Free to VBS

 He lifted his little arms above his head, clenched his fists, squinted his eyes and talked out of the side of his mouth.  “Feel my muscles,” he said, trying to look tough, but succeeding in looking exceedingly cute.  “My muscles are super strwong. I can even pick up my mwom.”

Tom on balloon animal duty

This week we had the joy of joining in the VBS at our church in the Boston area.  We had the fun and privilege to work with kindergartners and first graders.  Each day was filled with songs, lessons, crafts, games and snacks.  Not to mention many funny and cute interactions like the one above.  Ultimately, the goal of investing in kids’ lives and having fun while learning about the good news was accomplished.

As we were driving home from another fun-filled morning we started to speculate about what would it be like to have a VBS like that on the islands.  Island kids would be blown away.  The props, sets and materials for lessons, games and crafts. These are resources out of reach of most  islanders. At the same time, making crafts is not really part of island culture, so they might be puzzled by it.  We laughed to think what islanders might do with a crab made out of a clam shell, pipe cleaners and a couple of googily eyes.  

Then we thought about the way all the VBS kids knew how to line up nicely so they could move from one activity to another.  Island kids would probably have been wandering off in all directions!  There would probably be a lot more chaos on the islands.

But there is a much bigger challenge to doing a VBS on the islands.  Something we take for granted here in the US. Here the kids at VBS were coming from all over the neighborhood and from all different backgrounds, and they have the freedom to do so. Such freedoms don’t exist on our islands.

Our daughter and youngest son enjoying the Boston area

Just this past week, we read an article of islanders being arrested and imprisoned for practicing—a different form of the majority faith.  To be clear, it is the same faith just a different branch. According to the article, these people were not reaching out to others or inviting others to join them, they were simply practicing their beliefs openly, but in a private setting, when authorities came and started making arrests. This is the present reality on the islands.

Americans are known for loving freedom.  We take our freedom so seriously we become deeply offended when it is challenged even slightly.  A lot of our energy and political debate is used navigating around competing freedoms and deciding whose freedom is more valuable.    We take it for granted that driving through a town you may see a dozen different places of worship of all sorts of faith.  We take it for granted that anyone can explore and visit any of those places without fear of imprisonment or persecution.

The reality is that we aren’t planning on doing an American-style VBS on the islands (for lots of reasons). But we pray that one day islanders will have the freedom to have fun and hear about the good news without fear. 

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We were able to get an appointment for our daughter see a rheumatologist in Boston in August. We had a great time hanging out with kids and reconnecting with people this past week with more planned for this coming week. Our teammate says things are going well with the kids at orientation.  Our colleagues up on the plateau continue to have lot of sharing opportunities.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for our daughter— she’s had a flare-up in her pain the past few days which is both painful and discouraging. There is a lot to do and lots of people to see while we are in the US- pray for us as we try to find the balance between time with extended family, friends, errands, and rest.  Continue to pray for the islands, for greater freedom, for courage despite dangers, and for hope, peace and love to abound.