VBS: Day 2, Week 1

A few glimpses of Tuesday evening:

Kids threw wet sponges and balls at the beach ball to try to get it to the opposite side.

It has been awesome to have the Fairlawn youth here "doing" VBS for us, and I've had the luxury of wondering around and observing the different sites. The group has quickly established wonderful rapport with the kids. Yesterday evening, I was at the Bible Story site while some 6th graders were asking deeper questions about prayer and trusting God. It is encouraging that the students are thinking about what they are hearing and are bold enough to pose their questions to staff they've only recently met.

This evening we're having a "Battle of the Vans" contest to see which route can bring the most kids to VBS. There are 3 van routes, and the winning van will receive prizes on their trip home. "My" van just might win it, if one of my rider's strategies turns out to be a good one!

VBS: Day 1, Week 1

Around 60 children joined us for the opening night of VBS. Here is the evening in photos!

Opening Assembly:

The youngest (and largest) class had an activity that involved shaving cream. One of the teachers wisely made this observation during the aftermath: "I don't think shaving cream is a very good idea!"

Activities Site:

Games were outside, and kids did get a little wet. When I brought the outside staff a snack and cups of water, they said they really didn't care to see any more water!

Water Bible Story #1 - Israelites crossing the Red Sea.

Kids enjoyed acting out the story.

Snacks:


Singing with Keith & Emily:

VBS 2010 Lift-Off: Soon!

VBS preparations are moving along smoothly under the direction of our handsome supervisor who flew all the way from Ohio just to lend a hand. Who better to know what a child would like -- than a child?!

The theme this year is WaterWorks Park.

Interns and local teens decorated the stage area today.

Late Saturday evening, we welcomed the Fairlawn youth group from Ohio -- our VBS volunteers for week #1. After canvassing the neighborhood to hand out VBS invitations on Sunday afternoon, the group enjoyed a cookout and outdoor fun (that is, if you call playing basketball and volleyball in 100+ degree heat fun!).

Yesterday, as we visited our Kids Klub children to invite them to VBS, we also did some "random" door knocking on certain streets, hoping to interest some new children in coming as well. One of those "random" stops resulted in a mother calling today and requesting that her 3 children be picked up this evening. She admitted that she does not take them to church, but she would like them to hear Bible stories.

When I receive a phone call such as that, I'm reminded of the why of children's outreach as expressed in 2 Timothy 3:14-15. Paul wrote to Timothy: "...continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

What an incredible opportunity it is to introduce a child -- perhaps even for the very first time -- to the God of the Bible and the way of salvation through Jesus!

Youth Haven: Week #2

On Friday afternoon, Andrea and I headed to Picacho to pick up 10 lively campers who had spent the week at Youth Haven Ranch. This boy in the yellow greeted us with certificate in hand -- so proud of his "Humble Servant Award."

The 5 girls:

The 5 boys:

The back of the van was crammed with their stuff. Youth Haven sent them home with large black garbage bags galore, filled with various prizes the kids had won during the week. With each unloading stop, we had to sort through the identical black garbage bags in search of each child's bag. When the final bags and luggage had been sorted and delivered, we discovered a bit of a problem -- an extra duffel bag. Upon closer inspection, it contained male clothing, in a size much larger than any of our children would wear. The verdict is still out, but it's possible that one of our campers very efficiently loaded a Youth Haven COUNSELOR'S luggage into our van! Oops...

So very happy to reach home sweet home again!

One of the campers, a 10-year-old girl, wrote: "I learned that I am God's little girl, and I will always be His little girl. And that He will always be there when I need Him." When I think about some of the challenges in her life, I am thankful that she is learning and soaking up this truth at a young age.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

In other news, you can be praying for us as final preparations are underway for our swiftly arriving two weeks of VBS: June 28-July 2 and July 5-9. The Fairlawn Mennonite Church youth group (Apple Creek, OH) will be joining us for week #1, while youth from Naumburg Mennonite Church (Castorland, NY) will be leading VBS week #2. Since the Naumburg group is a large one, they will be leading VBS at a second location as well, blessing another inner-city kids ministry with their energy and talents. In addition to evening VBS, the groups will be volunteering at St. Mary's Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul, local charities who work with the poor.

Destination: Wet 'n' Wild!

As a year-end activity, our Team FUN group spent a day at the area's newest water park called Wet 'n' Wild. I was told the day was WET and WILD, so I suppose the park must be aptly named. Special thanks to Andrea for the photos that appear below!

Youth Haven: Group One

This group of youngsters (plus one who hid during the photo) spent 3 days at Youth Haven Ranch last week. Apparently, there was swimming, bike riding, maze navigating, singing, and Bible verse memorizing, because I heard all about it on the trip back to Phoenix!

Here are a few things they learned -- in their words:

"I learned about Jesus dying for us and how we can tell other people how much God loves us and how important He is." - G., age 10

"I learned that Jesus loves you more than your parents." - P., age 9

"I learn about God and that Jesus help a blind man." - S., age 10

"I learned to be nice and I went to the church and to drink a lot of water." - A., age 8

Celebrating a Milestone

On Friday evening at Teen Night, we honored two of "our" graduates from high school, Mario and Hilda.



Darrell prayed for the graduates, and they each received a Bible as a gift from Aim Right.



I thought it might be fun to take a trip down memory lane and see a bit of the journey these graduates have taken. Here is Hilda at Aim Right's 2003 Vacation Bible School (look for the sack labeled with her name).

In 2005 on a Team FUN outing (third from the left):

2007 Teen Camp:

Baptism Fall 2007:

2009 Teen Camp:

If I had to write a few words about Hilda (which is what I appear to be doing at the moment, isn't it?), the words of Paul to Timothy seem especially appropriate:

"I am reminded of your sincere faith..." (2 Timothy 1:5)

I have observed in Hilda a faith that is sincere and a heart that genuinely wants to pursue God. That has influenced the kind of daughter, friend, and sister she has become.

Moving on to Mario....

While Hilda's family has lived in the Garfield community for years, Mario's has not. He was introduced to Aim Right through a friend and regularly began attending Aim Right programs after going to Teen Camp in 2008.

Mario has a great sense of humor and enjoys making a joyful noise to the Lord -- that noise being his awesome skills on the drums. The trio pictured below was part of the same small group at camp in 2008, and you'll still find them together several times a week -- playing worship music, cruising around in Tim's truck, talking about life and God, or laughing at a youtube video.

More photos from Camp 2008:

Serving at fundraiser in 2009:

Congratulations on reaching this milestone, Mario and Hilda!

"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion..." --Philippians 1:6