I am at my best in his presence – Elvs Teodoro
Two months ago when I was asked to do the VBS promo, I got really excited as this will be my last VBS at The Vine Church. Thoughts flooded my mind about what I could possibly contribute more aside from doing the promo, making and preparing the props and other things. So I sought God’s presence and asked Him to make me at my best, so I can give my best at this event to the glory of His name.
Number 1 [highlight], was to be there and give joy through praise and worship; and bond with all the kids and everyone, especially those who are new doing this. Never did I know that those kids and the other volunteers would give back a thousandfold the joy I have shared with them. They made me smile, laugh, plus I gained a lot of friends. It is a satisfying joy!
Number 2, was to be there and teach (and learn). To incorporate every lesson of each day into my prepared games. There was a time I made a serious joke just to make them listen to me, and I said this: at this place and in this time I am in charge! Then a child said; No, God is in charge! So that’s some of my ways to help them remember every lesson we’ve discussed. In this way I also learn from them because as they react and interact, new revelations from God will come out.
Number 3 and 4 was to be there to inspire (or to be inspired) and to challenge (or to be challenged) but before I was about to do it, I was challenged and inspired first. One day before the VBS started, I was asked again to help with the praise and worship. I needed to learn the lyrics and actions of the songs, plus I actually lacked the confidence to do it. Then I heard the Lord say: Do you trust me? And I said, Yes, Lord! I heard Him say again, then do it, your confidence is in me! I was also reminded that it’s a great way to share joy with everyone.
Then on the 1st day of VBS some random/minor problems were encountered by the crews, and I was surprised because most of the crew leaders/volunteers and some parents came to me asking for help and all the questions (what, where, when, why and who). So for someone like me who's been involved in K4C for a long time, I was really glad at that time that I could give the answers to their questions and tell them what needs to be done. There was also a time during the VBS that I started to ask these questions: Am I doing the right thing? Am I a good Station Team Leader? Am I saying the right words? Am I really helping? I never expected that I would be challenged first before I could challenge someone, but those challenges inspired me at the same time. Somehow deep within me; I always felt God’s presence, and that He is guiding me all the way, making me to be at my best.
So each day we had a different game prepared for the kids, and crew leaders joined in as well to challenge and inspire them. Before my team would start the game, I would go over again about the lesson of the day, then demonstrate the challenge in order for the kids to be inspired. You know, in every demonstration of the games, we can hear the kids saying: WHAT! WOW! THAT’S HARD! (but with eagerness to do the challenge) or SO EASY (but doesn’t want to do it), but somehow we managed to get all the kids to do it, and they had joy. So much so that at the end of every game, they didn’t want to stop. On the last day of VBS, there were kids who came to me and said that the best part of VBS was the game because they thought they couldn’t do it, but then they’ll discover they are so good at it. Even the crew leaders were grateful for the help they’ve got. It was so nice to hear those wonderful words from them. I felt blessed and satisfying joy, as it says in Proverbs 11:25 - Whoever brings blessings will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
