Vacation Bible School 2009

The week following Gateway Camp, our family helped to run a Vacation Bible School with Shanti Ministries for the minority kids in our area. There were about 25 Nepali kids who attended. Many of these children come from a Hindu family background.

The VBS was July 27-August 1 and was held at the Nepali church that is a 15 minute walk from our home. Tammy and the kids normally help there on Saturdays with Kid’s Club, a ministry for minority kids that tutors them with homework, along with Bible stories, games, and songs. This time our whole family worked together to help with the week long VBS.

Craig and I (Tammy) put together the program for the primary school students (up to 12 years old). The theme was “Treasure Hunters”. The lessons each day focused on a parable that Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven. We invented a character named “Treasure Hunter Jake” who was searching for a very valuable treasure, and needed the kid’s help to find it.

Every day, Treasure Hunter Jake would come in with a clue and ask the kids to find a part of the hidden treasure map. Each part of the map included a scripture passage about the Kingdom of Heaven. The kids would learn a new aspect about the “treasure” and then do a craft or activity to help them remember it. They also learned some songs and played lots of fun games.

At the end of the week, we gave each child a necklace with a key on it. We told them that the key represents the key to their heart. They have the power to unlock the door to their hearts and let Jesus in to be their King. They found the treasure!

There were lots of other people who helped with the VBS, including volunteers from a local international church. It was such a joy to work with everyone and get to know more family in Christ. God was so faithful to use each one of us, and we were blessed to be a part of it. We can’t wait to do it again next summer!

Once again, THANK YOU to all of you who helped to make this possible by giving monthly and praying for our family. You have been part of bringing God’s Kingdom to some precious young ones!