VBS - Day 2
We didn't stop yesterday until 10:30 last night; hence, the blog isn't getting written until this morning and by me, since everyone is still sleeping!
Last night we were trying to decide if it was going all too fast (wow, we're almost halfway), or if time never seemed to pass (it's only Tuesday!). I don't think we have a consensus yet. I have the feeling that when we say our final good-byes today after camp, it will seem as though it has gone way too fast.
Well, we had an amazing day two of camp yesterday. Admittedly, the students were dragging in the morning. Breakfast and the bus ride were relatively quiet, eyelids were only half open, and the aches and pains of hard labor were definitely present. But, when the students met the kids at the gate, and the children burst into the ranch, it was "game on." Reagan, Aidan, and Carson have been very helpful with our large group welcome and announcements, making good use of their Spanish training. After singing and dancing to our theme song, "Submerged," with the children, we were off to our Bible lessons about the blind man. Each group did a skit about the blind man, Jesus, Pharisees, disciples, and by-standers using the children as actors. It was fun to hear the children recount the story later in our morning.
Our rotation times were so fun! Games had a blow-up pool and did some awesome relays and races, crafts made a mock compass, and music worked on two songs ("Submerged" and "You Know Me"). It was a blessing to hear the children respond to the question, "WHO knows me?" God! The snack was over the top. The students made submarines out of Twinkies! They used a bent straw for the periscope, fruit loops attached with frosting for the portholes, and a lifesaver gummy for the hatch. This was the first Twinkie for these kids, and they really didn't know what to do with it! As Grant said, he actually taught someone how to eat a Twinkie! It was even the first for our ministry partner, Brinson, and after giving it a try, he definitely could see what the hype was about when Hostess almost went belly-up. The kids loved them! Sweets are definitely favorites of Nicaraguans. They prefer cookies to chips, for sure, so it was a big hit...plus, it was so cute! Thank you, Lifeway, for such great ideas!
Lunch for the kids was a little later than usual, so it was 1:30 before our students sat down for another round of PB&J. Then, the half of the students who had not yet been to Henry's hopped in the trucks and went to his home to deliver furniture. This was such a blessing to his family! It included a bed for him and his wife, a Spider-Man bed for his son, Oliver, some dressers, rockers, mirrors, and a few other miscellaneous items. We thank God and our supporters for providing such a wonderful gift to this special family. Every year, the students get to know Henry while working alongside him. He's quiet, humble, and a "beast" when it comes to hard work. He models character and determination to our students, even though he doesn't speak any English.
We didn't have much time left in the afternoon for work projects, but the girls made another dent in the painting project at Henry's, and the other group of girls and boys wrapped up some digging and clean-up work. A small group managed to test and tune the zip line to get that ready for use. We got on the bus knowing we would be late for dinner back at the Quinta, so when we arrived back at the campus, we went immediately to dinner. Students were able to shower before returning at 8:30 for debrief.
Our debrief time continued to unpack Isaiah 58. We talked about what it would look like to experience and know God's presence, something most of us deeply desire. To actually contemplate what that really means was enriching. The students were able to articulate and encourage each other. Using an acronym from Beth Moore, we were able to STOP - Savor The Observable Presence of God.
The students are doing an amazing job of being the hands and feet and face of Christ. Mathay pumped us up for our last day of ministry at the ranch by motivating us to push through our own inadequacies, tiredness, and soreness, and live for Christ all-in for our last day today. Thanks for praying!
Last night we were trying to decide if it was going all too fast (wow, we're almost halfway), or if time never seemed to pass (it's only Tuesday!). I don't think we have a consensus yet. I have the feeling that when we say our final good-byes today after camp, it will seem as though it has gone way too fast.
Well, we had an amazing day two of camp yesterday. Admittedly, the students were dragging in the morning. Breakfast and the bus ride were relatively quiet, eyelids were only half open, and the aches and pains of hard labor were definitely present. But, when the students met the kids at the gate, and the children burst into the ranch, it was "game on." Reagan, Aidan, and Carson have been very helpful with our large group welcome and announcements, making good use of their Spanish training. After singing and dancing to our theme song, "Submerged," with the children, we were off to our Bible lessons about the blind man. Each group did a skit about the blind man, Jesus, Pharisees, disciples, and by-standers using the children as actors. It was fun to hear the children recount the story later in our morning.
Our rotation times were so fun! Games had a blow-up pool and did some awesome relays and races, crafts made a mock compass, and music worked on two songs ("Submerged" and "You Know Me"). It was a blessing to hear the children respond to the question, "WHO knows me?" God! The snack was over the top. The students made submarines out of Twinkies! They used a bent straw for the periscope, fruit loops attached with frosting for the portholes, and a lifesaver gummy for the hatch. This was the first Twinkie for these kids, and they really didn't know what to do with it! As Grant said, he actually taught someone how to eat a Twinkie! It was even the first for our ministry partner, Brinson, and after giving it a try, he definitely could see what the hype was about when Hostess almost went belly-up. The kids loved them! Sweets are definitely favorites of Nicaraguans. They prefer cookies to chips, for sure, so it was a big hit...plus, it was so cute! Thank you, Lifeway, for such great ideas!
Lunch for the kids was a little later than usual, so it was 1:30 before our students sat down for another round of PB&J. Then, the half of the students who had not yet been to Henry's hopped in the trucks and went to his home to deliver furniture. This was such a blessing to his family! It included a bed for him and his wife, a Spider-Man bed for his son, Oliver, some dressers, rockers, mirrors, and a few other miscellaneous items. We thank God and our supporters for providing such a wonderful gift to this special family. Every year, the students get to know Henry while working alongside him. He's quiet, humble, and a "beast" when it comes to hard work. He models character and determination to our students, even though he doesn't speak any English.
We didn't have much time left in the afternoon for work projects, but the girls made another dent in the painting project at Henry's, and the other group of girls and boys wrapped up some digging and clean-up work. A small group managed to test and tune the zip line to get that ready for use. We got on the bus knowing we would be late for dinner back at the Quinta, so when we arrived back at the campus, we went immediately to dinner. Students were able to shower before returning at 8:30 for debrief.
Our debrief time continued to unpack Isaiah 58. We talked about what it would look like to experience and know God's presence, something most of us deeply desire. To actually contemplate what that really means was enriching. The students were able to articulate and encourage each other. Using an acronym from Beth Moore, we were able to STOP - Savor The Observable Presence of God.
The students are doing an amazing job of being the hands and feet and face of Christ. Mathay pumped us up for our last day of ministry at the ranch by motivating us to push through our own inadequacies, tiredness, and soreness, and live for Christ all-in for our last day today. Thanks for praying!
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