La Casa de mi Padre

Well, VBS is finished now, and we are grateful for that. The last three weeks were absolutely draining in many ways. But I would not have changed it for the world! Our team was pretty commited to the vision and our kids were excited to be part of it. They do see how we, as a family, have a calling to tell others about Jesus. Samuel got to do puppets and, to be honest, he is pretty good at it. The kids laughed at what he said which was an encouragement. Rebeca, on the other hand, enjoyed more sitting with the rest of the kids, helping them with their crafts and mostly, setting a good example of behaviour. We are so blessed.

I will never be able to do justice to Matthew´s wonderful organization skills. He planned, organized, encouraged, challenged and had fun with the team. He did an excellent job leading us in this project. Thank You, my love.

The theme we used was "La casa de mi Padre" (My Father's house). We talked about creation, Noah, the life of Jesus, us being the salt and light of the world; and finally our home in heaven. We had a theme song, which goes like this, more or less:

My Father's house I want to know,

My Father's house, will be a safe place.

My Father's house, in there I will live.

My Father's house, forever with Him!

I think all of us, adults and kids, liked this song and its tune. Ironically, though, we had a tough reminder that this Earth is full of sin and imperfect. We all should be looking forward to being with Jesus for ever.

One of the VBS locations, was the street. Matthew rented a large tent to protect us from the rain. We set up things in a way that we were facing a house that belongs to a church family. On the other side of the street, live two "kids" all by themselves. Well, they are 25 and 23. They have been locked in the "house" for decades. They are victims of abuse since they were very young. Neighbors say that they used to go to Kindergarten, but all of a sudden, they were locked in the house, tied to their beds and never went outside again. They lived with their father, who died. Then their mother came in the picture but didn't stay with them. To this date she sees them every other day, gives them some food and leaves again, locking the house from the outside. If you saw them, they are so skinny and have not developed mentally. The first day we had VBS, they came out to their little yard and started clapping to the songs. Later, their mother came and locked them inside of the only room they have. We didn't see them again.

The words of the theme song were painful to sing, yet hopeful. We know that today, their house is nothing but the horrible place where they are victims of an abuse I could never imagine would exist. But one day, those kids will have a safe place to live for ever, when they are called to His presence to live in Our Father's House. May that be very soon.