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Reaching Alaska For Jesus: Selawik VBS Captures Hearts

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Reaching Alaska For Jesus

"When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own." (COL, p. 69)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2008

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Selawik VBS Captures Hearts

The theme for this year's VBS, directed by Julie Marsh (from Palmer, Alaska), was "Castles and Crowns". Focusing on Bible kings and queens, the stories, songs and skits aim to win the hearts of children to the love of Jesus. Our first day of VBS opened with over 75 kids in attendance. Fortunately, we had the use of the Selawik school gymnasium, so we had adequate room for the group. However, the acoustics and smooth-rolling floor made for distracting background noise and lots of kids using "heelies" (heel roller skates in their shoes). Nevertheless, we noticed most of the kids actually joining in and singing the songs by the end of VBS, and we pray that there will be a lasting impact on their lives here and for eternity. Our Bible stories were masterfully told by Rhonda Kack and Heather Merrill (with a brief stint by yours truly-- I need to beef up on my interest-holding techniques for kids). Our songs were led by Heather Merrill, with assistance from myself and the girls. Our skits had Hannah Merrill and Madelaine Kack as King and Queen, and Kyla Olson as Jester "Jane". Verity and I had a short stint as Queen and King as well. We split our group between crafts and games, with Julie leading crafts, and Madelaine, Hannah and Holly Merrill leading games. Meanwhile the rest of us assisted wherever needed. Brian Banning was a very important "behind the scenes" helper, assisting with everything from carrying food and crafts (heavy lifting), policing the building (keeping kids in order, gently but firmly), assisting with the computers and sound system, to washing dishes. Yes, dishes! One thing perhaps unusual about our VBS is that we provided a full meal for the kids. Our first day, we started with the meal, but subsequently, we put it at the end, to provide a cleaner start to the VBS. Having the meal was not only a draw for the kids, but it also helped provide for a real need, and gave us time to get to know the kids better. It definitely doubled the amount of work needed to put on the VBS, but after seeing the blessing it was this year, we plan to do it again next year. Lest you think VBS itself was the whole story though-- we must assure you that there was an exciting back story to the occasion. The story involves two sets of missed flights, delayed luggage, lots of last minute work, each
alaska4jesus.blogspot.com/2008/08/selawik-vbs-captures-hearts.html

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Favorite Links Greatland Gablog (Family news) God's Book Says... (Bible meditations) Audioverse - great sermons here Blog Archive 2011 (9) 2010 (4) 2009 (9) 2008 (22) December (3) November (2) October (1) September (1) August (1) Selawik VBS Captures Hearts July (1) June (1) May (3) April (1) March (2) February (2) January (4) 2007 (14) Prayer requests That we be spared from pride (even if it takes humbling circumstances).
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Reaching Alaska For Jesus: Selawik VBS Captures Hearts

of us alternately getting sick during the week, borrowed puppies, lost puppies, borrowed babies, ... Well, you'll have to ask the participants for more of the details than I can share in this brief blog! However, one of the exciting things we had was that a Buckland elder "happened" to be seated next to Heather Merrill on the flight in to Kotzebue. Not only was the meeting encouraging to both Heather and the elder, but he gave our group an invitation to come to Buckland for VBS. We want to begin planning early next year so we can do a VBS in both Buckland and Selawik. Plan to join us, in person if possible, and with any other support you can give if not. Keep God's mission in Arctic Alaska in your prayers. Warren
Posted by Verity at 9:58 PM

That we know how best to express God's love to those around us. That we stay focused on our mission (sharing the love of God and inviting others to spend eternity with Him). About Alaska4Jesus We hope to have this site be a central location where people can read stories about how God is working in the lives of people in Alaska. This should be a site about people, not programs. It should be about outreach, not "inreach" (as much as that is needed). In addition, we want to kick off an ongoing brainstorming session about how we can more effectively present the gospel in Alaska (especially in rural Alaska, with all the challenges that entails). We would also like to include short bio's of people who are working in various parts of Alaska to reach others for Jesus. To suggest a story we should post on this blog, please drop us a line. Downs Family

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Downs Family About Us Verity Warren is a web programmer/lay pastor. His greatest passions are Jesus,technology, and the great outdoors. Verity is a homeschooling mom who is training with Jesus to manage her time successfully for her aspiring writer dreams and (nature) photography and scrapbooking hobbies plus kids' ministry. We have three wonderful girls, Sara Elisabeth, Abigail Rose, and Miriam Joy who may join the blog from time to time as seems best. Since January 2006, we have enjoyed living in the arctic village of Selawik, Alaska, getting to know the Inupiaq people and introducing them to our friend Jesus as opportunities arise. View my complete profile

alaska4jesus.blogspot.com/2008/08/selawik-vbs-captures-hearts.html

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Reaching Alaska For Jesus: Selawik VBS Captures Hearts

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