Beach party entertains children at Clarks Green Assembly of God Church

CLARKS GREEN — Shelly, the blonde, fair-skinned puppet, brought a Bible to the beach. When her fellow puppet friends asked her why, she answered she was trying to get some sun. After her friends asked how this can be, Shelly explained it was the “son” of God she was getting exposed to, not the big, yellow star in the sky.

That was one of the puppet shows during the VBS (Vacation Bible School) at Clarks Green Assembly of God, which ran July 16-18 with a beach party theme.

VBS students watched puppet shows at the end of each day inside the church’s sanctuary designed with palm trees and boogie boards. Also in the sanctuary, the kids played a game of “Doggy Says,” a version of “Simon Says” but with volunteer Isaiah Leach dressed in a dog suit while volunteers Ana Rivera, Madison Kessler, Natalie Treat and Caroline Warner took turns giving commands. Volunteers and kids also danced to upbeat, reggae-style songs of praise.

Other activities included water balloon tosses and egg tosses outside the church. Inside the newly renovated youth room, kids colored drawings of rainbow fish, sandals and butterflies. Summit Christian Academy teacher Blanche Baransky volunteered to teach the children how to spread many colors of hard sand inside the lines. Kids also made bracelets in the youth room. Bim Oyede, a teacher of the children’s church of Clarks Green Assembly of God, also volunteered for arts and crafts.

“It’s just wonderful that kids can come here, have fun, and learn more about God in the process,” said Oyede.

Kids also played games in the church’s cafeteria. They did their take of the game Hungry, Hungry Hippos, in which kids catch colored balls on the floor using laundry baskets as they are wheeled around like wheelbarrows by other kids.

“I like the games,” said 5-year-old Bella Dench, who was attending VBS for the second time. “I love learning about Jesus because he’s number one.”

Dench was dressed as a peacock on Animal Day where kids dressed up as an animal of their choosing and received points for participating. They also received points for memorizing Bible verses. The incentive for the points was for the kids to pour slime onto church member Kaylee Benedict, who led the VBS this year for the first time.

“It’s definitely a learning experience because it’s my first time doing it,” Benedict said. “God is really maturing my mind and my heart. I really want to see kids meet Jesus, so I’m giving everything I have for God.”

John Lopez, 8, of Dalton, (dressed as a lion), wheelsEvan Keiper, 9, of Clarks Summit, as he collects balls in a laundry basket.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_CGVBS1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJohn Lopez, 8, of Dalton, (dressed as a lion), wheelsEvan Keiper, 9, of Clarks Summit, as he collects balls in a laundry basket. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Camilla Treat, 11, left, of Falls decorates her sandals as Rachel Jimenez, 11, of Clarks Summit, decorates her butterfly.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_CGVBS2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgCamilla Treat, 11, left, of Falls decorates her sandals as Rachel Jimenez, 11, of Clarks Summit, decorates her butterfly. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Volunteer Blanche Baransky teaches kids to spread hard sand inside their drawings.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_CGVBS3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgVolunteer Blanche Baransky teaches kids to spread hard sand inside their drawings. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Liam Whipple, 8, of Waverly, colors a rainbow fish with hard sand.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_CGVBS4-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLiam Whipple, 8, of Waverly, colors a rainbow fish with hard sand. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Volunteer Daphne Walters holds up a basket of collected balls after counting them.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_CGVBS5-1.jpg.optimal.jpgVolunteer Daphne Walters holds up a basket of collected balls after counting them. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Bella Dench, left, 5, of Peckville, dresses as a peacock and Tamara Lopez, 6, of Dalton, a butterfly, for Animal Day.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_CGVBS6-1.jpg.optimal.jpgBella Dench, left, 5, of Peckville, dresses as a peacock and Tamara Lopez, 6, of Dalton, a butterfly, for Animal Day. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Kids and volunteers play a game of Doggy Says. From left, are volunteers Madison Kessler, Isaiah Leach dressed as Doggy, Ana Rivera giving commands, Natalie Treat and Caroline Warner.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_CGVBS7-1.jpg.optimal.jpgKids and volunteers play a game of Doggy Says. From left, are volunteers Madison Kessler, Isaiah Leach dressed as Doggy, Ana Rivera giving commands, Natalie Treat and Caroline Warner. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

A puppet show by volunteers entertains kids.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_CGVBS8-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA puppet show by volunteers entertains kids. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal