Send Magazine - 3rd Quarter 2010

Vijay and Deepaka immediately offered up their home for the program to continue. So for two days, the Jaswanti’s home was filled with the laughter of children enjoying the love of
Jesus. As the program concluded on that final day, the
couple was talking to a VBS leader when Deepaka
suddenly burst into tears. Shocked by her sudden
outburst, the entire team came to her side, asking
what was wrong. It was then that she told the team
their sad story of infertility and the shame it brought.
The leaders consoled them and told them the
Bible story about Hannah and the Lord’s provision
for her. They also prayed and asked the Lord to give
this young couple a child.
Vijay and Deepaka then told the VBS workers
that they wanted to know more about the Jesus they
had just heard about during the children’s lessons.
Today Vijay and Deepaka are ardent and serious
worshipers of Christ. They both come to every service
and prayer meeting at Kavi’s church. Although they
still do not have a child, they never pass up the
opportunity to testify about the peace and assurance
the Lord has brought into their lives. And if the Lord
does bless them with a baby, they will be able to tell
that child how they met their Savior at a children’s
Vacation Bible School program.

Changing a Village, One Family at a Time

More than 145,000 children attended Vacation Bible School programs at churches led by Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries in 2009, and several thousand made decisions during VBS to follow Christ.

The Christians in these churches recognize the transformational impact that a simple week-long program of Bible stories, songs and games can have on a family. That’s why they are eager to pitch in and provide everything from snacks and juice to teaching materials. In these churches, VBS is a time of celebration when everyone, from senior adults on down to teenagers, volunteers to work.

The goal of VBS is twofold. First, it is a way to disciple children in their walk with the Lord. Second, VBS provides an opportunity to introduce Jesus to those who have yet to hear His name. Each year, thousands of children hear about Christ for the first time at VBS programs throughout Asia.

The focus at VBS is on children, but in one church last year, it was two grownups who had life-changing experiences.

A VBS Rebirth

Vijay and Deepaka Jaswanti were having a good time watching the neighborhood children enjoying their week of VBS activities. The sight of the children playing, running and jumping and the sound of their joyful voices delighted them. But Vijay and Deepaka could only watch so long before they had to turn away. The couple had been married for five years and still had no child of their own. They longed for a child to love. They went to the various temples in the city where they lived, offering sacrifices in hopes that their gods would smile on them. But they had to be content watching the kids enjoy themselves at VBS.

But one day they looked outside and the children weren’t there. They asked Gospel for Asia-supported missionary Kavi Selk what happened and learned that the VBS program had been shut down after some people complained that it was being conducted too