The Tarkio Community Vacation Bible School children presented “Night-time care bags” to our local and county police (represented by Tarkio Police Chief Tyson Gibbons and Atchison County Sheriff Dennis Martin, both at left). Twenty pillow cases were decorated during craft time and then filled with books, blankets, and stuffed animals. The “Mission” was to provide our police with something they could carry in their vehicles to give to a scared child they encountered. (Photo Submitted By Jami DeRosier)
Approximately 45 children attended Tarkio Community Vacation Bible School each day. (Photo Submitted By Jami DeRosier)
Submitted By Jami DeRosier
Mission VBS 2018, Galactic Starveyors, was held at the Tarkio United Methodist Church June 1 and 2 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. It takes an entire team of mission minded volunteers to make an event like this happen. Members of the Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian, and Methodist Churches worked together to create a fun learning experience for community children. Approximately 45 children attended each day.
Activities included a bible study where children learned about the creation story and God’s love for each of them. Pastors and teachers from the represented churches spoke their hearts as they shared bible stories with the children. Local missionaries were also on site to deliver their message of serving others and spreading the word of God as they work with people around the world as well as right in our own community. Children and volunteers were all ears as Roger Martin shared about his work in Kenya. Marshall and Annette Kaplan presented their work through Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) and the need for transportation so that pastors in foreign lands can reach the people of their area to share the Gospel. These could include bicycles, motorcycles, boats and even camels. Annette continued with the mission focus Saturday morning as she spoke about mission opportunities and ways to be the light of Jesus in our own neighborhoods, towns, county and country. On Saturday after lunch, children got to experience “missions” for themselves. First, children presented “Night-time care bags” to our local and county police. Twenty pillow cases were decorated during craft time and then filled with books, blankets, and stuffed animals. The “Mission” was to provide our police with something they could carry in their vehicles to give a scared child they encountered. Next, three different groups ventured out into the community to help at the Food Pantry, Nutrition Center and Neighborhood/Park clean-up. Lastly, the children met back at the church for popsicles and a closing program for parents and guests. They sang their featured songs, recited bible memory verses and presented a financial gift, from the money collected in their offerings, to the CMA for purchasing a camel or other needed transportation.
In closing, parents were taken on a “Galactic Star Tour” as children pointed out the invisible messages written on stars using a black light. This reinforced the bible school motto: Searching the visible, discovering the invisible. The churches of Tarkio would like to welcome you to visit and attend services anytime. A list of churches, their locations and times of service are in every issue of the newspaper.
