VBS: A Crash Landing Success!

Damaris stood up during the time of thanksgiving that we have each Sunday service. With a huge smile, she echoed what two other sisters had just exclaimed. “Our evangelistic outreach yesterday was a tremendous success, and we did it all without the help of Americans. There was not one single American present!”

Not only did I not take offense to this—I was thrilled for a couple of reasons. First, I was at the event—so obviously at least Damaris does not see me as a gringo. Or better put, maybe/hopefully I’m seen as one of them. Secondly, and much more important, it’s true! Our church pulled off a massive children’s evangelistic outreach on its own.

In my article, Down on VBS, I laid out why I believe it’s a terrible idea for short-term mission trips to put on outreach activities in Mexico. I see too many negatives for the small amount of possible positives. But I love Vacation Bible School put on by locals. I attended VBS as a kid, and believe it’s a fantastic way to bring in neighbors, cousins, and school friends.

So our small church did just that for an all-day event. Surprisingly there was descent planning. Yet there was no real budget—completely dependent upon the Lord to stir local hearts into material action. Brought in were hot dog wieners, bread that was in no shape or form a hot dog bun—but was used as such, a few condiments, juice that ran out, and plain-old water that followed.

The non-spiritual highlight of the show was a remote-controlled Cessna brought in by the pastor’s friend, Eduardo. The kids went crazy watching dangerously close aerial acrobatics. Lawyers in the States would have been savoring at the bit. Then in midair the engine went ka-poot. Instead of ditching the single-engine flyer, Eduardo brought it in, aimed right at the crowd. Screams and commotion erupted. Bringing it down way too fast, he forced it onto the makeshift landing strip. It was no doubt going to make black and blue shins out of a half dozen victims. Luckily for them, the left wing didn’t make it passed a picket fence, spinning it to a stop in the middle of circled onlookers. Eduardo almost cried, the pastor sighed relief, and the kids went nuts!

What an Air Show and what a VBS—all done without the help of the white man. It felt good for all involved.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 at 8:38 am and is filed under Missionary Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.