Vacation Bible School is in town in a big
way. Of course that could be taken
several ways. One way would be to point
to the fact that the biggest church in Galveston is having VBS this week. And that would be true. Moody Methodist is in full swing. The other way to look at it is that so is
Seaside VBS. And that always means …
well, at Seaside it you can never saw “always” about anything. Too much flux. Too many variables. You never know what will happen there.
And the first day proved accurate. A group from Mineral Wells is actually
leading our VBS this year. They are
primarily junior high students with two ladies who seem really good at what
they do. They are taking more of a
backyard Bible Club approach rather than a full blown Bible school. Probably a good choice, because it allows for
a lot of flexibility. They set up Monday
morning to do a block party to introduce the action. Didn’t have many takers, but I think it was
good experience for their kids. One
small group was entertaining Nathan, Cailyn and me by trying to make some
balloon animals. Stellera (named after
her two grandmothers Stella and Sarah) was pretty good at it. Haley, on the other hand, exploded five or
six before she gave up. Josh just wanted
someone to make him a sword. He was kind
of bummed because he forgot his fishing pole.
Andrew the Banana Man wore his banana suit and waved at cars. Gavin and Colton showed off their super
absorbent necklaces from camp. They all
had a great time in the bounce house before several groups went out into the
neighborhood trying to find kids to invite.
One grandma did drive up with her grandson just as we were putting
things away for lunch. She said a very
nice young gentleman had invited them, and she was wondering when things were going
to be happening. They didn’t stay, but
assured us they would be back. Finally,
Macy went out of her way to spend time playing with Cailyn and made a friend
for life.
Cailyn was the only kid that came the first
night. Not that unusual an experience
for resort area ministries, by the way.
By that time I had determined that the leaders really weren’t sure what to
do beyond the actual VBS time. So I sent
some more teams out with flyers I had made that afternoon to look for more
kids, and I encouraged them all to hang in there. Cailyn did get there, and they went through
their whole VBS experience just for her.
Think she minded being the center of attention? That would be a no. She loved it, and pretty much had her new
friend Macy all to herself. The verse
for the week is 2 Timothy 1:7, all about fear. I ended up running the sound and computer for
them to show their videos and sing songs.
Even had to “encourage” one of their guys who felt that he was too cool
to do the motions or sing. I got a
little crazy with dancing around. Then I
assured him a bit, “If this 150 year old guy can do this, so can you.” And then I “helped” him stand up and get
moving. Don’t think he’ll forget the
crazy man pastor from Galveston any time soon.
I may have to provide the same assistance for a few of their adults
tonight.
I did get to spend some time talking with
one of the adult counselors. Cecil wanted
me to show him the places with easiest access so he could take his son fishing
and not get pummeled by waves. It was
difficult, but I forced myself to talk about fishing just a bit.
Day one went pretty well, even with just
one child. Cailyn did give new meaning
to a game of duck, duck, goose, though.
She tapped Macy on the head and took off running across the field. The rest of the group was stunned for a second
or two, then began cheering her on. The
game was just not the same after that.
The younger boys took their cue from Cailyn, and when they were
selected, chased each other upstairs and around the building and back. Ah, the energy. Cailyn did ask me on the way to her house if
there would be more children there tomorrow.
I told her, “I sure hope so, but I do know Macy will be there.” And she smiled.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of
love and of self-discipline.”
Father, draw some more kids out to VBS
tonight so these guys from Mineral Wells don’t get too disappointed. And give old Cecil and his son a good day of
fishing. Amen.
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