In the US: Summer VBS - with our Neighbors

SPACE PROBE VBS hit Richmond, Indiana this Summer! Sarah led a classroom and I helped with music and being one of the "up-fronters" with Sarah's sister Emily. Lots of fun!
Thursday of the week-long VBS was "goofy day". It took a little convincing to get our Japanese neighbor's kids to leave their house dressed up funny - but after they saw us in the driveway that morning ... their fears were quickly allayed!!! :)

Here is Olivia and Riko. They had a lot of fun together this week. Olivia was very aware that Riko felt out of place, having never been to anything like VBS before. Olivia was sweet to help her find Bible passages, show her where to go next, and learn the words to all the praise songs and VBS songs.

Annabella and Yuri had a great week together. Yuri seems to have more confidence with her English and fit right in. Her favorite song was "J-O-Y". I made a CD for them of the songs from VBS so they could keep singing them at home. Their Mom says that they never stop singing around the house!
Through the week at VBS, coming to the church building every day, and meeting many church members - our Japanese friends definitely have developed a very positive impression of Christians. This is a great beginning step in their spiritual journey. We are thankful for the new level of conversations we are able to have.

One of their VBS teachers went online and bought them a Japanese Bible in addition to the English one they received through VBS. Though they will be gone for the next month in Japan, we look forward to beginning to show them some basic truths through Scripture when they get back!