Eastiew Community Church
Eastview Community Church

Sailing the Most High's Seas

Philip Wiebe - 2010-09-24

A little boy raises his hand. Sitting among friends old and new at Eastview’s “High Seas Expedition” Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, his smile shines as he waits his turn to relate his story. On past nights, the kids have been sent home with the assignment to “Watch for God,” and they wear bracelets to remind them to look for different ways God shows himself. This boy, attending with the group from Keenleyside, bubbles over with joy as he is acknowledged: “Today my God-sighting was when I saw the VBS bus arriving to pick us up!”

That’s the kind of enthusiasm that infected Eastview for five evenings in mid-August this year, as a full house of 235 kids spent time as little Magellans “Exploring the mighty love of God” through ship-themed skits, activities, crafts, and snacks. The event’s registration filled up before the first night, and although outside advertising was limited to word-of-mouth, it worked. “Many families with no church affiliation sent their children,” exults Andrea Toews, Eastview’s Children’s Ministry Director, “and it was all because a friend had invited them to come and join the fun.”

Although Eastview has been running VBS events for over a decade, this year, Eastview partnered with McIvor MB Church to put on the event, and more than a few of the 110 volunteers were from their congregation. And the joy wasn’t just limited to seeing kids connect. “Two of our volunteers, Elsie and Marg (photo at right), had never met each other before,” recalls Andrea. “They were placed together—by chance—to co-lead a small group, and they ended up totally hitting it off. They formed a new friendship, and had a blast leading their crew of children all week.” Andrea continues, “This is one of the by-products we always hope for, that the volunteers build authentic community with each other.”

The community of volunteers (see photo, below) did amazing work. “There were so many of them,” explains Kathy Chandler, Jr. Kids Coordinator at Eastview. “We had great people leading the pre-school and older kids with activities, with crafts, with snacks, large-group stories, small-group leaders, building the sets, acting in the skits. You don’t want to forget anyone!” And as she continues rattling off a list of names, you get the feeling the event’s organizers haven’t forgotten those volunteers. They all made an indelible mark for the Kingdom, including the VBS bus driver.

Which brings us back to the eager little boy and his God-sighting. It was a wide-eyed look at the love of God in action, one that affirmed the weeks of effort and hours of fun, one that stuck in the minds of Andrea, Kathy, and undoubtedly many others. “This is why we do VBS,” concludes Andrea. “So that we can shine His light into the life of a child.”