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!

VBS 2012 - Day 2

The second day of VBS was sunny and warm as we all gathered together at 11 am to begin the day's activities. I always look forward to each morning as the children gather, bringing new faces with them as guests for the day!

Always good to see teen girls out for VBS! Three of these girls have made professions of faith in Christ!

The day begins with registration. 

This year with the kids having more verses to memorize, registration was a busy time!

This year we also included "Spirit Week" activities which we announced daily at the end of the day so that the kids would remember what they need to bring for the next day. On Tuesday, the kids were supposed to draw a picture either of the Olympic flag or of anything pertaining to the Olympics.

Each day we asked Ryslan to choose a first, second, and third place in each of these "events".  The winners were awarded with chocolate medals.

Ryslan announcing the winners while I hand out the chocolate medals.

Third place (8 year old boy)

Second place (10 year old boy - our Ryan)

We thought it was neat that Ryan used the silhouette of a friend of ours, Sam Hazewinkel, who will be wrestling in the 2012 London Olympics for his picture! Go Sam!

First place (fourteen year old girl - Our daughter, Beka)

Song time.

"If you're happy and you know it shout "Yra!"

The Bible lesson for the day followed the theme: the proper equipment. Those who participate in sports must have the proper clothing, shoes, and equipment to compete. The Christian must put on the armour of God to run his race properly.

Thanks to Ryslan teaching both age groups, our photographer was able to catch this shot.

We were even able to hold her baby so she could take pictures. 

I think that is a fair trade!

Mr. Soldier all ready to go to battle!

Time to review the verse!

Ephesians 6:11

 Review game time is a serious time as the kids do their best to answer more questions correctly than the other team!

Team Red adds up their points.

 The team that wins the review games receives a bonus of 100 points to add to the day's totals!

Team Yellow has to use their calculator on one of the girls' cell phone.

Snack time!

Today's menu - Kool Aid and piroshki with cabbage (a Russian favorite) made by one of the ladies at KBC.

 Game time!

Right side ready!

Before this game started they children numbered themselves. When the whistle blew and David called out their number they had to run to the center and grab as much sports equipment as possible and return it to their team's side of the playing field.

Left side ready!

Love her face in this picture!

Boys grabbing all they can!

After a while you call all of the numbers at once!

Last but not least for the day - the CAGE BALL!

The goal - calling out numbers as with the previous game, the children have to get the ball over their team's line to count as a point.

And once again - all numbers were finally called at the same time for the grand finale!

We had to move all the small children out of the way for that one!

Such a blessing that this teen girl who has been to Sunday school before so enjoyed VBS.

After games and a quick drink of water, the worksheets were handed out and we reminded everyone that tomorrow's Spirit Week activity would be to come dressed as an athlete! 

Then we packed up and went home for the day!

Well, not exactly like this!