MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Memorial Chapel hosted a Vacation Bible School aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 19 – 23.
Vacation Bible schools incorporated a Bible verse and message with a Bible buddy to help the children remember the word of God. A Bible buddy is a cartoon version of biblical characters, and portrayed the overall theme for the day. Other characters were used to help explain VBS’ messages.
“Each day kids will get one of the Bible buddies and the Bible verse of the day, so by the time they leave here, they will have 5 days and 5 buddies to remind them (of the verses and messages),” said Linda Brown, VBS coordinator.
Infusing Bible verses with bible buddies helps children retain the importance behind the messages throughout VBS, said Brown.
Every day there were multiple stations that used different teaching techniques to help the children learn.
“Children learn at different levels,” said Brown. “You have those that learn by seeing, music, (or) touch. Each one of these stations is towards those kids so it’s easy learning for them.”
Tuesday, the Bible buddy was Duke; a horse who symbolizes, family and friends helps us to stand strong.
One of the stations uses the biblical character Ester to help reiterate the message of Duke.
Within the station, Ester’s story unfolds. The children role played, were lectured and helped Ester conquer her fear of execution by asking the king for help to rebuild the city.
Kids yelled, “Family and friends help us stand strong!,” giving Ester the courage to confront the king. Exercises like these help kids to stand up for one another, said Brown.
“My favorite Bible buddy character would have to be Duke,” said Lance. Cpl. Charles Aguilar, Marine Aviation Logistic Squadron 12 ground support equipment mechanic and VBS volunteer. “He teaches a very important message that your family, and friends stay strong for each other and you can sit there and stay strong for your family and friends as well.”
Standing strong is easy when you have God in your life is the overall message VBS is trying to teach the children, said Brown.
However, it’s not just about the children learning about the word of God.
“Everyone has something to learn from this,” said Aguilar. “It’s just not us being there for the children, we can also learn from them.”
Learning at VBS is fun and exciting for the whole family, you can use the time to bond, said Brown.
Strength not only comes in the form of muscles, but is also spiritual.
“We want the kids to leave from here understanding the strength they will have with God being a part of their lives,” said Brown.