VBS Day one

Chad mentioned in his blog that I am helping with a Vacation Bible School this week. The VBS is geared mainly toward Papua New Guinean children, although some "whiteskin" children are attending as well.

I am excited about helping out with this minstry for a number of reasons.

First, it's a great way to minister to the children who live here on center as well as in the neighboring villages.

Second, sometimes living here seems a bit like living in a bubble. For the most part, our neighbors are all other missionaries or Papua New Guinean believers who live and work here on center. This VBS is a great chance to reach out to the greater community here in the Eastern Highlands Province. Not only do I get to talk to kids about Jesus, but I'm working alongside many Papua New Guinean women too.

Third, it's a very "hands-on" way to do what we came here to do, give the word of God to the
people of PNG.

Lastly, and probably least important, it gives me a chance to practice my Tok Pisin. I've been trying hard to learn the language and in the 10 months we've been here I feel like I've learned a lot, but I still have a lot to learn.

The last time this VBS was held (2 years ago) there were close to 100 children who came. THis year we were hoping for even more.... God answered that prayer by sending close to 350 children on our first day! Wow!!!

Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of 350 children (from aged 2 to 14 or 15), I think of chaos. Believe it or not, it was an incredibly smooth morning. God really
came through made it an incredible morning!

Please pray for the rest of the week that we can really communicate God's love to these children. Pray that God would work in the lives of these children. Pray that this week will be the start of life changes for some of these children as they give their lives to Jesus Christ.