Final Post

What a great finish to a great week.

The kids were wonderful all week. The group leaders did a super job of sharing God's love with their kids. There was a lot of genuine, wholesome affection that really makes a VBS like this far more special than just another place for kids to go. For those of you parents that shared your kids with us, Thank You. They were blessed, but so were we.

It's always so cool to see the new things that come out of each VBS. Friday night was organized so the kids could enjoy ice cream floats as we watched the opening ceremonies. What was really cool were Jeanne Weltman's face painted cherubs to look like the official mascots of the Olympics. I hardly recognized some of the kids.

Saturday evening was a wonderful way to top off the whole week as well. The skits were a lot of fun. I enjoyed the Orange Crush's workout routine, building those spiritual muscles. Bullet and Joel did a great job as Daniel & King Darius in their rendition of Daniel & the Lion's Den. As always the choreography was delightful, and very age appropriate for each group. Pastor Wayne gave a clear simple explanation of the gospel. One of the highlights was definitely the Purple Orange & Green Blues group, replete with their 'costumes' and soul Blues number. (we should check Guiness for the record of the largest harmonica blues band to perform on only two days rehearsal - excellent).

So many people helped, it would be impossible to name them all, nor give them proper credit for their efforts. But I know many kids "& adult kids" are thinking they wouldn't miss next year's VBS for the world.

Thank you for checking into this blog.

I hope you enjoyed the read and the pics.

Your local photograblogger, the proud 'papa'.

BTW

Through the week kids were bringing in their spare pennies and nickels to give to Missions. In keeping with the sports nature of the VBS it was decided that it would be appropriate to give the money collected to Athletes-In-Action, using the platform of sports to share the gospel around the world. The kids raised over $185!!

The Opening Ceremony pic

Amazing, simply amazing

Thurs. PM I didn't get to wander around all night and take pics. I had to be a little more responsible and help out with the games. They were pretty cool. The younger kids (Blue Crew) played a simplified, less violent version of a wrestler favorite called 'slap back'. The older kids played Team Handball. As I remember it, (in the Green Group) Finland jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead, but was later caught by the USA 6-5 and (in the Orange Crush) France reigned supreme over Russia, but with some really stalwart defense by the Russians.

The rain came and went without really hurting the outdoor time at all.

It was a beautiful evening on the 'pitch'.

Groups are busy putting the finishing touches on their dramas, or dance routines.

Bible lessons are going well too. I've been impressed at the focus and attention of the VBS athletes. They are all to be commended.

Tonight's theme is "The RELAY"

The lesson is 'passing on the good news, sharing the gospel around the world'.

Stories all involve the Great Commission

Word on the street is that the treat tonight is ICE CREAM FLOATS!!

BTW, The kids are supposed to be at the church 5:30p on Sat. All the action starts for the parents at 6p. Saturday evening will be a fun wrapup for the week to see all the kids have learned and accomplished, etc., so be there.

Wednesday photos

So many cool things were going on Wed.PM. Tye-dying t-shirts, Olympic Blob, melodrama rehearsals, dance routines, soccer games and most importantly learning lessons of striving for the imperishable prize, 'In Pursuit of Glory'.

Here's photos from the activities, I can't explain it, but the Blue Crew seemed to be the most photogenic last night???

Reminder: bring in your loose change for Athletes-In-Action missions.

Tonight's theme is 'AMAZING AWAITS'.

The kids will be learning of the prize of eternal life in heaven with Jesus, and studying the life/death of Stephen who is one of the few that got to see what awaited him in heaven, here on earth.

Day Two - Striving for Excellence

Internet's been slow so I'm keeping the pics to a minimum today.

Many of you parents may not know some of the organization behind this vbs.

Monday's theme was "Faster, Higher, Stronger"

The kid's learned how their abilities and strength come from God. The examples were Elijah and Samson.

Tuesday's theme was "Striving for Excellence"

Stressing the importance of training our hearts just as we train our bodies, by learning God's word, following His commands and living each day for Christ.

Key traits to learn were perseverance and Endurance.

I can testify to the 'excellence' of musicianship being exhibited by our harmonica players. Hopefully, Saturday evening you will get to hear it too, some of the funnest, sweetest blues tunes you ever imagined possible coming out of your kids.

The example for yesterday was Daniel, who was faithful to God, even when it could've cost him his life.

Tonight the theme is "In Pursuit of Glory"

with lessons touting Competition and Sportsmanship and most importantly how God loves us unconditionally. His love does not depend on whether or not we win or lose. His love never fails.

Tonight is also Sportswear night where the kids are to wear as much sports gear as they can come up with.

It's quite fitting that our example tonight would be Jacob wrestling the angel, as our gamesmaster, Stephen, is an accomplished wrestler in his own right, (though I don't know that he's ever wrestled an angel, ...yet)

Tonight kid's will also be doing decorating T-shirts in the crafts.

Also, parents, don't feel like you have to just drop your kid off @5:30 and pick them up at 8:30p. You are more than welcome to join in the fun. The teacher:kid ratio is very high, maybe 1:2 or 3 -never more than 4. We could never get that kind of ratio if we had to pay these people. They are doing it because they love it and have fun right along with the kids, making their enjoyment all the more. So you're welcome to join in the fun as well.

Now for a couple pics

First Night

The first night of VBS went off without a hitch.

As usual, there was a tremendous amount of energy supplied by the kids. The older kids were all enthusiastic about the harmonica lessons, AFTER they saw how cool Sandy Weltman taught the class. You might say it was bringing a little 'harmony' to the world stage.

The heat did not dampen the outdoor games of the Olympiad. Stephen & Gio were a little worse for the wear, but they survived.

Some were downright victorious.

Crafts were busy with foam penants and frames & such.

Snacks were an athlete's dream, grapes, apples, pretzels and juice.

And there was some good Bible study going on as well as our athletes were learning that there is little they can't accomplish 'in Christ'.

Can't wait til tonight.

Prep stage complete

After weeks and weeks of preparation it would seem that everything is ready. The church is all decorated, teachers for every group prepared, trained and instructed, supplies purchased, lesson plans worked out , crafts purchased, refreshments purchased.

Most of the teachers spent yesterday afternoon decorating their classrooms and I must say they are all quite clever. Blue group has a baseball diamond in their room. Orange Crush is a basketball arena that would make any NBA team jealous. I saw one room that looked like a glorious soccer pitch, ready for Olympic competition, and another (purple) that looks very equestrian (just hope there's not too much horsing around in that class). ....sorry.

Special thanks to Jack Scharr for donating a considerable qty. of posters, videos, medals, etc, etc. from Fine Art Ltd., the official art dealer of the Olympics. The art lends a substantial level of quality and authenticity. (FYI check out Fine Art Ltd's Olympic open house next week in Chesterfield Valley at their main gallery 08/15-17/08).

As a papa of many of the kids involved, I couldn't be more proud of all the work that has gone into this, especially Elisa's effort. She's put in an amazing number of hours organizing and of course choreographing the skits and routines that the kids will be showing off to their parents on Saturday.

If you miss it this week in Rock Hill, all I can say is you'll just have to wait til next year.

It's been an Olympian sized task to this point and from here it's ready to take off.

Pictures are on their way.

I was Just Helping Elisa Doty with VBS

We made a blog for our 2008 Vacation Bible School! The information is available from Elisa Doty if you want to post a story or a picture. The theme is olympic Glory and I am sure Biblical analogies will be all over the activities after all didn't Paul tell us he wanted to finish his race?
Please pray for the teachers and the children that God would receive all praise and GLORY!
Pastor Jake