5 Short Term Missionaries + 3 Resident Missionaries + 2 National Missionaries + 400 students + 18 Teachers = a fun day of VBS!!!!!!

July 8, 2014

Last night we had a wonderful time of praise & worship with a visiting team headed to Far Reaching Ministries in South Sudan. After a time of prayer & singing we had communion. What a special time it was on the eve of our VBS.

Today we had our first full day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) ----- boy did we have fun…I think the kids did too J After our crazy intro of the chicken dance at morning assembly we loaded up our supplies & headed to our respective class rooms. There were Bible Stories, games, songs, crafts, snacks & health education for all. 

Here are some highlights:

·         Susan “supervised” as Tameka washed 102 pairs of hands as she taught the K2 & K3 classes proper hand hygiene…she was a little wrinkly by the end.

·         Deborah was very happy to find that the P2 class, which she had last year as P1, had matured so much…especially since there are 50 of them.

·         Cindy’s class got to dig for “treasures” in the sand bucket while learning about “digging” for all the treasures God has for us in His word.

·        Rhonda was so encouraged to see the excitement of the children as they worked the “simple” games of a floor puzzle & memory matching game while learning about being a part of the team – the body of Christ.

One of the greatest highlights of the day was the 68 children in P5 – P7 who made commitments today to be Health Mentors. We had met with them yesterday & did some intense health education. At the end of the classes we talked with them about becoming a “Health Mentor”. While the word “mentor” was new to them we explained that if they choose to they would be responsible to not only maintain good personal hygiene and first aid, but would be responsible for watching out for the younger children. These responsibilities would include helping to educate them, as well as, reinforcing good personal hygiene by the younger ones.  

It is not uncommon in a society, such as here, that there is a lack of knowledge in things that we in America take for granted. When you live in a mud hut in the dirt, have to walk miles for water that is usually not safe or clean, and your parents are struggling just to survive simple things like proper personal hygiene and first aid are not a priority. By educating the children to take responsibility for themselves and others we prayerfully hope to instill a sense of empowerment that they do have control over, at least, part of their lives, and they can make a positive impact on not only their future but the future of others. They were very proud to receive their “SOG Health Mentor / Matthew 25:20” dog tag necklaces and their Certificate of Completion for the teaching.

It was very encouraging to us that so many of the P5 – P7 children remembered the teaching they had received yesterday. Some of whom have already put their new knowledge to work.

Tomorrow is another day of VBS fun with some amazing, bright eyed, eager, beautiful children!