vacation bible school curriculum for childrenthe director welcomes children and volunteers to...

VacationBibleSchoolCurriculumforChildren

That we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Romans 1:12

All God’s Children VBS globalministries/org/southernasiainitiative 2

TableofContentsIntroduction .................................................................................................................................................... 4

Schedule ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 DAY 1 – India ................................................................................................................................................ 8 The Tower of Babel – Genesis 11: 1-9 .......................................................................................................... 8

STORYTELLER: The Brick Maker from Babel ....................................................................................... 9 FAITH TRADITION: Hinduism .............................................................................................................. 12 ACTIVITY: Yoga India ......................................................................................................................... 13

CRAFT: Mandalas India ........................................................................................................................ 14 GAME: Lagori India .............................................................................................................................. 15 SNACK .................................................................................................................................................... 16

DAY 2 – Thailand ........................................................................................................................................ 18 A Sick Woman Touches Jesus’ Cloak – Mark 5: 24b-34 ............................................................................ 18

STORYTELLER: The Sick Woman ........................................................................................................ 18 FAITH TRADITION: Buddhism ............................................................................................................. 21 ACTIVITY: Meditation ........................................................................................................................... 22 CRAFT: Batik part 1 ................................................................................................................................ 23 GAME: Pao Nang Yang (Blowing Rubber Bands) Thailand ................................................................ 25 SNACK .................................................................................................................................................... 26

DAY 3 – East Timor .................................................................................................................................... 29 The Story of Joseph - Genesis 37 & 39-47 .................................................................................................. 29

STORYTELLER: Joseph ......................................................................................................................... 29 FAITH TRADITION: Christianity .......................................................................................................... 32 ACTIVITY: Communion ......................................................................................................................... 33 CRAFT: Glue Batik part 2 ....................................................................................................................... 34 GAME: Marbles ....................................................................................................................................... 36

SNACK .................................................................................................................................................... 37 DAY 4 – Indonesia ...................................................................................................................................... 39 The Woman at the Well – John 4: 3-15 ....................................................................................................... 39

STORYTELLER: Photini, The Woman at the Well ................................................................................ 39 FAITH TRADITION: Islam .................................................................................................................... 42 ACTIVITY: Good Deeds ......................................................................................................................... 43 CRAFT: Leaf Kites Indonesia ............................................................................................................... 44 GAME: Semut, Orang, Gajah (Ant, Person, Elephant) Indonesia ......................................................... 45 SNACK .................................................................................................................................................... 46


DAY 5 – Bangladesh ................................................................................................................................... 48 The Good Samaritan – Luke 10: 25-37 ........................................................................................................ 48

STORYTELLER: The Lawyer ................................................................................................................ 48 FAITH TRADITION: Sikhism ................................................................................................................ 51 ACTIVITY: Learn Numbers in Punjabi! ................................................................................................. 52

CRAFT: Weaving ..................................................................................................................................... 53 GAME: Congklak (Mancala) ................................................................................................................... 55 SNACK .................................................................................................................................................... 56

Appendix ...................................................................................................................................................... 58 Sample Letter to Parents ........................................................................................................................... 58 Giving Opportunities ................................................................................................................................ 59

Additional Activities ................................................................................................................................ 60 Songs ........................................................................................................................................................ 62 Religion Information ................................................................................................................................ 62 Craft and Activity Supplements ............................................................................................................... 63 Rules ......................................................................................................................................................... 73 Southern Asia Map ................................................................................................................................... 73 Global Ministries Partners in Southern Asia ............................................................................................ 74 Share with Us! .......................................................................................................................................... 76


IntroductionAll God’s Children Vacation Bible School InthisVacationBibleSchoolcurriculumbyGlobalMinistries,kidswilllearnabouthowweareAllGod’sChildrennomatterwhoweare,wherewemaycomefrom,orwhatwebelieve.StudentswillhavetheopportunitytohearBiblestoriesaboutpeoplewhohadmayhavebeendifferentfromoneanother,butwerestillabletolearnfromoneanother,helponeanother,orfindbeautyintheirdiversity.Kidswillalsohavetheopportunitytolearnaboutdifferentplaces,cultures,andfaithtraditionspresentinSouthernAsia.Thiscurriculumisdesignedwithchildreninmind,butthefactsandinformationincludedareforparentsandteachers,too.SouthernAsia,withitswealthofdiversity,comestolifeasthechildrenlearnaboutculturaltraditions,artforms,anddifferentreligioustraditions.Beingopentolearningaboutotherreligionsdoesnotmeanwerejectourownreligion.Instead,thiscurriculumisdesignedtoencouragerealdialoguebasedinrespectforandopennesstowardstheconvictionsofothers.OurhopeisthatyouwillusethiscurriculumtoaspireforunityinyourcommunitiesrememberingthatweareAllGod’sChildren.

ForIamlongingtoseeyousothatImaysharewithyousomespiritualgifttostrengthenyou—orrathersothatwemaybemutuallyencouragedbyeachother’sfaith,bothyours

andmine.Romans1:11-12Wehavecreatedthisresourcethoughtfully.Craftscanbecompletedwithrecycledmaterialsandtheactivitiesaredesignedtoencourageteambuilding,communication,andfunwhilealsogettingchildrenmoving.Inaddition,wehavemadeeveryefforttobringsomeoftheculturesandfaithtraditionsoftheSouthernAsiaregiontolifeininterestingandinteractiveways.IftherearemembersofyourchurchorcommunitywhoarefromthesecountriesorpracticethereligionsdescribedinthisVBS,weencourageyoutoinvitethemtospeaktothegrouptohelpconnectwhatthechildrenarelearningtotheirlivesandimmediatesurroundings.Ifyourgroupislargerthantenchildren,werecommendcreating“familygroups”sothateachchildhastheopportunitytoengageinconversationsandreceiveindividualhelpforcraftsandactivities.Eachfamilygroupcanincludeupto12childrenwithatleast2familygroupleaders.Thegroupsshouldbedefinedbyagetomakeactivitytimeseasiertolead.Byhavingthesefamilygroupssticktogetherfortheentireweek,theywillbeabletoformandstrengthenrelationships.Wesuggesthavingallfamilygroupstogetherfortheopeningtime,storyteller,snack,andclosing.Theycanthenbeintheirfamilygroupsforthefaithtradition,game,andcraft.Adultsarenecessaryinthefollowingroles:

• Director–CoordinatesthevolunteersandplanningfortheentireeventandleadsmanypartsoftheopeningandclosingoftheVBS.Thisrolecanbesharedbetweenseveralpeople.

• Storytellers–TotelltheBiblestory,actingasthecharactersinthestory.Userobesandpropsfromyourchurchoralocalthriftstore.Thestorytellershouldbeadifferentpersoneachday.

• Craftteacher–Toguidethecraftforthedayandtopreparethenecessarymaterials.• Kitchendirector–Toprepareandsharesnacks.• Gameleader–Toteachandleadthegames.• Faithleader–Toshareabouttheday’sfaithtradition.• Musicleader–Toteachandsingthedailysongswiththechildren.• Familygroupleaders–Tojourneywithfamilygroupstoeachstationandbeanavailableadultfor

questions,guidance,andhelp.Familyleaderssharethelettersandcountryinformationatsnacktime.• FirstAid–oneadultwithFirstAidcompetenceatalltimes.


SettingtheSceneTosetthescene,wesuggestdividingthefrontofthemaingatheringroomintwo.Onesidewillbefortheday’sstorytellerandonesidewillhighlightelementsfromSouthernAsia.TheSouthernAsiasideshouldbetheprimarysidetheDirectorandothersusewhentheyspeakinfrontofthegroup.Forthestorytellerside,wesuggestmakingitlooklikeabiblicaltown.Thiscouldbedonesimplybypaintingorbuyingabackdropandhangingitup,orbypaintingboxesorcutwoodtolooklikeatown.Youcouldalsomakeitsimpleandgiveitadesertfeel.Eachdaywillhaveadditionalsuggestionsforhowyoucansetthescenefortheparticularstoryoftheday.FortheSouthernAsiaside,werecommendmakinggooduseoftextiles,wovenbaskets,decorativepillows,andplantslikepalmtreesandothertropicalplants.Plantscan,ofcourse,befake.TheSouthernAsiasideoftheroomwilllookthesameeachday,butyoumaydecidetoadditemsthatthechildrenmadethroughouttheweektothisspace(ex:batiks,kites,weavings).GatheringSuppliesWeknowthateducatorsareendlesslycreative.Wehopeyouwillmakethiscurriculumyourown.Ifyouarelookingformoreideas,Pinteresthasvariousideasforvisualcreativityandadditionalgamesandcrafts.SuggestedDailyScheduleDecideonatimeframeforyourVBS.Thiscurriculumisdesignedtobe2.5hourslongbutmaybeeditedfortime.SomechurchesmaydecidetodotheirVBSinthemorningfrom9:00-11:30a.m.,whileothersmaydecidetodotheirVBSintheeveningfrom5-7:30p.m.andincludeadinner.Werecommendavoidingtheafternoon,asmanyadultsandchildrenaretiredandcan’tconcentrateafterlunch.Thescheduleatrightprovidessuggestedtimingfortheday,regardlessoftimeofday.Eachfamilygroupleadershouldstaywiththechildrenatalltimesandshouldparticipateineachrotationwiththem.Eachstationshouldhavealeaderthatstaysinthatspaceandrepeatstheactivityforeveryfamilygroupthatrotatesthrough.Theactivities(craft,faith,game)shouldbecompletedinfamilygroups.Eachgrouprotatesthrougheachstationwiththeirfamilygroupleader.Astationleaderwillleadthesameactivityforeverygroupthatrotatesthrough.Thesnacktimeincludeseveryonetogetherinordertoavoidanygroupsgettingthesnackasthefirstrotation.Itcouldbemadeintoarotationstationifneeded.

20minutes:AllVBSwelcomeandBiblestorywiththestoryteller30minutes:FirstRotation

(craft,faith,game)30minutes:SecondRotation

(craft,faith,game)30minutes:Snack,letter,country

information30minutes:ThirdRotation

(craft,faith,game)10minutes:AllVBSrecapandclosingEachrotationshouldtakearound25minutes,allowing5minutestotraveltothenextstation.


DoesyourchurchhaveaChildProtectionPlan?Mostchurchesdo.Ifnot,writeyourownprotectionplanandtrain/educateallvolunteersabouttheplan.Makesureeachvolunteersignsawaversayingtheyhavebeentrainedontheprotectionplan.RegardlessofthesizeofyourchurchortheexpectedsizeofyourVacationBibleSchool,thisisanintegralpieceoftheprogramthatwillkeepchildren(andyourchurch)safeandmustnotbeoverlooked.Thisisespeciallyforchurcheswhowillhavenonmembersparticipatingastheywillwanttobeinformedoftheplansyourchurchhasinplace.AdditionalInformationGlobalMinistries’SouthernAsiaInitiative:http://www.globalministries.org/southernasiainitiativeTheworkofGlobalMinistriesinSouthernAsia:https://www.globalministries.org/sasia


Schedule Day1 Day2 Day3 Day4 Day5Scripture Genesis11:1-9 Mark5:24b-34 Genesis37and

39-47John4:3-15 Luke10:25-37

Story TowerofBabel ASickWomanWhoTouchesJesus’Cloak

Joseph’sStory TheWomanattheWell

TheGoodSamaritan

Country India Thailand EastTimor Indonesia

Bangladesh

FaithTradition

Hinduism Buddhism Christianity Islam Sikhism

Activity Yoga Meditation Communion GoodDeeds PunjabiNumbers

Craft Mandalas Batikpart1 Batikpart2 LeafKites Weaving

Game Lagori PaoNang(BlowingRubberBands)

Semut,Orang,Gajah(Ant,Person,Elephant)

Marbles Congklak(Mancala)

Snack StrawberryLassiorFruitRainbow

Kid-friendlyLettuceWrapsorCoconutRice

RoastedCornontheCoborBibingka

PisangBakarorPan-FriedBananas

ParatasorMango-AppleChutney

Song WeaveUsTogether

JesusLovestheLittleChildren

TheMoreWeGetTogether

ToDwellinUnity

WeaveUsTogether

Pleaseconsidertheenvironmentwhenusingthiscurriculum–onlyprintthepagesthatyouneedand,ifpossible,printdouble-sidedonrecycledpaper.


DAY1–IndiaTheTowerofBabel–Genesis11:1-9TheDirectorwelcomeschildrenandvolunteerstoVacationBibleSchool.Playandsing/teach“WeaveUsTogether”song.Invitevolunteerstointroducethemselvesbysayingwhatroletheywillbefillingthisweekandafunfactaboutthem[ex.“Hello,mynameisShondaandIwillbeleadingthecraftsthisweek.Iridemybike10milestoworkeveryday.”].Gooversomerulesforyourtimetogether(buildingrules,running,speakingwhensomeoneelseisspeaking,nohittingorfighting,etc.).Intheappendix,youwillfindarulesdocumentthatcanbemodifiedtobeacovenantdocumentthatmightbehelpfulinthisprocess.Leaderscanaddorremoveastheyseefit.ThisweekwearegoingtolearnabouthowweareAllGod’sChildrennomatterwherewecomefrom,whatwelooklike,orwhatwebelieve.WhatdoesitmeantobeachildofGod?[Allowchildrentosharetheirresponses.]That’sright!ItmeansthatweareapartofGod’sfamily.Godlovesusandcreatedus.Inthisweektogether,wewillalsolearnaboutpeopleinSouthernAsiafromplaceslikeIndia,Thailand,EastTimor,Indonesia,andBangladesh.Haveyoueverheardofanyofthoseplaces?[Allowchildrentorespondwiththeirownideas.Showthemapofthewholeregion.ExplainthattheregionisknownasSouthernAsia,butwewillalsobefocusingonspecificcountrieswithintheregion.]Ifyouhaven’t,that’sokay,too!You’llgetthechancetolearnalotaboutSouthernAsiathisweek.EachdaywewillhaveaspecialvisitorcomeandtellusastoryfromtheBiblethatwillhelpusunderstandhowevenpeoplewhoaredifferentfromoneanothercanlearnfromeachotherandhelpeachother.WewillthenlearnaboutcountriesinSouthernAsiabyeatingsnacks,playinggames,andmakingcraftsfromthosecountries.We’llalsolearnalittlebitaboutthereligionsthatsomechildrenpracticeinSouthernAsia.It’sgoingtobeanexcitingweekaswelearnaboutpeoplewhomaybedifferentfromusbutarealsopartofGod’sfamilyjustlikeweare!LatertodaywewillreadaletterwrittenbyMohit,achildfromIndia,andtalkalittlebitaboutoneofthemainreligionsinIndia–Hinduism.[Showmapoftheworldandpointoutwhereyoucurrentlyareandthecountrythatwewillbevisiting.]Butrightnow,wearegoingtolearnabouttheTowerofBabelwhichstoodtallaverylongtimeago.HaveyouheardabouttheTowerofBabel?Todaywegetthechancetohearthestoryfromsomeonewhowasactuallytherewhenithappened.


STORYTELLER:TheBrickMakerfromBabel

Settingthescene:PaintalargebackdroptolooklikeacitystreetinBiblicaltimeswithhomesandshopsalongit.Arrangepottedplantstomakethescene3D.Today’sstorytellerisabrickmakerfromBabel.Hewearsthetraditionalclothingfromthetimeperiod:alongshirttiedwithacordaroundthewaistandalongrobeovertop,akeffiyehheaddress,andsandals.Makebricksbyfoldingpiecesofcardboardandpaintingthemred.Beforechildrenarrivefortheday,beginafewrowsof“bricks”toformthebeginningsofalowwall,addastool.Placearound20“bricks”inasomewhathaphazardpileinfrontofthebeginningofthewallandplaceaflatbrick-layingtool(alternativessuchasasmallspatulaoragardentrowelwillwork)ontopofthelowwall.Itshouldlooklikeaworkin-progress.Thebrickmakerwalksintotheroom,sitsonthestoolandbeginstoworkslowly,makingthemotionsoflayingmortarandsettingthebricksinplacetocontinuebuildingthewall.Thebrickmakerstartstospeakafterhehaslaidafewbricksandcontinuestolaybricksashetellsthefollowingstory.Oh,hellothere!MynameisElamandImakebricksandbuildthingswiththem.ThiswallthatI’mbuildingrighthereisgoingtobeahouseforanicefamilytolivein;theyhavetwochildren–aboyandagirl–aboutyourage!Doyouthinkitlookslikethebeginningsofanicehouse?IlivejustaroundthecornerheresothemembersofthisfamilywillbemyneighborsassoonasIfinishthishouse.Myfamilyhasalwaysmadebricks–that’swhatmyfatherdidandwhatmygrandfatherdid.Ihelpedtobuildalotofthebuildingsyouseearoundhere.(Gesturesaroundtoindicateallthebuildings)IbuiltthathouseoverthereandthatchurchandIevenbuiltmyownhouse.Brickmakingandbuildingcanbehard,butitissolidwork–nooneisgoingtohuffandpuffandblowmyhousedown!Oh?What’sthatIhear?DidsomeoneaskwhereI’mfrom?Well,letmetellyouastory.WhenIwassevenyearsold–areanyofyousevenyearsoldyet?–whenIwassevenyearsoldmyparents,mysiblings,andIhadjustmovedtoaplacecalledShinar.Wehadbeenwalkingforsolongwithallofourfriendsandfamilylookingforasafeplacetoliveandfinallywefoundthisarea.Ourleaderssaid,“Thislookslikeagoodplacetolive!”sowestartedtobuildacity.LikeItoldyou,myfatherandmygrandfatherwerebrickmakers.So,theystartedtobuildandthat’swhenIstartedtolearnhowtomakebricks.Itwasareallyfuntimebecausewegottobuildourownhouseandtheleadersgottodecidewheretoputthestreetsandthemarkets.Wewerebuildingawholenewcity!Butthentheleadershadthisidea.Theywantedtobuildatalltowerthatwas7storiestall–tallerthanthischurch,tallerthanmyhouse!Theywantedthetowertobesotallthatitwouldreachuptothecloudsandevenuptoheaven.Canyouimagine?Idon’tknowwhytheywantedtobuilditsotall;ourcitywasalreadyreallynice,buttheykeptbuildingandbuildingandbuilding.


WhentheywerenearthetoptheyshouteduptoGodandsaid“Look,God!Wehavecreatedthistowerbecauseourbuildersarestrong,andweworksowelltogether!”ButGodbecameangry.Godsaid,“Whyareyoutryingtoreachheavenbeforeitistime?YourplaceisontheEarththatIhavecreatedforyou!WhataboutthepromiseImadewhereIputyouinchargeoftakingcareofEarth?Thisisn’twhatIwantedyoutodo!”Godwassoangry!AndIwassoscared.God’sspiritthencamedowntoourcityandconfusedussowecouldn’tunderstandeachother–weallstartedspeakingdifferentlanguages!Godthensenteveryoneouttodifferentpartsoftheworldbecausewehadbeenbadandhadn’tbeentakingcareofEarthorlisteningtoGod.Thecitywasleftonlyhalf-builtafterallthathardwork.Atfirst,IwasconfusedbecauseIcouldn’tunderstandanyoneandthenwegotsenttootherpartsoftheworld.Sure,itwasscaryatfirst,butthenIrealizedthatGodhadbeenkindtous.Today,someofmyfriendscomplainthatGodwassomeantosendusawayandmakeusspeakdifferentlanguages,butIdon’tthinkGodwasbeingmean.Eventhoughwemessedup,Godforgaveus.Godsentusawayandmadeusalldifferent,whichissuchagoodgift!GodsentmehereandImetmywife.Wehaveneighborswhospeakotherlanguagesandteachmenewthingsandhavesomanyideas!ThingsIhaveneverthoughtaboutbefore.So,whenpeopletellmethattheywanttogobacktoouroldcity,Itellthem“Noway!Idon’twanttogobacktowhenwewereallthesame.Ilikebeingdifferentandgettingtoknowotherpeople.”AndeventhoughGodconfusedusandmadeusspeakdifferentlanguages,Godalsogaveustheabilitytolearnotherlanguagesifwearewillingtolearnfromourneighbors.EverydayIthankGodformakingusdifferent.Thankyouforlisteningtomystorytoday.Brickmakerwavesgoodbyeandexits.


Thedirectorreturnsforstoryreviewwiththechildren.Nowlet’stalkaboutwhatthisstorymeansforus.

• Whydidthepeopleinthestorydecidetobuildthetalltower?• WhywasGodsoangrywiththepeople?• Describeatimewhenyoucouldn’tunderstandsomeone.Maybewhenyourteachertriedtoexplain

newmath,oryouheardawordinclassthatdidn’tmakesense.Howdidthatmakeyoufeel?• Whatcanwedotomakepeoplefromotherplacesfeelcomfortablehereinourchurch?Our

neighborhood?Yourschool?Let’spraytogether.Thisisarepeat-after-meprayer,soyourepeatexactlywhatIsay,okay?

Director:Thankyou,God,formakingusdifferent.Children:Thankyou,God,formakingusdifferent.Director:PleasehelpusChildren:PleasehelpusDirector:Tobewelcomingtopeoplewhoaredifferentthanus.Children:Tobewelcomingtopeoplewhoaredifferentthanus.Director:AndhelpustorememberChildren:AndhelpustorememberDirector:Thatyougaveustheabilitytolearnfromourneighbors.Children:Thatyougaveustheabilitytolearnfromourneighbors.Director:Amen.Children:Amen.

Dividechildrenintotheir(predetermined)“family”groupsanddismisstofamilygrouptime.Onday1,infamilygroups,haveleadersandchildrenintroducethemselves.Playoneortwoicebreakergamesandmakenametags.Familygroupsmovetorotationstationsforthelesson,activity,craft,andsnack.All-VBSClosingAfterlesson,activity,craft,andsnackWhatwasourstorytoday?WhatdidyoulearnaboutIndia?WhatdidyoulearnaboutHinduism?TomorrowwewilltalkaboutThailand.CanwefindThailandonthemap?[PointoutThailand.]WewilllearnalittleaboutthecultureinThailandaswellasareligioncalledBuddhism.I’mexcitedtolearnaboutThailand!Playandsing“WeaveUsTogether”ClosingPrayerThankyou,God,formakingusdifferentandforgivingusthechancetolearnfromourneighbors.WearegladtoknowitisokaytobefriendswithpeoplewhoaredifferentfromusandwepraythatyoucontinuetohelpusandourfriendsinIndia.Thankyou,todayandalways,foryourlove.Inyournamewepray,Amen.


FAITHTRADITION:HinduismHindupeoplefollowthereligionofHinduism.Hinduismistheoldestreligionintheworld!Itismorethan4000yearsold.AlotofpeopleinIndiaandNepalpracticeHinduism.Ithasnofounderorleader.ThatmeansthatmostHindusworshipinverydifferentways.Hinduismissooldthatmanyotherreligions–likeBuddhismandSikhism–grewoutofHinduism.Now,Iwantyoutocloseyoureyesandlistentothisstory:(Youmayalsoconsiderusingthepicturebook,7BlindMicebyEdYoung,whichoffersbeautifulvisualsforthisstory.Itisavailableatmostlibraries.)

Amysteriousanimalcametothelandoftheblind.Whentheanimalfellasleep,thepresidentsentherofficerstofindoutwhatthisanimalwas.(Rememberthey’reallblind.)“Theanimalislikeawall,”saidoneofficer,strokingtheanimal’sside.“Ithinkitislikeasword,”saidasecondofficerasshetoucheditstusk.“Ithinkitislikeafan,”saidathirdofficer,assheexploredtheanimal’sear.“Ithinkit’slikeatree,”saidafourthofficer,asheleanedagainstitsleg.“Ithinkitislikearope,”saidafifthofficerashetuggeditstail.“Ithinkit’slikeasnake,”saidthesixthofficerasshetickledtheanimal’strunk.

Howcanitbethattheyarealltouchingthesameanimalbutcallitdifferentnames?Whatkindofanimalisit?It’sanelephant!Hinduismisliketheelephant,everyonewhotouchesitcallsitadifferentname(likeaswordorarope)buttheyarealltouchingthesameanimal!Itappearsdifferentlytothembecausetheycan’tseethewholething.HinduismhassomanydifferentwaystothinkaboutitbutallpeoplewhopracticeHinduismknowthattheyareworshipingthesamething,justcallingitdifferentnames.ThatiswhythereappeartobemanyHinduGods–buttheyarealljustadifferentrepresentationofthesameGod.Hindusbelieveinreincarnation.Whatisreincarnation?Hindusbelievethatwhentheirbodiesdie,theirspiritwillberebornintoanewbody.Theycouldberebornasamonkey,ormaybeanant,orevenakingorqueen!Karmaisreallyimportantpieceofreincarnation:ifapersondoesgoodthingsintheirlife,thoseactionswillgivethemabetterrebirthandabadactionwillgivethemapoorerrebirth(maybeasaninsect!).Hindusbelievetheywilleventuallyendthecycleofbirth,death,andrebirth.Afterthecycleends,theybecomepartofthespiritofBrahman–thespiritthatlivesineverylivingthing.ManypeopleintheworldareHindu,andthatisokay!Itisourjobtorespectthemandtheirreligion,becausewewouldwantHindustorespectusandourreligion.JustlikeintheBiblestoryabouttheTowerofBabelandallthosepeoplebeingsentawayandtheworldbecomingfullofdifferentpeopleanddifferentlanguages,wecanlearnfromHindusaboutwhattheirreligionteachesandthatcanhelpuspracticeourreligionbetter.Beingopentolearningaboutotherreligionsdoesnotmeanwedon’tlikeourownreligion.


ACTIVITY:YogaIndiaSetthemood:prepareaquietspace.Ifyouhaveyogamats,laythemonthefloor.Ifyoudonothaveyogamats,uselargetowelsorfoamfloortiles.Makesurethespaceisagoodtemperature–nottoohot,nottoocold.YogaisanimportantpracticeofHinduism.Hinduspracticeyogaandmeditationtohelpthemgaincontrolovertheirmindsandbodies.Wearegoingtopracticealittlebitofyogatohelpusfeelcalmandstrong.Askchildrentoremovetheirshoesandsocksandsitquietlyonthemats.Followingtheguidebelow,leadingchildrenthroughtheposes,countingdownfrom10ineachposeandhelpingthechildrentoreallyfeelthepose.Encouragethemtobequietandthinkabouthowtheirbodyfeelsandhavethemrepeattothemselvesthephraseassociatedwiththepose(i.e.“Iamstrong,”“Iamkind”).Afteryoufinishthesequenceoffiveposes,repeatthesequenceasmanytimesasyouhavetimefor,alwayscountingdownfrom10ineachpose.YogaFlowsequence:“Iamstrong.”Pretendtobeasurfer.ThisiscalledWarrior2pose.Standupstraightonthemat,steponefootback,placingthefootsothatitisfacingslightlyoutwards.Takeyourarmsupparalleltotheground,bendyourfrontknee,andlookforward.Pretendtobeasurferanduseyourstrengthtocatchtrickywaves.

“Iamkind.”Pretendtobeatree.ThisiscalledTreepose.Standononeleg,bendyourknee,placethesoleofyourfootontheoppositeinnerthigh,andbalance.Trytobringyourpalmstogetheraboveyourhead.Swaylikeatree.Thinkoftreesbeingkindbyofferingshade,creatingoxygen,andprovidinghomestoanimals.

“Iambrave.”Pretendtobeaskier.ThisiscalledChairpose.Standtallwithyourfeethip-widthapart,bendyourknees,andkeepastraightspine.Holdyourhandsoutinfrontofyou,pretendingtograspskipolesasyouflydownaskirunlikeabraveskier.

“Iamfriendly.”Pretendtobeadog.ThisisDownward-FacingDogpose.Benddownandplaceyourpalmsflatontheground.Stepyourfeetbacktocreateanupside-downVshapewithyourbuttockshighintheair.Straightenyourlegs,relaxyourheadandneck,andlookdownbetweenyourlegs.Thinkofbeinganeagerandfriendlydog.

“Iamwise.”Pretendtobeanowl.ThisisHeropose.Dropyourkneestothegroundandcomedowntorestuprightonyourheels.Thenpretendtobeawiseowlperchedonatree.Twistyourupperbodyonewayandthentheother.

Yogaflowandimagesadaptedfromhttps://childhood101.com/yoga-for-kids/.


CRAFT:MandalasIndiaMaterials:coloringutensils(markers,crayons,coloredpencils),printedmandalasInstructions:

1. Printmandalas,atleast2foreachchild.2. Colorinmandalas,explainingthesignificancebehindmandalaswhilethechildrencolor.Amandalais

asymbolintheIndianreligionsofHinduismandBuddhism,representingtheuniverse.Mandalameanscircle.AncientHinduscripturesdescribemandalasassymbolsofcreativity,life,andconnectionwiththeuniverse.

3. ThepeopleinthestoryofthetowerofBabelweretryingtobuildatowertoreachandconnectwithGod.ColoringmandalascanbeawonderfulspiritualpracticethathelpsustoconnectwithGod,too!

Findsamplemandalasintheappendixorfindyourownonline!

Moremandalas:http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/arts-culture/mandala


GAME:LagoriIndiaLagoriisateamsportthatoriginatedintheSouthernpartofIndia.Thesportisapopularplaygroundgame.Lagoriremindsustoworktogether!Ifyouhavethecapability,showthisvideoofchildreninIndiaplayinglagori:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CifWcTKJA7AMaterials:7flatrocksorpiecesofwood(nolargerthan3x3”),1softlightball(tennisballsize,considernerf)Instructions

1. Dividegroupintotwoteamswithatleast3playersoneachteam.

2. Pilethesevenflatrocksontopofeachotherinthecenterofalarge,openspace(likeagymorafield).

3. Dividetheplayingareainhalf,witheachteamstandinginasemi-circleontheirside7-10feetfromthetowerofrocksinthecenter.

4. Thefirstteamchoosesaplayertothrowtheballatthetowerofstones,attemptingtoknockthemover.Thisplayerhas3chancestohitthetower.Iftheyhavenothitthetowerafterthethirdtry,theballswitchestoanotherpersonontheteamwhothenhas3chancestoknockoverthetower.Thiscontinuesuntileverypersonontheteamhastriedtoknockthetowerover.Ifnooneontheteamisabletoknockthetoweroveraftertakingtheir3shotsatit,theballswitchestotheotherteam.

5. Whenthetowerisknockedoverandthestonesarescattered,theoppositeteamrunsandattemptstostackthestonesbackupintoatower.Whiletheyaretryingtorestackthestones,theteamthatknockedoverthetowerchasestheballandattemptstohitthememberoftheteamwhoiscurrentlyattemptingtorestackthestones.Playerscanonlybehitwiththeballiftheyareattemptingtorestackthestones.Ifaplayerwhoistryingtorestackthestonesishitwiththeballbeforethetowerofstonesiscomplete,theroundisover.Thestonesarerestacked,andtheotherteamhasthechancetotrytoknockoverthetowerofstones.

6. Whenateammanagestostackthestonetowerwithoutgettinghitbytheball,theyreceiveapoint.Attheendof10minutes,whicheverteamhasmorepointswins.

7. Infollowinggames,havetheteamsswitchupplayers.


SNACKForeachday,we’veprovidedsnackoptionsfromthecountrieswherethechildren’slettersarefromalongwithanalternativesnack.Weencourageyoutousesnacktimetoreadtheletterfortheday.Discusswiththechildrenaboutthedifferencesandsimilaritiesbetweentheirsnacksandthesnacksthatchildreneataroundtheworld.StrawberryLassiIndiaMakes4smallservings.Preptime:10minutesIngredients

• 25strawberries• 2-3tablespoonssugartotaste• ¾cupyogurt• ½cupmilk• 1-2pinchesofcardamompowder• ¼teaspoonrosewater(optional)

Instructions

1. Washstrawberriesandremovetheirstalk.2. Pureestrawberriesinablenderwith2-3tablespoonsofsugar3. Addyogurtandmilkandblenduntilwellcombined.4. Addcardamompowderandoptionalrosewater.Blend.5. Pourintoservingglassandservechilled.

Recipeandphotoadaptedfromhttps://www.cookwithmanali.com/strawberry-lassi/#wprm-recipe-container-35931.FruitRainbowIngredients

• Red-Strawberriesorraspberries• Orange-cantaloupesororanges• Yellow-pineapplesorbananas• Green-kiwiorgreengrapes• Blue-blueberries• Indigo-blackberries• Violet-redorblackgrapes

*Feelfreetoswapanyofthesefruitsoutforwhateverisinseason/available.Gettingtherightcolorsisthemostimportantpart.Directions

1. Washandpreparefruit,cuttingintobite-sizedpiecesasneeded.2. Onaservingplate,arrangefruitintotheshapeofarainbowinorderofthecolorswrittenabove.3. Serveandenjoy!


FUNFACTS:India

• MoneyinIndiaiscalledtherupee.• ThelanguagemostpeoplespeakisHindi.BesidesHindi,Indiahas21otherlanguages. Mostpeople

speakEnglish,too.• OneofthemostimportantHindufestivalsisDiwali,alsocalledthe“festivaloflights.”• WomeninIndiawearsaris,andmenweardhotis.Botharelongpiecesofclothdrapedaroundthe

bodyinacertainway.• Indiahasthelargestnumberofvegetariansintheworld!SomeHindusarevegetariansandconsider

thecowtobeasacredsymboloflifethatshouldbeprotectedandrevered.• AnimalsfoundinIndiaincludeBengaltigers,elephants,flyingfoxes,lions,andmacaques.• Indiaistheworld’slargestproducerofmilk!• Thegame“SnakesandLadders”(or“ChutesandLadders”)originatedinIndiaasalessonabout

karma.LETTER:MohitfromIndiaMohitisayoungmanwhoparticipatesinprogramsorganizedbytheIndianSamaritans.MohitsharesabouthislifeinIndiaandhisHindufaith.IamMohitandmylittlesister’snameisBhoomi.Iamin5thgradeandliveinNewDelhi,India.IlivewithmyMotherSuman(32yearsold)andmygrandmother.WeareHindusandourholybookisBhagavadGita.WegotoTempleandGurdwara(placestogatherandworship)regularly.WecelebrateDiwali(thefestivaloflights),Holi(thearrivalofspring),Dussehra(triumphofgoodoverevil),andLohri(endofwinterandreturnofthesun).Ieatmostfood,butonTuesdaysandThursdaysIdon’teatmeat.Athomeweeatchapati(flatbread)anddaal(lentils)regularlyandhaveteainthemorningandevening.Ihavemanyfriendsandweplayoutsidemyhouseeveryday.OnSundays,weplayalldayoutsideinapark.Myfavoritegameiscatchandwealsoplaycricketwhenwegotoalargeplayground.IwanttoserveasanArmyofficerwhenIgrowup.Iattendclassesatanearbyschoolandeverydayaftermyschooltime,around2:00pm,IgototheSamaritansCentrewheremyteacherhelpsmecompletemyhomeworkandhelpsmeprepareforexams.Ialsogetbooks,pens,andpencilsfrommySamaritanteacherwheneverIneedthem.Mymotherspendsallhertimeathome.Thisyear,sheisgoingtocontinueherstudieswiththesupportofmySamaritanCentreteacher.FestivaltimeisthebesttimeformebecauseIgetgiftsandspecialfoodfrommyneighboursandfriends.AttheSamaritanCentre,wecelebrateIndia’sindependencedayandrepublicdayandalsocelebratefestivalsofallreligions.LastweekwhenwewenttoGurdwara,wespenttimelisteningtoholysongsandsawGuruGrand(holybook).Ihadprasad(holyfood)beforeIlefttheGurdwara.EverySaturdayIvisitanearbytempleandoftenIeatriceandvegetablesservedinthattemple.


DAY2–ThailandASickWomanTouchesJesus’Cloak–Mark5:24b-34WelcomeWelcomechildrenandvolunteers.Playandsing“JesuslovestheLittleChildren.”Usethefollowinglyrics:Jesuslovesthelittlechildren,allthechildrenoftheworld,Morning,evening,noon,andnight,theyarepreciousinGod’ssightJesuslovesthelittlechildrenoftheworldAskafewquestionstohelpremindparticipantsaboutwhattheylearnedthepreviousday.Whowasourstorytelleryesterday?Whatstorydidhetellus?WhatdidyoulearnaboutIndia?WhatdoyourememberaboutHinduism?ThisweekwearetalkingaboutourneighborsinSouthernAsia,manyofwhompracticedifferentreligions.GodteachesusthatweareAllGod’sChildren,eventhoughwearedifferentfromoneanother.Latertoday,we’llreadaletterfromSupaweyt,aboyfromThailand.We’llalsolearnalittlebitaboutBuddhism,whichisanimportantreligioninThailand.CanyoufindThailandonamap?(PointoutThailandonamapandaskchildreniftheyrememberwhereIndiaisonthemapfromthedayprior.)Let’smeettoday’sspecialguest!TodaywearegoingtomeetawomanwhowassosickthatshedecidedtotrytotouchJesus’cloakbecauseshebelieveditwouldhealher…butI’lllethertellyouthestory!

STORYTELLER:TheSickWoman

Settingthescene:UsingthebackdropfromDay1,arrangepottedplantsandamarketstall(alemonadestandortable)infrontofthebackdrop.Today’sstorytellerisawomanwhohadbeensickandwhowashealedaftertouchingJesus’cloak.Sheisexuberantandenergetic.Sheshouldweartraditionalclothesfromthetimeperiod–longrobewithcordtiedaroundthewaist,sandals,andaheadcovering–andshouldbecarryinganumberofemptymeshproducebags.


Womancomesthroughthedoorcarryingherproducebags.Sheisonherwaytothemarketforthefirsttimein12years.Shestopswhensheseesthechildren,smilesbig,andbeginstalking,movingaroundandspeakingenergetically.Ohhello,friends!Therearesomanyofyou!Haveyoucometovisitmebecauseyouheardthenewsaboutmymiracle?Well,letmetellyou,itwasdefinitelyamiracle!I’vebeensickforthepast12years.Canyouimagine?12yearsisalongtimetobesick.Ibetsomeofyouaren’teven12yearsoldyet!So,youknowit’saverylongtime.Itriedeverything.IvisitedthebestdoctorsyoucanfindhereinGalileeandIevenwentasfarawayasDamascustofindagooddoctor.ItriedeatingdifferentfoodsandIprayedtoGodeverysingleday,butInevergotbetter.12years!Eventually,IgotsosickthatIcouldn’tvisitmyfamilybecausetheywereafraidthatthey’dgetsicktoo.Icouldn’tgotothemarketbecauseIcouldn’tgetoutofbed.I’mactuallyonmywaytothemarketrightnow–myfirsttimein12years!WhatdoyouthinkIshouldbuyatthemarket?[Allowchildrentosuggest]ButI’mgettingaheadofmyself,Ihaven’teventoldyouaboutthemiracleyet!Igrewupgoingtosynagoguewithmyparents,whichiswherepeopleoftheJewishfaithgotoworship.Wefollowedallthelawsandgavemoneytothesynagogueandprayedmanytimesaday.Weweresofaithful.ThenIgotsick.Iwassomad.Wehadbeensofaithful,andIstillgotsick!WhywouldGoddothattome?Ididn’tdeserveit!ButmyparentstoldmethatGoddidn’tmakemesick,Ijustgotsick,andGodwouldhelpme.So,wecontinuedtoprayeverydayandIstartedseeingallthedoctorsherearoundGalilee.Nothingmademebetter.ItriedeverythingbutIkeptbelievingthatGodwouldgivemerelief.Ikeptprayingandkeptlookingforacure.Eventhroughallthattime,Ineverlostmyfaith.EventuallyIhadspentallmymoneyandallmyfamily’smoney.Therewasnothingelsetodo,soIkeptsuffering.Inearlygaveuphope.ThenIheardthatJesuswascomingtomytown.JesusofNazareth!Here!IfIhadanyhopeleftitwaswithJesus.Hehadhealedsomanyotherpeople,maybehecouldhealmetoo!IwenttofindJesus.IfollowedthepeopleandfinallysawalargecrowdmovingslowlydownthestreetandknewthatJesusmustbeatthecenterofthecrowd.ButhowwasIgoingtogettohim?Thereweretoomanypeoplearound.I’dneverbeabletogethisattentionfromtheoutsidetoaskhimtohealme.“Hmmmm,whatshouldIdo?”Ithought.(Tapschinandlooksthoughtful).“Ah-ha!”Ithought,“Iwillpushmywaythroughthecrowdandgetjustcloseenoughtotouchtheedgeofhisrobeandthatwillhealme!AllIhavetodoistouchhisrobeandIwillbehealed!”Itwasagreatidea!ThebestI’deverhad.(Tothechildren)Whatdoyouthink?Wasitagoodidea?Wellanyway,Ifigureditwasworthatry.Ihadtokeeptrying.IpushedmywaythroughthecrowdandfinallymademywayupbehindJesusandbarelymanagedtotouchhisrobe,justso,(mimesreachingoutandjustbarelytouchingtherobe)andwhatdoyouthinkhappened?Ifeltbetterimmediately!IcouldtellthatIhadbeenhealed.ItriedtojustturnawayandleaveJesusalone.Hehadhealedme,soIdidn’tneedtobotherhimanymore.ButJesussurprisedme.Hestoppedwalkingandtheentirecrowdstoppedwithhim.Heturnedinacircleandsaid,“Whotouchedmyrobe?”Iheardoneofhisdisciplestellhimthatthereweresomanypeoplearound;itwasprobablyjustsomeoneinthecrowdwhotouchedhimonaccident.Thenhesaidagain,“Whotouchedme??Ifeltpowergooutofme.”HesoundedangryandIwasalmosttooscaredtocomeforward,butwhatcouldIdo?HewasJesusandhehadjusthealedme!TheleastIcoulddowastellhimthatItouchedhisrobe.Isteppedforwardandboweddownlowinfrontofhim,likethis(bowsdownlow),andtoldhimthatIhadtouchedhisrobe.ItoldhimthatIhadbeensickfor12yearsandjustbytouchinghisrobeIhadbeenhealed.Hesmiledatmeandsaid,“Daughter,yourfaithhasmadeyouwell.Goinpeace,youarehealedofyourdisease.”I’llneverforgetthatsmile—sofullofloveandkindness—itwasthebestsmileI’veeverseeninmylife.Jesusstoppedtheentirecrowdwithallhisfollowersandspoketome.Tome!Asickwomanwhowasn’tfamousorrichorfromanimportantfamily.Hetookthatmomenttostopwhathewasdoingandjustbewith


me,tohearmystory.Itwasonlyaminute,butIfeelsoblessedthathespoketome.Youknow,JesusandIaredifferentfromeachother.Andalotofpeopledecidedtheydidn’tlikemeorwouldn’ttalktomebecauseIwassick.ButJesusdecidedthatdidn’tmatter.Eventhoughwearedifferent,eventhoughIwassick,hestillstoppedtotalktomeandhelpme.Itwasonlyaminute,butIfeelsoblessedthathespoketome.Thisalljusthappenedyesterday!So,it’sallstillveryfreshinmymind.LikeItoldyou,I’monmywaytothemarkettobuyourfruitandvegetablesfordinnertonight.Mywholefamilyandallmyneighborsarecomingtoourhometocelebratewithme.It’saveryexcitingtime!Well,Imustbegoing!ItwassogoodtotalktoyouandIhopeyousharemymiraclewithyourfriendsandfamilybecauseGodisgood!Storytellerleavestheroom.Thedirectorreturnsforstoryreviewwiththechildren.

• Haveyoueverhadtowaitareallylongtimeforsomethingyoureallywanted?• Canyouimaginebeingsickfortwelveyears?• Howdidthewomankeepherfaithforsolongeventhoughshedidn’tgetbetter?• WhydidJesusstopafterthewomantouchedhisrobe?• Whyisitimportanttotreatallpeople,includingpeoplewhoaredifferentfromus,withcompassion?

(Compassionistreatingpeoplewithkindnessandshowingpeopleyoucareaboutthem.Jesusshowedcompassiontothewomanwhosharedthestorywithus.)

Familygroupsmovetorotationstationsforthelesson,activity,craft,andsnack.All-VBSClosingAfterlesson,activity,craft,andsnackWhatwasthestorytoday?WhatdidyoulearnaboutThailand?WhatdidyoulearnaboutBuddhism?TomorrowwewilltraveltoEastTimor!WhereisEastTimoronthemap?[PointtoEastTimor]WewilllearnmoreaboutthecultureinEastTimorandthepeoplewholivethere.Iamexcited!Playandsing“JesusLovestheLittleChildren.”ClosingPrayerThankyou,God,forteachingustostopandspendtimewithpeople.WepraythatyouhelpustoshowkindnesstootherslikeJesusshowedtothewomanwhotoldusherstorytoday.Pleasehelpustoseeyourpresenceineverything—ourneighbors,theearth,andalllivingcreatures.Thankyou,todayandalways,foryourlove.Inyournamewepray,Amen.


FAITHTRADITION:BuddhismPeoplehavebeenpracticingBuddhismformorethan2500years!I’mgoingtotellyouastoryabouthowBuddhismbegan.BuddhismbeganwithamannamedSiddharthaGautamaBuddha,whowasborninNepal500yearsbeforeJesus.Beforehewasborn,theholyHinduleaderspredictedthathewouldbecomeagreatkingorreligiousleader.Hisfather,ofcourse,wantedhimtobeagreatking,sowhenSiddharthawasborn,hisfatherkepthiminsidetheirpalacetoshieldhimfromtheoutsideworld.Whenhewasoldenough,hemarried,andtheyhadason.Hewaslivingadreamlife!Butitwasn’tenoughforhim.Hefeltlikesomethingwasmissing.Hesecretlyleftthepalaceandwhathesawchangedhimforever!Hesawasickman,anoldman,andadeadman.Hischariotdrivertoldhimthatalllivingthingscangetsick,growold,anddie.Hehadneverseenoldorsickpeoplebeforeinhislifeandhewasnotprepared!Onhiswaybacktothepalace,hesawatravelingreligiousmanwholivedaverysimplelife.Hethendecidedtoleavethepalaceandsearchforthereasonthatpeoplehurtandsuffer.Hesaidgoodbyetohiswifeandchild,cuthislonghair,andchangedintosimpleclothes.Hesearchedforanswerstohisbigquestions.Helearnedtomeditateandstudiedwithmanywisepeople.AftersixyearsofstudyingthesacredHindutextsandlivingasapoor,travelingreligiousperson,Siddharthastilldidnothaveanyanswers!Finally,hesatdownunderabigtree.Hesatsolidlikeamountainanddidn’tmoveformanydays.Onthesixthday,heopenedoneeyeandsawtherisingsunandrealizedthatwhathewaslookingforhadneverbeenlost.Hehaditallalong!“Wow!”hesaid,“NowIunderstandeverything!”SiddharthaGautamawokeupandunderstoodthatthebeinggreedyandselfishleadstosadnessandthatwecanbecomebetterpeoplebynotbeinggreedyorselfish. At35yearsold,hebecametheBuddha,theAwakenedone.Forsevenweekshedidn’ttellanyoneabouthisrealization.Hethoughtpeoplewouldn’tunderstand.Butwhenhewasaskedtoteach,hedid.WhathetaughtbecameBuddhism.

LikeHindus,Buddhistsbelieveinreincarnation.Whatisreincarnation?Itisthecycleofbirth,death,andrebirthintoanewlife.Buddhistsbelievethatwhentheyachieveunderstanding,alsocalledenlightenmentornirvana,theircycleofrebirthwillend,andtheywillfinallyescapethecycleofrebirthandofsuffering.AnimportantunderstandinginBuddhismisthateverythinginlifeisconstantlychanging.Nothingispermanent.Buddhismteachesthatwemustnotbejealousofothersandthatweshouldnotgetangrybecausejealousyandangercomefromaplaceofselfishness.Buddhistsbelieveinkarma—whenwedosomethingbad,wesufferandwhenwedosomethinggood,webecomebetterpeople.ThebasicwaysthatpeoplepracticeBuddhismare:meditation,mindfulness,livingagoodlifebyhelpingothers,andlivingtogetherincommunity.


ACTIVITY:MeditationWhoknowswhatmeditationis?Meditationiswhenyoumakeyourselfcalmbythinkinginyourmind.MeditationisanimportantpartofthepracticeofBuddhism.Meditationhelpsusthinktoourselvessothatwecanunderstandouractions,thoughts,andfeelings.Meditationcanhelpusrelaxwhenweareupsetandcanhelpusbehappier.Wecanmeditateevenifwearen’tBuddhists!Christiansmeditate,too!Setupthespacesimilarlytoyesterday’syogapractice:matsortowelsonthefloorinaroomthatisseparatefromtherestoftheVBS.Addpillowsorblanketssothatchildrencanbecomfortable.Thisshouldbeaquietspacewiththelightsdimmed.Leavetheroomquiet(nomusic).Invitechildrentolayonthematsinacomfortableposition.Guidetheminthefollowingmeditationinalow,soothingvoice,encouragingparticipantstostayquietandnotfidget.Askthefamilygroupleaderstoparticipateinthisaswellsotheycanleadbyexample.Somechildrenmayfallasleep—thisisokay,ifsomeonedoesfallasleep,allowthemtosleepanddonotallowchildrenintheimmediatevicinitytowakethem.Encouragechildrentokeeptheirhands,feet,andideastothemselves.Thisisasilentmeditationtime.

1. Liedowninacomfortablepositionandcloseyoureyes.2. Takeadeepbreathinandlettheairflowoutgentlythroughyournose.Takeanotherdeepbreathin.

Breathedeeply.Nowbreatheoutslowly.Feelyourselfbeginningtorelax.3. Bringallofyourattentiontoyourrightfoot,noticinghowitfeels.Squeezetherightfoot,makingafist

withyourentirerightfootandallfivetoes;tenseandsqueezeittightly.Holdthistensionasyoubreathein.Andasyoubreatheout.

4. Releasealltensionintherightfoot.Relaxitcompletelyandnoticethetensionrelease.Youmayfeelatinglingsensationinthefoot.

5. Takeadeepbreath,breathingin…andout.6. Moveyourattentiontoyourleftfoot.Bringallofyourattentiontoyourleftfoot,noticinghowitfeels.

Squeezetheleftfoot,makingafistwithyourentireleftfootandallfivetoes;tenseandsqueezeittightly.Holdthistensionasyoubreathein.Andasyoubreatheout.

7. Releasealltensionintheleftfoot.Relaxitcompletelyandnoticethetensionrelease.Youmayfeelatinglingsensationinthefoot.

8. Takeadeepbreath,breathingin…andout.9. Feelyourfeetrelax.10. Guidechildrenslowlyupandaroundthebody,tensingonebodypartatatimetocreatetension,

immediatelyfollowedbythecontrastingsensationofreleaseandease.Followeachpartwithadeep,cleansingbreath.Aftertensingbothfeet,followthesamesimpleinstructionsfromabovetocontinuethroughthefollowingseries:• Rightankleandcalf,leftankleandcalf• Rightknee,leftknee• Rightthigh,leftthigh• Allfeetandlegs• Hips• Butt• Belly

• Entirelowerbody,fromtummydown• Chestandheart• Rightarm,leftarm• Righthand,lefthand• Shoulders• Neck• Face• Wholebodyatonce(dothisonetwice)

Whenyou’refinishedguidingthechildrenthroughthismeditation,makesuretheyspendatleastafewminuteslayingontheirbacksquietly,encouragingthemtokeeptheirbreathingslowandsteady.Invitethemtoslowlygetupand“comebacktolife”whiletheypreparetomoveontothenextactivity.

Meditationfromhttps://chopra.com/articles/3-kid-friendly-meditations-your-children-will-love


CRAFT:Batikpart1Batik(pronouncedbah-teek)isanancienthandmadefabricartthatbeganinSouthernAsia.Startbyshowingchildrenimagesofbatikart.Batikisolderthanhistory,withtracesevenfoundinthewrappingsofEgyptianmummies.InAsia,batikwasmadeinChina,India,andJapan.TheartofbatikhasbeenpasseddowninNigeria,Senegal,Ghana,andothercountriesinAfricaforgenerations,eachregionproducingitsownuniquepatternsandcolors.ImagineifthecloakofJesusthatthewomantouchedlookedlikesomeofthesedesigns!Todayandtomorrow,childrenwillmaketheirownbatikdesigns.Materials:Washableglue(likeElmer’scleargel),paintbrush,craftpaint,whitecottonfabriccutinto1footsquaresInstructions:Thisisatwo-dayactivity.Completesteps1-3today.

1. Decideonapattern.(Printablepatternsareprovidedintheappendix)Placethedesignundertheclothandtapethedesignandtheclothtogethersothatyoucanseethedesignthroughthefabric.Writeyournameonthedesignpaper.

2. Tracethedesignwithglue,repeatinguntileitherthefabricsquareiscompletelycoveredoryouhavefilledthedesiredamountofspace.Donotallowgluetosmearortoclot.Thedesignswillturnoutbestwhenthelineofglueisthickandcontinuous.

3. Letgluedryovernight.4. Oncetheglueisdryitwillbeclear.Usingcraftpaint(orwatered-downacrylic),brushthepaint

directlyontothefabricandoverthedriedglue.Useasmanycolorsasyoulike.Oncethefabricisfullypainted,letdry.

5. Oncepaintisdry,rinsethefabricsquareuntiltheglueiscompletelygone.Youwillbegintoseethatpartsofthefabricresistedthepaint.Letdry

6. Enjoy!

Directionsandphotoswereadaptedfromhttp://pearmama.blogspot.com/2013/03/diy-batik-glue-resist-pearmama.html?m=1


Alternativecraft:PaperbatikIfyou’reprimarilyworkingwithayoungergroupthatwouldhaveadifficulttimemakingpatternswithglue,trymakingabatikonpaper.Thisisalsosometimescalleda“waxresist.”(Dosteps1-3todayand4-6tomorrow.)Materials:Whitepaper,crayons,watercolors,cupsofwater,paintbrushes,papertowelsandnewspapers,ironandironingboard(optional)Directions:

1. Laynewspapersdownonyourworkspacetomakecleanupeasier.

2. Giveeachchildapieceofwhitepaperandwritetheirnameonthebackofeachsheet.

3. Havethemdrawadesignonthesheetofpaperincrayon.Showthemsomeoftheshapesthatarecommonintheregion(diamonds,flowers,leaves,circles,swirls,etc.)butallowthemtomakewhateverdesigntheychoose.Makesuretheyleavesomespacesuncoloredsothepaintcolorswillshow.Alsoencouragethemtouseawhitecrayonsometimes–itwillmakethedesignlookreallycool!

4. Havethechildrencrumpleuptheirdesigns.Askthemtoopenthemupandcrumplethemagain.Andagain.Dothisuntilthepaperalmostfeelslikefabricwhenflattened.Carefullyflattenoutthepaperandplaceitonnewspaper.

5. Usingwatercolors,havechildrenpaintovertheircrayondrawings.Theycanpainteverythinginonecolorortrymanydifferentcolors.Wipeexcesspaintawaywithpapertowelsandhanguptodry.

6. OPTIONAL–Youmayplacethedesignsbetweentwopapertowelsonanironingboard.Irontoflattenanddryyourdrawing.


GAME:PaoNangYang(BlowingRubberBands)ThailandPaoNangYangisarubberbandblowinggamewidelyenjoyedbychildreninThailand.Asitonlyrequiresafewrubberbands,twoplayers,andthesimpleskillofblowing,ithasbecomeapopularwaytopassthetimebothatschoolandathome.ThegameisfoundinmanydifferentregionsthroughoutThailand.Therulesarethesame,butthenamesmaybedifferent.PaoNangYangisthemostcommonname.PaoNangYangisallaboutwinningrubberbandsandthereforethiskeyitemshouldnotbesubstitutedwithanythingelse.Rubberbandsareoftenusedinhouseholdstotietogethermultipleitemsorsealbagscontainingfood.Lightandcheap,theyarefoundinabundancearoundthehomeorcaneasilybeboughtfromlocalstores,makingthemausefulitemforchildrentoplaywith.Twotothreeplayersplayeachgame,butmultiplegroupscanplayatthesametime.Materials:Smallrubberbands,around2to3centimetersindiameter.Thegamecanbeplayedindoorsorout,butisbestplayedonalarge,smoothsurfacesuchasaflatfloorortable,wheretherearenobumpsorobstructionsthatcouldstoptherubberbandsfrombeingblownaccurately.ToPlay:

1. Encouragechildrentopracticeblowingarubberbandonthetableorfloor.Theyshouldtakebig,deepbreathsandthenusetheirmouthsandcheekstocontrolthespeedanddirectionoftheairwhentheyblowout.

2. Decidewhogoesfirst3. Eachplayerplacestheirrubberbandonthefloor

approximately1yardawayfromeachother.4. Thefirstplayer,usingonlytheirbreath,blowstheir

rubberbandashardastheycaninthedirectionoftheiropponent’srubberband.Oncetheyhavecompletedtheirturn(onebreath/blowperturn),theiropponentrepeatstheprocess,thistimeblowingtheirrubberbandbacktowardstheotherplayer’sband.

5. Eachplayercanonlyblowtheirrubberbandonceduringaturn.Iftheyblowmorethanonce,theylosethegameandtheiropponentcankeeptheirrubberband.

6. Theplayersbothcontinuetotaketurnsuntiloneoftheirrubberbandsisblownontotheiropponent’srubberband.Thebandsmustoverlapforittobeconsideredawin.Whoevermanagestodothisfirstwinsthegameandcankeeptheloser’srubberbandasaprize.

7. Ifthreeplayersareplaying,thefirstpersontoloseiseliminatedandplaycontinueswiththeremainingtwoplayersuntiloneeventuallywins.

8. Sinceeachgameisabout3minuteslong,encouragechildrentoplaywithdifferentchildrenandevenwiththeVBSleaders!

Adaptedfrom:http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/culture/ICH/Children_s_Games/PDFs/Northern_Thailand/Pao_Na

ng_Tong_type_1.pdf


SNACKKid-FriendlyLettuceWraps ThailandPreptime:timetocollectingredients,slice/chop,andarrangeinbowls.Assemblein5minutes.Lettucewrapsofstir-friedtofuormeatandvegetablesareverypopularinThailand.Thisrecipeisnotspicyanddoesnotcontainmeat.Alltheingredientsarechild-friendlybutbemindfulofanyallergiesyouhaveamongyourparticipants.Wehavesuggestedfillingsandrecommendthatthefillingsbearranged“saladbar”stylesothatchildrencandecidewhattoputintotheirlettucewrap.Ingredients

• 2-3headsiceberglettuceSuggestedfillings:

• Gratedcarrot• Slicedmushrooms• Thinlyslicedorchoppedhard-boiledegg• Choppedchives• Beansprouts• Choppedcucumber• Choppedfreshtomato• Sweetpeas• Sweetcorn• Choppedmango• Choppedapple

• Dryroasted,saltedpeanutschoppedNote:Bemindfulofpeanutallergies

• Garbanzobeans/chickpeas• Edamame• Freshbasil• Gratedcheddarcheese• Gratedmozzarellacheese• Sesameseeds• Sunflowerseeds• Driedcranberries• Raisins• Waterchestnuts

Toassemble,takeawholelettuceleafandfillthecenteroftheleafwithingredients.Thenwrapthesidesofthelettucelikeatacoandeat!


ThaiCoconutRice ThailandMakes12smallservings.Preptime45minutes.Ingredients:

• 11/2cupsofjasminerice• 1canofcoconutmilk.Theregularfullfatversion,

nottheliteversionorthemilksubstitute.• 1/4cupofsugar• 1teaspoonofkoshersalt

Instructions:

1. Putriceinastrainerandgiveitagoodrinseinthesink.2. Putthericeinamediumsaucepanwiththecoconutmilk,sugar,salt.Fillthe

emptycoconutmilkcanfullofwaterandpourthatin,too.Thecoconutmilkwillhaveprobablyseparatedinthecanintoathickwhitesemi-solidlayerandaclearliquidlayer.ThatisOK.

3. Bringthericemixturetoaboiloverhighheat,stirringconstantly.Reduceheattolow,coverthepot(lidorfoil),andletbarelysimmerfor20minutes.

4. Uncoverandstirtheliquidlayerbackintothericewithafork,fluffingasyougo.Removefromheat,cover,andletstandfor5moreminutes.

5. Toreheattherice,coverwithadamppapertowelandmicrowaveforaminuteortwo.Thishelpsrehydratestherice.

6. Servethericewithfreshfruit(mango,peaches),agenerousdrizzleofthecoconutsauce.Sesameseedssprinkledontopmakeanicegarnish.

Adaptedfrom:https://macaronsandmayhem.com/2017/02/05/sweet-and-salty-coconut-rice/


FUNFACTS:Thailand

• Thailandiswhereyou’llfindtheworld’ssmallestandthelargestcreatures.Thesmallestmammalintheworld,thebumblebeebat,callsThailandhome.Youcanalsofindthelargestfish,thewhaleshark,inThaiwaters.

• ThailandlovesitsKingandshowshimgreatrespect.ThailandhasarulethatifyouaremeanordisrespectfultowardtheKing,youcouldbeputinprison.

• Thereareabout35,000templesinThailand.Thailandistrulyalandoftemples!• Thailandishometomany,manyanimals.ThailandhasmorebirdsthanEuropeandNorthAmerica

combined!• ThenationalflowerofThailandistheorchid.• Thailandisknownasthe“landofsmiles”becausethepeopleofThailandseemtobealwaysready

withasmile.Theyareapeace-lovingpeople.• RiceisamainpartofThaicuisineandThailandsuppliesricetoothercountries.• InThailand,“Sawadee”isthewordforhello.

LETTER:SupaweytSupaweytisan11-year-oldboywholivesinBangkok,Thailand,whereGlobalMinistriespartner,theChurchofChristinThailand,holdsregulargatherings.Atoneofthesegatherings,churchleadershipinterviewedSupaweytabouthisBuddhistfaith.Buddhismteachesustobegoodandnotdobadthings.IlearnedaboutBuddhismatschoolfrommyteachers,andIalsolearnedfrommydadandmymom.Myteacherstaughtmetoobeymyparentsandalwaystodogood.ItfeelsgoodtobeaBuddhist.ItmakesmehappybecauseIamlearningtobeagoodperson.BuddhismmeansImustdowhatistheverybestandnotdoevil.InBuddhism,wehavetomake“merit,”whichmeansdoinggooddeeds.OnewaytomakemeritistohonorthespiritualbeingsImayhaveharmedinapastlifebydoingsomethinggoodforthem.Anotherwayisgivinggoodgiftstothemonksandnuns.IreceivemeritwhenIdothesegoodthings.Thatispartofhowwepracticeourfaith.EversinceIwasverysmall,Igowithmyfamilytothetempletomeditate.Whenmyfamilygetstothetemple,webowthreetimestotheimageofBuddha,whowastheteacherwhostartedBuddhism.Imeditateeverydaytocalmmymindandbodyandtoclearmymindfrombadthoughts.Somepeoplemightthinkwearepraying,butwearenot.WhenImeditate,IthinkaboutcalmingmybodyandbreathsothatIcanthinkabouthowIcandobetterinmylife.ItrytochangemynegativethoughtstothoughtsabouthowIcanhelppeopleandtheearth.Buddhistmonksandnunsdevotetheirlivestomeditationandgoodworks.Peoplelikemyfamilyhelpthemonksandnunsbybringingthemfoodandgifts.


DAY3–EastTimor

TheStoryofJoseph-Genesis37&39-47 WelcomeWelcomechildrenandvolunteers.Playandsing“TheMoreWeGetTogether.”Askafewquestionstohelpremindparticipantsaboutwhattheylearnedthepreviousday.Whowasourstorytelleryesterday?Whatstorydidshetellus?WhatdidyoulearnaboutBuddhismandThailand?Thisweekwe’vebeenlearningthatweareAllGod’sChildren.Todaywe’llhearastoryaboutamannamedJosephandlearnaboutpeoplewholiveinEastTimor.[PointtoEastTimoronthemap.ExplainthatEastTimorisalsoknownasTimor-Leste.]InEastTimoryousay“bondia”(b-ohndee-uh)tosaygoodmorning.Let’spracticethat.Trysayingittoyourneighbor.[Givethemtimetopracticesayingittooneanother.]Greatjob!TodaywearegoingtomeetamannamedJosephwhohadabright,colorfulcoatandafewbigproblemswithhisolderbrothers.Look!(PointtoJosephashebeginstowalktowardsthegroupfromtheothersideoftheroom.)Therehecomesnow!STORYTELLER:JosephSettingthescene:CreateabackdropresemblingancientEgypt.Paintapyramid,asphynx,andfieldsofgrain.Ifpossible,buildapyramidoutofcardboardandpaintitgold.Fill7largeburlapgrainbagswithpillowsorcrumbled-upnewspaperandplaceinfrontofthebackdrop.Ifgrainbagsarenotavailableinyourtown,paintapieceofgrainonthefrontofoldpillowcasesandfillwithnewspapersothattheylooklikefullbagsofgrain.Stackafewemptygrainbagstothesideofthefullgrainbags.Josephwearsabrightlycoloredrobe,agoldchainaroundhisneck,sandals,andagoldcrownorgoldheadband.Heenterswithoutseeingthechildren,carryingaclipboardwithpaperonitandaquill(orapencilwithafeathertapedontop)inhand.Hebeginstocountthebagsofgrainandtakenoteofhowmanybagsareempty.Afterhehasnotedthenumberofbagsheturnsaroundandseesthechildren.Heassumestheyaretravelerswhowanttobuygrainduringthefamine.Josephstartsspeakingcalmlyandslowly,thenpicksupspeedandstartstotalkwithmoreanimationasthestorygoeson.Ohhello.Haveyoucometobuygrain?WehavehadmanytravelerscomingtoEgyptfromneighboringcountriesrecentlytobuyfoodbecausetheycan’tfindanythingtoeatintheirowncountries.Thesetwoyearsoffamine(notbeingabletogrowcrops)havebeenhardforfamilieseverywhere.


ItseemslikeonlyyesterdaythatIhelpedthePharaoh,thekingofEgypt,understandhisdreamaboutthefamine.What’sthat?Youhaven’theardthatstory?Ithoughteveryoneknewbynow.Isupposewemuststartatthebeginning.Twelveyearsago,IwaslivinginCanaanwithmyfamily:myninebrothers,mymotherandfather,andmysisters.WhenIwasseventeen,myfather,Jacob,gavemeabeautifulcoat–likethisonethatI’mwearingnow–andmybrotherswerejealous.ThenIhadtwodreams,andIwasSOSILLYtosharethemwithmyfamily.Yousee,inthedream,Ibasicallysawmyfamilyworshipingmelikeaking.Itmadethemreallyangrytohearthatdream.ThenIhadanotherdream,andIdefinitelyshouldnothavesharedthisdreamwithmyfamily:Itoldthem,“Look,Ihavehadanotherdream.Thesun,themoon,andelevenstarswerebowingdowntome.”Andmyfatherbecameangry;hesaidtome,“Whatkindofdreamisthis?ShouldIbowtothegroundbeforeyou?”(Shakeshead)Ihadnoideahowthedreamsmademyfamilyfeel.MybrothersespeciallybecameveryangrywithmeandsentmeawaytoworkforsomeoneimportantintheEgyptiangovernment.Itwashardwork!Ididwellthere,buteventually,Iwasaccused—wronglyItellyou!—ofacrimeandwasthrowninjail!Ididn’tcommitthecrime,butnoonewouldlistentome.WhileIwasinjail,IlistenedtotwomoredreamsfromtwoprisonersandtoldthemwhatIthoughtthedreamsmeant.Theygotoutofjailandmyideasturnedouttobetrue!Ithoughtmaybetheotherprisonerswouldcomebacktohelpmeaftertheysawthatmythoughtsontheirdreamsweretrue,buttheynevercame.Ispenttwomoreyearsinjailafterthat!Two.Whole.Years.Itfeltlikeforever.ButthenonedayIwassleepinginthejailandoneofPharaoh’sownservants(PharaohwastheKinginEgypt)cameandwokemeup.TheytoldmethatPharaohrequestedthatIlistenoneofhisdreamsandtellhimwhatitmeans.I’dbeenintheprisonfortwoyears,soIhadtocleanmyselfupabit.Ishavedmybeard,cutmyhair,tookabath,andputoncleanclothes.IwenttoPharaohandhetoldmehisdream.Ilistenedcarefullytothedream.Tome,itsoundedlikeGodwastryingtosendPharaohamessage.GodwassayingthattherewouldbesevenyearsofhealthyplantswhenEgyptwouldhavealotofgoodfoodstoeatandthentherewouldbesevenyearsoffaminewherenothingwillgrowandpeoplefromalloverthelandwillnothaveanythingtoeat.Pharaohwassokindtome.AfterIinterpretedhisdreams,heappointedmetooverseethelandandprepareEgyptforthefamine.Forthosefirstsevenyearswhentherewasalotoffood,wetuckedsomeawaysafelytobeusedduringthefamine.Wesavedandwepreparedforthetimewhentherewouldn’tbemuchfood.Andasyousee,thedreamswerecorrect.Wehadsevenyearswheretherewasmorethanweneededandnowwearedonothavemuch.Wepreparedwell,andnowweareabletohelpourneighborstosurviveduringthesehardyears.Itwillbealongsevenyears,butwewillbeokay.PharaohistheKingofEgyptandIwasaprisoner!ButhestilltrustedmeandtogetherwearehelpingpeoplealloverEgypt.Iamgladthatwewereabletohelpeachotherandworktogether.Oh!IshouldalsotellyouthatIrecentlysawmybrothersagain.Alotofstuffhappened,butlongstoryshort,Iwasabletoforgivethem,andtheywereabletoforgiveme.It’saveryhappything.LastweekmybrotherswentbacktoCanaantobringtheirfamiliesandourfatherbacktoEgypt.PharaohhasgivenusthebestlandinEgyptwherewecanlive.Theywillbringmyfatherheretoliveclosetome.IamsohappyandcannotwaituntiltheyreturntoEgypt.Anyway,youwantedtobuygrain,correct?Letmegofindsomeonetotaketheorderforyou.Josephwalksawayfromthegroup.


Thedirectorreturnsforstoryreviewwiththechildren.Wow!HaveyouheardJoseph’sstorybefore?

• WhowasPharaoh?• HowdidJosephmeetPharaoh?• WhatwereJosephandPharaohabletodowhentheyworkedtogether?• Whatweresomehappythingsinthisstory?

Familygroupsmovetorotationstationsforthelesson,activity,craft,andsnack.All-VBSClosingAfterlesson,activity,craft,andsnackWhatwasthestoryweheardearliertodayaboutJoseph?Canyouhelpmeremember?WhatdidyoulearnaboutEastTimor?DidyoulearnanythingnewaboutChristianity?TomorrowwewilllearnaboutIndonesia.[PointtoIndonesiaonthemap,askchildrentopracticesaying“Indonesia.”]Ican’twaittolearnmoreaboutthepeoplewholivethere!Playandsing“TheMoreWeGetTogether.”ClosingPrayerDearestGod,wethankyouforgivingusthegiftofyourson,JesusChrist.Pleasehelpustoloveoursiblingsasmuchasweloveourneighbors,evenwhenitgetshard.Thankyouforteachingushowtolistentoandlearnfromourfriendswhopracticeotherreligions.Weaskthatyoucontinuetonourishoursoulsandhelpusgrowinourfaith.Inyourson’snamewepray,Amen.


FAITHTRADITION:ChristianityTodaywewillbetalkingaboutanotherreligionpracticedinSouthernAsia.Youmightbemorefamiliarwiththisone.It’scalledChristianity.DidyouknowthatthereareChristiansinSouthernAsia?WhatdoyouknowaboutChristianity?ContinuetheconversationaboutChristianity.EncouragethoughtfulreflectionabouthowthechildrenunderstandChristianityandwhatitmeanstothem.Christianityisoneofthelargestreligionsintheworldwithover2billionpeoplefollowingChristianity!ChristianmeansfollowerofChrist.WhowasChrist?ChristiansbelievethatJesusChristwasthesonofGodwhocametoEarthtospreadGod’swordandtospreadlove.ThosewordswerewrittendownintoabookthatChristiansuseinchurches.It’scalledtheBible.SomeofthebiggestlessonssharedinChristianityaretoloveGodwithallyourheart,soulandmind,andtoloveyourneighborasyourself.WhatisthebigholidaythatwecelebrateJesus’birthdayon?Christmas!ChristianitygrewoutofJudaism.JesuswasbornandlivedhisentirelifeasaJew.Helivedashortlifeandtaughtmanyimportantlessons.Jesusmostofhislifearoundordinarypeople.

• WhatlessonshaveyoulearnedfromJesus?• WhatdowecelebrateonEaster?CanyouexplaintomewhathappenedtoJesus?Whyisthis

important?• Wehavebeenlearningaboutotherreligionsandwhatwecanlearnfromthosereligions.Whatcan

peoplewhopracticeotherreligionslearnfromChristians?


ACTIVITY:CommunionDiscusstheimportanceofcommunionwithchildren.Leavetimeforquestionsandanswerallthoughtfullyandintentionally.CommunionisanimportantritualforChristians.ItrepresentsJesus’sacrificewhenhediedonthecrossforus.ReadLuke22:19-20andinvitechildrentoparticipateincommunioniftheywantto,makingsuretheyunderstandthesignificanceofthebreadandthecup.Usegluten-freecrackersorbreadwithgrapejuiceastheelements.Thismaybeagoodtimeforthepastorofthechurchtomeetthechildrentoemphasizethatthepastorisanopenandaccessiblefigurewithinthechurch.OnthenightJesuswasbetrayed,hetookbread,gavethanksandbrokeit,andgaveittothemsaying,“Thisismybodygivenforyou;dothisinremembranceofme.”Inthesameway,aftersupperhetookthecupsaying,“Thiscupisthenewcovenantinmyblood,whichispouredoutforyou.”Dothisinremembranceofme.Note:Ifyourteamdecidesnottocelebratecommuniontogetheronthisday,analternativeactivityhasbeenprovidedintheappendix.SeeLabyrinthactivityinAppendix.


CRAFT:GlueBatikpart2Finishthecraftfromyesterday,beginningwithstep4.Materials:Washableglue(likeElmer’scleargel),paintbrush,craftpaint,whitecottonfabriccutinto1footsquaresInstructions:1. Decideonapattern.(Printablepatternsareprovidedintheappendix)Placethedesignunderthe

clothandtapethedesignandtheclothtogethersothatyoucanseethedesignthroughthefabric.Writeyournameonthedesignpaper.

2. Tracethedesignwithglue,repeatinguntileitherthefabricsquareiscompletelycoveredoryouhavefilledthedesiredamountofspace.Donotallowgluetosmearortoclot.Thedesignswillturnoutbestwhenthelineofglueisthickandcontinuous.

3. Letgluedryovernight.4. Oncetheglueisdryitwillbeclear.Usingcraftpaint(orwatered-downacrylic),brushthepaint

directlyontothefabricandoverthedriedglue.Useasmanycolorsasyoulike.Oncethefabricisfullypainted,letdry.

5. Oncepaintisdry,rinsethefabricsquareuntiltheglueiscompletelygone.Youwillbegintoseethatpartsofthefabricresistedthepaint.Letdry

6. Enjoy!

Directionsandphotoswereadaptedfromhttp://pearmama.blogspot.com/2013/03/diy-batik-glue-resist-pearmama.html?m=1


Alternativecraft:Paperbatiks2Finishthecraftfromyesterday,beginningwithstep4.Materials:Whitepaper,crayons,watercolors,cupsofwater,paintbrushes,papertowelsandnewspapers,ironandironingboard(optional)Directions:1. Laynewspapersdownonyourworkspacetomake

cleanupeasier.2. Giveeachchildapieceofwhitepaperandwritetheir

nameonthebackofeachsheet.3. Havethemdrawadesignonthesheetofpaperin

crayon.Showthemsomeoftheshapesthatarecommonintheregion(diamonds,flowers,leaves,circles,swirls,etc.)butallowthemtomakewhateverdesigntheychoose.Makesuretheyleavesomespacesuncoloredsothepaintcolorswillshow.Alsoencouragethemtouseawhitecrayonsometimes–itwillmakethedesignlookreallycool!

4. Havethechildrencrumpleuptheirdesigns.Askthemtoopenthemupandcrumplethemagain.Andagain.Dothisuntilthepaperalmostfeelslikefabricwhenflattened.Carefullyflattenoutthepaperandplaceitonnewspaper.

5. Usingwatercolors,havechildrenpaintovertheircrayondrawings.Theycanpainteverythinginonecolorortrymanydifferentcolors.Wipeexcesspaintawaywithpapertowelsandhanguptodry.

6. OPTIONAL–Youmayplacethedesignsbetweentwopapertowelsonanironingboard.Irontoflattenanddryyourdrawing.


GAME:MarblesTheuseofmarblesinchildren’sgamesdatesbackhundredsofyearsandiswidespreadthroughoutmanypartsoftheworld.InEastTimor,themarblegamethatwasplayedbyoldergenerationsismuchthesamewaychildrenplaytoday.Playersshootorrolltheirmarbletosuccessfullyknocktheotherplayers’marblesoutofthecircle.InEastTimor,theplayergetstokeeptheopponent’smarblesiftheywin.Materials:Marbles,tapeorchalk.Thisactivityisbestdoneoutside.Instructions:

1. Splitchildrenintogroupsof2-3people.2. Drawa2x2footcircleonthegroundwithtapeorchalk.Youwillneedonecircleforeverygroup.3. Eachplayerputs10marblesinthecircle.Considerdividingmarblesbycolorsochildrencankeep

trackofwhichmarblesbelongtoeachplayer.4. Eachplayerthendropsonemarbleoutsidethecircle.Ithelpsifthismarbleisdistinctfromtheother

marbles,possiblylarger.Theplayerwhosemarblelandsclosesttothecirclewithoutactuallytouchingthebordergoesfirst.

5. Usingthemarblethatisnowoutsidethecircle,theplayermustattempttoknocktheothermarblesoutofthecircle.Anymarblesthatareknockedoutofthecirclenowbelongtothatplayer.Eachplayergetsoneshotperturn.

6. Thegamecontinuesuntilallmarblesareknockedoutofthecircle.Whoeverhasthemostmarbleswinstheround.

Foryoungergroupsthatmightstrugglewithusingmarbles,youcanadaptthisgamebyusinglargerballslikepingpongortennisballs.Theycanbepaintedwithnailpolishtokeeptrackofwhichplayerhaswhichpieces.


SNACKRoastedCornontheCobPreptime:35mins.Believeitornot,cornonthecobisaverypopularsnackinEastTimor!Vendorssellroastedearsofcornonthestreets.Roastingcornissimpleanddelicious!Ingredients:

• Cornonthecob(nothusked)• Butter• Saltandpepper• Optional:considerusinggarlicsaltorseasonedsalt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 2. Place corn husks directly on the oven rack and roast for 30 minutes

or until corn is soft. 3. Peel down the husks and use as a handle when eating. 4. Optional:Rubsoftenedbutterandsprinklewithsaltand/orpepper.

BibingkaPhilippines,popularinEastTimorMakes15-20squares,preptime1hourand15minutesBibingkaoriginatedinthePhilippines,butitalsoapopulardessertinEastTimor.Ingredients

• 1/2cupbutter,softened• 1lbsweetriceflour• 21/2cupsugar• 1tsp.bakingpowder• 3cupsmilk(freshorevaporated)• 5eggs,beaten• 1tsp.vanilla• 1cupcoconutflakes

Directions

1. Preheatovento350F.2. Mixallingredientsinagreased13x9pan.3. Bake1hourat350F,oruntilatoothpickinsertedinthecentercomesoutclean.4. Whencool,cutintosquares.

Recipefromhttps://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bibingka-recipe-1955549

Photofromhttps://www.kawalingpinoy.com/bibingka/


FUNFACTS:EastTimor

• EastTimorismostlymountainousandsurroundedbybeautifulsandybeachesandcrystal-clearwater.

• ResidentsofEastTimorareknownasTimorese.• EastTimorhasalargerangeofwildlifeincludingwaterbuffalo,monkeys,deer,pigs,

horses,crocodiles,cattle,goats,chickens,ducks,rats,andbats.• Theword‘Timor’meanseast.Thatmeansthatwecallthecountry‘EastEast’whentranslated!• TheUnitedStatesDollaristheofficialmoneyofEastTimor.• Fishhooksandbeadsmadefromshellshavebeenfoundontheislanddatingback30,000yearsago!• LocallegendhasitthattheislandofTimorwasformedfromthebodyofanagingcrocodileasagift

toalittleboywhohelpedhimwhilehewassick.Nativesoftheislandarethoughttobedescendantsofthelittleboy!

• EastTimorisasmallcountrythatgainedindependencefromIndonesiain2002.• EastTimortheonlycountryinSouthernAsiathatismostlyChristian.

LETTER:AmenaMynameisAmenaandIliveinEastTimor.Ihavetwosistersandfivebrothers.Mymom’snameisMariaandmydad’snameisManuel.Ienjoyspendingtimewithmyfriendsandplayinggames.Sometimesweliketomakewoodenplayhousesandplaygamesinthem.IthinkIamaverygoodplayhousebuilder.Ialsospendalotofmytimehelpingmyparentsaroundthehouse.Ihelptotakecareofmysiblings,cookdinner,andotherthingstokeepthehouseclean.Ienjoywashingthedishes,butIdon’treallylikemoppingthefloor.IamaChristianandgotochurch.Goingtochurchisveryimportanttous.IfweevenmissoneSunday,it’snotgood.Ilikegoingtochurch,though,becauseIgettoseemyfriends.Sometimesweevengettoparticipateintheservicetogether.Ilovedoingthat.Ialsoloveitwhenit’sMary’sMonth.Mary’sMonthhappenstwiceperyearandeverynightduringMary’sMonthwegotoeachother’shomesandpraytogether.It’sveryfunbecausesometimesIhavethechancetoleadtheprayersandpreparethesongswewillsing.


DAY4–Indonesia

TheWomanattheWell–John4:3-15WelcomeWelcomechildrenandvolunteers.Playandsing“ToDwellinUnity.”Werecommendthatyouusemoreinclusiveandkid-friendlylanguagelikethis:Seehowgoodandhowhappyitisforpeoplelivetogether(x2)Inunity,toliveinunity,lailailailailailailailailai(x2)(Repeat)Askafewquestionstohelpremindparticipantsaboutwhattheylearnedthepreviousday.Whowasourstorytelleryesterday?Whatstorydidhetellus?Whatreligiondidyoulearnabout?Whatcountry?ThisweekwearetalkingaboutourneighborsinSouthernAsiaandhowweareAllGod’sChildren.TodaywearegoingtohearthestoryofthewomanatthewellandlearnaboutIndonesia.DoyourememberwhereIndonesiaisonthemap?[PointoutIndonesiaonthemap.]We’llalsolearnmoreaboutthereligionofIslam.Areyoureadytomeetourspecialguest?TodaywearegoingtomeetawomannamedPhotini,whoisfromSamaria.Oneday,Photinimetaveryimportantpersonandlearnedalotfromhim.Look!Hereshecomes!

STORYTELLER:Photini,TheWomanattheWell

Settingthescene:Paintrollingdeserthillsontoabackdrop(Seeimage).Usingthecardboardbricksfromearlierintheweek,buildalowcirclethreerowshighinthefrontofthebackdroptobethewell.Photiniisatraditionallydressedwoman(seeimagefromDay2)wearingaheadcovering.Photinientersfromoppositethewell,walkingslowly,carryingabucketwitharopeattachedtoit.Sheisgoingtofetchwaterfortheday.Duringhermonologue,Photinilowersthebucketintothewell;shegetsexcitedwhiletalkingandleavesthebucketatthebottomuntiltheendofhermonologue,thenpullsitupandwalksbacktohervillage.


Hello,friends!Iseeyou’vecometohearthegoodnewsandtoseewhereJesussat!Jesussatrightherejustlastweek!(Motionstothespot.)Thisisholyground!Jesuswalkedhere!Canyoubelieveit?IcanhardlybelieveitmyselfandIwashere.IheardthatJesushadbeeninJudeaandwasonhiswaybacktoGalilee.Itwasjustanormaldaywhenhecamethrough.ThoughitwasverystrangethathedecidedtopassthroughbecausepeoplehereareSamaritansandJesusisJewish.YouprobablyknowthatJewishpeopleandSamaritansdon’tgetalong,andmostJewishpeopledecidetogoalllllllllthewayaroundSamariaontheirwaytoGalileeeventhoughit’salongwayandcansometimestakeafewextradays.(Pretendstohearaquestionfromachild.)What’sthat?Whydon’tJewishpeopleandSamaritansgetalong?ThatisaverygoodquestionandI’msorrytosaythatIdon’treallyhavetheanswer…WehavedifferentviewsonthingsabouttheBibleandweneveragreed.Butthat’swhat’ssospecialaboutJesusstoppinghereatthiswell!HedecidedtogostraightthroughSamariaonhiswayhomeinsteadofgoingaround.Lastweek,Iwaswalkingouttothewelltogetmywater.IwentoutaroundnoonandIwasthinkingaboutallthethingsIhadtodolaterintheday.Iwasn’tpayinganyattentiontomysurroundings.Iarrivedatthewellandthennoticedthattherewasamansittingrighthere,whereIshowedyou,allalone.Hesurprisedmebecausenoonegoestothewellatnoon!ThenIlookedcloserandcouldtellthathewasverytired.Hewascoveredindustandhishairwasmessyandhisfeetwereverydirty.HelookedexhaustedandIcouldtellrightawaythathewasJewish,soIquicklywentuptothewellandtriedtoignorehim.Iwasn’tgoingtolethimstopmefromgettingdonewhatIneededtodofortheday!Ibegantolowermybucket,justlikethis(gentlylowersbucketintowell),andoutofthebluehesaid,“Givemeadrink.”InearlydroppedthebucketbecauseIwassosurprised.“Howisitthatyou,aJewishman,askadrinkofme,awomanofSamaria?”Isaidtohim,becauseJewishpeopleandSamaritansdonotshareANYTHINGincommon.Thenhesaidtheweirdestthing.Hesaid,“IfyouknewwhoIwas,youwouldbeaskingmeforadrink.AndIwouldgiveyoulivingwater.”Nowwhatintheworlddoesthatmean?Livingwater!?!?(scratchchinorheadquizzically)Whatdoyouthinkitmeans?(Allowchildrentorespond.)Hedidn’tevenhaveabucket,sowherewashegoingtogetsome(saidrathersarcastically,withairquotes)“livingwater”??Iwasprettyrudeandsaid,“Whodoyouthinkyouare?Areyoutryingtosayyouarebetterthanus?”Hesmiledandlaughedandsaid,“Everyonewhodrinksofthiswaterwillbethirstyagain,butthosewhodrinkofthewaterthatIwillgivethemwillneverbethirsty.Thewaterwillgivewillthemeternallife.”Nowwhatintheworlddoesthatmean??Honestly,Ihadnoidea!Finally,Ifiguredlivingwatercouldn’tbethatbadofathing,soIsaid,“Sir,givemethiswater,sothatImayneverbethirstyorhavetokeepcomingheretodrawwater.”Thenhetoldmethingsaboutmyselfthatalmostnooneelseknew!InthatmomentIknewhewasspecial,andIbegantoguesswhohewas.HewasJesus,theMessiah!IranasfastasIcouldbacktomyvillage—Ievenleftmybucketdowninthewell!(laughssheepishly)IgatheredallthevillagerstogetherandtoldthemaboutJesus.Isaid,“ComeandseeamanwhotoldmeeverythingIhaveeverdone!HecannotbetheMessiah,canhe?”Theywantedtoseeforthemselves,sotheyallfollowedmebacktothewell.MyfellowtownspeopleaskedJesustostayinthecityforacoupleofdaysandhesaidyes!Jesusstayedwithus,Samaritans,fortwowholedays!Andmanyofmyfellowvillagersbecamebelieversinthosefewdays.Itwasaveryexcitingfewdays!IamsogladthatImetJesusandlistenedtohim.WhowouldhavethoughtthatthisJewishmanwouldhavechangedthelivesofusSamaritans?!NowIhavetakenituponmyselfto


continuespreadingJesus’wordtooallthatwilllistentome—whichiswhyI’mheretellingyouthisstorytoday.JesushascometoSamaria!Photinipullsupherbucketfromthebottomofthewellandheadsoffbacktohervillage.Thedirectorreturnsforstoryreviewwiththechildren.

• HowdidPhotinifeelwhenshefirstmetJesusatthewell?Why?• WhatdidPhotinilearnfromJesus?• WasitgoodthatPhotinilistenedtoJesus?• Whatcanwelearnfromthisstory?

Familygroupsmovetorotationstationsforthelesson,activity,craft,andsnack.All-VBSClosingAfterlesson,activity,craft,andsnackWhatstorydidweheartoday?WhatdidyoulearnaboutIndonesia?WhatdidyoulearnaboutIslam?TomorrowwewilltraveltoBangladesh![PointtoBangladeshonthemap.]IamexcitedtoseewhatwelearnaboutpeoplewholiveinBangladesh!Playandsing“ToDwellinUnity.”ClosingPrayerGod,thankyouforteachingustheimportanceoflisteningtothosewhoaredifferentfromus.Pleasehelpustocontinuetolistentoyourwords.Thankyouforyourpresenceinourlives.Inyournamewepray,Amen.


FAITHTRADITION:IslamWhentalkingaboutIslamwithVBSparticipants,keepanopenmindwiththeirquestionsandtrytorespondwithoutbias.Thepointofthissectionistocreateconversationandencourageparticipantstothinkcriticallyabouttheirprejudices.IfyouarehavingdifficultiesexplainingortalkingaboutIslam,considerinvitingalocalImanorotherMuslimfromyourcommunitytospeak.Islamisadeeplymisunderstoodreligionandthefirststeptocreatingamorejustworldisthroughunderstanding.SeeAppendixforlinkstomoreinformationaboutIslam.ReviewHinduism,BuddhismandChristianity.TodaywewilllearnaboutareligionthathasalotofsimilaritiestoChristianity.ItiscalledIslam.WhatdoyouknowaboutIslam?DoyouhaveanyMuslimfriends?TherearealotofmisconceptionsaboutIslam.LotsofpeoplethinktheyunderstandIslam,butitisoftenmisunderstood.Islambeganalmost1500yearsagowithamannamedMuhammad.HemettheangelGabrielwhenhewas40yearsoldinSaudiArabia.ThisisthesameangelGabrielthatspeakstosomanypeopleintheBible.GabrieltoldMuhammadthefinalmessageofGod,whichthenbecametheQur’an,whichistheIslamicholybook—liketheBibleforChristians.Muslimscalltheirgod“Allah”whichjustmeansgodinArabic.Doyouknowhowtosay“God”inotherlanguages?Spanish:Dios.Italian:Dio.French:Dieu.AndnowyouknowitinArabic:Allah.InIslam,thereare5veryimportantthings,calledtheFivePillars.TheyaresimilartoourTenCommandments.

1. Shahadah–declarationoffaith.Muslimssay,“ThereisnoGodbutAllah,andMuhammadishismessenger.”ChristiansdosomethingsimilarwhenweaffirmJesusasourLordandSaviorwhenwearebaptizedorconfirmed.

2. Salah–Fivedailyprayers(atdawn,justafternoon,mid-afternoon,justaftersunset,afterdark).HaveyoueverseenaMuslimpraying?Christiansprayalot,too.

3. Zakat–Obligationtogive2.5percentofsavingsandvaluablestothepooreveryyear.Thisisverysimilartotithing.Doyouknowwhattithingis?Doanyofyourparentsgivemoneytotheirchurchordonatetoorganizations?

4. Sawm–Fasting(Ramadan).DuringthemonthofRamadan,Muslimsdonoteatordrinkbetweensun-upandsun-down.Thisistohelplearnself-control,gratitude,andcompassionforpeoplewhoarelessfortunate.DuringRamadan,MuslimsspendextratimereadingtheQur’anandprayevenmorethanusual.(Pregnantornursingwomen,sickpeople,elderlypeople,andchildrendonothavetofast.)DoyouevergivethingsupduringLent?Whydoyoudothat?

5. Hajj–PilgrimagetoMecca.AllMuslimsareexpectedtogototheirholylandatleastonceintheirlifetime.ChristiansalsosometimesliketovisittheplaceswhereJesuslivedandhadhisministry.WouldyouliketovisittheplaceswhereJesusspenthistime?


ACTIVITY:GoodDeedsThisactivityisbasedontheMuslimholidayofDhulHijjah.ItcelebratesthetimewheremanypeoplegoonapilgrimagetoMecca.Thefirst10daysofDhulHijjahareconsideredthebestdaysoftheyearandpeoplegooutoftheirwaytoperformgooddeedsforothers.Belowareasampleof“gooddeedcards”thatcanbeusedtohavegroupsactoutkindwaystotreatoneanother.PrintablecardsarelocatedintheAppendix.Afteractingoutafewofthesecardswithyourgroup,askthechildrenaboutotherwaystheycanbekindtoothers.Theninvitethemtotakeafewcardstosharewithothers.

Youcanfindprintablecardsat:http://parenthoodmuslimstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/29/DhulHijjahActivityPages1-3.pdf

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CRAFT:LeafKitesIndonesia DidyouknowthattheoldestkiteintheworldcomesfromIndonesia?!KitemakingisstillverypopularinIndonesia.TheyevenhostanInternationalKiteFestivaleveryyear!Materials:Cleartape,scissors,string,2sticks,leaves(ifleavesarenotplentifulinyourarea,papercanbeusedinthesameway)

1. Placethesticksinacross.Usingtapeorstring,wrapthepointwherethetwostickscross,alternatingsides,untiltheyaresolidlyheldtogether

2. Tapeleavestogether.Layleavesdown,overlapping,andtapethemtogetheronthefrontandthebackuntiltheycreatealarge,roughlydiamondshape.

3. Attachleavestothesticks.Usingcleartape,attachleavestothesticksinmultipleplaces.4. Cutleavestolooklikeadiamondshape,roughlythesizeofthesticks.5. Tiealongpieceofstringtothepointwherethetwosticksattach.

Instructionsandphotosadaptedfromhttps://www.instructables.com/id/Leaf-Kite/Visithttps://www.happinessishomemade.net/kids-craft-diy-paper-kite/forinstructionsoncreatingpaperkitesif

leavesarenotinabundanceinyourcommunity.


GAME:Semut,Orang,Gajah(Ant,Person,Elephant)IndonesiaThisgameissimilartoRock,Paper,ScissorsandcomestousfromIndonesia.Spendsometimepracticinghowtosaythethreewords.Instructions:

1. Dividetheentiregroupintopairs.Partnersfaceeachother,makingafistinfrontofthem.Partnerscounttothreetogetherandonthreemakeoneofthethreepossiblehandsigns–semut,orang,gajah.

Semut:antSEM-ooht(pinkiefinger)Orang:personOH-rahng(pointerfinger)

Gajah:elephant GAH-jah (thumb)

2. Semut(ant)beatsgajah(elephant)becausethesemutcancrawlinthegajah’searandticklehimtodrivehimcrazy.Orang(person)beatssemut(ant)becausetheorangcanstomponthesemutandsquashit.Gajah(elephant)beatstheorang(person)becausetheorangcanbetrampledbythegajah.

3. Playbestoutofthree.Considerplayingintournamentstyleuntileverypersonhasplayedamatchagainsteveryotherperson.

4. ForavariationonSemut,Orang,Gajah,splitthegroupintotwoteams.Designatealineinthecenteroftheareaofplayandahomebaseoneachsideoftheline.Eachteamsecretlydecideswhichmotiontheywilldothenbothteamscometogetherandformtwolinesfacingeachotheronthedesignatedlineinthecenterarea.Onthecountofthreetheteamswillmaketheirpredeterminedmotions.Theteamthatlosescollectivelyturnsaroundandattemptstoruntotheirhomebasewhilethewinningteamchasesthelosingteamandtriestotagthembeforetheygettotheirbase.Theteammemberswhoaretaggedmustjointhewinningteam.Thegameisoverwhenallplayersendupononeteamortimerunsout.


SNACKPisangBakarIndonesiaPreptime5minutesIngredients

• 5bananaschoppedintodiscs.Usebananasthatarenotripeorarenotverysweetbananas.

• 1tablespooncoconutoil• 3tablespoonsthickcoconutmilk(orsweetenedcondensedmilk)• Optionalchocolateshavings

Directions

1. Heatcoconutoilinaflatpanonlowheat.Waituntilalloilmeltsandbeginstosizzle.

2. Placebananadiscsinthepan.Donotstackthemontopofeachother.

3. Cook2minutes,oruntilthesidetouchingthepanisbrowned.4. Usingaspatula,flipthebananasandbrowntheotherside.5. Removefromheat.6. Servehotwithadrizzleofcoconutmilk(orsweetenedcondensedmilk),orchocolateshavings.

Photoandrecipeadaptedfromhttps://www.peacefuldumpling.com/recipe/grilled-bananas-pisang-bakar.

PanFriedBananasPreptime10minutesIngredients

• 2Bananas(slightlyoverripe)• 2tablespoonsofsugar• 1teaspooncinnamon• ¼teaspoonnutmeg(optional)

Directions

1. Slicethebananasintorounds,approximately1/3inthick2. Inasmallbowl,combinesugar,cinnamon,andnutmeg.Set

aside.3. Lightlysprayalargeskilletwithnonstickoilspray.Warmovermediumheat.4. Addthebananaroundsandsprinkle½ofthecinnamonmixtureontop.5. Cookforabout2-3min.6. Fliptherounds,sprinklewiththeremainingcinnamonmixture.7. Cookfor2-3moreminutesuntilthebananasaresoft.

Photo and recipe adapted from https://dizzybusyandhungry.com/pan-fried-cinnamon-bananas/


FUNFACTS:Indonesia

• 740differentlanguagesanddialectsarespokeninIndonesia!• Indonesiahasabout400volcanoesandabout150areactive!• IndonesiashareslandborderswithMalaysia,PapuaNewGuineaandEastTimor.• ThegiantKomododragon,Javanrhinoceros,tigers,orangutans,elephants,andleopardsareallfound

inthejungleforestsofIndonesia.• ThemoneyinIndonesiaiscalledtheRupiah.• Indonesianfoodusuallyincludesriceservedwithfish,chicken,vegetables,spices,andcoconutmilk.• IndonesianslovethegameofbadmintonandoftenwingoldmedalsattheOlympicgames.Football

(soccer)isalsoverypopular.• IndonesiaisthelargestMuslimcountryintheworld.

LETTER:LidiaDearfriends,MynameisLidia.IliveinKupangCity,Indonesia.Iam10yearsold.Ihave4siblings.WeareMuslims,butweliveinadiversefamily.Mygreat-grandmotherwasaChristianwhoconvertedtoIslam.Therefore,IhaveextendedfamilymemberswhoareChristians.WealwaysvisiteachotheronbothChristianandIslamicholidays.MyfamilygoestovisitthemonChristmasDay,whiletheyalwaysvisitusonEidal-Fitr.Iaminthe5thgradeatBonipoi2ElementarySchool.Thereare38studentsinmyclass.Ourreligionsaredifferent;1personisHindu,5areChristians,and31areMuslims.IshareatablewithaChristianfriendnamedJason.Weoftenplayandstudytogether.Myclassmatesrespecteachother’sreligions.Iliketogoswimming.SometimesmyclassmatesandIgotoswimmingpoolforphysicaleducationclassatschool.TheteacherofthisclassisaChristian,buthelovesallstudentsequally.Ourtripstotheswimmingpoolarehappybecausewealwayshavefuntogether.Mymessagetoyouisthatweshouldnotinsultothers.Donotbepickyinmakingfriends.Wemustrespecteachothereventhoughwearedifferentintermsofrace,ethnicity,religion,skincolor,andhairtype.Ifyoucometomycountry,pleasevisittheworshipplacesofdifferentreligiousgroupssothatyoumayhavechancetolearnaboutpeopleofotherreligiousgroups.Greetingsofpeace,Lidia


DAY5–Bangladesh

TheGoodSamaritan–Luke10:25-37WelcomeWelcomechildrenandvolunteers.Playandsing“WeaveUsTogether.”Askafewquestionstohelpjogtheparticipants’memoriesaboutthepreviousday:Whowasourspecialguestyesterday?Whatstorydidshetellus?Whatreligiondidwelearnabout?ThisentireweekwehavebeentalkingaboutourneighborsinSouthernAsia,andabouthowweareallGod’schildren.Wecanlistentoeachotherandlearnfromeachotherandworktogethertodosomeprettycoolthings!TodaywewilllearnaboutBangladesh.Let’sfindBangladeshonthemap.[Pointitout]I’mexcitedforallofthethingswewilllearntoday!Areyoureadytomeetourspecialguest?Todaywearegoingtomeetalawyer.Jesustoldthislawyeraveryimportantstory—aparableabouttheGoodSamaritan.Heisgoingtobespeakingsooninthecitytosharethestorywithus.Let’sgivehimalotofapplausewhenhearrives. STORYTELLER:TheLawyerSettingthescene:Usethetownbackdropandhavethelawyersitinaregallookingchairorgivehima“soapbox”tostandon.Makeitlooklikeheistellingthisstoryinthetownsquaretoallwhowilllisten.Thelawyerdressessimilarlytotheothermalestorytellersthisweek:hewearsthetraditionalclothingfromthetimeperiod—alongshirttiedwithacordaroundthewaistandalongrobeovertop,akeffiyehheaddress,andsandals(seeimagefromDay1).Thelawyeralsowearsabrightgoldnecklaceandgoldbanglesonhiswrists;heiswealthy.Thelawyerentersregally—heisanimportantperson—givingsmallbowsandwavingawaytheapplause.Heistryingtoappearmodestandbashfulbutispleasedtohavethegroupinhishomeandisveryexcitedandproudtosharehisstory.Hellooooooomyfriends!Sowonderfultoseeyou.Iknowyou’veallcometohearJesus’mostrecentstory.Well,letmeassureyou,itdoesnotdisappoint.Althoughitdoesmakeyouthinkabit,butIsupposethatiswhatallofJesus’storiesaremeanttomakeusdo.I’malawyeryouknow,sotestingpeopleiswhatIdoalldayeveryday.Icanhardlystopmyselffromdoingitinmypersonallife.It’sgottenmeintotroubleafewtimes,that’sforsure.Anyway,thereIwas,sittingwithJesusandthelargegrouphewastalkingto,andIcan’tsaywhy,butIdecidedIshouldtestJesus.Istoodupandsaid,“Teacher,whatmustIdotogotoheaven?”Well,IalreadyknewtheanswerbecauseIhavebeenafaithfulJewishmanmyentirelife.Jesusrespondedwithanotherquestion.Heaskedme,“Whatiswritteninthelaw?Whatdoyoureadthere?”(Repeatsthenextquotationquicklyandbreathlessly,toshowthatheisthesmartestintheroom)“YoushalllovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,andwithallyoursoul,andwithallyourstrength,andwithallyourmind;andyourneighborasyourself.”IwantedJesustoknowthatIknewtheanswerandwasjusttestinghim.Jesusresponded,“Youhavegiventherightanswer;dothis,andyouwillgotoheaven.”Weallnoddedinapproval.


Well,that’sallgood,butIhadanotherquestion,“Andwhoismyneighbor?”Jesuslookedatmewithhiscleareyesandtoldusthisstory:

“AJewishmanwasgoingdownfromJerusalemtoJericho,andsomepeoplerobbedhimandhurthimbadly.Soonafterthat,apriestwasgoingdownthatroad;andwhenhesawthehurtman,hepassedbyontheothersideoftheroad.Later,anotherimportantreligiouspersonalsosawthehurtmanandpassedbyontheotherside.ButaSamaritaneventuallysawhimandcamenearhim.WhentheSamaritansawthehurtJewishman,hefeltverybadforhim.TheSamaritanwenttothehurtmanandtookcareofhiscutsandinjuries.Thenheputthehurtmanonhisownanimal,broughthimtoaninn,andtookcareofhim.”

Canyouimagineastorylikethat?(InsertnameofVBSdirector)toldmethatyoulearnedaboutSamaritansyesterday,correct?WellthenyouknowthatSamaritansandJewishpeoplejustdon’tgetalong.WeneverhaveandIdon’tknowwhy.Ijustcan’tbelievethatapriestandanothermanwhoworkedinthechurchwalkedrightpastapersonwhohadbeenbadlyhurt.Howawful!Asleadersinourcommunity,theyshouldhavehelpedthisperson.IamVERYdisappointedinthosetwomen.Idonotknowasinglepersonwhowould’vewalkedpastandnotdoneanything.IamalsoinshockthatitwasaSamaritanwhocameandhelpedtheinjuredperson.ASamaritan!SamaritansandJewishpeopledon’tgetalong,wedon’tdoanythingtogetheroreventalktoeachother,andtothink,aSamaritancamethroughandhelpedtheman!It’sjustaverysurprisingending!TheSamaritanwasaveryniceperson.AfterJesustoldusthatstory,heaskedus,“Whichofthesethree,doyouthink,wasaneighbortothehurtman?”Well,clearlyitwastheSamaritan,butIdidn’tevenwanttosaythatword…“Samaritan”(saidwithdisdain).IcouldseewhatJesuswasdoing.Ihadtestedhimandnowhewastestingme.WellIknewIhadtoreplytoJesus,soIfinallysaid,“Theonewhohelpedtheinjuredman.”I’membarrassednowthatIcouldn’tsaytheword“Samaritan,”butit’sinthepastandI’llsayittoyou:TheSamaritanhelpedtheinjuredman-notthepastororthemanwhoworkedinthechurch-theSamaritan.(Pausesforasecond,thinkingoftheincredulityofthestory.)Andfinally,Jesussaidtome,“Goanddothesame.”Wow!ItcanbesohardtoshowlovetoSamaritansandtopeoplewhoaredifferentthanmeingeneral!ButheisJesusandit’shardtosaynotohim!Jesushastoldus,youandme,togooutintotheworldandshareourlovewitheveryone—notjustthepeoplewelike.Whatdoyouthink?Areyouupforthechallenge?Thelawyerwalksawayfromthearea.Thedirectorreturnsforstoryreviewwiththechildren.

• Whatdoyouthinkaboutthisstory?• DiditsurpriseyouthattheSamaritanwastheonlypersonwillingtohelpthehurtman?• Whydoyouthinktheotherskeptwalkinganddidn’thelpthemanwhowashurt?• Whatcanwelearnfromthisstory?Howshouldwetreatothers?

Familygroupsmovetorotationstationsforthelesson,activity,craft,andsnack.


All-VBSClosingAfterlesson,activity,craft,andsnackPlayandsing“WeaveUsTogether.”ThisweekwehavebeentalkingaboutourneighborsinSouthernAsia.WelearnedaboutamazingplaceslikeIndiaandThailand,EastTimor,Indonesia,andBangladesh!(ShowmapofSouthernAsia,inviteonechildatatimetocomeupandshowwhereeachcountryis.)WealsolearnedaboutdifferentreligionsandheardsomeawesomeBiblestoriesthatshoweduswhatgreatthingscanhappenwhenpeoplelistentoandlearnfromeachother.

• Whatreligionsdidwelearnaboutthisweek?(Invitechildrentoshoutouttheanswers.)• Whatstoriesdidwehearthisweek?Whatwasyourfavoritestory?

HowexcitingitwastolearnthatweareAllGod’sChildren!Thatreallyissomethingtocelebrate!ClosingPrayerThisisarepeat-after-meprayerthatwearegoingtosaytogether.Leader:DearGod,Children:DearGod,Leader:ThankyouforteachingusChildren:ThankyouforteachingusLeader:Toloveourneighbors.Children:ToloveourneighborsLeader:Pleasehelpus,Children:PleasehelpusLeader:TocontinuetolearnChildren:TocontinuetolearnLeader:AndtolovepeopleChildren:AndtolovepeopleLeader:Whoaredifferentfromus.Children:Whoaredifferentfromus.Leader:Thankyouformakingusdifferent.Children:Thankyouformakingusdifferent.Leader:AmenChildren:Amen


FAITHTRADITION:SikhismTherearemanySikhsintheworld,includinginBangladesh,thecountrywe’relearningabouttoday,andintheUnitedStatesandCanada!Theword“sikh”(pronouncedsick)meansdisciple,seeker,orlearner.Sikhismbegan500yearsago.Backthen,HindusandMuslimswerelivingandworkingtogetherinPakistan,whereSikhismstarted.SikhismwasstartedbyamancalledGuruNanak.GurumeansteacherinPunjabi,sohewas“teacherNanak.”HebelievedthatthedifferencesbetweenreligionsarenotimportanttoGod.Hesaid,“WhosepathshallIfollow?IshallfollowGod’spath.”SikhsbelievethatthereisonlyoneGodandheisthesameforeveryreligion.SikhsfollowaholybookcalledtheGuruGranthSahib.InsidethisbookarelessonsfromalltheteacherswhostartedSikhism.Sikhsworshipintemplescalledgurdwaras.That’saprettycoolword!Let’salltrytosayittogether–gurdwara.Gurdwara.Exactly!NowyouknowwhatSikhtemplesarecalled.Whenevertheyenterthegurdwara,Sikhsremovetheirshoesandmakesuretocovertheirhair.Sikhismteachesthatpeopleofdifferentraces,religions,orgendersareallequalintheeyesofGod.ItteachesthatmenandwomenareequalandthatwomencanparticipateinanySikhceremonyorleadthecongregationinprayer.Sikh’sbelievehonestliving,equalityofallhumanbeings,andsharingandcompassionareimportant.


ACTIVITY:LearnNumbersinPunjabi!TheSikhreligionoriginatedinthePunjabregionofIndiaandPunjabiisthepredominantlanguagespokenbySikhs. Playthisvideosochildrencanlearnhowtopronouncethenumberscorrectly:https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=91&v=bB9eK_P95tU

Youcanfindthisprintableathttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bfb7d41b98a787cb51215ff/t/5c796180eef1a1e4faff73c1/1551458688980/

punjabi+numbers.pdf


CRAFT:WeavingWeavingisapopularartformthroughoutSouthernAsia.Ifyouareable,youmaywishtoshowthisvideoabouttheprocessofweavinganIkatprintsothechildrenseehowitisdoneinSouthernAsia:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-IT9hIlYg8&list=PLiLn1fWr3_DyjpYR7MhPyuN4HGID1Cq_D&index=2Materials:6”x8”piecesofcardboardand1”x6”piecesofcardboard(forloom),scissors,ruler,yarn,largeplasticneedles,tape,smallsticks(orpopsiclesticks)Thisprojectisworksbestifthe“looms”aremadebeforehandsothatchildrencanspendtheentiretyofcrafttimeweaving.Tomaketheloom:

1. Usingtheruler,drawastraightlineacrossthetopandbottom(shorteredges)aboutahalfinchfromtheedge.Measurein1”fromeachside,thenmake12hashmarksaround3/8”apartacrossthetop.Repeatacrossthebottom.

2. Usinganexactoknifeorscissors,cutalongeachhashmark,stoppingatthe1/2”line.

3. Glueonthe1”x6”piecesofcardboardsothatthetopalignswiththe1/2”line.

4. Cut12piecesofyarnandthreadeachslit,makingsuretoleavea3”longtailatbothends.Tapeendstobackwithscotchtape.Makesurethreadsaretight,butnotstretchingtheyarn.

Toweave:

1. Cuta2-foot-longpieceofyarn.Threaditthroughtheplasticneedlethentieaknotatthetopoftheneedle.(Ifyoudonothaveplasticneedles,youcanuseapartly-unfoldedpaperclip:tieyarntothecurvedendandcontinuewithinstructions.Seeimage.)

2. Tietheendoftheyarnthatisnotattachedtotheneedletothefirstpieceofyarn,justbelowthe1x6”pieceofcardboard,leavinga3”tail.Positiontheknotsothattheyarnappearstobecomingfromunderneaththefirstpieceofyarn.Slidetheneedleoverthenextstring,thenbackunderthethird,overthefourth,andsoonuntilyoureachthelaststring.Pulltheneedleandallexcessyarnthrough.

3. Forthenextrow,gobackintheoppositedirection,continuingtousetheover-underpattern.Makesureyouarenotgoingunderandoverthesameyarnsasthepreviousrow.Eachrowshouldcontinuethepatterngoingunderandovertheoppositeyarnasthepreviousrow.

4. Continueforafewrows,alternatingtheover-underpattern,thenpushtheyarnrowsupsotheyaresnugandthereisnospacebetweentherows.

5. Toswitchcolors,cuta3”tailofftoonesideoftheweaving.Threadthenewcolorintotheneedle(orbobbypinorpaperclip)andcontinuetheover-underpattern,againleavinga3”tailwhereyoubegan.


6. Continuewithasmanycolorsasdesired,alwaysleavinga3”tailofyarnatthebeginningandendofeverycolor.Don’tworryaboutthetailshangingout–attheendtheywillallbetapedtotheback.

7. Whenyoureachthebottomoftheloom,cuttheyarn,leavinga3”tailofftotheside.

Takingtheweavingofftheloom:

1. Undothetapefromthebottomonthebackoftheloomandcarefullypullthebottomendsofyarnoutofthenotches.

2. Startingononeside,tieeachpairoftheyarntogether.Tiestrings1&2together,3&4,5&6,etc.Youwillhavesixknots–double-knoteach.Now,youcantrimthehangingstrings,leavethemlong,ordecoratewithbeadsorpom-poms.

3. Undothetapefromtopofthebackoftheloomandcarefullypulltheendsofyarnoutofthenotches.Again,tiepairsofyarntogetherwithdouble-knots:strings1&2,3&4,5&6,etc.Donottrim,donotaddbeadstothisend.

4. Fliptheweavingupside-downsothatyouarelookingatthebackoftheweaving.Tapedown(ortiein)all3”tailsthatwereleftfromswitchingcolors.

5. Leavetheweavingupside-down.Placethestickalongthetopoftheweaving,directlyontopoftheyarnpairsyoujusttiedtogether.Pulltheyarnpairdownoverthetopofthestickandtieintothetopofthebodyoftheweavingtocreatealoop.Repeatforallsixknots.

6. Tocreateahangerforyourweaving,cutan18”pieceofyarnandfoldoversothatyouryarnisdoubly-thick.Loopthefoldedendaroundonesideofthestickandknotitintoplace.Addbeadsifdesired.Leavingafewextrainchesofyarn,wraptheotherendaroundtheothersideofthestickanddouble-knot.

Instructionsandphotosadaptedfromhttps://www.artbarblog.com/weaving-kids/


GAME:Congklak(Mancala)CongklakisagamelikemancalathatisplayedthroughoutSouthernAsiaundermanydifferentnames.Inthisversionofmancala,weworktogetherwithourteamsinsteadofplayingonourown.Materials:10piecesofnewspaperorprinterpaper,openarea.Youmayalsowantsomeextravolunteerstobepresentonthisdayiffamilygroupsaresmall.

1. Thisversionofmancalawillbeplayedwithpeopleasthepieces.Placethe8piecesofnewspaperonthefloorintworowswithfouroneachside.Placealargerpieceofnewspaperattheendoftheeachofthetworows.Thisshouldmimictheshapeofanormalmancalaboard.

2. Dividegroupintotwoteamswithevennumbers.Thismaybeagoodtimetobringtwodifferentfamilygroupstogethertoplayagainsteachotherorinviteextravolunteerstobepresentfortheactivity.Teamsstandonoppositesidesoftheboard.Allfournewspapersplusthelongernewspaper(mancala)totherightofthefourbelongtooneteam,andtheoppositesidebelongstotheotherteam.

3. Dividethepeopleoneachteamupequallyamongthe4piecesofnewspaperontheirsideoftheboard.Iftherearefourpeopleonateam,onepersonstandsoneachnewspaper.Ifthereareless,youmayremovenewspaperstoaccommodate(i.e.ifyouhaveonly3peopleoneachteamyoucanremovetwonewspapersoneachsideoftheboard)andiftherearemorethan6peopleonateam,morethanonepersonmaystandonanewspaper.Trytobeasevenlydistributedaspossible.

4. Continuelikenormalmancala,withtheplayersactingasthegamepieces;allteammembersmustdecidetogetherwho,when,andhowtheymove.

RulesofmancalaTheobjectofthegameistocollectthemostpieces.Thegamebeginswithoneplayerpickingupallthepiecesfromanyofthespacesontheirsideoftheboard,then,movingcounterclockwise,theplayerdepositsoneofthepiecesoneachspaceuntilthepiecesrunout.Iftheplayerrunsintotheirownmancala,theydepositapiece,iftheyrunintotheopponent’smancala,theyskipitandcontinuemovingtothenextspace.Ifthelastpiecedepositedisinthatplayer’smancala,theplayertakesanotherturn.Ifthelastpiecedepositedisinanemptypocketonyoursideofthegame,theplayertakesthelastpiecedepositedandanypiecesonthespacedirectlyopposite(ontheopponent’sside)andplacesallthosepiecesintheirmancala.Thegameendswhenallspacesononesideoftheboardareempty.Theplayerwhostillhaspiecesontheirsideoftheboardmovesallthepiecestotheirmancala.Countthepiecesineachmancala,theplayerwiththemostpieceswins.Ifhelpful,hereisayoutubevideoexplainingtherules:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjfajYNYfgcYoumayalsowanttohavesomemancalaboardsonhandsochildrencanpracticethegame.


SNACKParatasBangladeshMakes10servings.Preptime20minutes.Ingredients:11/2call-purposeflour1Toil1/2tsalt1/2cupwaterDirections:

1. Mixtheflourwithoilandsaltwithyourhands.2. Slowlyaddwaterandmixwithyourhandslightly.Whenthemixturedoesnotsticktoyourhands,it

isready.3. Form2-inchballsandrollouteachintoasnakeonaflouredsurface.Rubwithoilandrollupthe

snakesintoacircle(likeasnail).Rollthesecirclesoutthinandflat.4. Heatoilinapanandfryeachsideuntilgoldenbrown.

Recipeandphotoadaptedfromhttps://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=2166386

Mango-AppleChutney(AamerKashmiriAchar)BangladeshThisisatraditionalchutneyrecipeinBangladesh.Thechilishavebeenremovedfromthisrecipetobemorechildfriendly.PrepTime:30minutesIngredients

• 1rawmango/greenmango• 1greenorredapple• 1½cupssugar• ½cupgoldenraisins• 1tablespoonginger• 1cupwhitevinegar• 1tablespoonsalt

Instructions

1. Washmangoandpatdrywithacleancottoncloth.Peelmangoandcutinto6-8pieces.Mixwith4tablespoonsofsaltandkeepintorefrigeratorforatleast2hours.

2. After6hourswashagainandstrainexcesswatercompletely.Setasideandallowtodry.3. Cleanandcuttheappleinto6-8wedgesandsetaside.4. Inalargesaucepan,mixsugarandallingredientswithmangoandapple.5. Turnstovetoptolowheatandcooklowheat.6. Stiroccasionallysothemixturedoesnotsticktothebottomofthepan.7. After10-15minutesasyrupshouldformandthefruitwillbecomesoft.8. Oncecooked,removefromstoveandallowtocoolatroomtemperature.Syrupwillthickenasit

cools.9. Transfertoclosedcontainerandrefrigerateuntiluse.10. Eatwithparatas(recipeabove),naanbread,orcrackers.


FUNFACTS:Bangladesh

• PeopleinBangladeshspeaktheBanglalanguage.• MoneyinBangladeshiscalled“taka.”• Bangladeshhassixseasonsinsteadoffour.Ithasgrismo(summer),barsha(rainyseason),sharat

(autumn),hemanto(coolseason),sheet(winter),andbashonto(spring).• ThenationalanimalofBangladeshistheRoyalBengaltiger.Ithasaroarthatcanbeheardupto

milesaway!• HalfofthepeopleinBangladesharefarmers.• InBangladesh,thelefthandisconsideredtobeunclean.Therighthandisusedwhengreeting

someone,eating,orpassingfood.• CricketisthemostpopularsportinBangladesh.• Jackfruit(KathalinBengali)isthenationalfruitandthemangotreeisthenationaltreeof

Bangladesh.LETTER:TaraMynameisTara.IliveinBangladeshandIam11.MyfamilyisSikh.Weworshipatagurudwaraanditisalsoacommunitycenter.Wehavetotakeabathbeforewegotothegurudwara-everyoneinourfamily.Whenwegettothegateofthegurudwara,wetakeoffourshoesandwashourhandsandfeet.Again!ThenweenterandbowattheSriGuruGranth,ourholybook,andgiveanofferingofmoney.Myfatherandbrothersitononesideofthecarpetwiththemen,andmymomandIsitwiththewomen.Aleaderreadsthescripturesandwesingkirtran,whichmeanssinginghymnstoGod.Ilovesinging!Butmyfavoritepartiseatingtogetherafterworship.Ourgurudwarahasakitchencalledalangarandthemealswemakeareopentoanyone,evenifyouaren’tSikh.Wedothistoshowthatallpeopleareequal,eveniftheyaredifferent.Sikhmen,likemydad,aresupposedtowearaturbantoshowthattheyareallequal.Theygrowlongbeards,too!Wedon’tcutourhairbecausewebelieveourhairisagiftfromGod.So,Sikhmenandwomen,andevenchildren,haveverylonghair.SinceourreligionstartedinIndia,wecelebrateDiwali,thefestivaloflights,justlikeHindupeopledo.WerememberanimportantSikhguru(teacher).Wegotogurudwaraandsingkirtranandhaveameal.Butthebestpartisfireworksatnightanddecoratingourhousewithlampsandlights!


AppendixSampleLettertoParentsThissampleletterisfortheparentsofchildrenwhowillbeparticipatinginthiscurriculumseries.ThisletterprovidesinformationaboutthetopicsthatwillbecoveredduringtheweekatVacationBibleSchoolandcanbehelpfulinengagingparentsmoredeeplyinthecontent.Feelfreetomodifyittofittheneedsofyourcongregation.

Dear Parent, Your child will be participating in All God’s Children, a curriculum for children created by Global Ministries that explores diversity and God’s presence in Southern Asia. Each day, children will be learning about a Bible story that illustrates unity and diversity, along with a world religion, a different country, and what life is like in the words of children who live there today. We believe this is an exciting curriculum that brings new meaning to familiar stories. The children from around Southern Asia who share their stories may have many things in common with your child. However, some parts of their lives are vastly different, so we encourage you to maintain an open conversation with your child about what they are learning. This curriculum is part of the Global Ministries Southern Asia Initiative, which invites the whole church to focus on the Southern Asia region. We pray that this program will help to foster a sense of wonder in your child as they explore new places and meet new faithful friends who live there. Peace, (Insert Director’s Name and Church Name Here)


GivingOpportunitiesManyofthemostcreativeandinspiringfundraisingactivitiestosupportGlobalMinistriespartnersandprogramsareledbyVacationBibleSchoolgroupsandyouthcampparticipants!MakinggiftsforandtakingleadershipinafundraisingeffortisawonderfulopportunityforchildrenandyouthtoparticipateinGod’smissiontodayandtofeelmoreconnectedtothevitalministriescarriedoutbyGlobalMinistriesandglobalpartners.GlobalMinistriesworkswithpartnersinSouthernAsiaandaroundtheworldtoprovidefood,healthcare,clothing,housing,schoolfees,andbooksforchildren.IfyourVacationBibleSchool,YouthGroup,SundaySchoolclass,orYouthCampprogramisinterestedinhostingafundraiserwhilestudyingtheAllGod’sChildrencurriculum,GlobalMinistriesinvitesyoutolearnmoreaboutSouthernAsiapartnerswhoorganizechildren’sprograms:

• ChildDevelopmentCentersandResidentialHomesoftheDioceseofDurgapuroftheChurchofNorthIndiaDioceseofDurgapuroftheChurchofNorthIndiaprovideschildrenwithformaleducation,meals,musicalinstrumentlessons,medicalcheck-ups,sports,sewinglessons,andmore.

• EmpoweringChildrenandYouthprogramoftheChurchoftheAmericanCeylonMissionhasdaycarecentersandafter-schoolprogramsforchildrenandyouthinSriLankawithactivitiessuchasleadershiptraining,peacebuilding,sports,andreceivingschoolsuppliesandmeals.

• FamilyVillageFarmisaGlobalMinistriesChildandElderSponsorshippartnerinIndiathatprovidesfood,clothing,education,andtrainingforchildrenlivingatthehome.

• LisadilaSchooleducateschildreninaremotecommunityinthecountryofEastTimor.• SnehakunjaChildren’sHomeoftheChurchofNorthIndiaisaministryforchildrenwhoareillor

havelostparentstoHIV/AIDS.

InformationonsendinggiftstoGlobalMinistriesonlineorbycheckinthemailcanbefoundatwww.globalministries.org/give.Torequestfreematerials,photos,giveaways,orforadditionalinformation,contacttheOfficeofResourceDevelopmentat(317)713-2555orgifts@dom.disciples.org.Lookingforinspirationfromsuccessfulfundraisershostedinthepast?

• ParkwayChristianChurchinDavie,FloridaraisedfundsfortheFoodforLearningprogramofCONASPEHinHaitibyhostinganauctionofartworkbychildrenthroughouttheweekofVacationBibleSchool.

• TheBibleDayCampersofSt.John’sUCCinBoalsburg,PennsylvaniaraisedfundstosendsolarpoweredlightstoGlobalMinistriespartners.Forevery$15.00raised,thecampersaddedasunraytoalargesun.

• HilltopUnitedChurchofChristinParker,ColoradoraisedfundsforDaisyDubeChildren’sHomeinZimbabwethroughhostingahorseshoesgametournament.

• CentralChristianChurchinWashington,IndianaraisedfundsforaprojectinMexicothroughanoisyofferingintheservicefullofthecoinsandchangeastheywalkeddownthechurchaisles.


AdditionalActivitiesThefollowingactivitiesmaybeusedinplaceoforinadditiontotheactivitiesprovidedintheVBS.LabyrinthMaterials:Ifyourchurchhasapermanentlabyrinthspace,invitethechildrentouseit,alwaysrespectingthespace.Ifyourchurchdoesnothaveapermanentlabyrinthspace,usethisdesigntocreatealabyrinthonalarge-scaleusingchalkortapeonabasketballcourtorstonesinacourtyard.Labyrinthsusuallyhavethreemovements.Invitethechildrentogothroughthelabyrinthslowly,thinkingaboutthefollowingthings.Astheyreachthecenter,theymaypauseorcontinuewalking.Encourageeachchildtogothroughthelabyrinthslowlyandquietly,respectingthejourneysoftheirgroupmates.Allowchildrentoenteroneatatime,withaboutaminutebetweeneachperson.Theyareallowedtopassthepersoninfrontofthemonthepath,becauseeveryonemustgoattheirownpace,buttheymustdosoquietly,andwithouttouchingtheotherperson.Alabyrinthhelpsdirectone’sfocustowardGod.Unlikeamaze,whichhasdeadendsandthepossibilityofgettinglost,alabyrinthhasaclearpath,butitsometimestakesunexpectedtwistsandturns.Inthiswayitresemblesthejourneyoflife.

1. AsonemovestowardthecenterofthelabyrinththepersonfocusesonlettinggoofworldlyattachmentsorcomingtoGodwithaquestion.

2. Atthecenter,thepersoncomestothecenteroftheirrelationshipwithGod.Onemaylingerinthecenterofthelabyrinth,spendingtimereflectingonone’srelationshipwithGodandpraying.

3. Eventually,however,theneedreturnstomoveoutintotheworldagain.Asthepilgrimleaves,theywalkwithJesusbackintotheworldasarenewedperson.

Labyrinthdescriptionsandinstructionsadaptedfrom:https://emu.edu/seminary/labyrinth


Flythekites!Flythekitesyoumadeearlierthisweek! SardinesSimilartohide-and-seek,butonlyonepersonhidesandeveryoneelselooksforthem.Asseekersfindthepersonhiding,theyhidewiththem.Thelastpersontofindthegroupofhidersbecomesthehiderforthenextround. DogandBoneMaterials:Handkerchieforplasticbottle,ampleopenspace

1. Dividethegroupintotwoteams.2. Placethehandkerchieforplasticbottleinthecenteroftheroom.

Thisisthe“bone.”3. Onepersonfromeachteamcomestothecenterofthegroupand

attemptstotakethe“bone”backtotheirteam.Playerscannottoucheachother;theymustfindawaytogetthebonewithouttouchingtheotherplayer.

4. Onceoneplayerhassuccessfullyretrievedthebonetotheirteam,theplayerwholostisremovedfromthegameandanotherpersonfromeachteamcomesforwardtotrytotaketheboneagain.

5. Thegameisoverwhenoneteamhaslostalltheirplayersand,thus,hasnomoreplayerstocomeforwardandtrytotakethebone.

https://www.thebetterindia.com/53779/old-childhood-verge-of-extinction-indian-games/


SongsHereisalistofsongsthatfitalongwiththethemefortheweek.Weencouragethesamesongeveryday,butyouarewelcometoincludemoresongsintotheopeningandclosingsessionsifthereistime.

Song Link

WeaveUsTogether(MainSong) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiTS6RPYTNE

Jesus Loves the Little Children

TheMoreWeGetTogether https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lldmkrJXQ-E&t=88s

ToDwellinUnity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To1g6gIvRjc

ReligionInformationTheUnitedReligionsInitiativehasaplethoraofinformationaboutthereligionswehavelearnedaboutinthisVBS.Ifyouwishtodeepenyourknowledgeaboutthesereligions(andotherworldreligions!)visithttps://uri.org/kids/world-religions.AdditionalResources:Books

BookTitle Author

Day1 SayHello!Oh,thePlacesYou’llGo

RachelIsadoraDr.Seuss

Day2 Same,Same.ButDifferent JennySueKostecki-Shaw

Day3 TimelessTalesofMalaysia TutuDutta

Day4 Laila’sLunchbox ReemFaruqi

Day5 WhoisMyNeighbor? Amy-JillLevine


CraftandActivitySupplementsSampleMandalas


SampleBatikPatterns


Yoga Poster


GoodDeedsActivityCards(DhullHijjah)


http://parenthoodmuslimstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/29/DhulHijjahActivityPages1-3.pdf


RulesThefollowingrulesaresuggestionsforfacilitatingasafeandhealthyVacationBibleSchool.Addandremoveasyouseefit.ListrulesduringthefirstdayofVBSandposttherulesinacentralareasotheyarevisible.

1. Nohittingorfighting.2. Nonamecalling.3. Listenwhenothersarespeaking.Raiseyourhandtospeakduringgroupactivities.4. Stayinsidethechurch(orbuildingwhereVBSisbeingled).5. Incaseofaninjuryoremergency,findanadult,preferablytheVBSdirector.6. Staywithyourfamilygroupatalltimes.7. Ifyoufeeluncomfortable,findanadultyoutrusttoexplainthesituation.Adultsshouldaddressthe

issuewithdiscretion,accordingtotheChildProtectionPolicy.

SouthernAsiaMap


GlobalMinistriesPartnersinSouthernAsiaTolearnmoreaboutthecountriesfeaturedinthiscurriculum,inadditiontotherestofGlobalMinistries’partnersinSouthernAsia,weinviteyoutoexploretheorganizationslistedbelow.Youcanalsovisithttps://www.globalministries.org/southernasia.BangladeshTheChristianCommissionforDevelopmentinBangladeshoperatesdevelopmentprogramsthroughoutBangladesh,serving51,000poorfamilies.Programsincludeliteracytraining,loanstostartsmallbusinesses,skillstrainingandwomen'sprograms.Italsoprovidesdisasterreliefandrehabilitationassistancewhenneeded.TheBangladeshlowlandsarefrequentlysubjectedtoflooding.TheChurchofBangladesh'sgoalistoupliftthestatusofpeopleinthechurchcommunityandreducethesocial,economicandmoralinequalities.ThisCommunityDevelopmentProjectsaimtoempowertheruralpoorpeoplearoundissuesofhealth,women'srightsandhumanrightsandtoprovidevocationaldevelopmentopportunitiesforyouthandadults(especiallyincludingwomen).EastTimorTheProtestantChurchesofEastTimor(IPTL)wasfoundedin1979asacoordinatingbodybetweenformerlyindependentchurchesinEastTimor.TheIPTLisfullycommittedtoandengagedinspiritual,culturalandsocialreconstructionoftheiryoungcountry.Currentlythechurchisinvolvedinleadershiptrainingandon-goingeducationofitspastors,toenhancetheireffectivenessandimprovetheirpastoralskills.IndiaGlobalMinistrieshas17partnerorganizationsinIndiaworkingonavarietyofsubjectsrangingfromcommunityhealthtotheologicaleducationtowomen’srightsandenvironmentaljustice.ForthefulllistofourpartnersandprojectsinIndia,visithttps://www.globalministries.org/india.IndonesiaGlobalMinistrieshas13partnerorganizationsandprojectsinIndonesiaworkingonavarietyofsubjects,includingtheologicaleducation,agriculture,andcleanwater.Forthefulllist,visithttps://www.globalministries.org/indonesia.SriLankaTheChurchoftheAmericanCeylonMission(CACM)hasrootsintheworkofearlymissionariesintheJaffnapeninsulaofSriLankafrom1813onward.TheseweremissionariessentbytheAmericanBoardofCommissionersforForeignMissions(ABCFM),thepredecessorbodyofUCCmissionthatcelebratesover200yearsofglobalmission,andapredecessorbodyoftoday'sGlobalMinistries.TheEcumenicalInstituteforStudyandDialogueisdedicatedtopromotingmutualunderstandingandcooperationamongmembersofthevariousreligioustraditionsrepresentedinSriLanka.TheStudyCenterbuildingisusedbyanumberofchurch-relatedorganizationsandotherinstitutionstoprovideaccommodationforparticipantsinvolvedinStudyPrograms.TheendowmentfundenablestheEISDtocontinuedevelopingandofferingopportunitiesforprogramsthatwillpromoterespectfulandcooperativerelationshipsamongdifferingfaithtraditions.


TheNationalChristianCouncilofSriLankahasbeeninvolvedininterfaithdialogues,theologicaleducationandrehabilitationinthemidstofthecivilwar.TheyarenowdevelopingtheircapacitytoaddresstheHIV/AIDScrisis.TheNationalChristianCouncilofSriLankahasbeeninvolvedininterfaithdialogues,theologicaleducationandrehabilitationinthemidstofthecivilwar.TheyarenowdevelopingtheircapacitytoaddresstheHIV/AIDScrisis.ThailandTheMcGilvaryFacultyofTheologyisdedicatedtopreparingqualityleadershipfortheChristianchurchinThailand.PayapUniversityisaChristianinstitutionthatoffersanexcellenteducationandtraininginavarietyofsubjects.BothPayapUniversityandMcGilvaryareattendedbystudentsfromseveralnationsofSouthernAsiainadditiontoThailand,includingChina,Myanmar,Vietnam,Cambodia,andLaos.TheChurchofChristinThailandhasactiveprogramsinHIV/AIDSeducationandprevention.Theyalsoareprovidingvocationaltrainingtotribalwomeninthehopethatthiswillreducethenumbersofwomenjoiningthesexindustry.Pleaseconsidertheenvironmentwhenusingthiscurriculum–onlyprintthepagesthatyouneedand,ifpossible,printdouble-sidedonrecycledpaper.


SharewithUs!PleaseusethisformtoletusknowwhenandwhereyouusedtheAllGod’sChildrencurriculumsowecanshareyourstorywithothersandsothatyoucanoffersuggestionsandcommentsaboutthiscurriculum.ReturntheformtoeithertheCleveland,OHofficeortheIndianapolis,INoffice(addressesareonthefinalpage).DateofVBS________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

YourName________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Roleinprogram__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone_____________________________________________E-mail________________________________________________________________

ChurchName_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(Street) (City) (State) (Zip)MyoverallratingoftheAllGod’sChildrencurriculumis(circleone):

Excellent Good Fair Poor

ThebestpartsoftheAllGod’sChildrencurriculumare:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MysuggestionsforimprovingtheAllGod’sChildrencurriculumare:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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MissionEngagement700ProspectAve.Cleveland,OH44115Phone:216-736-3209

[email protected]

MissionEngagement1099N.MeridianSt.Indianapolis,IN46204Phone:[email protected]

vacation bible school curriculum for childrenthe director welcomes children and volunteers to...

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