VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VBS 2018 Newsletter #Rebuilding through prayer, hard work & perseverance.
Pre-school Week 8th - 10th August Grade 1-8 13th - 17th August Pre-school Week
Word from the Children s Pastor VBS stands for Vacation Bible School. Pst. Susan VBS is an outreach arm in the Children Ministry in Parklands Baptist Church. We focus on reaching out to our own children as well as children in the neighborhood. Our VBS theme for this year was Stand Strong, rebuilding through Prayer, hard work and perseverance. We thank God for this year God enabled us to have a VBS specifically for the pre-schoolers. We had a wonderful time for three days. Our prayer is that in the coming years we shall have them for a full week. We are grateful to God for his provision and the way he ministered to our children and teachers. During the Grade 1-8 VBS, we had more than 2,000 children and 200 volunteers. The Pre-school VBS had 200 children for 3 days and more than 30 volunteers each day. We are also grateful to the schools that mobilized their children to come and attend. Our parents, teachers and young people who came to serve our children, we appreciate each one for the sacrifice. We thank God for Parklands Baptist Church family for giving our children a platform to exercise their gifts and talents.
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My name is Racheal Keya. I am from Cheleta Primary School and I have been learning a lot thanks to VBS 2018. I learnt about Divine Prayer. I learnt the order of prayer, you first start with adoring God, confess and then thanksgiving and then supplication. I also learnt about giving in service where I learnt to be patient, planning and prayerful. I also learnt about Victory. I have learnt that Unity is strength and working as a team makes work easier. Thank you Parkie for VBS 2018. Hey, my name is Naima and I am 8 years old. VBS has been nice and it has helped me to pray for other countries. I pray to God that He may help people who are homeless and help me pray for people sick in hospital, they are already healed. Since I came for VBS it has taught me how to pray and to trust God and that God is above everything else and He will sort people and families who are suffering. 3
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Word from the Children s Coordinator Tr. Joyce As we reflect back and give thanks at God's awesome Divine Appointments upon the lives of our children during the Vacation Bible School, as a ministry all we can say and sing is TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE. Indeed the Lord has done and continues to do great and marvelous things in the lives of our children. We glorify his name for the tremendous testimonies. In every season the Lord has a rhema word for his young generation. This year the children got an opportunity to study of Nehemiah. Nehemiah an awesome leader, ordained for a divine purpose standing strong and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and the temple through prayer, service and hard work. We bless the Lord for his wisdom, insight, revelation, understanding and strength through the vision casting, planning and the implementation process. We celebrate the children of this Nation and Africa. The Lord has a good plan for them and their future is secured. We also celebrate the PBC Family (PDB, Staff, church council, departments, ministries, parents and all the other arms of the church) for partnering with us in this great outreach. OUR CHILDREN ARE BLESSED OF THE LORD.
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Hey my name is Abraham Lukachi. My school is in Sodom,Kangemi. I have learnt memory verse this week John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He have His own son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Thank you Parkie for VBS 2018. Kwa majina naitwa Doreen Mbaya Bhuhasioi kutoka shule ya upili ya Bushangala. Nashukuru Mungu sana kwa kukuja kwenyu hapa kwa VBS hii. Nimejifunza jinsi ya kushirikiana kusaidiana na watu katika jamii. Ningependa kujiunga na kanisa hili baada ya kumaliza masomo yangu ya kidato cha nne ili niweze kuendeleza kazi ambazo zinzendelea katika kanisa hili. 7
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10 Praise the Lord, my name is Joseph Njonge and I am from Cheleta Primary School and I am here to testify my life. If I was asked to define God, I do not know what Words I could use to say that He is the most High God. He is the God of all. He has been there since I was born. He has saved me in greatest dangers, the dangers of death, the dangers of sickness. He has been there with me. I used to kneel down, crying unto Him because of my family and He has given me rest and also because I needed joy and strength which he gave me. I am thankful for the way he has moved with me, he has stood with me every step of the way and everything that I have undertaken. He is telling me, My son, whatever is happening in your life, I will protect you. And that is why I will never forget my God. He is mighty and great. I used to kneel down and cry to my parents telling them what I need and they used to tell me that they don t have. But know I know that there is a God and I know that because He provided for me and my family and we are now stable. If I was told to sing on stones I would do that. I do not think there is anything that I could not do for my God. Continue moving with God and don t let Him go. Continue praying to God and He will answer you the way He Has answered me.
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My testimony from VBS 2018 as a teacher volunteering with toddler s was hearing the children singing the verse The Joy of the Lord is my strength Nehemiah 8:10.The most interesting thing was that some toddlers could only remember the strength part. The children building the wall with blocks of wood. Every morning was fun as I looked forward to more fun and activity at church Sunday school. I am certain that all the children who attended VBS will remember the story of Nehemiah as they grow up. Tr. Liz Munene 13
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My name is Teacher Mary Maraga, Redeemed Divine Church. I have been coming for VBS for the last five years at Parkie. The VBS has been imparting our children tremendously. In fact every moment they leave and go back to Redeemed, there is something new that they learn from Parkie. I thank the Hospitality of Parkie, our children have been having meals all through breakfast, tea and lunch and they always go home celebrating. Their parents are very happy about the Parkie family and their generosity. I in particular as a teacher, I say thanks to the Parkie Team. May God bless you as you are givers, the one who sees in secret will reward you openly because you have really done a great job. As a teacher you have built me, my children can sing and dance from what they have learnt from Parkie. They can even recite memory verses. There is a time we learnt about Jacob and how the Angels used to minister to Him from heaven, the kids memorized that scripture. We learnt about Gideon, how he won the battle by having very few people in his army, this was done at Parkie. This time we have learnt about Nehemiah, He prayed, the people came together. In oneness we can do great things, Unity is Strength. The children always leave with something they have learnt. I really thank God for what has done through Parkie and we are praying that as we come next year that the children will continue learning the word of God. The word of God says, teach the children and they will not forget what they have been taught and they will not forget when they have grown up. This is what Parkie is doing. As Christians we have started teaching our children at a young age through Parkie and we say Thank you. God bless Parkie for all that you are doing. 16
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As a first time volunteer in VBS to assist in capturing memories, I must admit that I was skeptical when I was first approached by the Children coordinator to help out reason being, I had never previously interacted with the Children s Ministry. Week one with toddlers was very interesting, seeing the young ones dropped off by parents with their bags and wearing their name tags to their respective classes. What caught my attention was their eagerness to learn about Nehemiah. Play time I must say was the best time seeing them run around freely. Coloring, building blocks and writing their names on their work and the smiles on their face reciting the memory verse. Clearly there is more to what meets the eye as far as the Children Ministry is concerned and what they do especially during the Vacation Bible School. Week two was characterized by the older children. Coming out in large numbers to learn about Nehemiah. From the breakout sessions, class clusters and field activities, the children were over joyed and their faces lit up having a blast. Cultivating a healthy environment for children where they will learn the word of God, play, have a meal and be children is what Parkie gave and they did an awesome job at it and I am thankful I was part of this VBS. Thank you Parkie family, I am carrying the memories with me and I look forward to next VBS. Annlizer 19
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Word from the Chair Tr. Edwin Children indeed are a gift from God. Personally I ve been blessed by their presence and it has molded me to be the person that I am. Though I am a teacher, it is a great blessing that I can learn from them. It s always great to see each child having confidence and knowing they are precious before God and that they are a treasure that God can use despite where they come from. VBS has been one of the opportunities for us as teachers to prepare lessons, present and explain the truth of the gospel to children, hence encouraging them to know that they are special, and that God can use them as He used his servants in the Bible e.g. Nehemiah, and also for the children to exercise their different God given gifts and talents through the songs, dance, crafts and games. Through VBS we have been able to reach out to children within and beyond. It was great to see parents drop their children and remain to take part in the children activities hence praying for a close partnership with them in this transformative program. Always looking forward to times such as this.
PRAYER DECLARATION FOR OUR CHILDREN We decree and declare that our children are learning and understanding your holy scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15; Colossians 3:16 We decree and declare that Christ is living in the hearts of our children and that they will trust in Him. We pray that their roots will go down deep into the soil of your marvellous love.and that they will have the power to understand how deep your love really is. Ephesians 3:17-18 We decree and declare that our children dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. You are their refuge, their fortress, their God, in you will they trust. No evil shall befall them; neither shall any plague come near their dwelling. You give your angels charge over them to keep them in all their ways. They call upon you and you answer them. You are with them in trouble and deliver them. With long life you satisfy them and show them your salvation! Psalm 91 We decree and that our children are obeying and honouring their parents so that all will be well with them and that they will live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:1 22
We decree and declare that our children are being well-favoured and skillful in all wisdom, discernment, and understanding.they are competent to learn whatever they need to know.they will have the aptitude for understanding and wisdom. Daniel 1:4, 17, 20 We decree and declare that our children are not having the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 We decree and declare that our children are realizing and understanding that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. Philippians 4:13 We decree and declare that our children are strong and courageous. They are obeying the laws of the Lord and they are not turning away from it, the book of the law will always be on their lips, they will meditate upon it day and night, so that they may be careful to do everything written in it. Our children are prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:7 We decree and declare that our children will walk in love, as Christ has loved them and given himself for them, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2 We decree and declare that our children are offering their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. They are not conforming to the pattern of this world, but they are being transformed by the renewing of their mind. Romans 12:1-2a 23
We decree and declare that our children are conforming to God s will in every purpose, thought and action.they are following God s plan for them and habitually practice what is pleasing to you. 1 John 2:1; 3:22 We decree and declare that our children are ascending the mountain of the Lord, they are standing in God s holy place, and they have clean hands and pure hearts. Our children are not trusting in idols or swearing by false Gods, they are receiving blessings from the Lord and vindication from God their saviour. Psalms 24:3-6a We decree and declare that our children are loving the Lord with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind. They are also loving their neighbour as they love themselves. Matthew 22:37 39 We decree and declare that the Lord is our children s shepherd, they shall lack nothing. He makes them lie down in green pastures, he leads them beside the still waters, he restores their soul, he leads them in the path of righteousness for his name s sake. He prepares a table before them in the presence of their enemies, He anoints their head with oil; surely goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days of their lives. Psalm 23:1-6 24
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VBS 2018 CONTACT: PRECIOUS TREASURE MINISTRY Tel: 0722 845 401 Email: children@parklandsbaptist.org Web: www.parklandsbaptist.org