The Real Work

And so we come to the end of VBS week. The saddest day of the week for me. It's hard enough having to clean up the Chapel and to disassemble my beloved Echo Bay, but the most difficult part is saying goodbye to the kids I've grown so attached to in only a week's time. It doesn't hit you until it happens that it's your last half hour to be with them (each rotation), and it feels like you have to say good-bye almost as soon as you've said hello. But still, that is when you remember this amazing truth: the real work begins after VBS ends. As exciting and fun-filled as Vacation Bible School week is, it's after that week is over that you begin to establish permanent contacts and to see children come to Christ and be baptized in the Sundays ahead. VBS itself is a seed that's planted in their lives for Christ to do His work and spur families to unite with our church or lead them to dedicate themselves to Him.

I received a few "treats" today. A kid named Jonathan gave me a courage bracelet just as he was leaving with his group. What a nice gift, and it's orange as well! I saw him break into a huge grin as I slipped it onto my wrist and held it up for him to see. He's a real conscientious kid for his age; even wanted to work with me "after hours" for extra practice on the Arctic Edge motions. You don't get to see that very often!

Abigail and Tiffani swarmed me with hugs at the end of their rotation, along with Victoria and Mary Katherine. It never gets old watching them do the motions with me each morning. One girl named Jewel has a very expressive voice that you have to hear to know what I mean. She asked me to sit next to her during our "wrap up" Worship Rally today, and she positioned my arm around her just the way she wanted it. She's so cute and fun to listen to. I think I only had to get on her once when I caught her trying to eat a LifeSavers candy with the plastic still on it.

Well, I issued the challenge this morning with my third rotation; bar none, the loudest and most consistent group I have had this entire week. I told them about Anna Kate being on vacation in Edisto, and how I had promised I'd call her at some point during the week in one of my music classes and let her know what she was missing out on by not being here. The kids all lit up with smiles and got really excited. So I cranked up Arctic Edge and I dialed Anna Kate's number on my cell phone. She must have picked up at some point because I never said a word into the mouthpiece. I held the phone out to the kids and let their LOUD voices ring through! After a minute or so, I hung up and went back to leading, and I found out later that she did pick up and got the message loud and clear! That'll teach you not to go to the beach during VBS week! Haha! Just kidding, hon. :)

Pastor Randy did a wonderful job leading the Worship Rally yesterday morning. It was decision day, so that's of course the most important day of the week. I think at least 20+ kids made that decision to become followers of Jesus Christ that morning. PRAISE GOD!! INCREDIBLE!! It really feels as if you're being witness to a harvest of souls all around you as these kids, at so young an age, are already making the most important decision of their entire lives. Of course they only have a childlike understanding of what that decision means right now, and they'll certainly face tougher challenges in the years to come, but it's still a time to celebrate because their salvation has been assured, their names are written in the Book of the Lamb, and they have now become children of the King.

And of course, we did another rendition of "Little White Box!" Ask me sometime; I'll tell you what that means.

What an incredible week! I'm dead on my feet right now, but I'm happy and content both inside and out. I guess I'll sign off for now. Until next time, be strong, be courageous, and follow Jesus! (the kids can scream that louder than I can)! :)

Goodnight and God bless!