VBS 2012 - Day 3

The third day of VBS was off to a good start with the weather holding out for us and providing another sunny day. Registration got under way as kids were excitedly waiting for the day to begin. Older girls were pacing back and forth trying their hardest to cram more Bible verses into their heads.

Girls in the background reviewing verses while the younger children register.

Today was interesting for us as several of the girls had to bring along their siblings to VBS. This happens often here in the ministry as older siblings (not even old enough at times) are left to care for their younger siblings while the parents go to work or even just to visit a friend or relative. The interesting part comes in when you stand before the crowd to teach a Bible lesson and you try to reach out to children from the ages of less than one year all the way up to fifteen years of age. Challenging to say the least! 

This sweet little girl is a granddaughter of one of our neighbors. The family came out to watch the festivities today.

Opening Prayer once everyone is registered.

Today, the children were to dress up like an athlete for the Spirit Week activity. This was an interesting one as many of them came dressed exactly as they were the day before but considered themselves dressed like an athlete! However, two children who obviously made the most effort received the chocolate medals for first and second place, our boys, Timothy (football player) and Ryan (baseball player).

Timothy wearing his balloon shoulder pads.

(I wasn't able to take a good picture of Ryan but he was wearing his baseball glove on his hand and his cap as you can see in the photo below.)

Timothy and Ryan receiving their medals.

Once we began singing, David walked over to some nearby bushes to talk with a boy who was sitting near the spot where some puppies had been abandoned. The puppies had become the local children's "babies" and many of them brought food for the puppies to eat each day. Today, the puppies were gone (someone had picked them up to take home) and this little guy in the picture below talking to David was sad. He had attended VBS the day before and wanted to come today but needed some encouragement since he was sad to see the puppies taken away. He soon joined the group and the day continued.

For lesson time today we split up into younger and older groups. Again this presented quite the challenge with talkative children, a few screaming babies, toddlers who have not been clearly taught the meaning of the word "No." and musical strollers that play irritating music when the little toddler who can't be told "No." touches them. 

We gave it our best effort and even though these photographs make it look pleasant and quiet, it really wasn't!

I decided that tomorrow I would take the smaller children away from ear range and allow Ryslan to teach the whole group! We were able to do this a few years ago when I college student who spoke Russian came back to Russia for a visit (her parents had been missionaries in Russia for many years) and I was so grateful that she could speak Russian and teach while I "worked in the nursery"!

Next up, review game!

During the review game, snack time is prepared. Today we had "medal" shaped cookies homemade by Katie Northcutt! Thank you, Katie! We appreciate her willingness to prepare these yummy cookies to go along with our Olympic theme.

During the review game, we noticed a lady walking by and carefully looking at the children. She walked to the end of the row of benches and stood there watching us and the children. We learned that she was a mother of two of the children who were attending our VBS. So, as is our tradition, we walked over to her to introduce ourselves and make contact with another parent.

This mother was so grateful for us taking the time to plan VBS and teach her children Bible lessons that she was thanking us again and again. What a blessing to meet parents like this precious lady!

Game time today began with a game of dodgeball, only with one team outside the circle attempting to hit the members of the opposing team inside the circle.

Meanwhile, Elliot Northcutt (one of our little MK's) and I took a quick walk to the nearest store to buy more water for the children and ice cream for the adults to enjoy after the day's events were done and they all gather at our house for lunch.

Elliot really enjoyed carrying the bag of ice cream home to the freezer!

Tug-of-war games continued today.

(Can you tell the kids love tug-of-war?) 

This next match lasted a while with the boys being pretty evenly matched up strength-wise!

Boys versus girls is always a favorite!!!

And to close out the day...kids versus adults!!!

And the winner is...the kids!

Sweet victory!

Before dismissal for the day the children were reminded that tomorrow's Spirit Week activity is CRAZY HAT DAY!!! Should be interesting!