Yesterday was the third day for VBS, and I must say that VBS down here is totally different than VBS in the states. For one thing, they don't have nearly the equipment, props, resources or money to pour into elaborate themes. They simply come to hear the Word of God, play some games, and do some crafts. They love getting attention from everyone here, and sometimes they can even try our patience as they push the boundaries in behavior. Many of the kids here are new to the home and what they came from never had the discipline like many of us our used to. They are starving for love and attention. It was very encouraging to see our team loving on the kids and sharing the love of God, our theme of VBS, this week. The kids were definitely blessed by them. I will say this though, these kids here know the Scripture. In fact, one of the kids in my group kept quoting the Scriptures that Gerry was using for the VBS. Each time he said the passage, he would shout out the passage. It definitely puts us to shame in America. Many of us don't hide the Word in our heart like these kids do. I know it's really challenged me to memorize more of God's Word.
Last night, we had some devotional time with the older kids, and I must say that it went really well. We sang one Hillsong worship song and then the older kids sang some Jamaican worship songs. It is really neat to be able to sing and worship with people from a different country and race. Jesus Christ is the one that keeps us all together and unifies us in Him. I am so glad that our team was able to talk with the kids and be encouraged by what they shared. There is one young man here named Brian who shared his testimony about coming to Christ. He was in another home, on for bad kids even though he wasn't bad, and he got saved at a church service while in that home. The kids at the home would ridicule him and make fun of him for being a Christian but he was able to stay strong in his faith. A short time later, the director of that home moved Brian over to New Vision. I felt very strongly that he has a mantle upon his life as he spoke and just encouraged him that it was no mistake that God moved him to this home. He was to be a leader for those kids coming up. After service all the kids stayed up to play some foursquare and work on some crafts for the next day's VBS.
Today was the final day of VBS and it was pretty cool. All the kids had a great time this week and we made lots of new friends. We have also been doing some service projects here as well, like painting, cleaning rooms in the new building, and some other odd jobs around the grounds. The team has done a great job with everything. They took a trip around the farm with Mr. Bunny this afternoon to see some of the things they grow here at the home. I would have to say that sugar cane is my favorite. They cut the stalk and you chew and suck on the juices. Once the juices are done, you just spit the stalk out. It's pretty cool. God is doing some great things here. I keep hearing all the kids singing some of the VBS songs. One girl kept singing about Daniel and the lion's den, the lions den, the lions den, and I just had one of the boys come in singing, "Dig a hole, Dig a hole, Dig a hole, and put the devil in it!"
The week has been great and we are tired! Tomorrow we are heading back to Montego Bay for our fun day. The beach, shopping, and some good food! I can't wait for that, but I also can't wait to sleep in my own bed!
p. jon
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
VBS Day Three and Four
Yesterday was the third day for VBS, and I must say that VBS down here is totally different than VBS in the states. For one thing, they don't have nearly the equipment, props, resources or money to pour into elaborate themes. They simply come to hear the Word of God, play some games, and do some crafts. They love getting attention from everyone here, and sometimes they can even try our patience as they push the boundaries in behavior. Many of the kids here are new to the home and what they came from never had the discipline like many of us our used to. They are starving for love and attention. It was very encouraging to see our team loving on the kids and sharing the love of God, our theme of VBS, this week. The kids were definitely blessed by them. I will say this though, these kids here know the Scripture. In fact, one of the kids in my group kept quoting the Scriptures that Gerry was using for the VBS. Each time he said the passage, he would shout out the passage. It definitely puts us to shame in America. Many of us don't hide the Word in our heart like these kids do. I know it's really challenged me to memorize more of God's Word.
Last night, we had some devotional time with the older kids, and I must say that it went really well. We sang one Hillsong worship song and then the older kids sang some Jamaican worship songs. It is really neat to be able to sing and worship with people from a different country and race. Jesus Christ is the one that keeps us all together and unifies us in Him. I am so glad that our team was able to talk with the kids and be encouraged by what they shared. There is one young man here named Brian who shared his testimony about coming to Christ. He was in another home, on for bad kids even though he wasn't bad, and he got saved at a church service while in that home. The kids at the home would ridicule him and make fun of him for being a Christian but he was able to stay strong in his faith. A short time later, the director of that home moved Brian over to New Vision. I felt very strongly that he has a mantle upon his life as he spoke and just encouraged him that it was no mistake that God moved him to this home. He was to be a leader for those kids coming up. After service all the kids stayed up to play some foursquare and work on some crafts for the next day's VBS.
Today was the final day of VBS and it was pretty cool. All the kids had a great time this week and we made lots of new friends. We have also been doing some service projects here as well, like painting, cleaning rooms in the new building, and some other odd jobs around the grounds. The team has done a great job with everything. They took a trip around the farm with Mr. Bunny this afternoon to see some of the things they grow here at the home. I would have to say that sugar cane is my favorite. They cut the stalk and you chew and suck on the juices. Once the juices are done, you just spit the stalk out. It's pretty cool. God is doing some great things here. I keep hearing all the kids singing some of the VBS songs. One girl kept singing about Daniel and the lion's den, the lions den, the lions den, and I just had one of the boys come in singing, "Dig a hole, Dig a hole, Dig a hole, and put the devil in it!"
The week has been great and we are tired! Tomorrow we are heading back to Montego Bay for our fun day. The beach, shopping, and some good food! I can't wait for that, but I also can't wait to sleep in my own bed!
p. jon
Last night, we had some devotional time with the older kids, and I must say that it went really well. We sang one Hillsong worship song and then the older kids sang some Jamaican worship songs. It is really neat to be able to sing and worship with people from a different country and race. Jesus Christ is the one that keeps us all together and unifies us in Him. I am so glad that our team was able to talk with the kids and be encouraged by what they shared. There is one young man here named Brian who shared his testimony about coming to Christ. He was in another home, on for bad kids even though he wasn't bad, and he got saved at a church service while in that home. The kids at the home would ridicule him and make fun of him for being a Christian but he was able to stay strong in his faith. A short time later, the director of that home moved Brian over to New Vision. I felt very strongly that he has a mantle upon his life as he spoke and just encouraged him that it was no mistake that God moved him to this home. He was to be a leader for those kids coming up. After service all the kids stayed up to play some foursquare and work on some crafts for the next day's VBS.
Today was the final day of VBS and it was pretty cool. All the kids had a great time this week and we made lots of new friends. We have also been doing some service projects here as well, like painting, cleaning rooms in the new building, and some other odd jobs around the grounds. The team has done a great job with everything. They took a trip around the farm with Mr. Bunny this afternoon to see some of the things they grow here at the home. I would have to say that sugar cane is my favorite. They cut the stalk and you chew and suck on the juices. Once the juices are done, you just spit the stalk out. It's pretty cool. God is doing some great things here. I keep hearing all the kids singing some of the VBS songs. One girl kept singing about Daniel and the lion's den, the lions den, the lions den, and I just had one of the boys come in singing, "Dig a hole, Dig a hole, Dig a hole, and put the devil in it!"
The week has been great and we are tired! Tomorrow we are heading back to Montego Bay for our fun day. The beach, shopping, and some good food! I can't wait for that, but I also can't wait to sleep in my own bed!
p. jon
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