Before delving into my epically awesome account of the last three weeks, I want to share with you the fact that as of today I have taught 17 weeks of 5-day clubs over the last three summers. As I was contemplating this, it struck me that this translates to over four months, or around 270+ hours of teaching kids about Jesus. I think that’s pretty cool! When I started teaching 5-day clubs as an inexperienced, over-confident 15 year old, I had no idea how God would use me over the next three summers with this ministry, or how he would use these 17 weeks of teaching to slowly draw me closer to himself. Looking back at these last few summers, all I can say is God is good, he is faithful, and it is only by his overwhelming grace and the strength He has given me, that I can reflect back on these months I have dedicated to Him, with thanksgiving and joy.
Week 4: I taught around Saskatoon that week in Laird, Waldheim, Duck Lake, and Rosthern. It was a very full and exciting week as every club had lots of kids, all of which were super excited to hear about Jesus. In my first morning club that week there were many younger children, but they listened so well all week and it was encouraging to see their interest in hearing the stories and in memorizing the theme verse. In the second morning club I had 21 kids the first day and no new kids throughout the week. All the kids were friends at this club and all but 5 were under the age of six. On Monday one of the few children that wasn’t from a Christian home asked Jesus into her heart and I was able to give her a book of John. There was another little girl that became a Christan through the mailbox lessons, and throughout the week they were so attentive to the stories and to learning more about God, even when their friends were goofing off at certain points. Club 3 of the week ended up only being a 2-day club with four kids in attendance. On the last day of this club though, one little girl that had been asking questions and listening really closely to the bible stories decided to start following Jesus. She does not come from a Christian background, but the her babysitter that was hosting the club looks after her a lot so I’m hoping she’ll be able to share more about Jesus with this little girl, especially since they were only able to host for the 2 days. The last club of the day in Rosthern was mostly churched kids and was an older club (8-12). On the Monday there was a brother and a sister that came, and the sister had made a decision when she was younger, but the brother simply never had. At the end of the club when I gave the invitation the boy put up his hand and later when I talked to him I found out that he knew lots about Jesus but had never made that decision to turn his life over to Him. I was able to pray with this boy, and it proved to be a good reminder to me that when we do have churched kids in a club it is still so important to give the invitation because we never know if there are kids that only know about God, but don’t truly know Him.
Week 5: Trekking back into Alberta for week five and six, I taught a VBS in Jasper that week at a small Pentescostal church. Honestly I think I had just about as much fun teaching the kids up there as I did getting to know some of the church family. It was really a great week as I was able to minister to many of the kids that had become Chrisitans in past years’ VBS’, and as I was able to speak love into a few kids’ lives that came from an atheistic background. On the Friday the church held a pizza lunch for the parents to attend, and many of the children recitied the memory verses they had learned throughout the week for a short program we put together. The kids were so proud to show their parents what they had learned, and I felt like a proud parent as I watched these sweet children sing their hearts out and do the actions so enthusiastically, as they sang their favorites songs for their parents.

Week 6: For this last week I was in Seba Beach (which is an hour west of Edmonton), teaching an afternoon VBS. This was the church’s first time hosting a VBS, and they were unsure as to how everything would turn out. Although they were expecting to have around 20 kids, we ended up having only 11 kids throughout the week. There were two little boys that came with their mom everyday and on Monday the one boy who was five decided to make a decision to follow Jesus. As I was talking with the pastor’s wife yesterday she was telling me that even though not as many kids came out as were expected, it was all worth it just for that one boy who came to Christ; I couldn’t agree more.

In conclusion this summer has been amazing to say the least. I have been so blessed by the kids I have been able to teach, the churches I was so graciously welcomed into, and the 6 families that hosted me throughout the summer and made my time away from home so enjoyable. Thank you to everyone who supported me, was praying for me, and to my family that so patiently listened as every Friday night I would worry about having to drive to a new location. I do apologize for only blogging twice this summer as I know there were people who were wanting to know how God had been working through my clubs on a more weekly basis, but admisdst over 6000kms of driving, trying to get things together for university while being away from home, and hanging out with my amazing host families, time has been scarce.

Lastly I want to thank God for providing abundantly this summer, as whenever I was in need of strength, wisdom, grace, comfort, or just needing to know the right thing to say, he was there drawing me to himself.

Kendra Vanstone

Hello blog readers, fellow workers, and friends. I'm Kendra Vanstone and am from Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. I just graduated and am looking forward to attending the University of Saskatchewan in the fall. This is my third summer teaching, and I'm excited to see what God has in store for the coming weeks. Please pray for me that I would have lots of strength and energy while working with the kids, that God would give me discernment while teaching, and that I would have safe travels as I will be driving throughout Alberta. Thank you so much for the encouragement and prayers.