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EDITOR Cara Mott
DEPUTY EDITOR AND KA! JAM CO-ORDINATOR Ibukun Baku
INTERNATIONAL LEADERS General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Julian Watchorn
Published weekly by The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory. The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. ISSN 1363-5662.
Picture this – you’re stood in a park with a giant crowd and everyone is looking up at the sky. The Sun will be setting soon, and the sky will be decorated with stars – but what you’re seeing right now might just be even more stunning than a starry night. Floating high above the ground, there are more than 100 hot-air balloons! Some balloons look like they might be even more colourful than a rainbow, and one balloon looks like a giant dragon!
INTER N ATIONAL BALL O ON FIESTA BR I S TOL
If imagining that view has put a smile on your face, then we think that you’ll love the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. This is a three-day event that takes place in Bristol every year, and it’s a spectacular celebration of hot-air balloons. Although the fiesta started yesterday (8 August), it runs until Sunday (10 August) – which means there’s still plenty of time to go to see some magnificent hot-air balloons this weekend! So if you live in or near Bristol, we recommend that you take a trip to a place called Ashton Court this weekend! As well as seeing plenty of hot-air balloons (including Oggy, a balloon that looks like a dragon), there’ll also be plenty of other fun activities to get up to. There’ll be live music, lots of food and even the opportunity to meet some hot-air balloon pilots!
To find out more about the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, head to bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
If you don’t live near Bristol, but love the sound of a hot-air balloon festival, don’t panic! You can find out more about other hot-air balloon events taking place around the United Kingdom by visiting jemballooning.weebly.com/uk-ballooning-calendar.
Did you know you can’t steer a hot-air balloon? At least, not in the way someone would steer a car. Pilots use the burner to move up and down, and the direction the balloon goes in depends on the wind. Thankfully, pilots do lots of research on wind directions before take off, so that they can keep everyone happy and safe. I’d love to go for a hot-air balloon ride one day, and if I do, I’ll be putting a lot of trust
God is like our pilot. He knows what direction our lives should go in and knows how to keep us happy and safe. God is always there to guide us, so if you’re ever unsure about what you should be doing, or if you’re struggling to make decisions, talk to him. Let God steer you and trust in him – he knows exactly where you’re meant to be!
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta pictures
Read the comment below about giving Jesus what we have
IA Little Means a Lot
magine this – you’re on a beach day out with your family. There’s miles of beautiful sand to play on and plenty of sparkling sea to have a dip in. You get there early in the morning and you’re having loads of fun. Then lunchtime comes around. On that same beach, there are 5,000 people, and they’re all hungry! Then you discover you’ve got a small packed lunch. There are no shops nearby, and nobody else has any food. Would you share what you had? Or would you keep it for yourself, so that you have a full tummy for the afternoon?
The boy in this week’s Bible cartoon must have known that what he had wasn’t enough to feed everyone, but that didn’t stop him giving it. Jesus
took the boy’s small offering and did something amazing with it! Everyone had enough to eat, and there were even loads of leftovers! It would have been easy for the boy to keep what he had for himself, but he didn’t. Through his gift, Jesus was able to show God’s goodness and help thousands of people.
Just like the boy willingly gave what he had to Jesus, we need to give what we have. That won’t necessarily be bread and fish! We can offer all sorts of different things, such as skills, talents or time. If we offer Jesus nothing, he will have nothing to use. But if we offer him what we have, no matter how small, just think about what he could do with it!
What Can You Give?
In the left box below, write or draw things that you could offer to Jesus. In the right box, write or draw how you think Jesus could use what you give to help others.
says Cara Mott
Bumper Bible Breakdown
Did you know the Bible isn’t one big book? It’s actually 66 books put together to tell one big story of God’s great love. Join us as we look at each Bible book and discover why God made the world, what went wrong and how in the end God saved the world through his son, Jesus.
The Last Week
Have you heard of Palm Sunday before? This was the day when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem riding a donkey, while crowds cheered for him. It was an amazing arrival – and the beginning of the last week of Jesus’ mission!
During this week, Jesus kicked out a bunch of people from the Temple who were treating it like a marketplace. He also told his followers even more parables, such as a parable about a wedding feast. Plus, he predicted his death again!
On the Thursday evening, Jesus shared a special meal with his disciples – the last meal he would have with them before he died. Then he went to a place called Gethsemane, so that he could pray. One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas, betrayed him – he led a group to Gethsemane to capture Jesus! The rest of Jesus’ disciples ran away, and Jesus was arrested!
KA! JAM is the coolest Bible activity club around. As a member you’ll go on amazing adventures through the Bible learning about Jesus. Each activity sheet is filled with lots of great stuff about being a Christian. You’ll also receive our mini-mag, Chatterbox which is filled with jokes, games and much more. And to top it off, there are loads of awesome prizes to be won!
To join KA! JAM and complete the Bible activity courses online, go to salvationist.org.uk/kajam.
Or if you would like to receive the postal version, simply fill in the coupon below.
Name:
To join KA! JAM just fill in the application form and send it – along with two first-class stamps – to: KA! JAM, 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ. Applicants must be between 7 and 17 years old to join.
Address:
Date of birth:
Postcode:
Boy or girl: Do you attend a church, and if so, which one?
I, (signature)
apply for membership of Kids Alive! Jesus And Me. I understand that joining KA! JAM doesn’t mean I have joined The Salvation Army and that it is not a free subscription to Kids Alive!
PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS.
Unbelievable Animals
Forget cats and dogs – there are some animals that are so strange that it’s hard to believe they actually exist! Over the next few weeks, we’ll discover some of the wackiest!
Pangolins
If you saw a pangolin out in the wild, you might at first think you were looking at a giant pinecone. That’s because pangolins are covered in giant scales, and when they’re threatened, they’ll roll up into a ball! These mammals are found in Africa and Asia, and mostly feast on ants and termites.
Hot-Air Balloon
The first passengers on a hot-air balloon weren’t humans –they were animals! In 1783, Joseph-Michel and JacquesÉtienne Montgolfier launched a hot-air balloon with a sheep, duck and cockerel onboard. The hot-air balloon flew for around eight minutes before landing in the woods nearby. You’ll be glad to know the animals were unharmed!
Patch’s Problem...
Hello, readers, i’M PATCH AND I’VE GOT A PROBLEM I THINK YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP ME WITH. i’VE LOST A VERY IMPORTANT OBJECT SOMEWHERE IN THIS ISSUE. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO HELP ME FIND IT? i HAVE A CLUE OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE HERE.
If you’ve read page 3 of this week’s issue, you’ll know all about the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. However, there are also plenty of strange facts about hot-air balloons we reckon you haven’t got stored in your noggin! So here are a couple of random facts that you definitely (and by definitely, we mean don’t really) need to know.
Unless you’re a massive hot-air balloon fan, we reckon you’ve never heard of a guy called Steve Fossett before. Steve is a super important person in the history of hot-air balloons. That’s because he was the first person to travel all around the world in a hot-air balloon, completely on his own. He achieved this in just 14 days!
What
He he, he he!
Ho ho, ha ha, he he!
Starting from the outer segments and working towards the middle, write the answers to the clues so they all end with the same letter. Some letters have been included to help you. If answered correctly the outer segments will spell out a new word. Clue: sport.
What did the mummy pasta say to the baby pasta? ‘It’s pasta your bedtime!’
What do you get when you cross a zebra with flashing lights? A zebra crossing!
Why did the deflated balloon step outside? It needed some fresh air!
I invented a cold-air balloon... ...but it didn’t really take off!
Why did the balloon go near the needle? It wanted to be a pop star!
Vegetables puns make me feel good... ...from my head tomatoes!
Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha!
Ho ho What’s a balloon’s worst nightmare? A room full of cactus plants!
Identify the mystery object in the magnifying glass
across:
1 Item of footwear for football, for example. 3 Largest continent. 7 Country whose capital is New Delhi. 8 Drawing and painting, for example. 9 Male sibling. 13 Young fox. 14 Cash. 16 Camper’s canvas shelter. 17 Aquatic bird.
Crossword Clues
by Neil Locker
Crossword Clues
down:
1 Cook an egg in water, for example. 2 Unusual or strange. 4 Garden tool for digging. 5 Plays a role or a New Testament book. 6 Time between sunrise and sunset. 10 Red-breasted bird. 11 Person from Glasgow. 12 Church song. 15 Unused or not old.
If you’re a Disney fan, then you might have a few outfits that are inspired by your favourite Disney films. Perhaps you have a dress just like Snow White’s, or a cowboy hat just like Woody’s! The dolls in this week’s prize have their own Disney outfits too – and we think they look stunning.
There are 12 Disney Doorables Adoorbs dolls to collect, and they’re all designed to look like fans at a Disney-themed party. That means that they’re not just wearing spectacular outfits – they’ve also got plenty of awesome accessories, such as handbags and umbrellas! Plus, each doll comes with a special VIP (which means ‘very important person’) party lanyard and a Disney Doorables mini-figure that snaps onto a bag clip.
For your opportunity to win your own Disney Doorables Adoorbs doll, answer the question below and email your full name, age, address and answer to kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk. Remember to put ‘Disney Doorables Adoorbs Competition’ in the subject box. Your entry needs to reach us by Friday 5 September when the winners will be chosen. You can also enter by filling in the details on the coupon below and posting it to: Disney Doorables Adoorbs Competition, Kids Alive! 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ.
Name:
WHICH DISNEY CHARACTER WEARS A COWBOY HAT?
OLAF WOODY CINDERELLA
Address:
Postcode:
STREET DANCE COLOURING
What’s your go-to dance move at a party? Perhaps you’re ridiculously good at doing the robot, or maybe you can even do the moonwalk! This Wednesday (13 August), people from all around the world will be showing off their best street dance moves at the UDO World Street Dance Championships 2025! To celebrate street dancing (which includes styles such as breakdancing), why not add a splash of colour to the design below? If you’d like to share your artwork with other readers, email your colouring to: kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk. Make sure you write ‘ Street Dance Colouring’ in the subject box and give us your full name, age and address. Alternatively, you can post your colouring to: Your Space, Kids Alive! 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ. One last reminder, if you’re sending by post remember to fill in the details below so we know who you are. We send a gift to everyone whose colouring we publish, so don’t miss out!
Name: Age:
Address:
Postcode:
Living a healthy and an active lifestyle and caring for your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Helping-Hand Appeal
Trying something new isn’t always easy. Can you think of a time when you gave something a go for the first time? Maybe it was your first day at school, joining a holiday club or trying a new hobby.
Raising Champion Farmers
Earlier this year we told you about a Salvation Army project in Zimbabwe called Raising Champion Farmers. As part of the project, 300 farmers have been trained in something new for them – conservation agriculture. This is a farming method that improves soil health, boosts crop yields and helps communities overcome the effects of climate change.
It can feel scary. We might feel nervous, embarrassed or worried that we’ll get it wrong. But if we never try, we might miss out on something amazing.
Meet Knowledge
Knowledge lives with his wife, Plexadis, their three sons and his grandmother in a village in northern Zimbabwe.
When Knowledge first heard about the Raising Champion Farmers project, he didn’t hesitate. While some of his neighbours were unsure about the new farming methods, Knowledge signed up straight away –not because he knew it would work, but because he was willing to give something new a go. He says...
‘We used to farm using synthetic fertilisers and chemicals, but through the project we have learned different techniques. We have learned farming practices that don’t use herbicides or chemicals.’
The results have been amazing. Now, Knowledge grows enough vegetables to feed his family and to sell at the market.
Great Success
Knowledge also said: ‘The difference with the crops and vegetables we are planting now is that they grow better and are much tastier than before. Even though the rainfall is erratic (unpredictable), we have been getting good yields. The success of the project has generated a lot of local interest.’
‘People are now admiring the way we’re working. We are teaching them the skills we have learned, and people are interested in understanding these techniques. This is good for the community and will help us succeed.’
Growing a Better Future
By using new methods, farmers like Knowledge are growing a better future for themselves and their communities. He says: ‘My dream for the future is to be a master farmer who will be able to help others. That’s my greatest desire. If I can, I want to help my community so that people know how to farm and make their lives better.’
Raising Champion Farmers is making a big difference as farmers, such as Knowledge, share their experiences and inspire their friends and neighbours. By working together, they are adapting to climate change, restoring the land and growing enough food for their families.
Trying something new can be scary. But as Knowledge’s story shows, it can also be the start of something amazing!
Helping-Hand Appeal
Kids Alive! often features the Helping-Hand Appeal – a fundraising campaign run by The Salvation Army. This year, the focus is on food security – making sure people have enough nutritious food. The money raised will support projects, such as Raising Champion Farmers in Zimbabwe. Could you do something new to support the Helping-Hand Appeal? Here are some ideas…
Host a bake sale – you could include some Zimbabwean recipes!
Sell seeds – put seeds into small packets and sell them so people can grow their own vegetables. You could also decorate the packets!
Be inspired by Knowledge and create a ‘try something new’ day! Plan a day where everyone tries something they’ve never done before. Ask for small donations to join in.
Age? 10.
Cool Colourings
The bees in this colouring look really happy with the beehive that Ariya, aged 8, has coloured for them! Great work, Ariya!
Mollie
Favourite colour? Blue.
Favourite food? Pizza.
Favourite sport? Football.
Favourite bit of Kids Alive!? Your Space.
Favourite Bible story and why? Noah’s ark, because I liked seeing all the different animals.
Favourite TV programme? Catchphrase.
What do you want to be when you’re older? A professional footballer.
Pets? One dog called Charlie. Hobbies? Drawing, sketching and football.
Tell us a joke. Did you hear about the famous pickle? It was a big dill! What special skill or talent do you have? I can answer multiplication questions in 0.98 seconds. Tell us something interesting about yourself. I’m double-jointed. Is there anything else you would like to tell us? Thank you for picking my picture!
G e t I n T o u c h !
The Kids Alive! team loves to hear from its readers. And guess what –other readers love reading your news! So why not get in touch? You can email or post your own colourings, drawings and letters. Or you could ask your Sunday school, church or corps leaders to email us or write to us with any news about the fun stuff you’ve been doing at your church or corps.
Email: kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk
Post: Kids Alive! 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ
Here are some more lovely busy bees! These were coloured by Jaxon, aged 6. The flowers look fab too!
Emilia, aged 7, has used more colours than we’ve ever seen in one colouring before! It’s so brilliant!
Nathaniel, aged 7, has done such an awesome job colouring this for World Ocean Day!
H a p p y
B i r t h d a y t o y o u !
Here’s another beautiful butterfly that we loved! It was sent by Abigail, aged 7.
To see your name and birthday printed in a future issue of KA! email your full name and date of birth to kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk
9 August
Abigail Mo – age 11
Ezra Ford – age 6
10 August
Noah Alan Oldham-Wilding – age 13
Scarlett Willock – age 9
New Junior Soldiers
A junior soldier is a young member of The Salvation Army
