We worked with Sun ministries Thursday and Friday

 

 

VBS was

THE BIG GOD STORY!

 

We had an awesome praise team

David on Keys, Sara on vocals, Travis on Bass Guitar, Mary leading with the acoustic guitar (that week 1 had accidently left and we needed it).  and Joel rocking out the drums.   
 And Robbyn the director who taught us so much. 

Sound booth talent!!!   This was Chad's home for the week.   Robbyn & Jeff were visiting!

 

Large Group Lesson with Abby, Joel, Karis and Isaac

Some small group shots of us loving on the children...

 

Ivy and the green group

 

Audrey leading her small group

 

Sally and Eva with the "littles"

Jeff and RJ

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several Afternoons we enjoyed singing and time with church members.

 

 

After our last night of VBS we spent time together at Ted Drews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friends from across the country, we hope we meet again.

 

 

Friday's VBS

We ended with a great night of Vacation Bible School

Then a treat at Ted Drew’s ice cream.

We are tired!!!

We are blessed!

And we are still sorting through

what we feel,

what we learned,

what we gained,

what we lost

what we are going to miss when we drive away from this place called Jubilee

Part of our group’s heart goes with the Texas friends we now have and I am sure that they feel the same.  

The two groups blended fast and I pray that we  will stay in touch

Just a few more pictures…

Or since it is 350 am I will just go to bed now.   Stay turned

Day 2

Working with Sun Ministries...

VBS: a demonstration of energy and adrenaline…

There is so much to say, but for now…

Good night all!

Arrival, Block Party and Prayer Walking

Sunday arrival, so excited and not really sure what was going to happen in the next 6 days, we arrived in time for worship.  When I say we I mean youth from Evangelical Free Church of Bloomington, Normal, IL and youth from Beth El Bible Church, El Paso, TX.   Leadership from both churches had prayed for a blending of the two groups and for new friendship to be formed.  I personally prayed for each student by name and it was fun to put a face with each name. 

In a way that can only be credited to God these 19 students have come together to serve.   Whatever is asked of them, they answer the call and they are amazing.   We also added 2 youth from Jubilee to the mix.   

This is the gang

This was a worship time and when Andy (a church leader) came in to talk with us he just sat in the circle with us.   

It seems like it is moving too fast and I want to savor the moments

Block Party

Our fearless leaders - Robbyn and Jeff - they so enjoyed getting wet!

Two little cuties playing in the water!

Ducks, balloons? We got 'em!

Reggie and Tiffany - our fabulous hosts!

Prayer walking in the neighborhood...

To be continued...

The Last Night

If I could say anything to future bumpers it would be this. Don't show up with any expectations other than the expectation that God will use you in ways you may not know or like. He may grow you in ways you don't expect, and He may challenge you in ways you've never been challenged.

For instance God may impress upon your heart to start to see the harassed and helpless with eyes of compassion instead of judgement.

God may stretch your patience beyond what you thought you could handle with almost two straight days of rain.

He may push you to a deeper dependence on Him as plans change and certain projects fall through.

Who knows what God may do? His ways are not our ways, and it's important to remember that.

You see, unmet expectations can be at the heart of discouragement. Had our students expected certain things they may have easily become discouraged. Instead they simply expected that God would use them, then they made themselves available and God did the rest.

He used them to bless the children in the community through leading a VBS. He used them to further the efforts of Sun Ministries in St. Louis and He used them to bless the local congregation at Jubilee Community Church.

And it was all for His glory and not our own.

Over and out.

Day Two: Sun Ministries and VBS

Students woke up bright and early and prepared for a long day of hard work.

After breakfast, the students met Dr. Terry Goodwin at Sun Cafe. He led us to the two houses we would be working on. 

Group one began immediately on the first house, brushing the brick walls and carrying down rolls of carpet from the third floor to a dumpster.  Even though everyone was exhausted, no one ever stopped working or complained. 

Group two walked into what seemed to be an impossible task. The first floor of their house was completely filled with every household item you could think of. From microwaves to manikins.Even though these items looked like junk to us, Goodman explained that Sun Ministries were planning to use these items for future projects. 

When we got back to the church we all began VBS prep. The theme for VBS for is superheros, specifically the "Defenders", a parody of the Avengers. 

Our lessons and crafts have revolve around the superhero theme. We also have a skit every night with super heroes including Alumiman, Thud, Chuck, Major Antarctica, and Neon Mantis.

Before the kids started arriving, everyone was very nervous.

By 5:30 kids were checking in. The kids were a bit shy at first, but once they saw the BUMP students playing a game of duck-duck-goose, they participated and started opening up.

The songs and dances got the kids excited and more comfortable with each other and the BUMP students. It was important for us to create a warm environment for the kids so that they could feel safe.

The skit for the night started off with a bang. The kids were curious s to who the teenagers in the funny costumes were. They all  really paid attention to the skit and that allowed them to connect certain ideas to God in their Bible sessions. 

By the end of the night, kids were clinging onto BUMP the students. It was amazing to see how quickly everyone bonded. We had succeed in giving the kids a safe and fun environment.

"Every one of those kids left with a smiling face," Steve Scott.

I am hoping to see the kids open up even more in the days to come.

Day One: Block party!

The two churches from Moline and Columbia prepped all day for Jubilee's block party.

We started the day with a prayer walk. We started down the street and asked people who were outside if they wanted us to pray for them. It was interesting seeing my peers come out of their shells and pray aloud.

After lunch we toured the St. Louis public library across the street from the church. We would be volunteering in the afternoons the next four days shelving books and interacting with the kids.

The block party prep began immediately after the tour.
Micheala Mcgrath and others created stations for kids including an obstacle course, pie in the face, face painting, and a cake walk.

"They were games we had grown up playing and ones we had played recently in youth group," said Mcgrath.

The rain did not stop BUMP from creating an exciting experience for the families that participated. All of the bump students had a chance to interact with all of the kids that came to have fun. It was rewarding  experience for everyone.