Good things come in threes

We started off at Silver City with several smiling helpers and….three kids. Half-joking, one of the helpers asked if we were going to go knocking on doors. That inspired our 8 year old- “I can go ask…” and listed off all his friends. I volunteered to go too, since he decided his 5 year old sister wasn’t old enough to go alone with him. :-P How wonderful to hear an 8 year old holler across the street to his friend on a bike- “Hey! Wanna go to church?”

We got no takers that day, but by Wednesday we were up to 8 kids. And that's why it’s important to knock on doors. 

We had a good week. On the last day, I was worried again about turnout, because it was pouring down rain. It was a heart-warming sight to see two small raincoats come in the door, followed by a few brave others. We dried off, ate breakfast, and had a wonderful day. 

Would the real Rivet please stand up?

I was amazed by their creativity. The craft the last day is decorating a bag to carry the other crafts home. Some of them requested a second bag so they could make a puppet. So, we had Rivet the plush puppet meet many Rivet the paper puppets. 

As always, it is the little things that are important. Little moments like:

• the kindness of a 12 year old girl reassuring a boy who had "messed up" his craft
• the 5 year old girl giving a dandelion to one of our helpers
• sidewalk chalk art projects
• the helpers cheering for Esther all week long like we did in our interactive story the first day
• a boy absolutely beaming as he was given the job of PowerPoint slide mover- and did it well.

On being mobile (or, how to put a Bible school in a car.)

Did you know you can fit 95% of the MUMMs van's VBS materials into a Buick? This was an important lesson I learned this week as the van was in the shop being uncooperative. My grandparents were gracious enough to lend me their big car, so Dean Martin and I rolled down the highway to Van Buren County.

Kids put together quilt squares for the church as a VBS souvenir

We had eleven kids the first day at Milton and were up to seventeen by the end. We wound up doing lots of camp songs at first because while I was absolutely certain I had taken my copy of the Workshop of Wonders CD, do you think I could find it? Not until the second day when my craft volunteer brought it to me- right from the box I had set it in a few days before. Over and over God teaches me that things will not work out the way I plan them, but they will work out. I must be a slow learner at this concept. I'm getting plenty of practice this summer.


We were all pleased to have lots of older kids come. I pulled out the karate song right away, and it seemed to pass the "cool enough for middle school boys" test. But later on, I was also thrilled to see them doing the actions for (AND SINGING) "Jesus Loves Me" that a first grade girl requested we sing. We sang that a lot this week. I told them if that's all they learned at Bible school, that was ok.

This church had a very small congregation, but that meant a fairly large percentage of them turned out to help. Some volunteers also came from outside their congregation, which was great too. Lunches were so wonderful that I had to include a picture of our cooks. They knew how to put together a tasty, healthy meal in a place where hunger really is an issue.

I hope to get some JOY campers from this week. Many seemed interested. One boy was so excited about the idea that he snatched the flier out of my hand as soon as I told him it was free. ("Free?! My mom loves that word!") He then proceeded to give me a big hug.

Sometimes a problem with being mobile is that you feel a little rootless. Luckily, this was not the case here.  I got to enjoy lunches with my little cousin who came to VBS (and chat with his mom as she picked him up.) I got to stay with a dear friend, Karen, whose picture may well be next to "hospitality" in the dictionary. And I got to go with her to a supper and Bible study at her friends' house, where the food and conversation were so good I look forward to going back next time I stay with her- which will be soon!

 

Double the Fun!

Dear Mr. Ed Wilson,
You said it was going to rain this afternoon. 8:30-12:00  is not afternoon. That is all. 

"Allison, what is your rain plan?" -Sharoll
"Stay under the canopy and don't talk about Noah." -Allison 


So, despite being a little damp and chilly, we got off to a great start at VBS in the park Tuesday. Last year at this site, we averaged about 6 kids and as many helpers. Today, we had nearly 20 kids (awesome!). While this was slightly overwhelming when confined to a canopy tent, we still sang, learned the story of Esther, made an accordion book craft, played with a parachute, and finally enjoyed some warm pigs in a blanket.

My favorite part: I asked the kids how they
can be brave like Esther even when they're scared. One little girl raised her hand and said we could pray to God. The girl behind her disagreed- "He can't hear us clear up in the sky!" So we had a good discussion about that. Most importantly, though, we got to learn about God firsthand, as volunteers got soaked while putting up tarps to keep us dry, helpers gave up their own raincoats to warm chilly children, and we all showed extra patience with each other. I am oh-so-thankful for the wonderful people who let God's love shine through them. That made it a beautiful day.

I am enjoying having Cherie Miner, new director of MUMMs, travel with me as we do not one, but TWO Bible schools this week. We're getting immersed in the music, lessons, and crafts before we each head out on our own. This way we'll do twice as many VBSes this summer- look for us soon in a small town near you!