VBS Day 1

Monday, May 27, 2024 from Patate, Ecuador

All the prep work. All the prayers. All the scripture study. All the coat hangers, glue bottles, boxes of Cheeze-Its, inflatables, and frisbees, came down to today. It was our first day of VBS. We planned for 100 kids but discovered there are 106 kids enrolled in the school. It started fast and furious, like a flurry of punches from a welterweight. The playground couldn’t have been more than 800 square feet and filled with swings, slides, seesaws, and tires. Somehow there was still enough room for a game of chase-the-ball that looked vaguely like soccer and another game of full-contact ultimate frisbee. 

Everyone was gathered in the courtyard just outside the Principal’s Office where we sang three of our four songs. After some introductions, the children were divided into three groups by ages. One group went to recreation, another to crafts, and a third group went to Bible story. I was in the Bible study group today where we learned about Samuel’s anointing of David as King. The children learned that God is more concerned with our heart than our outward appearance. 

The groups came quick and they were full of excitement and energy. One thing I found interesting was most of the kids were wearing jackets or sweaters. I was about to burn up, especially when I put my Samuel costume on. 

We all learned a few things, but overall, I would say it was a great first day. 

We came back to lunch at Camp Chacauco before heading back out about 2:00. We went back to the same school where we were for VBS. All their classrooms had water damage along with some mold along cement block walls. We sanded and scraped and sanded again. Sometimes we even bleached the walls. Then we sealed the block walls with some cement sealer. Tomorrow we will return to paint the walls and hopefully be done by Wednesday. 

The principal was so grateful for our team that she bought us a special treat. We had a slice of ham(?) inside a bun. Let me just say, that bread was really, really good. I’m not one to brag about bred too much, but this was good stuff. She also gave us some Coke…a nice taste of home. 

When we got back to camp, most of the men immediately took showers before going to dinner. I discovered most ladies had not showered before dinner. They said it had to do with the fact that their hair had to dry. I think maybe the men had just worked harder. Anyway, we all circled up to finalize plans for VBS Day 2. 

This is a really great team and we are stating to figure out or various strengths and weaknesses. God put us together and knew just what each would bring to the group. We have grown in our relationship to each other and are really connecting by serving the Lord. This team is full of servants who just want to be vessels of God’s blessing. I am personally grateful that I get to watch my children serve Jesus this week and I’m especially grateful for the men and women who are mentoring them. I love my church family!