Every year, Ascension Lutheran Church puts a lot of effort into its Vacation Bible School (VBS). Talented members build elaborate scenery and decorations; the director seeks out the best materials on the market; helpers rehearse song movements and gather materials for crafts. Usually, most of those materials are used for just one week and then forgotten or discarded.

 

Last year, however, Ascension stored their VBS materials, and this year passed them on to a new Lutheran Hispanic mission in El Paso. This small mission is just getting off the ground, and has no extra money to spend. The donated VBS materials allowed the mission to launch its very first Vacation Bible School. Ascension is already making plans to do the same thing next year.

 

Passing on your Vacation Bible School materials to a Hispanic mission makes a lot of sense:

• Hispanic/Latino kids here in the United States almost always know English very well. Some don't speak any Spanish! So your English VBS materials will be right on the mark!
• There are a lot of Hispanic/Latino children in the U.S. Right now, according to the census, one out of every six people in the U.S. considers themselves to be Hispanic. In the schools, however, that percentage goes even higher! Statistics show that most Christians come to faith when they are children. We need to reach out among Hispanic children with the gospel!
• Although some Hispanic churches are well off financially, many are struggling. Your support might make resources available that would otherwise be out of reach.
• It's simply good stewardship to put to good use the materials we buy or make!
• Perhaps some of your VBS teachers and helpers would be willing to volunteer to help in the Hispanic church's Vacation Bible School! What a great way to make connections!

 

However, if you like this idea, please don't forget to use common sense:

• Don't donate junk. Keep the materials organized and in good shape. If you wouldn't use the stuff yourself, don't pawn it off on your fellow Christians.
• Don't force your ideas on the Hispanic congregation. It could be that the Hispanic group doesn't want to have a Vacation Bible School, or they can't for some reason, or it isn't a good idea for their situation. They know their circumstances better than you do. Offer the resources, and resist the temptation to tell others what you think they should do.
• Don't do it in order to feel superior or to feel good about yourself. Do it in thanks to God for the opportunity to share with fellow believers!
• Don't forget to pray!!!