HEAR and OBEY - VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL 2018
- CamCam
- Aug 22, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 4, 2019
When you’re sweating and wanting to go to the beach or have a dip in the swimming pool to feel cool and use your swimsuit you know its summer.
But mine’s different. I know that summer is already around the corner when Vacation Church School rings a bell in my mind, soul, and heart.
Every summer the United Methodist Church of the Philippines conducts a Vacation Church School for 5-10 days in which most of the UMYFers or whoever wants to join can volunteer as a Teacher. VCS is an avenue for children to make their summer much more memorable and God-centered. Panahon eto ng mga bata para di lamang maglaro sa kalsada bagkus ay para mas makilala pa ang Panginoon na ating tagpagligtas.
This year I taught alongside Glaizel and Manu, they are the bomb! Awesome young people that has a great vision for change and for being part of that "change" by engaging theirselves into greater caused like Vacation Church School. They are also part of the Kamuning First United Methodist Youth Fellowship.
The Vacation Church School has 4 levels; Nursery – ages 4-5, Younger Elementary – ages 6-8, Middle Elementary ages 9-10, and Older Elementary – ages 11-12. In the following levels different study materials are used, and as usual we have a theme song for VCS, like this years “Diringgin, Susundin” and last year’s “Testigo.” Most children can familiarize and memorize the song immediately. Samahan ba naman ng napakagandang steps ang napakagandang kanta, talagang catchy!
Beyond being blessed, the VCS of some churches are conducted in their local church and mission areas amounting to a very vast numbers of students; which is what I personally consider as God’s best because He loves all the little children and this goes to show that He is truly with us.
My home church, The Kamuning First United Methodist Church conducted its VCS last April 16-21, 2018 at the church itself and mission area in Palanas. I was a volunteer, I’ve been teaching in the Vacation Church School of KFUMC for 7 years which means 7 summers, 7 memorable and blessed summers of my life with God’s wonderful children and this year was actually the marked of my 7th year in this ministry. Yehey! 7 up! Haha! Madami pang taon na siguradong magtuturo ako sa VCS.
Last year the VCS 2017 also happened in KFUMC and Palanas Mission. In our mission area I happened to get to know Sean, a very charming and vibrant little boy with big dreams. I also got to be his Teacher again on this year's VCS! Amazing!
Look at Sean and his dabarkads kakulitan here:
Oh! But look how helpful and loving Sean is:
Sean is a very loving kid. He knows how to say "Thank You" and he use "Po and Opo" when answering to me or any Teachers around the area.
*I wonder if I'll be able to teach him again on VCS 2019! Wooooooot, woooot!"
For the past 6 years I was teaching the Nursery level, walang awat at ayaw kong magpaawat sa mga bagets. I really love little kids. I love telling them the story of God and they always remind me of God’s love for all His children. This year I took a twist and turn, I taught the Younger Elementary level for various reasons rather than teaching the Nursery level once again which is why I won’t discuss it anymore but one thing’s for sure the greatest reason is God. Syempre planado ni Lord eto so go lang ng go kahit anong level pa ang turuan ko, push lang ng push!
I was able to teach 25 Younger elementary students at KFUMC and an almost 50 mixed Nursery and Younger elementary students at Palanas Mission Area.
God’s work is really amazing he led us to the lives of those children so that we will see His love and grace that works within everyone no matter what situations we are in, pantay pantay sa mata ng Panginoon. We are all alike and one in the eyes of the Lord our Savior.
Years of teaching in VCS made me feel what my students are going through, some of them had a tough time in their lives and within their families even if they are still little.
I had a student named, Theresa. She is our bright smile awardee and she is very loving amidst the difficult life that she have she still manages to smile as if the world belongs to her. Theresa has a difficult time reading and writing her own name but ever since she became my student in VCS she is very courageous and has an open heart to learn and know more about Jesus.
Theresa was and is vulnerable to life’s crisis. Nakatira siya sa likod ng KFUMC, hindi sila financially stable and hindi din siya nakakapagaral ng maayos at minsan hindi din nakakakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw pero God delivered her and brought her to my life for the past 2 years of VCS. She is just one of the many children that goes to the VCS every summer, seeking for love and compassion that just don’t came to the teachers but from God up above.
A glimpse of VCS 2018 Graduation:
I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the power that can change life and bring life itself. I believe that every summer, every year, every Vacation Church School- God was and is with us.
He is our Jehovah Jireh. He is our Yahweh. He is our Abba Father.
He is our good, good Father that is always in a good, good mood.
VCS is a home away from home. An avenue where hope is shared and love is freely given through God and by God.
Special mention to Ate/Dss. Karmina "Mimi" Lopez for giving her all and for encouraging us to be the "Teachers of Change" that equipped the VCS 2018 students!
Thank you, Ate Mimi! We love you.
Eggzoited na ako para sa VCS 2019!
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