A Gradual Transformation
Elizabeth* was feeling frustrated. She had worked so hard hand-crafting her balero, a cup-and-ball toy, along with the other children at FHC’s Vacation Bible School program, but she just couldn’t seem to catch the ball in the cup.
She had just heard tía Jennifer’s Bible lesson on the subject of patience, but like the elusive ball, patience was quickly slipping out of her grasp. “Keep trying, Elizabeth, you can do it!” her tias gently prodded her. Then suddenly, just as easily as the ball had seemed to evade her only a few moments before, it landed effortlessly in the cup. She tossed it and caught it again…and again…and again…until she had caught it 110 times in row! Elizabeth’s face beamed with triumph.
She had been on the brink of giving up, but instead had persevered and been rewarded for her efforts. Elizabeth learned an unforgettable lesson on patience that day, but much more had also been sown in her heart during the two weeks of VBS this summer.
Through foundational Bible stories such as David and Jonathan, Nabal and Abigail, the Good Samaritan, and Jonah and the Whale, Elizabeth and twenty-three of her peers learned important spiritual lessons and principles about friendship, forgiveness, obedience, respect, honesty, prayer, patience, and solidarity. The children were then challenged to apply what they had learned through games, crafts, cooking, and baking. They looked forward to hearing from Maria and Juanito every day, the two puppets who helped tell the Bible stories.
Over the course of the program, Elizabeth’s caregivers noticed a gradual transformation in Elizabeth. The anger and bitterness she had been holding in her heart began to give way to forgiveness and grace. She would listen intently to the Bible lessons and began to approach Jennifer with questions and ask to borrow Bible story books.
We are so thankful and encouraged to witness how God is softening Elizabeth’s heart and how the Holy Spirit is gently calling her. And we are so grateful that you have helped make VBS possible this summer so that these precious children’s lives can be forever impacted and changed as they learn about a Savior who loves them. “Yo tengo un amigo quien me ama, su nombre es Jesus (I have a friend who loves me, His name is Jesus)…Jesus es mi fiel amigo (Jesus is my faithful friend),” the children sang along to their favorite songs.
May Elizabeth and each one of the twenty-three other children who attended VBS be able to sing and say with true conviction that Jesus is their faithful friend who loves them and will never leave them. May they find true healing and freedom in Christ. Thank you for supporting the spiritual growth of the children. It is truly for HIS children.
*Child's name has been changed to protect her privacy.
