What would you do with an unexpected gift of time? This summer His Travelers Vacation Bible School taskforce workers had that gift given to them. Here is what they did with it.
In the midst of their busy summer schedule one church canceled their VBS plans — “leaving in its wake a week’s ‘gift of time,’” explains Patty Marsh, Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) children’s ministries director.
Gerald Haeger heard about the week available. After talking to a Spokane, Wash., Nepalese leader about a possible VBS in nearby Ruth Park, Gayle Haeger, Gerald Haeger and Wendy Urbin made a decision: “Sure, God has opened a door. Let’s move forward.”
They quickly designed/wrote their own VBS program including singing, worship story, games, crafts and snacks. They presented a biblical puppet story each evening (with puppets borrowed from Palisades Christian Academy). Urbin recruited five handpicked Students in His Service — an additional blessing to the team of His Travelers. It was a wonderful team effort.
About 45 children registered for VBS. Every evening the children would be escorted from the apartment buildings to the park and back when it was over.
On the first night a preteen Nepalese girl mentioned to a His Travelers team member that Wednesday would be her friend’s birthday. So the VBS team made that evening’s snack a beautiful birthday cake. An adult guest quietly told Urbin the girl’s family had not been able to purchase a cake so this was especially appreciated.
His Travelers is a group of young people and adults who provide Vacation Bible School support for churches around Upper Columbia Conference.
Helpers for the Napalese VBS included youth and adults from His Travelers and students who participated in the Students in His Service program through Upper Columbia Conference.
Each evening the children enjoyed a Bible story presented through puppets.
