From unique crafts to exciting games, this year’s Vacation Bible School, which took place August 18-22, was another success! The theme was “The Great Jungle Journey: An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation,” and throughout the week children learned more about the “Seven C’s of History”: Creation (the beginning of the world and the Garden of Eden), Corruption (Adam and Eve’s sin), Catastrophe (the Flood), Confusion (the Tower of Babel), Christ (Jesus’ birth), Cross (Jesus’ sacrifice), and Consummation (Jesus’ return).

Each day, about sixty children joined their crews in the Fellowship Lodge on the campground. The room was decorated perfectly for a jungle theme, complete with monkeys, flowers, draping vines, and even a waterfall. Each of the five crews was assigned a colored flower garland to wear, which added a lot of festivity to the room. At 9:00 a.m., Susan Asaya led the young explorers in fun songs and introduced the verse of the day. Next, the children watched a “Creature Feature” video, which taught them about the jungle animal of the day and how it related to that day’s lesson. After event leader Melissa Voreis welcomed everyone and a crew leader led in prayer, the crews were off to the activity center for the craft of the day. Throughout the week, they were able to decorate drawstring tote bags, planters, picture frames, clay crosses, and butterfly key chains.

At 10:00 a.m. the crews, separated into two groups for younger and older ages, went to the front lawn for exciting games. Each group played two new games during the sessions, which included obstacle courses, variations of tag, and water games. After playing, the children headed to the patio for some much needed water and a themed snack, with treats like “Dirt Dessert” (chocolate cake with fun toppers) and “Serpent Snacks” (snake-shaped pancakes). Crew leaders also used this time to practice the memory verse with their teams.

Next, everyone headed back into the Fellowship Lodge for more singing, after which Teacher Melissa presented the day’s lesson. These lessons provided apologetic content in ways that even the youngest could understand, covering the topics of how the universe began, the validity of a global Flood, where different people groups came from, why we need a Savior, and God’s plan for Heaven. Following the lesson, the children watched part of a “drama” put together by a small group of the Portland church’s young people, and then at noon it was time to go home. The packed mornings kept the attendees busy throughout the week, and many reported that they can’t wait for next year’s VBS!