Last week, kids learned that when Paul sailed for Rome, he was shipwrecked, but an angel of God appeared to him and gave him hope. 

In Acts 27, we read that Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. On their way to Rome, they faced a hurricane force, called Northeaster. Their ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind. They took a violent battering from the storm that they began to throw the cargo overboard. Neither sun nor stars appeared many days and the storm continued raging, so they gave up all hope of being saved. But, Paul stood up before everyone and encouraged them. The night before, an angel of the God whom Paul belong and serve stood beside him and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you. So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." Paul also encouraged them all to eat for they have gone without food for the last fourteen days. He took some bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, then broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. When daylight came, they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. Everyone reached land safely. So God saved everyone just as He promised. Paul found out that they landed in the island called Malta. The islanders showed them unusual kindness and welcomed them. The chielf official of the island welcomed them to his home and showed them generous hospitality. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul prayed for him and he was healed! Then the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. Later, Paul finally arrived in Rome. There, Paul continued to preach, proclaim the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance! Wherever he went, Paul witnessed to everyone, even though he faced hardships and trials, he did not give up and stayed faithful to God and His Kingdom work. 

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