God's Big Backyard

For those of you that read my last blog you already know that our Bible School theme this year is God's Big Backyard. What wonderful fun we've had in God's Big Backyard this week. I wanted to give everyone that reads this a little update on how the week is going and share some pictures with you all. On Monday night we had about 70 children show up. What an awesome turn out for the first night. Tuesday night was even better, we had 101 show up for Bible School. Wednesday night we had about 70 show up again. With all those children one could only imagine the energy that was surrounding us. It's busy, busy, busy, but so much fun!!!








On Monday the children were fed Pizza. After marching in and doing our opening ceremony the children went to their different activities. Our life focus on Monday was about Serving Family and our Bible story was on Moses. Exodus 2: 1-10 The children talked about how Miriam took care of her brother Moses. The children talked about Pharaoh's order that every Hebrew boy must be thrown into the river and drowned. There was one woman that refused to obey Pharaoh, she hid her baby. As the baby grew the danger of him being found increased. Wanting to see her baby survive, the mother gathered papyrus and weaved a basket. She covered the basket with pitch and tar to seal it. The mother laid her small son into the basket, covered it with a lid, and placed him among the reeds in the Nile River, setting him on a journey that only God could design. The baby's sister Miriam, waited among the reeds, close enough to protect her brother from the scorching sun and the Nile River. Little Moses' basket got caught in the reeds and also caught the eye of the Egyptian princess bathing there. The princess lifted the basket and realized that the baby was Hebrew. Feeling compassion toward the boy, and knowing Pharaoh's edict, the princess decided to raise the infant. This was the sign Miriam needed. She ran quickly to the princess and offered to get a Hebrew nurse, Moses' mother, to nurse him until he was weaned. The Egyptian princess agreed, and the baby was reunited with his mother because Miriam served her family.

On Tuesday the children ate hot dogs, cheese doodle, and chips. The Life Focus for Tuesday night was Serving Friends. Our Bible Story was about four men that carried their friend to Jesus. Mark 2 1: 1-12 These men were waiting for Jesus to return from Capernaum. When the news came that Jesus had returned, they lifted their crippled friend onto a mat and quickly moved toward the direction of Jesus. Lots of people ran past them, some to experience Jesus' teaching and healing and some to dispute him. Upon arrival, the men saw the small house where Jesus was. It looked like an over-crowded anthill with people pushing to get in the door. The men were eager, desperate for their friend to be healed. After some thought, the four men looked toward the roof. They immediately picked up the mat and climbed the outside staircase to the top of the roof. The men looked for a soft spot on the roof and began to dig, as the roof crumbled, the people grew quiet with interest. Slowly the light trickled in and four faces emerged through a hole in the roof. Then the men slowly, as to not injure their friend further, lowered him. Everyone waited to see what Jesus would do, the men knew that if their friend met Jesus, he would walk. Jesus recognized the men's service and faith. Because four faithful men served their friend, many saw the undeniable power of Jesus, the Son of God.
Rain clouds filled the sky on Wednesday night, still that didn't stop the fun in God's Big Backyard. We may not have been able to play games outside on Wednesday, but we all had lots of fun inside the classrooms. We made silly faces, danced, and had a great time.
On Wednesday night the children ate chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, peaches, chips, cheese doodles, cookies, and other sweets. Our Life Focus on Wednesday was serving neighbors. Our Bible story was about a Samaritan man that helped a neighbor who was hurt. Luke 10: 25-37 There was a man heading to Jerusalem from Jericho. The road he traveled was a rocky, rough area with many caves and drop-offs, and an area where robbers hid. On his journey, robbers ambushed him and beat him nearly to death. His eyes were swollen shut, his ribs bruised, and his body covered with open wounds and gashes. He laid there dying on the the road. Two men, one a priest and one a Levite, walked by the beaten man that day, neither of them stopping to help. Perhaps the priest or Levite thought the man was dead or perhaps they thought he was unclean and unfit to touch. Either way, two revered religious leaders walked by, refusing to acknowledge the need of their neighbor. A Samaritan chose to serve this man. Even though the Samaritans and the Jews shared a mutual dislike, the Samaritan gave the man his clothing; he gently placed him on his donkey, while he walked beside him on the way to the inn. The Samaritan cleaned his wounds, paid for the man's care and food. The Samaritan's care for his neighbor honored God.

Each night during our opening ceremony we get a visit from our puppet friends. We have all met two new puppet friends, Cooper & Nick. They are some silly little guys. The children have also had a lot of fun doing crafts, playing games, and learning their songs and the dances that go with them. Tonight is our last night of Bible School and tomorrow night will be commencement. We all hope to show the parents all the things we've learned this year in Bible School. Please pray for the children to be confident during our commencement and that nerves will not be an issue.


Our memory verse for the week is Mark 12: 29-31 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

I'll update later on how the rest of the week goes. As we prepare for commencement, our family is also planning a birthday party for Chancelor. He will turn five July 25th and we are planning his birthday party for Saturday July 26th. We are planning an outside party so please pray that the weather will be nice. Until next time, May God continue to pour His blessings upon you and your family!!!