Alternative Light Party

Sandy (mum) and Grace (8) did an alternative Light Party in their front yard at Halloween. Here's their story ...
 
How did it come about?
Our Light Party was Grace’s idea. Beforehand I was not impressed at the thought of standing for two hours in the cold, but Grace was very excited she was actually going to act out her ideas.
 
What did you do?
We attracted children by having lights on, curtains open and tea lights in the front yard. We had two stations: apple bobbing, and bracelet making. Grace stood at the door, gave every child a glow stick and sang ‘My Lighthouse’ to them. I welcomed each group, explained we were Christians, that there is no darkness where there is light, God is light and we should follow him, not darkness.
 
How did people respond?
People were attracted and interested by the lit up house. Between eight and twelve children at a time stood waving glow sticks as I told them the true meaning of that night. Parents shared cultural traditions of their country and many adults were chatting and children playing. I had to laugh - most forgot the sweets we had to give! They left waving glow sticks, some singing ‘My Lighthouse’!  I spoke to many families and they said such things as: ‘Food for thought!’, ‘We will do this next year!’, ‘WOW, amazing idea!’
 
How did you feel afterwards?
I wasn’t cold and my feet didn't touch the ground. Grace gave out sixty glow sticks and forty apples were dunked. We needed more hands to make bracelets (which were to show God is eternal). I didn't know two people could reach out and touch so many people's lives in 1¾ hours!