"I Survived VBS"

We should make up "I Survived VBS" t-shirts and give them to all the incredible folks who year in and year out go beyond the call of duty to serve the Lord and display the love of Jesus to children. All kidding aside, this year's VBS, at least in my book, was extra special.

I did want to share something that was truly amazing last night. So get this, all week long the kids brought in their "co-pay" (translation: missionary offering). This year we decided that all the money that came in would literally go to Timbuktu to the Elijah House whose mission is to feed and clothe children in the name of Jesus Christ. One of our dear friends is P.J. Hartzell. She is the wife of Rich who serves as an elder at Grace BFC (Wallingford, PA). P.J. went to Timbuktu last year and has a real passion for that area.

Okay, so last year at our VBS the kids brought in a combined total of 37.7 lbs of coins. The boys brought in 23.2 lbs and the girls had 14.5 lbs. The total sum of money was $245.32 which all went to the Gloucester County Child Evangelism Fellowship ministry.

This year, and this is so cool, the kids brought in a grand total of 111.2 lbs of coins!!! The boys won the competition for total weight (boys had 61.6 lbs to the girls 49.6 lbs). However, when the men had the money counted up it was the GIRLS who had the most money! The girls' total alone was $351.16. The boys' total was $340.35. So the grand total was $691.51. How amazing is that!!!

Thank you, Father, for working in the hearts of the children to be so generous. You truly are a God who does abundantly more than anything we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). We give you glory for all the boys and girls who came to VBS this week. May they grow to love and serve you with their whole hearts. Amen.