Gleanings from Gideon

The most obscure Bible story we (local ministry leaders + a short-term team from Tampa, FL) taught at Ozama's first ever VBS was Gideon. Reflecting upon the mini-VBS that wrapped up last night, I see its applicability. 

Taking advantage of a week off school for most Dominican children, Iglesia Luterana Pan de Vida offered a 3-day reprise of last month's "Rescued by Jesus." The Bible stories this time connected God's promise of a Savior in Genesis with its fulfillment in Jesus' death and resurrection through drama, song, prayer, crafts, and outdoor play. I spent three nights in the capital supporting Rev. Sergio Maita and wife Yoxa, Rev. Willy Gaspar and daughters Estefani and Yeandra, Vicar Isaac, seminarian Rafael, and several church members who stepped up to help. Throwing it back to my middle and high school days as a VBS volunteer, I was the craft lady. 

                                       

Hay Tormentas remained the hit song. 

Inspired by a palm-sized version Isaac found online, openings also featured a homemade (by me) jumbo-sized "Passion Cube." The kids loved rolling it and explaining whatever image it landed on. 

The kids showed up earlier than expected, forcing us to be creative to fill extra time at the end of 30- vs. 20-minute rotations. 

Tuesday morning excursion to see how Santo Domingo's botanical garden compares to Santiago's. Santo Domingo's is much, much larger and best explored by the tram that is included in the RD$100 entrance fee. The 35-minute narrated (in the language of your choice) drive includes a pit stop at the picturesque Japanese garden. Near the tram station is a small but air conditioned museum featuring dioramas of eight different climactic zones found in the DR. 

Jeison and his day 2 craft. 

                                          

Games inspired by Coach Brad, a member of the Tampa team. 

But sometimes, the simplest activities are the most fun!

Each day's closing included the Lord's Prayer. 

It was fun watching the kids fall back into a familiar routine. They stopped at the registration table for a nametag before making a beeline for the patio. The little ones formed a "choo-choo" to walk from crafts to games without bring prompted. The Zumba moms, too, feel very much at home in the church building, and it showed. They'd sit and chat with Yoxa after dropping their kids off or head to the kitchen to pour themselves a cup of coffee, or both. 

Where does Gideon fit in all of this? We had about half as many kids as last time, but about half as many helpers, too, and our ranks seemed to dwindle each day: first illness, then "fires" to put out, then changing travel plans. The light bulb went off heading into the final day. In Judges 7, the Lord trims Gideon's 32,000 men down to just 300. Why? 

"The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me,'" (v. 2). 

So there'd be no doubt about who deserved the glory when the Midianites were, in fact, routed by the Israelites - certainly not Gideon. In the same way, the momentum that's slowly building in a nondescript building in Ensanche Ozama isn't Pastor Maita's doing, or the Tampa short-term team's, or even the Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission's. It's God's and His alone. He is the builder of all things, most especially His Church. It's truly exciting to watch the foundation being laid in Ozama, and I look forward to continuing my personal & professional involvement there. 

Until next time, blessings!