The VBS Ministry 2013: "BugZone"

For so long years, alas! I got to experience or take part of the VBS ministry again.... I couldn't actually remember my last time of taking part on the VBS ministry... Although, I actually haven't fully been immersed into it, as I only was an Overseer of the VBS ministry that was held on three places (Apalan-Bingo-Guisset, Beckel & Gumatdang), where my father has been reaching out or church pioneering. But as I've said, I didn't get into the real battle or on the heat of the battle. Nevertheless, it's an awesome awestruck challenging with matching shocking disappointing but grateful still experience... Can't really define or describe what experience we had to go through... The whole three VBS was all-in-all AN EXPERIENCE.... and I can't fathom what I really feel right now... It's a mixture of many emotions, positive and negative...

Well, at first.... I hardly can imagine what should or would happen on a VBS event.. although I got the picture of what VBS is all about, the INs and OUTs was quite a mystery to me. Thank God, there are those people who has experiences into it. There was one who had experience but can't be in the field of it, instead, simply helped in planning and in decision making. That was Janice! and chose to pass on the responsible of being the director to new breed of young people (hehe!) namely, Rynelle and Liberty. The important thing was, they were willing to take the challenge and I was simply still in the figuring out stage.... 

Teachers and finances was the next stage of problem, therefore, we solicited and asked for available people. And, praise God there were those who responded to help! But we had to really also balance our personnel and financial status. To handle three (3) VBS was quite a big mountain for us! But we had to take the challenge and to start walking by Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, believing and trusting Him that He would lead us and provide our needs. We set our target number of kids for every place... Having previous VBS in Apalan-Guisset, we set our number from 40-50 kids, and having our first time of VBS in Beckel and Gumatdang, we set 30-40 and 20-30 kids respectively. 

Finances perhaps was the biggest worry, as our days were numbered. But thank God, He indeed provided as timely as He could be. Through His people and His church, He provided everything that was needed. With much gratefulness as well to those who were willing to take part through giving financial support, may God bless them continuously! 

The first VBS held in Guisset proved to be exciting, amazing and challenging seeing kids coming from distant places such as Apalan and Bingo, having probably 45 minutes to 1 hour of walking for kids.. such is a great reminder and challenge for the teachers... Young people from Guisset helped along with the young people from Loakan to take the challenge of teaching the kids in the area. The weather too was quite challenging, as the heat of the sun may have scorched us. Distance proved to be really challenging as the teachers visited the kids in the most farthest, Bingo and Apalan. There were about 37 kids as highest attendance and had 35 kids to end with.

VBS in Beckel was next, just after the three days (morning and afternoon) Guisset VBS. The challenge for the teachers was sickness and tiredness. As we had our Wednesday Prayer meeting in Beckel along with the teachers from Loakan, I sensed their tired body and also most of them got sick suddenly. Strangely enough, there were no nurse amongst us! Perhaps the days of nurses are gone or have passed away, soon to rise again... hehe! But again, Praise God as He sustained us all through out! Far more than this, God allowed us to reach about 43 kids as to be our highest number and ended with about 33-35 kids. After such a week of VBS, we had a break for a week before the next VBS in Gumatdang.

Then came, start of Gumatdang! Thank God, He allowed again to provide financial help for this VBS in Gumatdang. It felt like there was no funds to be used, but alas, still He touched people to give and to help. Rynelle wasn't able to come with us for this VBS, so Liberty had to take charge and additional help came, in person of Ruth and Feby. We had only 27 kids at first, but the very youngest prove to be exhausting and energy drainers... hehe! we had 11-12 3-5 year old kids having different kinds of personalities and interests. Most of them were very active ones. Furthermore, as God works in the area, so does the enemy strikes against us. It's really quite hard to be in the battle field of Christian life. But still, again, Praise God as He led us through finishing the VBS in Gumatdang.

All throughout the three VBS, I had some quite an experience. Though I personally did not teach or something, I had the opportunity to remind, challenge, rebuke and even encourage the teachers through our daily morning devotions. And, praying that indeed every word I've shared through God's Word are indeed a heart-changing or heart-breaking one for the Lord. 

Such indeed were the experiences... leaving such a trail to be seen and followed by younger ones and  leading to more challenges and bigger ones. And yet I know, God will always lead us through. 

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Add'l info:

Guisset Teachers & Staff - (from Loakan) Lyndon, Rou Jay, Jericho, Shaira, Aljon, Donna, Liberty, Rynelle, Diana, Jeremiah, Roldan. (from Guisset & Boneco) Hazel, EJ Marie, Faith Ann, Hannah Mae, Kim, Georgie Yvette, Jhunalie and Raffellyne 

Beckel Teachers & Staff - (from Loakan) Rou Jay, Shaira, Donna, Liberty, Rynelle, Diana, Jeremiah, Roldan. (from Beckel) Rizal & Renneth

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200716764457472&l=7891cb078d
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200716765617501&l=7b2264f0c4
Gumatdang Teachers & Staff - (from Loakan) Rou Jay, Shaira, Donna, Liberty, Diana, Jeremiah, Ruth, Feby, Jericho, Roldan. (from Beckel) Rizal & Renneth. (Lyndon, Aljon & Rynelle came for the 3rd day)

Overseer: Roldan

Directors: Rynelle and Liberty

Secretary: Diana

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For those who gave time, effort, finances, prayers, and any support not mentioned: Thank you very much! and May God continually bless you as you continue to be part or take part of His ministry! Glory be to God the Almighty! =)