This year we welcomed 46 team members from Grace Community Chapel in NJ, with the vision of having a VBS during the first week of mid-year vacation for the Public Schools in Costa Rica. This would include approximately 400 children--from the daycare AND for the first time from the community!
This was the first time that we planned or envisioned anything like this. It was overwhelming, to say the least. But God showed up in a BIG way and that is the ONLY way that we made it through the week!
We are so thankful for this team. They come prepared in a BIG way--the come prayed up--and they come giving their all throughout the whole week. They really know how to do what they do...and they DO IT WELL!!!!
Take a look at the first ever, VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL at the Abraham Project!
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| The team from Grace Community Chapel, NJ and some teachers |
Even before the VBS started or the team even arrived, we were taking care of business by buying the food for all of the 400 kids, plus volunteers. The truck has definitely been a blessing for these types of situations!
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| That's a lot of chips, cookies and other stuff! |
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| All the cups, plates, napkins, etc for the week |
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| That's a lot of food for the week |
Thankfully, we had a one day team from GA that helped us get ready for some of the activities for the VBS. There were stages to be built and food to be moved and tables to be set up and tents to be set up as well.
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| The guys from ATL building the puppet stage |
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| The interns helping with tent set up |
On Saturday night when the team arrived, they unloaded all of the materials. The office was FULL!
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| The materials |
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| More materials! |
Sunday, after church, we smoked meat on the grill, did some planning, then ate the meat!
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| Smokin' at the Abraham Project |
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| The ladies--taking care of business |
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| Running through activities |
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| Making sure everything is a go before Monday morning-Day 1 |
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| Dinner with Children's homes after church |
DAY 1
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| Passing out volunteer and staff t-shirts |
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| Volunteers |
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| The kids at the daycare ready to start |
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| Morning check in on Day 1 |
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| The ladies in the kitchen--ALL DAY! |
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| Aaron manned the sound equipment |
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| The first kids rolling in |
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| There is SO MUCH TRUTH is this picture! |
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| Day 1 started! |
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| kids everywhere |
Class rotations started!
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| Dance |
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| Tae-kwon-do |
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| Snack station |
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| Getting ready for lunch time-balloon class |
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Crafts
Day 2 Starts!
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| Morning worship |
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| Snack time! |
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| On Day 2 we got to meet Cooper!! |
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| Craft time! |
Day 2 was starting to take a toll on the team!
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| Resting |
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| The interns were tired too! |
But this is what Bruce did....
Tuesday night included the annual Korean cooking night. We always LOVE this part!!!
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| Working hard! |
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| YES! THIS! |
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| Fellowship at the Thomas' |
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| Dinner! |
Although the team tried hard to ignore it, Steven got sick. Luckily, we had a Dr. on site. He saw him, gave him meds, quarantined him--which you can see did a lot! He didn't want to miss anything, so we put a mask on him and told him to stay away from the kids!
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| Ninja Steven |
Day 3! Continued with dancing, activities, lunch and a few other fun things!
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| The whole group with Cooper! |
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| On day 3 and 4, Emme got to graduate from red shirt to blue shirt--ie student to volunteer! She also got to spend more time with her friend Sara! |
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| Working meant she had to interpret--here she is taking control of explaining the activity! So proud of her! |
Day 4! Day 4 was the festival day! We had mechanical bulls, trampolines, games and everything else to close out the last day of the VBS! So much fun!
Day 4 night was also planned for a dinner for everyone (kids, teachers, volunteers) and the parents of the children! We were lucky enough to have a partnership with Hyatt Thrive (community outreach group of Hyatt Corporation). They helped us cook, assisted with the activities and donated supplies throughout the week!
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| The team with the Hyatt Thrive volunteers |
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| The kids loved the bulls! |
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| And who doesn't love a parachute!? |
A lot of the groups got to have their pictures taken with Cooper!
Everyone LOVED Cooper!!
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| 4-6 year olds |
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| 3-4 year olds |
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| 2-3 year olds |
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| Office workers need to get some love from Cooper too! |
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| Trampoline fun! |
Even the team got to have some fun!!
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| Look at her go!! |
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| Yep! He's going DOWN!!! |
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| Just so cute! |
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| The girls! |
The beginning of the Family Worship/Dinner Outreach night!
We had around 1000 people in total. Kids and volunteers below on the floor for a presentation for their parents (in the seats above). Worship, preaching, sharing and thanking God for everything He provided for the week! We had several kids and adults come forward to accept the Lord as their personal savior! AMEN!!
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| During the presentation! |
The Hyatt Thrive team hard at work in the kitchen preparing the 1000+person dinner!
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| What a blessing having a chef from the Hyatt! |
Dinner was as smooth as could be!
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| The line for dinner |
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| From the back of the church |
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| Inside the cafeteria! |
After the last night of the VBS, we were all beat! But so blessed by all that took place!
Friday was a day to have fun with the Children's Homes. The team took both of the homes bowling! First time for a lot of the kids! It was an awesome day! Full of laughs, fun, friendships and food! The bowling alley reserved the whole place for us and everything was perfect!!!
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| And start bowling!!! |
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| Getting set up! |
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| The whole bowling alley |
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| He's got this! |
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| Two coaches! |
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| When the ball weighs as much as you! |
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| Having fun! |
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| Just lay down when you're tired! |
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| Half way through bowling! |
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| First time bowling! |
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| Lunch!! |
After bowling, we took the team downtown for some souvenir shopping!
The next morning, was debriefing with the team. This team is always a blessing to us and to hear how God worked through them is always a pleasure to listen to. They are so open and honest and it is just refreshing to hear!
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| The craziness of getting everyone and everything ready! |
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| The team and missionaries |
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| The line to get on the bus! |
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| Love Daniel Lee!! |
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| This pretty much sums up the week! |
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Thank you GCC! You are ALWAYS a blessing to the Abraham Project, the missionaries, the children and Costa Rica! Especially to our family. You love on us and our children in ways the bible teaches--we thank you for that!
2017.....are you ready!!??
In HIM,
the crawfords
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