a director's testimony

[brutgers]

What an exhausted and funfilled week we had! It was amazing to see all the new faces & regulars there participating. But, the moment that spoke to me most......is when a little boy who had never been to church before said " church is awesome, its the best place I've ever been". Look at what God did! He filled pews with children, missing teachers spots with replacements, somehow he even stretched our tshirt orders to cover all the extra children I was not expecting (it was just like the fish & bread that fed the multitudes), he even helped a very sick director make it through the week, he provided in every way. Look at what God did!

[Josh1]

I'm glad God blessed your week at SonWorld Adventure Park and that lives were touched. Take a much deserved rest and I hope you get better.
God Bless,
Josh:rolleyes:

[TrinityJen]

I am SO glad to hear you had a great VBS! Mine starts in 3 weeks and it is the testimonies that I read that keeps up my energy!

Now rest up so we can start planning next year!

[jruckman]

Oh, no kidding, Jen, about the testimonies of the successes others have seen (and I know are to come!) encouraging those of us who are in the final days of preparation! I know that the manic passion that most of us in this little therapy group we call the Gospel Light Forums have for VBS is not necessarily shared (to this extent) by the staff we are leading through this adventure. It seems that every year I hit a point about two weeks before The Big Day when people are suddenly remembering vacations they had scheduled for that week, or doctor appointments they had to schedule for that week, or whatever, and no one is available except my very best girlfriends to help put up the decorations, and the preregistrations are slow to come in. Then the Big Day comes, it all looks fabulous, the kids (a greater number than we anticipated!) are giddy with excitement, the adults come through in a big way, and we have an outrageously awesome week. And then I collapse into a bubblebath for about 3 hours!

Thank you all so much for your encouragement, brilliantly inspired ideas, and dedication to the kids we reach.
Janet

[angie]

We had our Grand Opening last night. Satan has really tried to put a damper on things this last week -- food poisoning outbreak in half the church, break in of my children's ministry storage shed, and even dehydration and heat poisoning last night (I spent the night sick in the bathroom!) But God is SO good! He has given me peace and has supplied all we need! The kids had a great time and are bringing more friends tonight. I have 3 children so far getting baptized during our closing on Sunday. God is planning mighty things and will prevail! I am so glad we CHOOSE JESUS!!!!

[SLDL]

We are coming to the close of our week...only one more day and then the closing program. We have had such a wonderful week. We have had one girl to be saved, one family to bring a child that they said had never been to church (& this was an older child) and one 2 year old that had never been away from mom & dad (is new to our church & did great away from them). We have had bigger numbers that any year in memory but we all know that we aren't as interested in the numbers...we have kids making comments like "I wish VBS lasted 2 more weeks!" and telling their parents how much fun they are having. We have several kids that are asking serious & important questions about being saved.
God has definitely been involved in this entire process & nothing would be possible without Him. I just can't believe how smoothly this has gone.
I would like to thank all of you for your advice and tips b/c I know it has helped things to run smoothly. We used the model website w/ online registration that someone here set up, our website guru tweaked it some & that website has been the best thing. It has helped us to be so organized before and during the week. We have used the newsletters set up by TrinityJen & this has been super easy to personalize each night & such a valuable tool. I'm sure there are other ideas I have used from you guys & just wanted to thank you so much.
I would like to suggest that you allow your workers (snacks, crafts, music, games) a short time for breaks. That has been one thing I did not do, so each leader of those activities has to squeeze in a break before the next class comes in. One thing that has been a hit for us is that I have a Mac computer w/ Photo Booth & there is a setting on there for a roller coaster. If anyone has this, use it. All of our kids have had their pictures made on it & loved it. Another thing they love is getting prizes each night. We use the tickets that come in rolls, draw numbers & give out Bibles, books, Christian movies, etc. They have really enjoyed that.
Sorry to be so longwinded, but I am just amazed at how much fun I am having as a first time director. Please let those of us who have already had VBS know when you guys are having it so we can pray for you. Thanks!