Gladbrook Vacation Bible School

The Gladbrook Vacation Bible School had a fun-filled week June 6-10. Thirty-four children and many volunteer staff and helpers met each evening to learn how Jesus makes a difference every day. Each day the lesson focused on a different “word on the street”. By the end of the week, the kids had learned about gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, and grace and how Jesus wants them to show these qualities to others every day. On Thursday, relatives, and friends were invited to hear the children sing the toe-taping songs they had learned during the week and the crafts the classes had made. Parents and kids alike were delighted to learn that the daily offering that had been gathered for victims of the recent tornado in Joplin, MO., amounted to $70. The program concluded with cake, drinks, and fellowship. Friday, the final day of VBS, was an especially fun day. Everybody met at Westbrook Acres where the children shared the music from VBS with the residents. As it was raining, the kids were treated to a bus ride back to Peace Church where a surprise was waiting. Two well-known Gladbrook residents, Sharon Shouse, and Bill Tessau, were present to share their special gifts with the children. Sharon started off the evening talking about how she makes her famous breadsticks. She gave each child a piece of dough and let him roll it into a stick. While the breadsticks finished rising and were baking, Bill Tessau entertained the kids with his colorful balloon animals. At the end of the night, everybody chose a balloon animal to take home and enjoyed a fresh baked breadstick. A big “thank you” to the many volunteers, the kids, the parents, and the special guests. Together, they made “Inside Out and Upside Down on Main Street” a success. It was a great week!