aunts and uncles

Coming up on the final day of VBS, there was more than enough time to reflect over the week and the lessons learned. I must admit, I did quite a bit of people-watching this week (the non-creepy kind) and I think I finally have a grasp on why this church is the way it is.

The best part of the day is right at the beginning. I love standing out front and watching the kids trickle in, parents rolling through in cars/bikes/shoes, dropping off their young’uns, some with a hug, a kiss, others with a few words of assurance. I see PGee over in the corner directing hurried parents through the driveway. Kim, Min-Siah and some of the moms steal a moment to get in some early morning chit-chat. Anna runs out to meet each preschooler with a hug and a nametag.

Group after group file into the sanctuary for games, bringing with them happy teachers, tired teachers, teachers worn and stretched thin, and teachers equipped with a strong sense of responsibility. I watched as Christina bring her Dolphin class in and patiently explain to them the meaning of standing quietly in a line. I felt for Caroline as she tried to keep some kids from acting out. Vivian calmly presented each country in the airplane scene, and Cindy dressed in regional attire to pique the interest of the children.

I quietly watched as people quickly flexed and adapted to last minute changes: little shifts in schedules, small changes in activities. I watched as Yingnan and Joshua prepared naan, cornbread, and several other delicious morsels of snacks for the children. I watched as the worship team led the children in new songs appropriately applied to each day’s “up” theme. I watched as the skit team practiced for the next day’s performance, inspiring the kids, who seem to hang on their every word.

I watched these aunts and uncles (titles given, often prematurely, to all the staff members) love and care for these kids over the last few days. These aunts and uncles are why this church is the way it is. These aunts and uncles are why we greet each other at the door and, though we may not all speak the same language; we are more than a polyglot boarding house. Three languages worth of people walk through the doors of this church and yet we form the community that makes up the body.

I love watching these aunts and uncles.