Difficulty Finding Jesus

by Sally Matheny

Many of the children had never heard of Jesus.

“Who is Jesus?” asked the little girl.

The seed was planted. Not just in the girl’s heart but also in mine. 

The Vacation Bible School curriculum we brought on a Vermont mission trip didn’t quite meet the needs of the children we met there. Most had never heard of Jesus. We were trying to build on a weak or nonexistent foundation. 

I told our pastor we needed to find a VBS curriculum for unchurched children, those who had never heard of Jesus. My pastor's reply, "I think you should write it."

"What? I've never written VBS curriculum. I wouldn't know where to begin."

He came back with the same reply. "I think you should write it."

This was going to be difficult. I knew I could not do it alone. So, I began to pray for help and a VBS curriculum titled, “Who Is Jesus?” began to form in my heart.

Writing and directing is hard work but
so much fun!

The first six months was mostly a steady stream of prayers and sporadic brainstorming of ideas. 

Not only did I lack experience writing VBS curriculum, but neither did I know how to write and direct a drama. Many VBS curriculums include a DVD drama, which students watch each night of VBS. The DVD has mini-episodes which unfold spiritual truths throughout the week. 

Where I was weak, God was strong. He answered prayer after prayer and the script for the "Who is Jesus?" DVD was finally completed. 

However, writing the script was not as difficult as finding someone to play the part of Jesus. 

Initially, the criteria were that he had to have a kind, bearded face, and a strong, kind voice. Several people were considered but there was always a little something that didn’t quite fit what we had envisioned.

We finally found "Jesus!"

It was based on their looks, voice, schedules, and personalities. Even though we knew we would not find a perfect man to play the part of Jesus, We knew we couldn’t ask someone who was blatantly defying God. 

No matter how good of an actor he is, he wouldn’t be believable. So, we had to add another item to the criteria. In order to reflect the character of Jesus, he has to love Jesus.

How God Used Human Error- Mission Trip Miracle Story #2

       Someone made a big mistake, a costly mistake. She tried to make it right but was unsuccessful. Regrets and frustration have nagged her for a whole year.

        Two weeks before our mission team was set to go to Vermont, the missionary assigned as the VBS coordinator hit a snag. She discovered she would not be able to go on the trip. Asked to step in as VBS coordinator, I agreed.

        I had never been on a mission trip to this area. I didn’t know what the setup would be like or what we needed. I was informed the teachers would have a teacher’s packet and there would be a DVD to use for opening worship BUT the materials needed careful handling because they would be used for VBS in a N.C. church when we returned. Everything was on loan. And while there would be crafts for the kids, there would not be Bible story materials for the kids to take home.

        No problem. We would be careful with what we borrowed. I cataloged everything. Based on last year's numbers, we were expecting between 10 – 15 students total.
       The Bible teachers could hold up a picture and tell the story since there weren’t any take-home sheets, Bible cards, etc. We could make it work with a small group.

        I know I bugged the leading pastor of our mission trip to death as I texted my 101 questions.

        “Do I need to make nametags?”

        “No, I’ll pick up the sticky ones.”

        “I can’t locate the VBS DVD in the packet of supplies I was given. Do you know where it is?”

        “No. Call around.”

And so the texting went back and forth for over a week. It wasn’t until a few days before departure that the loaned DVD was finally located. There was mention of a poster needed to announce the VBS. I decided to wait until we got there to reduce damage in transit.

        Remember the lady I mentioned at the beginning? The one who made a costly mistake? She over-ordered VBS supplies for her church the previous summer. She heard we were going on a mission trip…didn’t know if it was something we could use...but if I wanted to come pick them up I could.

        My first question was if we had to return them (I surely didn’t want to try to keep up with two different churches' VBS curriculum!) She assured me the items were ours to keep.

        Expecting some used items, maybe a poster or two, or a few miscellaneous take-home papers, I was greatly surprised when I picked up the box of supplies.

        First, everything was the same theme and curriculum we planned to use on the mission trip. There were over 50 die-cut, adorable nametags. A huge, colorful, vinyl VBS banner greeted me along with a ton of take-home Bible study cards, storybooks for toddlers, and ABC salvation cards. Everything was brand-new and still in shrink-wrap. God had opened the floodgates! There was even a copy of the worship DVD!

        Joy swelled up inside me. If God was doing all this before we even left for our mission trip, how much more was He planning to do in Vermont? My mustard seed faith sprouted again. I could not contain my excitement! I shared, with anyone who would listen, about what God was doing. We now had gospel materials to put in the hands of children to take home.

        However, I thought God would send more than the expected fifteen kids. Why would He send all those materials if He wasn’t planning to do something BIG?

        He did! For those who missed the announcement last week—sixty-five different children and several adults came to our VBS. Nineteen chose Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior!

        I don’t know the lady who made the big "mistake,” but will someone please tell her God gloriously used it? It wasn't a mistake after all. 

       Isn’t God awesome? When we give our best and still fall short, God steps in with an amazing plan.