We weren’t sure what to expect. Last year, 5 or 6 children had participated in Pan de Vida’s Easter week VBS. Since we’d canvased the church’s surrounding neighborhood—rubberbanding 350 flyers onto fence posts and doorknobs, we hoped for a few more children this year.
But we were uncertain. As Pastor Lorenz had warned, no one except a few church kids filled out the registration form before our first day of VBS. We expected (and hoped) that most of our children would be “walk-ins.”
We weren’t sure what to expect.
On Monday, 12 children trickle in throughout the first half hour. The next day, all 12 returned—plus one more! On Wednesday, we hit our peak number of 18. Each child who came returned at least once (most of them were there for all 5 days)! It’s also significant that most of these children were not Pan de Vida attendees—Pastor Lorenz told us that he knew only 6 of the 18.
It’s also significant that most of these children were not Pan de Vida attendees—Pastor Lorenz told us that he knew only 6 of the 18.
The VBS week was a bit of an adventure for our team of 9. A couple of the littlest children spoke very limited English, and at times it was difficult to tell how much of the stories the children, especially the younger ones, really understood. Despite this, one thing was quite certain—the children had a great time. Their joyful smiles, affectionate hugs, and exuberant energy were testaments to this.
We don’t know how the Lord touched each of these children, but we do know this: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11.
We don’t know how the Lord touched each of these children, but we do know this: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11.
So we know that when we speak the Word of the Lord, it will accomplish His purpose, and we also know that these children are dear to their Father in Heaven: “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” – Matthew19:14
Many thanks to our St. Luke family for supporting us on this mission, both with you financial gifts and prayers!
