The first group I interected with each day was the same group that I finished the day with. I arrived at the church about 1.25 hours before VBS started in order to ride the bus to help pick up children from an apartment complex on the Northside. The group was 12 children of ranging in age from 4-12. Some were quiet, some were loud, but thankfully all were well behaved and looked out for each other. Below are a couple pictures of me and Robbie with this group on the last day:
(could not get them to rotate around..tried a few different things that did not work so I gave up and posted them this way.)
I could share multiple stories, but instead I will just share one. Below is a picture of me with Jaylon. He did not say much on the bus the first couple of days, but once I got him to open up one day he said a few words and I could tell he was looking for someone to talk with. I asked him what his favorite part of the week was and he said he enjoyed the whole thing and could not pick out one specific thing he liked the best (I could tell by a hint of a smile on his face the genuine nature of this statement). Then on the last day I could tell he was sad it was the last day (as well as many others were sad). One boy sitting behind me I thought he looked tired, but he assured me he was not tired instead he was sad that it was the last day of VBS with us. It was a great experience riding the bus with them each day and getting to know them and share some hope.
The main group that I led each week was a group of 2nd graders. They informed me that I don't sing well and one told me she thought I was weird haha, other than that they were sweet as could be :). So many fun times with them it is hard to pick out what to say. I try to let the pictures tell the story.
A little blurry...The three girls standing were in my group and the other girl was actually in another group, but she kept trying to come into my group so I told her she could get in the picture too. Smiles warm the heart and show joy. I was fortunate to have a very joyous group that truly encouraged me.
This is Trystian. He was actually in another group too, but his group and my group did everything together so it is almost like he was in my group.
Probably my favorite picture from the week. The girl sitting right next to me is from Russia and when she found out that I was going to be serving in a country near Russia it is as if she would not let me out of her sight and she sat next to me a lot in the different stations. She asked me if I was going to visit Russia and I told her I might. The girl on my left was in my group and besides when she wanted to wander off, she was great too. The girl on my left shoulder was actually not in my group either, but I think it is obvious that I interacted with many of the children that were not even in my group mainly during the closing session when we were all together.
Jeremiah carried our group sign every chance that he could. He was proud to be apart of our group: 2B. Our group was named 2B and I told the children in my group that we were 2nd Best!...I told them that Jesus is the Best and we were 2nd Best to him haha.
Marion was our line leader for most of the week. She enjoyed leading the group and she was also the first girl to tell me I needed singing lessons haha.
Overall the week went well. The Bible was at the center of what we did (hence VBS), we had fun, and the Hope and Good News that only Jesus Christ can give was experienced through the great leaders that made the week incredible. I close with the words of Luke 8:16-17
16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
Let us not hinder children from learning about Christ and seeing Christ's love pour out of our hearts.
Hope in Christ,
Ben
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