Drime a success during fourth day of VBS

Hola, hola!

Megan here, and happy to report that we have successfully finished our day 4 of VBS!

First off, before I go on about today’s post, I have to make an apology! Brannon’s post from the first impressions in Mexico was missing — not because we lost him in the Huixquilucan mountains, but because I had a blogger brain lapse and somehow missed his post in the journal book. Here is what he had to say about his first few days here in Mexico:

It inspires me to see how happy all of the children and adult locals are despite their poor living conditions. 

Thanks, Brannon!

Now, on to today.

For VBS, we had a game where kids would put a cotton strip of fabric in their pocket and try to protect it from others grabbing it, and the kids made bracelets with five different coloured beads as the craft.

Black represents our sin;

Red represents Jesus’ blood that was shed when He died on the cross;

White represents Jesus washing our sins white as snow;

Green represents new life, and;

Gold/yellow represents our ability to have eternal life in Heaven.

While the kids were in the craft room working on their bracelets, the drime I talked about yesterday (a drama without words) was put on for the kids. Although each time I have done a VBS in Mexico, there have been special moments — this one stands out to me the most. I get chills just thinking about it. The song the students acted out to is “La historia de un hombre” (The Story of a Man), while a team of 10 students acted out the lyrics. I really can’t wait until you can all see the video — even if you don’t understand the lyrics, it was just unbelievably powerful. It brought all of the leaders to tears, and I heard from another team member that some of the moms watching were also tearing up. The fact that these kids and Lyndi put this together in just an evening was incredible, and I was definitely extremely proud of the students. It was another one of those moments that is hard to describe through just words. And … the locals watching liked it so much, they have asked us to do it again at the end of tomorrow’s day of VBS. 

Here are the lyrics.

En Espanol:

Va caminando en silencio buscando a alguien que tenga una necesidad

Sana un ciego y abraza a un leproso y a sus enemigos El los cubre de amor.

En la tormenta el duerme en un barco y calla el mar con su voz

Entra en un pueblo montado en un asno

El es Rey de toda humildad. 

Chorus:

La historia de un hombre que dio su corazón. 

Humilde, sirviente, amó sin condición. 

Perfecto, sin mancha, su Gracia mostró. 

Si el mismo siendo Rey, murió por amor. 

Horas oraba en el monte de Olivos 

de a poco cargaba el tormento y dolor.

Gotas de sangre caían al suelo pudiendo escapar. 

El no quiso arrancar. 

Burlas y la gente escupiendo en su cara

y El solo miraba a Dios. 

Muere clavado sufriendo castigo del mundo

al tomar su lugar

**Chorus**

De su trono bajó, el vino a morir. 

Torturado por mi, mi vida salvó.

Tres días y al cielo subió

Ahora reina en poder. 

Con la espada habló y al diablo venció. 

**Chorus**

Translation into English:

He came quietly in search of those in need. 

He healed the blind and embraced the lepers and He covered His enemies in love.

During a storm, he slept in a boat and calmed the seas with His voice.

He entered Jerusalem on a donkey, He is the King of humanity.

Chorus:

This is the story of a man who gave his heart.

he was humble, a servant, and loved unconditionally.

He was perfect, without blemish and extended grace. 

He himself, being King, died for love.

Hours, he spent, praying on the Mount of Olives, in anticipation of his torment and pain.

Drops of blood fell to the ground, being a ble to escape, he chose the cross.

The people mocked him and spat in His face. His eyes were fixed on God.

Nailed to a cross, he paid the price for us. Suffering, he took our place.

**Chorus**

He came down from His throne to die, He was tortured for me, my life He saved.

Three days passed, He rose from the grave. Know he is reigning in power.

With his words, like a sword, the devil was defeated.

**Chorus**

Tomorrow is another big day. Today we presented the gospel, and tomorrow the two pastors of the church, Pablo Daniel and Tachito, will be returning to now ask the kids if they would like to accept Christ. Please pray that this message will fall on willing hearts and open minds — that the kids will be receptive to this.

Mexico City (and across the country as well) is home to a high percentage of people with Catholic faith. So, although this message about Jesus, His life and Him dying on the cross that we’re presenting to the kids is not completely foreign, the fact that Jesus is alive and that we can have a personal relationship with Him is something new for the locals here to consider.

This VBS is also significant because of the newness of the church. The point behind having the VBS is to bring in people from the community and the area to the church. Even if every single child there tomorrow does not accept Christ, please pray that seeds are planted, and that awareness for the church is raised. There will also likely be parents of kids at the VBS who will be watching the drime, so please pray for them as well! As well, if there are kids who do accept Christ, please pray that the church will be able to follow up with them. 

Tomorrow is a classic example of all the work the locals do for us in hosting us. As Friday is our last day in Huixquilucan, we will be leaving to go to Monte Sion, the church right in Mexico City. While the team is at VBS, the locals will be taking all of our luggage to the church (anywhere between one to two hours depending on traffic) and then back again to collect us. Please pray for safety for the locals in their many hours of driving, and that our luggage will continue to stay together and not get left here in Huixquilucan. One of the vans is quite old and falling apart, and has a hard time starting, so please pray that no one would get stranded! 

Continued prayers for health for the colds we are battling would also be appreciated. 

I have a praise item for you as well! The lady renting out these rooms for us said she noticed a difference in how we act, so Gloria a Dios (glory to God) that God was able to work through us in our actions and standing out to this lady!

Thank you so much for reading and for your comments! During yesterday’s meeting, I read out your comments to the team. It was a lot of fun for me and an encouragement for the team as well. 

Hasta mañana! (See you tomorrow!)