Holiday Bible Program

Wow! What an amazing few weeks have just flown by me here! We have been deep in the throes of VBS or, as it is better known here, Holiday Bible Program. It's awesome to see a lot of planning and hard work come together to turn into a truly exciting program. The kids have been treated to quite an exciting week in the "rainforest". Not an easy task, we have had a team of people working on transforming the central desert into a tropical rainforest. It has been amazing to watch really committed and creative people take our building and transform it. There is the paper mache tree in the corner (and whatever you're picturing in your head, it's bigger!) A waterfall, a ranger station complete with corregated tin roof. And of course, a rickety bridge over a croc infested river! Hopefully I'll be able to get pictures up in the next week or so that will give you a bit of insight into our little jungle.
The program itself has been great too. The teen team has rehearsed some great dramas and pulled them off in a way that is funny and yet meaningful. The story tellers have managed to capture the attentions of all of the kids and convey the wonder of Biblical messages that will last them a lifetime. From the moment the kids step through the door until the moment they leave, there has been an energy, spirit of fun and a thrill which only come with the wonder of being a child, and of seeing things through a child's eyes.
One thing that I really wanted for this program was to help give the kids a foundation upon which the roots of faith in Christ could grow. What I didn't expect was to have my own roots tugged a little. Some of the verses we've been memorizing this week are verses I've known since I was a child. And yet, as I look at some of them, I wonder if I've really got as good a grasp on them as I think. The challenge of God's word, is always a bit confronting. But, realizing that someone else put in the effort years and years ago, so that I could have the same foundation we're trying to give these kids, reminds me of just how important it is.
Thanks so much for all your prayers and all the encouragements I've recieved through the week. It's been a blessing to feel your love and support through a very busy week! The whole program has grown and stretched all of us and I hope that somewhere in the town of Alice there is a kid who is a little bit closer to Christ, and living His way than there was last week.
Thanks for reading,
Shannon