Fallowfield United Methodist Church hosted Vacation Bible School (VBS) last week. As of this writing 65 to 70 children have attended each night. The kids learned a Bible story, sing, played games, made crafts, and ate snacks. Everyone had fun.
One song, “Follow the Way of Love,” includes 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, also known as The Love Chapter: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (NIV)
It’s wonderful to hear children sing songs about our loving God. All the leaders pray the children who came to VBS asked Jesus into their hearts.
VBS is evangelism. Many children meet Jesus at VBS, but don’t attend church any other time.
A friend shared an encouraging story about a woman who met Jesus at VBS 40 years ago. She gave a eulogy at for a dear Christian lady named Dot. She told mourners that Dot took her to VBS as a girl. She didn’t attend church except during VBS, but it paved her road to faith. As an adult she began attending church and is now a devout Christian. It all started because Dot gave her rides to VBS.
Friday is Independence Day. I thank God for our freedom of religion and for every soldier who fought and fights to preserve our freedom. I have a big sign in my yard that reads, “Jesus.” Thanks to the Christians and soldiers who founded and maintain our freedoms I can continue to have this sign in my yard.
I hope you will take time on July 4th to thank God for our freedoms and ask him to preserve these freedoms for our children and grandchildren. Christians in the United States and all over the world are under attack.
Also, please continue praying for Meriam Ibrahim. I wrote about her situation in my May 26 column. Sudanese officials imprisoned her for her Christian faith. They also jailed her 20-month-old son, Martin. She gave birth to a daughter, Maya, while in jail. An appellate court released her on June 23. On June 24, while trying to board a plane dozens of agents from the National Intelligence and Security Service arrested both Meriam and her husband.
Please pray for a miracle for Meriam. She is so heavy on my heart.
You can sign a petition for her release and political asylum in the United States at www.beheardproject.com/meriam#sign. Could you please pray for God to free her and allow her to come to the United States? Thanks so much.
All God’s blessings.