Seeking the Gold

          We want to thank the Joelton church of Christ for sharing their VBS material again this year. We thank Steve and Darlene Newlin, Candie Putman, Carolyn Hagewood, and Abbey Troxler for hauling it down in their suitcases – it’s heavy! We want to give an extra thank you to Abbey, who, though on the countdown to her wedding, came to help us in VBS – she spent hours making posters, decorations, and helped in the games department. And most of all, we thank God to be able to give our children an experience that they will remember for a long time.

          The theme, The Gold Rush, was adapted to Brazil’s historical discovery of gold in Minas Gerais in 1698 by the adventurer Antonio Dias. In the skits, we had him discovering gold for the first time, while his slave Joaquim, through a Bible, discovered the true treasure, and with his new found knowledge evangelized indians and tried to stop the historical Emboabas war. Though a little bloody in the end (just catchup), the message was clear: that Jesus is the only one that gives eternal life.

          Over fifty children participated at the Jardim Luna congregation, going through the four departments each day: Bible lesson, crafts, games, snacks. After four days there, the material and decorations were taken to Mangabeira for a repeat performance for over forty children in that neighborhood. This translated VBS material will now make the rounds to other congregations that want to reach out to children.

          Parents of at least two different visiting kids asked how to get more involved in the church. We are so glad they are beginning to see the value of Christ, the true treasure.