St. Jude Thaddeus Small Christian Community (SCC) in
the Musoma, Tanzania meets every Thursday afternoon for the Bible Service/Bible
Reflection. Sometimes the children form their own small reflection group so they
can participate more freely in their own way. A reflection on The Parable of the
Lost Sheep began with the ten children (aged five to fourteen) closing their
eyes, picturing a favorite animal, and then mentioning it to the small group —
a giraffe, sheep, cow, gazelle, lion. Then two young boys (who actually herd
their family sheep) described what it is like. This led the group into a
discussion on "Jesus as the Good Shepherd" in John 10. A visiting priest (a
former scripture professor) participated in this children’s small reflection
group during two different weeks. He was amazed how the children were so
comfortable and vocal in talking about the gospel in their small group. Later he
said: "I would not have believed this is possible if I had not seen it with my
own eyes."