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Debris pusher, that's me
Today's story was the one about the friends who lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof so Jesus would heal him. The focus of the story was on their determination to bring their friend to Jesus, and that Jesus forgave the man his sins. The point the kids learned was that Jesus is our friend.
I was not today's storyteller, but I did have a part to play during the story. I hid behind the 'walls' of the fake house with a fake roof. There was a hole in the roof, the hole made by the friends who had dug and broke through the roof top. I stood on a ladder, and at three different times during the script, I pushed debris through the roof top hole. It was a ploy to startle and surprise, to get the kids' attention. It worked. Also, I controlled the volume of the street sounds CD, turning it up and down as needed for the story.
What I hadn't thought about when I accepted the role of 'debris pusher' was that I would have to stand behind those walls for 20 minutes until after all the kids had left. I had not realized how hot it would get back there. Confined in a small space, closed in on all sides, I felt like I was in a sauna.
I also had not considered the aftermath of the story: the debris that I had pushed through the roof (including pieces of wood, leaves, and twigs) lay strewn on the floor after everyone had left. Wait a minute, I thought. Someone's got to clean this up... oh yeah, that would be me. Fortunately, one of our teens heard I needed help cleaning up the room, and she stepped forward to do the vaccuuming.
The panels that were the fake walls of the storyteller's house were quickly dismantled, and became what I had originally intended them to be: the desert scene for the Fiesta Finale. What you see in the pictures are the fake walls, covered by spray painted canvas... but on the other side, facing the real walls are the paintings of the desert scene. Clever, I know.
The evening went well, with only minor incidences. We didn't see our fifty, but instead had fifteen, which is our usual number for VBS. I had more crew leaders than kids to put in their crews.
Despite the low turnout, the kids had great fun. So did the teens and the adults who showed up to help.
Looks like tomorrow I will be a storyteller after all. The lady who had volunteered to do the story of Lazarus backed out due to a death in the family. So by tomorrow night, I have some lines to learn... yes, I'll be memorizing them. I usually need several days to get three pages of dialogue memorized, but I have only one. I'm interested in seeing how it plays out. Wish me luck!
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Great! I loved the pics! The story of Lazarus is one of my favorite! Wish you had more of a turnout though. Maybe word of mouth, eh? If the kids that were there enjoyed it, they may start spreading the word, and you will have more tonite!!
Hugs,
Jackie
http://journals.aol.com/siennastarr/Hopefloats/ -
This has always been one of my favorite bible stories to teach in Sunday school. Acting it out is always fun! What a display, though! The kids must have loved it! My oldest, Amanda, was too "old" to go to VBS this year, and her sis Mailee decided not to sign up... ::sigh:: I suppose they have to have that choice (Amanda could've volunteered!), but it's still sad that their excitement about it is less now. Have a great week! Michelle
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It would take me FOREVER to memorize three page of dialogue!
Sounds like you had a nice first night. I said before, but feel I need to say it again, I have so much respect and gratitude for you and all of those who volunteer their time and talents to bring Jesus to the little children. God bless you for showing them His love.
Hugs,
Gwynn
7/17/06 11:35 PM
Patrick http://journals.aol.com/daddy