![FB_IMG_1526031923746.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWAXkNvYvbthSB43uHYzGKfHyndbTusWApEi2svxCV8mv/FB_IMG_1526031923746.jpg) Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 Vacation Bible School or commonly known as VBS is a pan-denominational children bible schooling that is done every year. It is especially conducted by Protestants (Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc.) and some Catholics.

This 2018, my home church Jesus is Lord Church-Mangaldan conducted VBS with its theme "Back to Jerusalem" (in accordance with the Church Strengthening Ministries Publishing's VBS) with its main verse "Remember the great things he has done for you: I Samuel 12:24b," Our church lately conducted their first VBS mission at Barangay Salay, Mangaldan, Pangasinan. And will be conducting our second and third VBS mission at Barangay Anolid and Maasin respectively.

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THIS IS HOW OUR VBS WORKS:

The church's program have 5 "Vistas" or lessons that are conducted for 3 consecutive days :

Vista 1 gives the Souvenir of Praise that discusses about how do children will praise God;

Vista 2 gives the Souvenir of Courage, teaching about having courage;

Vista 3 gives the Souvenir of Strength which includes the miracles done by Jesus Christ and giving us renewing strength;

Vista 4 gives the Souvenir of Love, showing the love of Christ by his crucifixion and lastly;

Vista 5 gives the Souvenir of Hope, showing the agony of the Apostles during his death, his Resurrection and his Ascension to heaven.

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Children participating here are categorized into 3 groups: Nomads, for beginners; Pilgrims, for Children 1 (composed of primary elementary kids); Migrants, for Children 2 (mostly composed of intermediate elementary kids and some Grade 7 students).

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND OPINION

I applied to become a volunteer here in VBS. When the first day came, I was invited by our VBS Chairwoman, Mrs. Anna Liza Urbano, to become one of the speaker of VBS, teaching about Vista 5 (Resurrection and Ascension). I was just shocked even though I actually stood in the church's pulpit for 2 times because I am more experienced when it comes to teaching theology and the bible to adults and teenagers. When it was my time, I was nervously speaking the Gospel to them and can't explain well to them what I am talking about. I am just translating it. But I gave them a lesson: That while they are young, they should fight the good fight of faith and have hope to Jesus Christ. They shouldn't conform to this world but focus to God. They shouldn't give up to problems and temptations but carry his yoke for he will give you rest. Maybe I didn't gave too much justice to what I taught but I gave them a lesson that they would cherish it forever.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6