Follow the way of love continues to ring in my heart as I think fondly of all of the teachers and guides that lovingly showed patience and kindness toward our many new visitors who had never experienced VBS or being in a church. There were many challenges as April Reeser and Nancy Standish lovingly encouraged our new children to have a wonderful experience at VBS. We weathered the storm on Tuesday when the power went out at 7 pm. Kim Fink, John Bell, Joanne Gallagher and Jim Schredenshek kept our little ones singing praises to God. What a great job they did with music. A special thank you to Carol Curtis and Marge Krotow as they gave the little ones a terrific week teaching them to love God. Kate Rainey and Sue Robinson made healthy and delicious snacks. I was tempted to join them at snack time. April Reeser and Spencer Henry took the 1^st & 2^nd graders to Bible Memory lead by Pam Dimeler and Carolyn Speakman. The children really enjoyed the parachute game as they learned 1 Corinthians 13. Ken Schreffler and Leon Hoiser spent their energy traveling with the 3^rd & 4^th graders to Story Telling by Nancy Standish. Nancy invited the children to accept Jesus as their Savior and thirteen responded. The children really learned the stories as Karen Krissinger and Grace Thompson asked them questions. Meredyth Graham and Karen Mayer and Steve Jones worked with the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th graders as they took them to each station and then reviewed what they learned. This group really paid attention and were very cooperative. Game Night was lead by Sue & Keith Robinson and Debbie & Dale Plummer. The children had a real island experience with their sand relay. All enjoyed Rita’s Water Ice. We enjoyed dinner at VBS and a great fellowship time. Thank you Maryann Bell, Helen Butler, Millie King, Linda Mariani and Ellen Wressig. You all did a splendid job. The children enjoyed the snacks served by Shorty Mains. In our Skits the children were excited when Sally Brinkworth, Lindgren Lammers, Bonnie Mains and Rick Van Leer found the treasure box and learned the greatest treasure is in God’s Word. Many adults came out to hear Pastor Ann and Pastor Frank share God’s Word each night. Brandon Krissinger was in charge of collecting almost $400 for the Heifer Project. We will be able to purchase nineteen schools of fish for needy families. A special thank you to David Mayer for being in charge of putting together the VBS News each night. Thanks to all who helped with the closing program and refreshments and clean up. Please come and visit the mural in Fellowship Hall painted by Naomi Bird. Don’t miss the cave and hut on the second floor that was created by Donna Coulter and Kryse Schredenshek. They made the experience seem like we were on an island. A special thank you to Donna Coulter for serving as our decorating coordinator.          

Chriss Benson