VBS Day 3 (posted from Denise' House)

VBS DAY 3

VBS day 3 went well. We continue to have growing attendance. We did not have a single chair available for kids. Many of our kids had to give up their seats today so the students from Ukraine would have a place to sit. This was a great blessing.

I must say that it is great to see our kids stepping up to serve. Today each of the kids found some place to be served. Nothing makes a dad feel better than seeing his kids decide to serve on their own. If there's one thing I could relate to people everywhere it's that God's blessing is most placed on you when you serve others. Unfortunately too many Christians think that attending church or sunday school will give them God's blessing. Nothing in my life, anyway, has provided God's blessing like being willing to give of myself for other believers.

I fear as a western church this might actually be our biggest mis-step. We've taught the church here to depend on others and there is less a sense of wanting to give of themselves. I hope we, in eternity, do not have it as big regret that we in our zeal to bless others didn't teach people how to do the same. We live in a world of abunance and therefore it is easier to give. Then again as I think it through more this is the western churches' great failing also. We have destroyed much of the volunteer spirit.

Please don't misunderstand here. The believers here are diligent workers for Christ. Their love for him shows everywhere in their life. I would just hate to see them miss the joy and excitement that comes with giving tithes and offerings to further the work elsewhere and outside themselves. God reminds us that from those who are given much, much is required. We also have to remember that he uses the gift of a coin from a poor woman as an example of a true giving heart. From the rich young ruler he required *everything*. This is a truth we all as Christians have difficulty comprehending or at least wanting to comprehend.

Ok.. Enough sermon for today's blog. Here's some more photo's.



You can see, the room is now FULL -- REALLY FULL. We are blessed with full rooms and lots of kids wanting to participate.








Denise doing what she does best. Making sure everyone has their place and purpose. She is truly a gifted administrator.







Some of the Ukranian Kids enjoying American style "smores" after their lesson. I must say it was very heart warming seeing the kids learn their verses and recite them. I miss that in our churches in America.





The kids played their recorders for the VBS.
Technically this was YESTERDAY -- but I didn't get a picture of it and Denise's camera had one :-)






Jim Hoekwater doing his thing in front of the congregation. With interpreter Lena (excuse the spelling, but it sounds like Lynn-a)










I didn't get a picture of this Sunday but Denise did and I got a copy from her. This is Amy getting ready to play her flute for the full church. It was very enjoyable.








The kids playing games during VBS.








Game time and our kids helping.








Sometimes the students REALLY pay attention. We notice it especially when Kent and Anton are speaking. Many of the kids lack male role models at home and having families working together in ministry has been noticed.





Kent mid lesson. Kent is obviously at his best under pressure and when teaching. Teaching (for those that don't know) is what Kent does for a living. He appears to be right at home doing it here as well -- even if he says he's nervous before he starts. We are thankful for you Kent!




The kids crashing at Denise's house. A little oasis that feels like home in a very foreign world. Pizza! Coca Cola Light! Ice Cream!







PRAYER REQUESTS FOR DAY 4

Pray that we finish strong. All of us are running 15-20 hour days and we are starting to get tired. Pray for the local missionaries. They are working here 24/7. We hope they don't run these hours all of the time and this is just because we're here and have special events planned but pray none the less. We have dedicated servants of Jesus here that mean well and deal with all of the same problems that every other family has to deal with.

Brett & Katie have some decision making to do shortly. They have 3 kids under 4 (twins that go 90 miles an hour) and Katie has a sick mother in California without long to live. Brett has commitments here that he can't leave so Katie may be leaving short term with the kids. Pray that they make it through this time intact and that God will bless them for their service.

Kurt and Rochelle Zurburg are from Holland Michigan. They aren't Calvary missionaries either but could not have closer kindred spirits. They are missionaries for many of the other churches in our area including the church I was born and raised at in Kalamazoo. They are special people and we pray God's grace on their ministry and their family.

Pray that Denise makes it through the week. She's doing fine and obviously in her element but she's in overdrive. More than 20 people at the same time would probably kill her. We are so thankful for her hospitality and help in this ministry.

BIGGEST IMMEDIATE REQUEST. We are doing a MENS NIGHT shortly (two hours from now - 7-9pm here!). Nearly ever man we've come in contact with has said they will see us there. Pray that each of us men as we speak have the right words. Pray that our interpreters are clear. We will be translated into multiple languages tonight as we will have people from Syria and other areas of the middle east as well as most of the former Soviet areas. Pray that we have just the right words for these men as they have seldom seen men from the Western church other than full time missionaries that work here.

More later if time allows!! Slava Bogu! (Praise God) we have made it this far!