VBS 2014 Day 1

Son Treasure Island – LCPC Style

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9

My first Vacation Bible School (VBS) day ever, as far as I can remember, was filled with 300 or so K – 6^th grade kids, 70 adult and student leaders, and one very important God of All Creation working in our midst. If asked I would have said my expectation was that I would somehow slog through the first day as a 3^rd Grade Theme Leader without having stuffed one of the kids into one of the available duffle bags that I’d used to bring in room decorations. The truth is that I expected God to meet me in some way during the week; let’s consider that done and now I have to revise my true expectation to meet Him in some way each day. Somehow I don’t think He will mind the revision considering that was probably His intention from the beginning.

Age groups from less than 10 through every decade into the 80s were represented and I’ll admit that a spry 90 year old may have slipped in without me being aware, you know how they are. I did not see one instance of anyone looking at another older or younger person thinking “they just don’t get me” or “I just don’t get them”. It was a wonderful day of seeing God’s people work in harmony.

3rd Grade Theme Room (the good raft)

I got there early to make sure my room and I were ready for the day. I found one of my rafts nearly deflated but that worked nicely into the activity theme of being wrecked on a deserted island and I merely pointed to it as our transportation for our three-hour tour. I was touched by the Lord in a couple of ways today as I saw our scripture for the day in action. What I saw was the Son working through the people to minister to the children; it was in the leaders’ expressions as they finished room preparations, checked the kids in at registration, talked with them, laughed with them, and simply loved them. Of particular meaning to me was watching and working with MAZ (Mission Arizona) alumni at work – adults, young adults, and secondary school students. There is something special in witnessing the people whom I’ve worked with side-by-side in service as their growth in the Lord continues and expands. The day was punctuated after we were dismissed and I got an unexpected Jer-bear hug from several of the third grade girls as they improvised their own treasure hunt while waiting for their parents.

Seeds were planted in every room and during every activity and actually watered on the basketball court.

In His grip, jerry