Vacation Bible School: Putting faith into practice
MATTAWA - The Mattawa Vacation Bible School, which was completed a couple of weeks ago, is an annual event in this community that is good for the churches involved as well as children.
"To have an outside church without a denominational or competitive bias gives local churches a chance to come together, as well as to celebrate what they believe and to see what they have in common with one another in their faith," said Joe Fertakis, leader of the Foster-Tukwila Youth Mission Group that comes to town every year.
"It helps local churches to be re-energized and do something out of the ordinary, reset their expectations, be more outgoing."
The 2015 Mattawa Vacation Bible School had 185 students ages preschool through 6th grade at its peak. They were joined by about 20 youths and adults organized by the Foster-Tukwila Presbyterian Church, of Tukwila.
There was also a number of local youths who took part in the ministry of this program. Together they taught lessons, performed skits, led singing, led recreation, instructed in crafts, and served refreshments provided by the local churches.
"From the perspective of our youth team, this is an opportunity to put their faith into practice," Fertakis said. "They learn from real life by putting themselves out in ways they wouldn't do in their normal routines; to explore the reality and depth of what they believe."
"It's not that hard to be a high school student and a Christian unless you step outside of your normal life and try to do something for someone else," Fertakis added. "You learn a lot about God this way. Giving to others and serving others is a growth experience for high school students."
According to Fertakis, the hope of the mission is to help Christian children in the communities they visit to see that they are part of something bigger than their own community.
"They can see that faith can be fun, alive, and dynamic," Fertakis said. "If they don't already know what they believe, then a mission like this can give them access to the information they need to think out and experience their relationship with God in a new and living way."
According to Debbie Pressentin of Mattawa, VBS acts as a faith support the children aren't getting elsewhere. Parents, mostly farm workers, are so busy working they don't have the time to give this need.
"This is a good introduction for them," she said
On the other hand, Mattawa resident Joyce Leitz sees value in the VBS for those who work it. The Tukwila group had an opportunity to grow and see something different than a city.
"The kids learn that everything they have comes from God and we can learn to say thank you to God for every thing he gives," said Maria Buenrostro of Mattawa. "Showing the kids what is important in life and that without God we have nothing, it lets them know that it's good to spend time with God,"
Jennifer Espinal of Desert Aire attended the Mattawa VBS as a youngster. She brought her 3-year-old son to this one.
"He hears the music, and it gets in his head and he learns bits and pieces about Jesus," she said "The kids in the mission group make the Bible interesting, and they help you learn and be motivated."
Thai Rogers, an 18 year-old mission group member from Tukwila enjoys watching the growth in the children. She said she sees it at the end of the week and each year she comes back.
"They keep saying, 'Can this be for the rest of the summer?'" she said.
"I love this town," she added. "It was my first small town experience."
Kevin and Alejandro, who were part of the 2nd-3rd grade class enjoyed the way the mission group presented science in fun but informative skits.
Luis Parra, of the 4th-5th grade group, liked the music and meeting new friends. Luis Vidrancos, of the same age group said: "We sing songs, we read about God, play fun games and hang out with people."