VBS Makes a Difference

Emily Taigaafi, Administrative Assistant

This summer, churches across New Mexico are putting together the biggest outreach event for children of the season: Vacation Bible School. Teams of volunteers are giving of their time, energy, and abilities to tell children about the good God we serve and the fact that He wants a relationship with each on of them. 

This year, we are so excited to partner directly with churches for their VBS outreach. Our staff has been traveling all over the state to teach mission lessons and share about our ministry. Many churches also collected offerings and gave to the summer needs of the children. Things like pool towels, sports drinks, and prepackaged snacks make this season easier on our houseparents. 

It is important for us to share the work that we do with people of all ages, but we wanted the children especially to know that they can make a difference, even at their young age. There are people their own age, in their own state, who never heard the name of Jesus until they came to NMBCH, and these children can be a part of what God does in those children's lives! We want to plant the idea of what NMBCH is in the minds and hearts of these kids so they can grow up knowing about the work we do. As they grow into leaders of their Christian communities, they will know that we are there to partner with them as we minister to hurting children and families across New Mexico. 

As the summer has progressed, I've had the opportunity to teach missions classes at some churches. I start off my teaching by asking the class who makes them feel safe in their own home. Hands go up all over the room as the kids list off moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandmas and grandpas, and even pets who make them feel safe and secure at home. This helps emphasize that some of their own peers in New Mexico do not have safe homes to go to every night. Instead, they come to NMBCH to find safety while their guardians work on becoming safe places again. 

I end the session by telling the class what they can do to help our ministry at NMBCH. The most important thing they can do is pray! I ask the class, "What are some specific ways you can pray for the children in our care?" Again, hands shoot up all over the room with ideas. 

"We can pray that they won't get sick."

"We can pray that their mommies and daddies get better."

"We can pray that they have enough food to eat."

One little boy's answer stood out. He came up to me after class and said, "The most important thing we can pray for is that each of the kids at the Children's Home knows Jesus personally." That is proof of great discipleship and leadership in that young boy's life! He gets the point and our ultimate mission. 

Let that be our prayer as we think about the children here at NMBCH. Ask that each and every one of them would come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior so that He will be their safety, no matter what they go through.