In Melaka, six young Christians organized a one-day event for children and teenagers from underserved communities. Our intention was to create a space where every child felt welcome, cared for, and included.

The team prepared meals and cool drinks, and set up a variety of games and group activities. Everything was designed to feel natural and welcoming, encouraging children to open up and participate at their own pace. Many of the children arrived hesitant, unsure of what to expect. By midday, laughter and teamwork had replaced the silence. Conversations started easily. Faces relaxed.

Each interaction was guided by the question: What would it look like if someone truly showed up for them, even just for one day?

As the children played, talked, and rested, team members engaged them in personal conversations. When the message of the Gospel was shared, it happened naturally in one-on-one discussions. Some children asked questions. Others listened quietly. Everyone had the freedom to respond in their own time and way.

Before leaving, every child received a Bible and a Christ-centered book. These materials were offered with the hope that they would be read, reflected on, and kept close, something to accompany them beyond that afternoon.

Some children lingered after the activities had ended. They held onto their books, flipped through the pages, and looked around quietly. The calm at the end of the day felt different than the silence at the beginning. It carried meaning. It suggested that something genuine had taken place.

What began as a simple day of gathering became a moment of care and recognition. Through food, conversation, and presence, the team created more than an event. They built a memory that may continue to unfold in quiet ways, long after the day itself passed.

As Scripture reminds us: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

OpenSoul Foundation was here.