VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IN THE PHILIPPINES 2024

Thessa Lagapa

The Vacation Bible School (VBS) in the Philippines this year was from June 20 to July 13. On the 19 June 2024, six of us (Sis Celeste, Sis Theya, Sis Thessa, Sis Maria Mae, Bro Car Vincent and Bro Biboy) flew from Singapore to Manila for the start of the VBS journey. It was going to be 17 stations all over Philippines squeezed into four weeks. To the human mind, it seemed impossible and daunting. But now looking back, all of it was only accomplished because of the Lord.

Theme: Jesus Is Coming Back

It is more than obvious that we are living in the tail end of the last days. The events happening around the world are confirming the signs that Jesus had warned us about. As Christians, these signs should not make us fear but assure us that our Lord will come back to take us up with Him very soon. However, our responsibility to share the Gospel to those who are lost still stands. Therefore, the theme of this year’s VBS was “Jesus Is Coming Back: Are You Ready?” The goal of this year’s VBS is to invite as many children as possible so that we can tell them about the 2nd Coming of Jesus and teach them how to be prepared for it. The lessons were: (1) Why is Jesus coming back? (1 Cor 15:51–57); (2) When is Jesus coming back? (Matt 24:36–51); (3) How is Jesus coming back? (1 Thess 4:13–17); (4) Who is Jesus coming back for? (John 14:1–3); and (5) Am I Ready? (1 Pet 3:1–14; Matt 24:4–14).

17 Stations

This year, we had a total of 17 stations: six were in Luzon, seven in Visayas, and four in Mindanao. Most of these stations were conducted under and hosted by the Philippines’ mission churches of True Life BPC. We thank God also for opened doors to have VBS at Bro Deccarlo Igot’s church — Bread of Life BPC, two stations under Gethsemane BPC in Bohol with the help of Pr Edsel Locot, and one station under Musuan Fundamental Baptist Church where Dr Einstine Opiso and family worship.

In Luzon, there were two teams who spearheaded the work. The first team included Bro Fredo, Sis Celeste, Sis Maria Mae, Sis Crisa and Pr Yahui, and Bro Biboy. We thank God for the presence of Pr Yahui and his wife, Sis Crisa, who were able to spend some time in the Philippines and offered to help in the VBS. The second team included Bro Ricardo, Bro Car Vincent, Sis Theya, Sis Gyzza, and Sis Thessa. On June 20–22, the first team conducted VBS at Tactac (morning) and Genato (afternoon), Sta Fe, Nueva Vizcaya while the second team was in Bocaue, Bulacan. On June 25–27, the first team took another two stations: Talavera (morning) and Muñoz (afternoon), Nueva Ecija while the second team was at Antipolo, Rizal. After Luzon, the teachers travelled down to Visayas. Sis Celeste, Pr Yahui, Sis Crisa and Bro Biboy left the team and took the opportunity to go to Gingoog to visit their mother/grandmother and other relatives in the short time that they were in the Philippines.

In Visayas, the first team included Rev Jose Mangco, Bro Johnny Rey, Sis Gyzza and Sis Thessa. The second team consisted of Pr Gayon, Sis Jenerose, Sis Theya, Sis Maria Mae, and Bro Car Vincent. The first team headed to Cebu while the second team went to Bohol. On July 1–3, the first team was at Christ BPC (morning) and Bread of Life BPC (afternoon) while the second team was at Trinidad BPC (morning) and their new outreach (afternoon). Right after that, on July 4–6, the first team conducted VBS at True Word Bible Fellowship and the second team was at Anda (morning) and Candijay (afternoon), Bohol.

After Visayas and a few days back at their hometowns, Bro Car Vincent and Sis Maria had to go back to Singapore for the start of another FEBC semester. For Mindanao, there was only one team but Rev Jose Lagapa was able to join us and help in the teaching. The team consisted of Rev Jose, Sis Theya, Sis Gyzza, and Sis Thessa. Some of the FEBC alumni chipped in to help in various areas (Bro Loreto and Sis Aprilaiza). On July 8–10, VBS was conducted in Bantuanon (morning) and Christlife BPC (afternoon) in Bukidnon. On July 11–13, Pr Yahui and Sis Crisa joined the team to teach in Golgotha BPC (morning) and Musuan (afternoon), Central Mindanao University.

883 Children

We thank God for the number of children He brought into our midst. Tactac: 69. Genato: 43. Talavera: 38. Muñoz: 17. Bulacan: 120. Antipolo: 58. Trinidad BPC: 45. Trinidad BPC’s outreach: 35. Anda: 21. Candijay: 23. Christ BPC: 45. Bread of Life BPC: 45. True Word Bible Fellowship: 12. Bantuanon: 57. Christlife BPC: 48. Golgotha BPC: 125. Musuan: 82. A total of 883 children attended this year’s VBS.

On the Lord’s Days, we thank God for the opportunities to visit and worship with the churches who were hosting us. It was not only an encouragement to them but also for us as we were refreshed by the feeding of God’s Word for ourselves and the fellowship of brethren.

Each day of the VBS started with a registration on the first day and attendance check on the second and third day, followed by singspiration, and two lessons with a snack break in between. After each lesson, worksheets were provided to enforce what had just been taught. These worksheets were compiled into booklets inclusive of the general outlines of the lessons, reflection questions, the theme verse and theme song. Each department (Kindergarten, Lowers, Uppers and Teens) had their own booklets with different worksheets to match their level of understanding. After the lessons, there would be a time of arts and craft which helped to complement the lessons and remind them about this VBS whenever they will look at it in the future. On the third day, the closing program, which was really a Gospel Rally, was the highlight of the VBS where the parents of the children were invited to attend. They saw what their children have been doing the past three days, watch their children present a song they had learned, and most especially, listen to the preaching of the gospel so that they too will be ready for the Lord’s return.

Thanksgiving

We thank God and give back all the praise, glory and honour to our heavenly Father. He kept us going despite the tiredness from travelling (whether on air, sea or the road), the bouts of sicknesses some of us had, the different kinds of children we had to get to know every time we came to a new station, the varying difficulties and obstacles in the places and finding solutions for them so that the work of God would not be hindered, and so many more. Yet, all these seemingly challenging hardships fade into the background when God opened our eyes to see the preciousness and priceless value of the souls of each child as they came and joined the VBS.

We would like to thank God for all the brethren who have prayed for us, especially those in True Life BPC which extended also the financial support. Thanksgiving also is extended to Truth BPC for shouldering the airfare of the FEBC students who volunteered to teach in this VBS. There are also many more people who have helped behind the scenes through cooking and preparing for snacks, inviting the children to come, bringing and sending them home, and simply assisting and may not have been mentioned by name, but we trust that the Lord whose eyes see every labour of love for Him will not let it go unrewarded. We would also like to acknowledge the help of Sis Crayson Wong for allowing us to use her Cricut machine to prepare for our arts and crafts.

Countdown

To close this report, we would like to share our theme verse and theme song as we look forward to our Saviour’s return. And until then, may there be more VBS’s to reach out to more children!

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Matt 24:42). “Somewhere in outer space, God has prepared a place for those who trust Him and obey. Jesus will come again and though we don’t know when, the countdown’s getting lower every day. 10 and 9, 8 and 7, 6 and 5 and 4, call upon the Savior while you may. 3 and 2, coming through the clouds in bright array, the countdown’s getting lower every day.”

SHORT HOLIDAY IN PHNOM PENH

I thank the Lord for a short break with Eileen and Charity during the National Day weekend, August 9–11. On Friday afternoon, we flew to Phnom Penh, taking advantage of cheap tickets offered by Emirates. With extra luggage space, we could bring two suitcases of children’s clothes donated by Calvary Pandan to give away to the churches there.

On Saturday, Pr Tann Heng visited us with the church van he just purchased with help from True Life. It is a used 2014 Hyundai Starex in excellent condition for US$21,760.

Cambodia does not have a good public transport system like Singapore. The van, a 12-seater, is thus necessary for the ministry especially to fetch children to church on Sundays and reach out to them in the outlying villages.

On Sunday, we attended Glory Bible Presbyterian Church which is under the pastoral care of the Rev Sun Sokha and his wife Namsoon, both FEBC graduates. I thank the Lord for the privilege to take the pulpit and spoke on the nature and attributes of God drawn from John 4:23–24 and the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

On Sunday evening, we attended a National Day event organised by the Singapore Club Cambodia (SCC) held at Himawari Hotel where we stayed. We could only attend for a while. After the Singapore song “Home” was sung, we left for the airport to catch our flight home. It was timely. We arrived home safely at midnight. JK