posted…To Have Purpose
I find Mother Teresa’s life to be so inspirational. She could have lived in luxury but gave it all up to be a nun. Then God called her to serve the poorest of the poor in India. Even when she entered what many call the Dark Night of the Soul, she never lost sight of her actions serving Christ.
I consider myself blessed to have seen her speak in New Orleans many years ago.
As much as I love her life’s example, I somehow have not gotten my hands on this title to read with the boys.
LauraOinAK recently posted…Food for Kids Bellies ~ Foster Farms Giveaway