Above: After a smooth and successful registration, we began the fifteen minute walk from the local community center to this year’s VBS site in Petőfibánya.



Above: With many kids returning to VBS from last year, there was already a sense of peace and fellowship soon after their arrival.





Above: Dezső took on the role of a fictional Libarian named Gáspar. One of our first mini dramas had Gáspar offereing the Bible to each person that came into the library seeking for books on various life issues. Afterwards, Erika taught on the Bible being like a mirror which reveals who we are in the inside.









Above: After this morning’s main teaching, we split into small groups according to age and continued to discuss today’s Bible verse and how it applies to our lives. We praise God for those God has raised up in the local church to be a part of leading these small groups in VBS this year. Teenager Gabi K. taught and facilitated a small group with Roger for the first time in his life. Gabi continues to grow in his faith and refine the giftings that God has given him while serving with us.

Hugi gave praise to God in tonight’s meeting for His work in Betti’s life (Dezső’s daughter). Just over a year ago, Betti was so reserved that she never talked out loud to others in school, in church and also at last year’s camp. This had been a problem for years for which they sought help. After many fruitless attempts at finding solutions, Betti’s problem was brought to God in prayer. Just last Sunday Dezső gave testimony to how God healed his daughter, and we continue to see the blessing of that healing at VBS this year. Betti was one of the students in her small group that said today’s verse out loud from memory. As we rejoiced about this news, Dezső added that Betti’s speech is actually at a more advanced level than most of her peers. Dezső gave thanks to God for his daughter’s progress and for the church’s help in praying for her.



Above: Soon after today’s free-time began, where kids can choose various games to play with VBS leaders, it began pouring rain. This caused us to have to shuffle around some of the day’s scheduled events. We are thankful that the rain soon stopped, and we were able to still hold team competitions.



Above: Brenda preparing Petra for one of our competitions.









Above: While some were outside competing, others were inside constructing a small Bible which will help the kids memorize the books of the Bible and their themes.



Above: At the end of the day, members from each small group were able to recite today’s verse from memory.

When Miki announced that the day was over and that we would soon be heading back home, there was an echo of sighs. One kid’s jaw dropped in disbelief, saying, “NO!” It is great to know that the kids truly enjoyed themselves and look forward to VBS tomorrow. We praise God for keeping the kids free of injuries in the slippery conditions at play time. We were amazed that with all of the details that had to come together, how smooth the first day went (the first day is usually the most frustrating and challenging). This year’s large team is working well together and their joy and desire to reveal God’s love to the children was evident throughout the day.

Answered prayer and praise:

- Protection from sickness (the team is doing well. Allen had enough strength to serve and to play soccer today with the kids)
- First day jitters. (God blessed us with an environment for the kids that brought Him glory)
- Teenager Gabi K. (Did a great job teaching children for the first time.)
- Kids sensed acceptance and love and were free from fear.

Specific requests:

- Allen still sick and others needing rest. Please pray for healing and for a good night’s sleep for all team members so that we are physically and spiritually refreshed for tomorrow.
- Teenager group. The oldest group seems to be having trouble opening up in discussion time. Please pray for them that they would be able to trust each other and begin to share their thoughts and heart in discussion time.
- Dramas and teaching. Please pray for Miki who will presenting the main teaching tomorrow and for teenager Gabi who will perform a mini-drama at the end of the day relating to the day’s teaching.
- Please pray for the weather that would be most beneficial to what God wants us to do tomorrow.
- Please pray that God would continue to help these kids understand the Gospel and move their hearts to trust in Him for salvation.