Vacation Bible School: God Lovingly Embarrasses me Again

 

I didn’t really encourage Nerissa to push through with this VBS using the Prayer Covenant for Children. I’m a person who is willing take on any challenge but there are times when I admit we are not equipped to pursue certain things at certain times. This was one of those times.

We we’re busy preparing for our scholars’ camp. Working with children is not really our strength. Nerissa could have a flare if she gets too tired. Ministering to children requires a lot of energy…

I tried to gently discourage Nerissa. But I knew our Lord rebuked His disciples who hindered children from coming to Him. Jesus is not only for young people and adults.

During our fellowship after the VBS graduation, all the volunteers were so happy and fulfilled even though they admitted to not particularly liking kids as well. Nerissa could not have pulled this off without our young volunteers from the scholarship program and from our fellowship who allowed themselves to be trained, and who taught, cooked their own merienda in our house every day, prepared and performed their roles most enthusiastically.

The week was just spontaneous with them since they were happy serving the Lord. Most shared that they themselves learned a lot because they had to learn the lessons before they could teach. They’ve been with our fellowship for just under a year.

One incoming grade 12 scholar tearfully testified that he remembered that when he was in elementary, he prayed for a chance to serve the Lord and he saw that serving during this VBS was God’s’ answer to that desire and prayer.

Many thanks also to Ate Carol for her prodding, cheering, and supplying of training and materials. It felt like Nerissa was in UP Diliman once again, under the leadership of Kuya Ricky and ate Carol. They were the team leaders under whom Nerissa felt most empowered.

It was also a joy to see that some of the core kids in the VBS have been with us for years now and they have been our friends already -- from the days when they just started by asking for coconuts and, malunggay, lubi-lubi, bananas, and papaya from our yard, and the days when they would just come and ask Nerissa to teach them to read or do maths.

May God be honored and pleased. May these children keep the lessons in their hearts. God has lovingly embarrassed me once again.

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When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” -- Mark 10:14-15 (NIV)

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Thank you sa video, Yeng Dajac.