Solid Day of Service

This was a terrific day of service, sharing Bible studies at Village of Hope School with 3rd and 4th graders, as well as numerous projects to include building the coat hook racks, painting the health center, as well as painting the security houses.

However, the day started out a little dicey. Our 8:00 departure turned out to be 8:30 which was surprisingly good considering a set of keys which was the only set, was locked in a room and needed to be retrieved.  After that bit of anxiety and excitement, the van needed the battery jumped. Needless to say, the group in the van had quite a silent ride to the Village of Hope. By the time the group arrived at VOH, all was good with the world.

We lead VBS with the 3rd graders - doing our Joseph skit (this time the Oscar goes to Timothy) and then crafts. The best costume designer award goes to NILAH PUTNAM! She sewed stoles for everyone in our skit, including the slave traders; made crowns for the Pharoah and Joseph, and a prison window. All were a big hit with the kids who re-enacted the skit. The St. John's servant team is getting pretty good at this skit! LOL!

Then we had lunch with the kids. This time it was cornmeal and beans which really was a big first for us. It was still enjoyed by most! Following lunch, we did VBS with 4th grade following the same format. Then most of us who sponsor a child were able to meet with them. A few students were absent so we'll hopefully see them tomorrow.

Then we broke into teams. Scott, Sarah, and Jim were asked to lead teams and find members. There was some poaching of team members and rules had to be made but it all turned out well. Scott's team consisted of Tim, Ken, Richard, and Greer (plus Michelene, the student he used to sponsor at VOH) and they worked on the coat hook project. Sarah's team gained members and was Alli, Audrey, Lisa, Will, Tara, little Paul, plus the translators Valery, Bensond, and Evans. This team painted the front of the health center and the interior walls of the lower level. Jim's team was Cassie, Mary, Jamie, and big Paul. Jim would like you to know that Alli joined Jim's team and was much happier with them. Just sayin...

Our time at the school ended with a basketball game between Will, Tim, and Lisa against Evans (who prefers to be called Kobe Bryant), John Robert, and Bensond. It was very entertaining for everyone. There were lots of great stories today, far too many to record here. As we started, we had a terrific day sharing the joy of our Christian faith.