DuPage
By Tim McEathron
Our children's ministry (CBF) had a Vacation Bible School on August 4-8, from 9-1pm. Magnetic North can be changed by many things but all the longitudinal lines converge at a point on the globe, a fixed point that never changes called true north. So many things are changing in our world: what is right, what is acceptable, who I am, what I should do but Jesus never changes. We can trust him. He is our True North. Through the book of Matthew our kids learned that when we wonder, when we feel alone, when we feel powerless, when we need hope, when we need help, we can trust Jesus.
It was ambitious to have another big conference in one summer after the MSBC. Many were tired or taking vacations, and it was hard to find helpers to design the many, many sets, props, crafts, and lessons. I was totally burned out on the last night of preparation but shocked and renewed by the huge last minute registrations on opening morning. We projected 70 kids and adults, but 85 kids attended, a total of 104 people, together with Milwaukee and neighborhood friends. That’s 48% beyond! All our labor was not in vain. Our teachers were full of energy and had lots of compassion for the kids. I was so happy working with them.
Our teachers prepped 2-3 hours each day after a long day of teaching, then came an hour early to share and pray and gave their whole heart with a serious attitude to teach the Word well. They dealt, sometimes, with some difficult behaviors in class but I never heard a word of complaint from them. They did this before God. Annie Lee Jr., Faith Miranda, Danny Miranda, Andrew Albright, Hannah Albright and Sammy Shin are really growing as wonderful Bible teachers and mature Christians. I was so impressed by them. Jane Kim, Bella Hester, Analise Park, Daniella Kim, Anna Diaz and Maria Kim had so much compassion for our BBF kids (the babies and toddlers), and I was surprised how well our Highschool (HBF) students could talk to and play with our kids with such compassion. They matched their endless energy with fun and creative learning and play, and even stepped up to each lead a Bible lesson, which is not easy! The HBF boys Andy Choi, Paul Shin, Noah Kim, John Wong and Joseph Kim, took such leadership and responsibility in the games that I didn't even have to be remotely involved, knowing our kids would be totally secure with them. I was so impressed with their maturity to serve. It was with such an incredible team, an incredible attitude, and an incredible God that this VBS could happen! And their word at the end of such a phenomenally exhausting week was "See you next year, I'm down for it!" I'm blown away, praise the Lord.
I'll share a moving story. The curriculum we buy for VBS does not have Bible study, just Bible activities. But as we began to do it, I felt we were talking at the kids and not engaging them. Our teachers felt it as well and said they felt they weren't connecting with their class and the kids didn't like the childish materials. They asked "can we do Bible study?" So I said we could course correct and add Bible study, but it would mean we need to stay 3 hours later and make the studies after they had already taught for 4 hours. But they said “no problem, let's do it.” I tried to let them go many times feeling they must be too tired but they wanted to finish the Bible studies to the end. I sometimes wonder if our CBF kids get tired of Bible study and if our labor is in vain but I was so greatly refreshed by our teachers’ passion for the word, struggle to live for God and sincere repentance throughout the week. It refreshed my soul to learn and prepare with them all week. God is working in our next generation, and I can't wait to see what they will do! Praise the Lord.
