Judy Chu
八月底,2007年的暑期聖經學校完美劃下句點。整個星期,我們經歷到神的賜福及供應,內心充滿感謝。這次報名的人數多達四十一位,著實令我們嚇一大跳。然而,主一路看顧,我們也見證了祂手所行的諸多奇事。其中之一便是美好的天候。沒有一天是熱得受不了的,而無論是放晴或下雨,當時的天氣都與我們的課程安排相合。
今年的主題是「供水系統」。課程的設計是藉著水的使用來展示上帝與我們之間的關係。第一天的課程由上帝幫助摩西和以色列人過紅海的故事,教導我們上帝總有辦法幫助我們。第二天講到上帝的權能,提到祂的話語能使翻騰的海水變平靜。第三天講到上帝的至高,提到人們不管在以利亞的祭壇上澆多少水,都澆不息上帝燒盡祭牲的火,因為我們的主證實祂自己才是唯一的真神,不是巴力。第四天講到祂的關懷和供應,說到眾門徒回去打漁,勞力一整夜,卻撈不到什麼。當他們依從耶穌,就得了滿網的魚,多得連船都險些承載不了。他們之前已經放棄了耶穌,有的還否認了祂,但耶穌卻在那裡為他們提供取暖的火,充飢的食物和祂自己的同在。最後一天,講到我們要仿效使徒保羅。在船難發生之後,他對同船的旅人付出關懷和安慰,不管他們的身份是階下囚也好,是守衛也好,是水手也好,均一視同仁,教導我們要學習成為一個敬虔的幫助者、鼓勵者和安慰者。
除了每日的課程之外,每天還有經文背誦、手工、歡唱、中國文化藝術及運動時間。我們很感謝每位參與前置作業、教導工作、前來幫忙的青少年,以及預備飯食、包辦各類課後活動、清理善後和許多在背後默默支持代禱的弟兄姊妹。能和大家一起在基督的大家庭裡事奉,著實令人滿足。
由衷盼望明年能有更多人把握機會投入這項有意義的服事。謝謝閱讀,願上帝賜福你。
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We had just concluded our 2007 VBS the last week of August. We thank God for all His blessings and provisions in this whole week. We had a daunting number of 41 children who signed up. The Lord, however, saw us through and we witnessed the many miraculous works of His hands. One of which was the beautiful weather. There were no days of oppressing heat and be it rain or shine, the day always just turned out to suit our needs for that particular time.
The theme for this year was Waterworks. The lessons made use of water to show God's attributes and relationship with us. The first day taught us that God will find a way to help us as He enabled Moses and the Israelites to cross the waters of the Red Sea. The second day was about the power and authority of God. With His word, He could calm the raging sea. The third day showed us our God is supreme. No amount of water poured on Elijah's sacrificial altar can deter God's consuming fire to burn up the sacrifice. The Lord had shown He, and not Baal is the one true God. The fourth day was about His care and provisions. The disciples had gone back to fishing and had not caught anything all night. In obeying Jesus, they caught so much that their boat could hardly contain them. They had abandoned Him and some had denied Him, but Jesus was there to provide a warm fire, food and His fellowship with them. The last day taught us that we should emulate Paul. After the ship wreck, he was the caring, comforting presence to his fellow travelers, be they prisoners, guards or crew. It taught us to learn to be a Godly help, encourager and comforter to others.
Aside from the lessons, there were daily scriptures memorization, crafts, singing, Chinese culture and arts and sports. We are very thankful to all who did the preparatory work, the teachers, the teen helpers, the people who prepared the food, the ones who took care of arts and crafts and sports, the people who helped clean up and the many volunteers who worked silently in the background a nd for those who remembered us in prayer. It was very gratifying to work with everyone as one family in Christ.
We sincerely hope that many more will take the opportunity to join in this endeavor next year. Thank you and God bless!
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