VBS - The Real Story

So, how do you spell Vacation Bible School?  I'll tell you how, E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D.  Yes, that is correct if you check my dictionary my photo will appear right next to the word!  Yes, it was exhausting, wonderful, and exceeded expectations.  God can do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.  Tis' true.  We were hoping at best for 50 and perhaps with a bit of a stretch of the imagination 70 but 88 children were registered on the first day with a peak reaching 116.

As you can see our theme was "Kids in Training for God's Army".  That theme was played out from beginning to end.  Each child was issued dog tags with his or her name and held the rank of private.  In crafts each day they were able to create a portion of their uniform:  the belt of truth, breast plate of righteousness, etc.

Dressed for battle!

What I loved most about VBS is that it was a joint venture with the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, so we had deaf and hearing children as well as  interpreters each day.  Each morning the children spent time learning JSL (Jamaican Sign Language) and by the end of our time together we could all communicate in a bit of sign language (at least the basics).

Registration

Well, we ended with service on Sunday.  The children sang I'm in the Lord's Army, sang and did movement to our VBS theme song I'm A Soldier in the Army of the Lord, and recited their memory verses.  I preached the theme text of Ephesians 6:10-18, and we recessed with We are Marching in the Light of God straight out of the sanctuary and into the fellowship hall for some well deserved ice cream and cake!

Well, Major Oliver is signing off!  One battle won, many more to come.