MONTDALE — Sunny days during the week of July 8 did justice for outdoor activities, especially for the children and young adults of Evangelical Free Bible Church (located in Waverly) enjoying the annual Super Summer Slam on the lawn of the Joe Terry Civic Center. The biggest turnout so far of 127 children joined this VBS (Vacation Bible School) for a week of playing gaga ball, 9-square, obstacle courses, and finding creatures in the creek.

“I like working with all of the campers,” said staff member Amanda Walter, who led a group of 9 and 10-year-olds.

This year’s theme was called “The Incredible Race” — ot a race with a finish line at the end but, rather, the human race. Through song, dance and Bible verses such as Acts 17:26, which reads, ‘And he made from one man every nation,’ children were taught that, although people have different skin color and country origins, we are all one race because we’re all descendants of Adam and Eve.

“We are learning that we are all the same, no matter what color we are,” said 9-year-old Al Snipes, of Jessup.

Staff member Kacey Durkin showed children the moves of the LOVE dance (with movements similar to YMCA) and a song called “One Blood” in which the lyrics reveal we are all children of God.

“It’s really fun,” said Durkin. “I really enjoy working with the kids. It’s really special to help them walk with the Lord.”

Children also made arts and crafts in the civic center’s gymnasium, which was decorated with posters of diverse countries and continents. They also wrote letters to one pastor in India and another pastor in Uruguay whom the church family knows.

Outside the civic center, kids enjoyed the outdoor games the Super Summer Slam had to offer, such as shooting dog food pellets with slingshots at items like a wooden baseball field square and paint trays.

During story time, Jen Measley, wife of Pastor Mike Measley, told the story each day of Connie ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker and writer who helped many Jews escape the Holocaust during World War II.

Children also enjoyed visits from many special guests during the week to make the Super Summer Slam even more memorable. On Monday, the Lackawanna County Sheriffs Mounted Unit brought its horses for the children to see. They also saw small gators brought by the Electric City Aquarium on Wednesday and, later that day, had an ice cream treat brought by the ice cream truck of Fidelity Bank.

On Friday morning, Gary Hinman, a blacksmith and pastor of Nanticoke Baptist Church (Nanticoke, NY) demonstrated the fundamentals of his trade, which he has been practicing for 48 years, having learned to be a blacksmith when he was 14 years old. He travels to museums and various fairs.

“It’s a very special trade,” Hinman said. “It uses all the elements. It uses earth, water, fire, and wind.”

Hinman incorporates Bible lessons in his teachings.

“God wants us to be tools,” he said. “It we’re sharp and ready to be used, He (God) will use us.”

During Friday afternoon, ventriloquist Marian Gelman and her daughter Jessica, from Berks County, entertained the children with their comedic puppetry stylings. Gelman’s puppet friends include a forgetful mouse named Chester, a mischievous bird named Dudley, and a face on a drawing board named Mark.

“We love it,” said Marian. “I’ve been doing ventriloquism since I was 8 years old. I would use it in my classroom to motivate and educate my students.”

Marian also used a couple of the Super Summer Slam campers in her act, making human puppets out of staff member Isaac Vierling and 0-year-old Jennifer Rowlands. She gave Vierling a high-pitched voice while giving Rowlands a deep, monotone voice.

Jessica did a skit with her puppet cow named Myrtle.

“The kids are so much fun,” she said. “They laugh so much and are so lively. It makes it a fun experience for us and the kids.

The Super Summer Slam concluded with a worship service in the civic center and an outdoor picnic July 14.

Children shoot dog food pellets with slingshots at a variety of items.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_113831.jpg.optimal.jpgChildren shoot dog food pellets with slingshots at a variety of items. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Jude Zieger, 8, of Factoryville, goes through a water obstacle course.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_115835-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJude Zieger, 8, of Factoryville, goes through a water obstacle course. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Brody Muehleisen, 7, of Scott Twp., glides through the inflatable slip and slide.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_120546-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgBrody Muehleisen, 7, of Scott Twp., glides through the inflatable slip and slide. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Staff member Jeffrey Barlow, sitting, has water poured over his head by Riley Ganz, left, 11, of Scranton; James Spargo, 11, of Harrisburg; and Sami Sorber, 9, of Blakely.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_130158.jpg.optimal.jpgStaff member Jeffrey Barlow, sitting, has water poured over his head by Riley Ganz, left, 11, of Scranton; James Spargo, 11, of Harrisburg; and Sami Sorber, 9, of Blakely. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Staff member Kacey Durkin, of Throop, teaches kids the LOVE dance.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_132426.jpg.optimal.jpgStaff member Kacey Durkin, of Throop, teaches kids the LOVE dance. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Victor Zieger, 6, and Lucy Blake, 6, both of Factoryville, decorate their arts and crafts.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_134334.jpg.optimal.jpgVictor Zieger, 6, and Lucy Blake, 6, both of Factoryville, decorate their arts and crafts. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Blacksmith Gary Hinman, pastor of Nanticoke Baptist Church in Nanticoke, NY, shows children the fundamentals of his trade. Here, he hammers the fire out of iron on an anvil.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190712_105655.jpg.optimal.jpgBlacksmith Gary Hinman, pastor of Nanticoke Baptist Church in Nanticoke, NY, shows children the fundamentals of his trade. Here, he hammers the fire out of iron on an anvil. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Ventriloquist Marian Gelman, center, of Berks County, makes human puppets out of Jennifer Rowlands, 9, of Jefferson Twp., and staff member Isaac Vierling, of Factoryville.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190712_135028.jpg.optimal.jpgVentriloquist Marian Gelman, center, of Berks County, makes human puppets out of Jennifer Rowlands, 9, of Jefferson Twp., and staff member Isaac Vierling, of Factoryville. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Event at Evangelical Free Bible Church geared toward kids

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

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