Dominican Vacation Bible School celebrates 'God in my life.'

During the week of June 21-25, 19 of the Church of the Brethren congregations in the Dominican Republic held their second annual Summer Vacation Bible School. The theme was "Dios en mi vida" (God in my life). The Los Toros church had the largest attendance with a daily average of 412 children. Over 2,700 children participated in all.

The Los Toros congregation received permission to use the public school in town at no cost. The Peniel church organized a march to announce the event and invite neighborhood children to come. The congregation later "dazzled" the children with clowns who helped teach the Bible lessons, said Irvin Heishman, General Board's mission coordinator, in his report on the event. The church in Tabara Abajo worked with neighboring churches to pool resources for a large ecumenical Vacation Bible School in that community. One church reported 15 youth expressing a desire to accept Christ and be part of the church, and membership classes will be provided as a follow up.

"None of these churches have classrooms or tables and chairs for crafts, or kitchens for preparing snacks," Heishman said. "Yet, limitations can help provide focus on what is really important. The planning committee noted that some things like snacks for the kids are optional and not really necessary for a good Vacation Bible School. Bible lessons and ways to share God's love, on the other hand, are essential."

Heishman said that for many of the children, Vacation Bible School was the only activity organized for them in their community. "Children from the community around the San Luis church returned on the Monday following the week of Vacation Bible School, hoping the activities would continue all summer! The church sends a strong message of God's love to the children by caring enough to provide this exciting experience for them."

Brethren from the United States assisted with games and crafts in eight of the congregations--41 participants of a denominational youth workcamp, a Brethren Revival Fellowship youth workcamp, and a work group from Mount Zion Road Church of the Brethren in Lebanon, Pa.

Source: Newsline 8/06/2004
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