Tuesday Tidbits 2
As I even type that headline, I feel like we should be sitting in a circle, holding hands. Might have wanted to brainstorm a bit more last week before committing to the cheesy vibe above. Yet, here we are. I’m nothing if not committed.
I shared in a short video on the social media pages that I’ve been given the opportunity to help facilitate a mini-VBS on the upcoming trip to Guatemala this coming week. If we were to diagram that sentence, we would have all sorts of cool-looking branches going everywhere. At least, one can only hope…because how fun was diagramming? It was a whole niche of awesomeness. Do kids still learn to diagram? What a terrible waste of education, if they don’t. Wait…seriously…is this not a thing anymore?!? Oh the humanity…I’ve COMPLETELY gone off the rails, but Mrs. Forsmark would be proud. So the rest of you can just pipe down. #Iwasherfavorite
Where was I…oh yes, packing a bag, grabbing my passport and dancing shoes, and leaving on a jet plane!
Truth be told, I didn’t respond to the initial at-large call to sign up for the multi-generational missions trip to Guatemala. This is a trip (might even be an annual trip…I know Bryce went several times in high school) to do service projects at SETECA in Guatemala City and also has opportunities to do a children’s program in multiple locations throughout the week. Regardless, I was asked to consider joining the team to help lead the VBS portion specifically. Although I said I would have to get back with them, my hesitation really only involved clearing my absence with the hubs. VBS skit, songs, games, etc?! That was a no-brainer.
For so much of my adult life of ministry…and frankly, for much of my childhood…I have been involved in leading VBS in a whole multitude of ways. I love digging in to the tiniest of details to find the most engaging ways to reach children (and adults alike) with the Gospel…to make it not only make sense…but to make it “stick to their bones.” I’m sure there are more simplistic ways, more straight-forward ways…but those are not the Eva-ways. :) For better or worse, here we go. We’ve got small water guns to lightly mist the children when the storm rolls in on Jonah, and Whales crackers to toss when he takes the dive. You can just have a fun time imagining all the rest! I’ve learned 3 songs in Spanish and made up all the crazy motions to boot! Did I know any Spanish before…no, mis amigas…I surely did not. Duolingo is all I’ve got, but I’m sailing along in that so I can declare my love for apples and ask for the location of the bathroom. BUT, it’s going to be AWESOME!!! I’m taking comfy clothes and Ibuprofen and will be praying the Lord will use every detail for His glory and our good.
SO…your tidbit of the week…look for opportunities to use the things you’re already gifted in, excel at, have a passion for…and DO THOSE THINGS in a repurposed and unique way to love on, and care for, others in your path! It may not seem like a big deal to you…your VBS-expertise…but I can assure you, it will be HUGE to someone else to needs exactly what you can offer! I think we tend to downplay the things that come naturally to us…the things we don’t really have to WORK at to do well…and see them as not flashy enough, not polished enough, not “wow” enough. We ask God to give us more skills, different skills, desirable skills…and God may be saying to you today…I already gave you all of these skills, gifts, and abilities to use, but you’re letting them collect dust and waste away! So friends, spend some time reflecting on the things you’re already gifted in and then USE THEM for the good of others and for HIS glory!
Someone needs you…even if all you bring to the table are a bunch of spinning dance moves and a boat made of cardboard. Bloom where you planted, and everyone will see the mighty hand of God, working in you.
Adios!