Partnership in Mission Outreach
/One of the many blessings offered to immigrant/refugee children is the opportunity to attend several Vacation Bible School programs throughout the summer. Each year Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, MO, conducts a VBS and graciously extends an invitation to Christian Friends of New Americans to participate. The theme for this year’s five day event was Breaker Rock Beach with the central message that “God’s Truth Never Changes.” The Bible passage used throughout the VBS was Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” ESV
More than 150 kindergarten through 5th grade students participated in many activities including worship, prayer and especially, lots of singing. Additionally, there were daily Bible studies, opportunities to learn about the ministries of specific missionary families, along with crafts, snacks, recreation, making new friends, and having fun. Children were divided into small groups and led by crew leaders located at numerous stations.
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What impact does VBS have on our immigrant/refugee friends? Deepshyas, a Nepali boy, shared: “I learned that God helps me to make good choices in my life and that bad choices can have negative consequences. Good choices please Him. When I make bad choices, He doesn’t give up on me and will forgive me.”
Joel Hoehner, a member of Concordia and who was in charge of recreation, commented that “Refugee kids have an opportunity to experience another culture as well as share theirs with other kids, to form new friendships, and experience God’s love through interaction with children from a local congregation. The kids from Concordia discover that kids from cultures different from their own share similar needs and values.” In other words, in this win/win situation, several New American youngsters were blessed to have been accepted by a large group of people they had not met before, while learning more about Jesus.
Thank you to Kristina Paul, Deaconess, Pastor Meggers, and all the volunteers from Concordia for inviting immigrant/refugee children to participate in your VBS. What a blessing it is for CFNA kids to experience the love of Jesus through your kind words and partnership in sharing the Gospel message.
Peace & Joy,
Gary Schaefer
Operations Associate
