Kids who attended vacation Bible school (VBS) at Oakwood Christian Reformed Church in Belding, Mich., not only had a chance to learn about God, but also to help victims of the April earthquake in Nepal.
About 85 participants raised nearly $500 for World Renew’s relief efforts in Nepal during the one-week program, including one 4-year-old who brought in $58 by going to her neighbors.
Oakwood VBS volunteer Trudy DeWindt suggested the idea of raising funds for the relief effort. Her daughter and son-in-law, Shelli and Herb Fynewever, live in Nepal and survived the earthquake.
“We were in frequent contact with our kids, and they kept us aware of the circumstances and their concern for their friends and acquaintances,” said DeWindt, who had planned to visit Nepal with her husband, Bruce, the week the quake occurred.
Bruce DeWindt spoke to the kids about their experiences in Nepal as part of the week's activities. “He taught them how to say a few words in Nepali, and they seemed to eat that right up,” VBS director Tammi Savage said. The children brought in their donations in elephant-shaped banks that they had made during craft time.
“We were so amazed at the response of the VBS families,” Trudy said. “We thank God for such a wonderful response to our request to support those in need in that part of the world.”
About the Author
Greg Chandler is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
