Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. - Deuteronomy 7:9

VBS 2019 was once again a great encouragement to our children, families, church and community. We had over 80 children in attendance not counting the 15 teens who helped wherever was needed. The week was filled with songs, crafts, yummy snacks, various activities and lessons on how we can trust God to keep His promises. Connections were made, so please continue to pray for growth from the seeds that were planted during this week. Thank you to all of those who took time out of their busy schedules to help.

To learn more about what happened during the week of VBS a more detailed summary is below.

God Keeps His Promises!

The theme for this year’s vacation Bible school. It was more challenging than anticipated to teach this deep topic on a level that a child could understand. Our teachers embraced the challenge and based on talking with the children, these concepts were conveyed.

Monday’s theme was “God Promised Protection.” Ronni B. taught about God’s promise to never destroy the earth by flood again. She illustrated the size of the arc by having the kids measure out the width and height of it. I thought it was really apropos that God supplied a real rainbow that evening, a further reminder of His Promise.

God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” - Genesis 9:17

Tuesday’s theme was “God Promised a People.” we had a team of teachers made up of Ben and Carmon R. and Jeremiah C.(I love it when men are available to teach our youngsters). They taught about God’s Promise to Abraham to make him the Father of a great nation. They held class inside a tent with simulated stars for the children to try and count. 

"And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." - Genesis 12:2-3

Wednesday’s class was “God Promised a Place.” Autumn C. and Tanya S. taught about the land that God promised to His people. They wanted to get the point across that God wanted His people to have a bountiful land but they needed to trust Him. They showed the goodness of this land by giving the children milk, honey, grapes, and pomegranates (YUM).

 Then the Lord said, “... I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites..." - Exodus 3:7-8

Thursday’s class was “God Promised a Saviour.” Audrey D. and Tabitha M. had the enormous task to basically teach the theme of the entire Bible in only 20 minutes. They did an amazing job teaching about the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Many kids said after their class that the Bible is about … Jesus is coming, Jesus is here, and Jesus is coming again.  

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. - John 14:3

Friday’s class was “God Promised Heaven.” Melinda C. and Ant. C. wanted the children to understand the goodness of heaven because of God dwelling there. They emphasized the fact that there will be no tears, pain, or dying there. Those who overcome will inherit all of this…. Rev 21:7. 

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. - Revelation 21:7

The entire topic this year could easily be summed up into this: God wants His people to TRUST AND OBEY. 

The week began before the children even arrived with Nancy getting the children registered online, the decorators (mainly Melinda) and the craft ladies (mainly Cheril and Pam) preparing as follows: the entry was decorated with a stunning statement piece, a declaration stating “God Keeps His promises” and our scripture for the week, Deuteronomy 7:9.

Melinda designed other signs with the words: Protection, People, Place, Saviour and Heaven, plus a bulletin board in the hallway that can be used for both VBS and our Bible class curriculum for this quarter.  The craft ladies prepped all of the crafts, as much as possible, so that they would have plenty of time to finish each craft before the end of the day.

Every day began with kids singing in the auditorium (of course the favorite song was 'Hip-Hip-Hip-Hippopotamus'). 

We had 7-8 toddlers from our congregation that came most days. Carmelita K. and her daughter helped guide these children around to the various activities each day. They were entertained in a safe outdoor play area where they could get some of their wiggles out. 

We had our mission team responsible for an activity room that would coincide with each topic of the day. Many days it was interactive and every day it was fun. After talking to some of the kids, he activity session was a favorite part of their day. 

The children enjoyed tasty treats from our cheerful snack ladies: Christy W., Hope E., Maddy N. and Beth R.. These ladies supplied delcious treats while still being conscious of the allergies that were present.

The crafts are always a highlight of the week and this year was no exception. Cheril and Pam always research the best craft that will remind the children in future years what was learned. The kids made everything from wind-catchers to a cross. Each craft highlighted a scripture that the teachers used in their class. Daniel G. drew a sign for the students to color during any spare time the kids might have.

We had various adult helpers who were available during the week asking to help wherever there was a need, whether that was guiding the children or being extra hands during crafts. We had a great bunch of teens who stepped into help. They helped by guiding each class from session to session and in the craft time. They were a positive influence on each of our children and I know that relationships were formed and bridges built between generations. 

Mid-week we had our open house where most children brought their parents. They were able to meet the teachers, see the classrooms and make connections. There were many who provided cookies for this event.

It was a very successful VBS. Thank you again for all those who helped with it.

About the Author: Antoinette "Ant" Collins is the loving wife of our elder, Rick Collins. Ant has spent her life living in several different states and even countries. She moved up to Alaska with her family in 1983. Since then, she has fallen in love with the state and calls it home. She has been blessed with five children and thirteen grandchildren. Vacation Bible School has always been near to Ant's heart as she started in her teenage-years helping with Vacation Bible Schools and going on mission trips to help other churches. She has played a part in Valley church of Christ's Vacation Bible School for 15+ years. "I've always felt it's a great way to reinforce God's Word to our children," explains Ant. She also plays an active role in teaching children's bible classes, ladies retreats, and fellowship fundraisers, such as our well-known Chill Willy Day. The Valley church of Christ is continually blessed by servant hearts like Ant.