The Oasis for our VBS helped to set the atmosphere as students came into Ester Hall.

Clyde the ‘camel’ looks over the green hills.

A bird's eye view of the Oasis and market place.

Ester Hall was transformed into a Market Place much as you might have found around Jerusalem 29 A.D. At the front of the Market Place was the beautiful Oasis, with lots of other activities in the marketplace.

Students come to the candle shop to learn how to make candles.

Students pay close attention to learn how to make candles.

Here is a bead shop where the students are making prayer bracelets.

Students (of all ages) learn about plants mentioned in the Bible.

A basket weaving class where students to experience the intricacies of weaving.

“Jesus” and “Mary” help make tambourines and ‘showfars’.

Market Place 29 A.D. had it's own tax collector, who was always around ready to collect those taxes. It was easy when the taxes were only a couple denarie (painted rocks), but then there were those gold coins with chocolate inside. Yet even with that chocolate tempting, the kids were surprisingly eager to also give him those coins in payment of their taxes. What would it be like if we adults were so eager to pay taxes?

The tax collector collects taxes from everyone.

The ‘ol storyteller’ fascinates the children with his Bible stories right out of a scroll.

Each evening, we were treated to Bible Stories that Jesus probably heard as a child, from a storyteller much as little Jesus might have sat beside (stories from what we today call the Old Testament). We were fascinated as he told of these ancient stories, refering to his leather scroll as he told the stories.

Listening to a Bible story sitting at his feet.

The middle and senior high students prepare to re-enact a Bible Story.

The PUMC Youth performed a variety of Bible Stories during the program, using stories from the Gospels. They not only read the lines, but dressed the parts, and presented the stories as involved players. These short plays became a highlight of the program each evening.

Vacation Bible Students watch the youth present one of the Bible Stories.

Our band getting ready to accompany the students in a festival of songs.

Students make bricks similar to the ones used in Bible times.

We learned to do some Jewish dances in a big circle.

Another story of loaves and fishes. We're weren't sure how many people would be coming to the VBS. We only had 11 people pre-registered, then about 65 showed up that first evening. It's hard to plan if you don't know how many to plan for, yet somehow the food just kept stretching until everyone was fed. It reminds us of Jesus and his feeding 5000 with a few loaves and fishes. Maybe we didn't feed 5000, but seeing that food stretch to feed 65 people was nonetheless our reminder that God really was in control of the VBS Program.

What fun to have a meal with everyone at the start of the evening.

Every night we closed with a song and prayer.

When the last night of VBS was over, everyone involved in the planning, meals, assembly hall, and crafts were both exhilarated, though tired. It had been a wonderful experience for everyone. Plans are now beginning for next year's VBS. What will it be like? Check back later.