VBS 2009 - What a Week! | Montrose Church

VBS 2009 - What a Week!

Wow! What a week at Vacation Bible School...150 kids...music, games, crafts, yummy snacks, missions, laughing and Pastor Dave's daily talent show. What a great time.

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I love VBS but for reasons you might not expect...high school kids (and beyond-this year we had several college students working as well as our perennial favorite - Edgar who is well beyond college but LOVES being with the kids at VBS)! I love pouring into them so that they can pour into kids and impact their lives. This year was EXCEPTIONAL!

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There is something about watching all of the interactions between these young people that take place over the course of the week. At Sunday's briefing meeting they meet their team for the week - not with their best friend; cell phones are turned in at the beginning of each evening...what? three hours without a text message? They come from summer school, sports practices and games, and work to spend three hours chasing kids around and being excited about everything they do (that is a requirement) but then something happens...they actually get to know someone new and work together as a team - some decide to dress alike from head to toe, each team makes up a cheer where volume (not uniqueness) is the goal and God does what only God can do and something magical happens.

It would be difficult for me to tell you the way these young people were impacted during the week so I will let them do it for you in this blog...suffice it to say, my life is richer each year that I get to work with them at Vacation Bible School.

Posted on Sat, July 18, 2009 by Kim Villa

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2 comments (Add your own)

1. Janine Sabin wrote:: I was so touched by God's work at VBS this year... not only watching our kids, but in myself. As a parent of wee ones, being surrounded by such an amazing group of people who just love Jesus and love our kids blessed me.

I felt like the goal was to show up, spend quality time with the helpers, fill your tummy (what a blessing to the folks who provide meals for the helpers!!) and "share this week in community" following His lead.

I kept thinking I'm not "doing" much at Pre-School VBS and wasn't sure I was making a significant impact. There were so many leaders, jr. high helpers, teachers, crafters, gamers, photographers, playground monitors, I was amazed at the ownership in each person to make our VBS the BEST, not go through the motions, but love like God loves.

So I found myself just "hanging out" with my son, meeting folks, looking for opportunities, trusting Him to use me/show me. But that's what His presence is all about; "being" with us and if we can ask/listen to someone tell their story, offer encouragement or share a laugh, or offer some sense of belonging, He is glorified.

Here I was so excited to serve at VBS this year and I found myself "served" beyond measure:

*The hug I received from a precious boy I'd just met on his first day at VBS, His joy overflowed.

*It was so neat to see kids eyes sparkle or their smile brighten from someone remembering their name and including them into their "group" and talk about seeing their "friends".

*I met some amazing parents who cherish their kids and were so excited to have their precious wee ones learn more about Jesus.

*Helping 3 year olds do anything they needed help with-- it's all new and amazing-- childlike wonder is precious and powerful when we are present to it.

*Seeing jr. high kids and grown ups enjoy and encourage each child for their uniqueness; creating a sense of belonging.

*Letting go of what wasn't important: if a kid didn't want to wear a t-shirt or sit still, it didn't matter as much as them being present and loved as they were.

*Singing profoundly simple songs of great meaning and joy!

*I learned all about nutes from a 6 year old boy visiting from out of town... who didn't know anyone and by mid-week he was smiling and showing me "thumbs up" as if he was family.

*As my own precious 4 year old proudly recites his Phillipians 4:13 in sign language from VBS week, "I can do everything thru Him that strengthens me." I'm so touched. I pray that this truth is bound in his heart forever and tears well up in my eyes as this powerful truth penetrates deeper in my own heart.
Tue, July 21, 2009 @ 2:09 PM
2. Alec Stitick wrote:: I had sooo much fun at vbs helping John on the playground and playing with the kids
Sun, August 9, 2009 @ 7:21 AM