Thursday, August 25, 2011

'Pandamania' Teaches Kids about God's Wild Love

8/18/11

JOHNSON CITY, TN — Vacation Bible School 2011 at the Johnson City (Tenn.) Seventy-day Adventist Church was a smashing success. There were about 40 children in attendance, including 10 who were non-members.

The theme was "Pandamania—Where God is WILD about You!" Beth deFluiter, Nikki Firestine, and Katrina Holt planned and executed the decorating and activities for the event, and about 25 adult and college-aged volunteers assisted.

Children crossed a huge, red bridge to enter a sanctuary decorated with bamboo, hanging lanterns, Chinese dragons, and paw prints. There was also a group of playful pandas splashing around a pond and leaping off a diving board.

Crafts each night included making binoculars, prayer journals, and floating rafts with pandas. And games included relay races, sack races, panda tosses, and group games.

The children also enjoyed listening to a Bible lesson each night. Pandamania Pete taught that God is listening to them, God loves them no matter what, God gives good gifts, God watches over them, and God made them.

Interactive songs were one of the highlights of the program for the children. Of course, delicious snacks were something to look forward to each night also.

Patty Carner {story + photos}


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