VBS! Iglesia Impacto

VBS! Iglesia Impacto

Posted by Ashley Hoover

So, it's been a while, I know, I know, each time I promise to get better and post more regularly. It's my new goal to post something once a week. I can't say I'll post each week on a certain day as ministry schedules can change from week to week, but I will do it!

Earlier this month the church I attend here in Honduras, Iglesia Impacto (Impact Church) held their second VBS of the year and I was able to help out. They hold two a year, one in January for the children in traditional public schools and one in July for those in bilingual schools that run on the same calendar year as schools in the US. (Kinda confusing huh? Two different school year schedules can make some of the ministry here a challenge)

Average daily attendance was around 108 children with a total attendance of about 120 during the week. Of those 120 that came 50+ were counseled by mature Christians that made up the evangelism team (an aspect I'd never seen before but really liked. This group was dedicated just to counsel children that showing interest or expressed a desire to receive Jesus as their Savior. They took those children one on one to a quiet place to talk to them, leaving the other teachers free to continue the activities with the rest of the group.) Of those counseled 26 made professions of faith in Christ.

It was a blessing to help with the 7-9 year olds. In my group were several children that other missionaries have taken off the streets and given a home. Getting to share the love of God with all the children in my group made me very happy and I was sad when the week was over. Some of the children I'll see around church but some I may never see again. I know seeds were planted and we saw God work in big ways.

Here are some photos to get a little glimpse of what our week was like.

Game time

Each day there was a short skit. This one was about how to board a train to Heaven.

The children loved this thing.

Even the adults got in on the fun!

Bible lesson time. They used the "Knowing Christ" lessons from CEF. Talking about how Christ is the Good Shepherd, Bread of Life, etc.

There were around 30 children in our group.

Craft time. They made doorhangers and a mobile based on the lessons each day.

Singing "If I were a butterfly" that one took me back a few years. ;)

Water balloon toss!

This game I never quite understood...the idea is not to get touched but the rules kinda of escaped me. The kids played it all the time.

Snack break.

These little guys and I became good friends during the week. from L-R Resueh, Fernando y Jafeth, rescued from street life, they have seen them change over the years they have been coming to church.

Learning the memory verse.

Working on their door hangers. Somehow I didn't get a picture of a finished one.

For the closing ceremony the last day each age group gave a short presentation of something they learned during the week. Here the little guys are reciting the memory verse: "I am the Good Shepherd..."

The 10-12 girls did a short drama from each day.

The 10-12 boys presented a drama on Bartimaus. I don't have pics of my group since I was helping.

Each child received a gift for attending.

Those with the most points (for saying memory verses, inviting friends, etc.) also got a prize.

The three boys with the most points.