VBS helps develop invaluable spiritual values

  • Published
  • By Capt. Aristotle Rivera
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Chaplain
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The Columbus Air Force Base Chapel Team is committed to blessing our Airmen and building community. This year's Vacation Bible School is one example. "Wilderness Escape" (the theme for the 2014 VBS program) enhanced the spiritual resiliency of CAFB families (i.e. blessing Airmen) and helped CAFB members connect to other families on base (i.e. building community).
 
Over the course of five days, eighty-six participants experienced firsthand what it was like to live in biblical times, while developing invaluable spiritual values. Hopefully, this experience will guide our youth and help them deal with life's challenges.

Ms. Tracy Kugel (CAFB Catholic Parish Coordinator) shared that, "During this week, we tailored games, crafts, lessons and experiences, so they could touch, taste and feel the Wilderness of Bible times."

Children also benefited from interacting with and learning from the well-known Bible hero, Moses, who was brought to life by our own Chaplain Rivera.
 
"Many children mentioned how they loved visiting with Moses and re-enacting the parting of the Red sea, the raining of quail and manna, and the great Passover," said volunteer Megan Coleff.

One student, Shanna Gutierrez, added that her favorite part was hearing Moses, "bring the faith lessons to life and making them exciting to learn."

The children also raised $170, which helped provide 68 Indian school children with clean water for an entire year! VBS was a huge success and had the support of 56 volunteers, many who are active duty Airmen and family members.

Roselle Castro, one of the volunteers said, "It has been wonderful to work with all of these children - it has been a blessing." The Protestant Parish Coordinator (Ms. Ida Hall) added, "The closing ceremony brought tears to my eyes...seeing the children singing their hearts out and dancing with joy."