6
A Safe Place to Play
with Jesus in Thailand!
GREETINGS
Sawadee!
Serve Globally currently
has nine missionaries
serving in Thailand:
Kristi Byford,
Jen and Minh Dao
Karen and Carl Groot
Jim Gustafson
Soudinh Penkhay
Grace and Bob Shim
During your VBS week, we
encourage you to pray for
our missionaries, their work,
and all the lives that will be
impacted by your generous
support.
Dear Partners in Ministry,
We are pleased to be able to send you the 2016 Mission
Moments for Vacation Bible School. Last year, children
throughout North America raised funds to assist children
in Ecuador by providing them with medical care and a safe
community. This year, churches will get to partner with
the Thailand Covenant Church and Rom Prakhun (Shades
of Grace Covenant Camp) by helping to build a place
for children to play and learn about Jesus in Roi Et. By
supporting Shades of Grace Camp you will join in God’s
transformative work which provides housing for campers
and a playground for children to safely play and learn about
Jesus. By focusing on this mission moment during your
vacation Bible school the partnership comes to life, because
at the heart of it is children helping children for the sake of
the gospel of Jesus.
The materials in this booklet are meant to be supplemental
aids to your VBS program and can be used in whatever way
you feel is most appropriate. These materials, photos, and
resources can be found at CovChurch.org/mission, in the
Projects section under VBS Project.
The booklet includes:
•a
list of how your offering will be used
with approximate itemized goals and costs
• background
information and activities you
can do with the children in your VBS program
By supporting this project, the children participating in
your VBS program will make a tremendous impact on the
lives of children in Thailand. We are excited to make this
project a reality!
In Christ,
Sarah Buki, Serve Globally
The Evangelical Covenant Church
Covenant Camps
in Thailand
In 1971, the Evangelical Covenant Church
first sent missionaries to Udon Thani in
Northeast Thailand. In the past forty years
the work has grown and there are now
Covenant missionaries in many parts of
Thailand. The initial work focused on sharing
Christ in culturally appropriate ways while
creating sustainable farms that would help
the local Thai people. Fish farming is still
a part of the Covenant ministry in Thailand
today, but we now also see sports ministries,
camping ministries and children’s ministries
being developed in partnership with Thai
church leaders.
For twenty-five years the Thailand Covenant
Church has been working hard to develop
Rom Prakhun (Shades of Grace Covenant
Camp) in Roi Et. There is a fish farm on
the property that provides jobs and helps
support ministry and now the camp grounds
are being further developed. The Thailand
Covenant Church has been building and
investing into the lives of their children,
as well as many non-Christian children in
the area, by organizing and hosting camp
events at Shades of Grace. There are already
monthly soccer camps being held and
Sunday-school camps which happen every
couple of months. The dream to improve the
facilities by providing a space for groups to
meet as well as a playground in which kids
can play would enhance the camp and the
ministries that happen there.
Looking at the big vision for the camp,
we hope to equip Shades of Grace with
playground equipment and five lanais
(outdoor structures) for classroom and
sleeping space during the camping season.
The five lanais would be built along the edge
of a large water reservoir and provide a
meeting space for small groups during the
various events at the camp. The playground
will be located within a grove of trees near
the smaller meeting hall belonging to the
camp. The Thailand Covenant Church would
also like to see a dormitory built for 200
children to sleep in. Already the church has
hosted events with up to 200 people at
the camp but there is always the issue of a
place to sleep. Some stay in tents that were
provided and others in homes of families in
the region.
Camping in Thailand is gaining in popularity
as a way to enhance the education and social
skills of Thai children. But it has largely been
something only the rich are able to afford.
Shades of Grace has the idea that camping
should be for all children even if they do not
come from rich homes. The enhancements to
Shades of Grace will continue to make that
dream a reality for the children and parents
in Northeast Thailand. The reality is that most
of the children who will be influenced by their
experience at camp will be from un-churched,
non-Christian homes. Their discussions
in these structures, and their play in this
playground, will have a significant role in their
coming to faith.
OUR OFFERING HELPS!
$15 for a bag of wood chips or sand
$50 for one swing on the swing set
$100 for a tire swing
$200 for a rope climbing structure
$250 for a slide
$500 for a see saw
$750 monkey bars or a jungle gym
Project Goals
To help bring this vision to life, the Thailand
Covenant Church would like to provide a
quality play area that would enhance the
attraction of Shades of Grace Camp in Roi
Et. This would provide a safe area for fun
and games and promote healthy activity in
a place where children can also experience
God’s love in new ways. Fundraising goals for
this project include development of the land
and construction of the playground. Please
consider how your vacation Bible school
program can best meet some of these funding
goals.
Send your gifts to:
Attn: VBS 2016 Thailand
Evangelical Covenant Church
8303 W Higgins Rd
Chicago, IL 60631
LIFE WITH JESUS—LESSON THEME
Day One: Jesus Is King
Hear God’s Story
Do you know where Thailand is? Go and find it on the map.
You can see that Thailand is very far away from your own
home. There are children in Thailand who go to school, help
their families, and play sports and games just like you. There
are also some things in Thailand that might seem quite
different or unusual to you. For example, did you know that
the country of Thailand has a king? The current monarch is
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Maharaj, or Rama IX.
He is the ninth king of the Chakri dynasty and is the world’s
longest serving monarch. He has been the king in Thailand
for more than sixty years!
TO
AGE: 10
BROTHERS & SISTERS:
None
FAVORITES:
COLOR: Red
SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Thai, Social Studies
SPORT: Soccer
FOOD: Chicken Soup
Traditionally, a king is someone who rules over a specific
area and is responsible for the well-being of his people and
his kingdom. We may not live in a country that has a king,
but as followers of Jesus, we have a King that rules over our
lives. He is the King who cares for us but also teaches us and
guides us as we learn to follow him. The Bible tells us that
Jesus is not just a king, he is the King of kings!
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb
will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords
and King of kings—and with him will be his called,
chosen and faithful followers.” REVELATION 17:14
This means he is the ruler of all the kings of the earth and
the ruler of each of us. He was the King in the past, he is our
King now, and he will be the King forever.
Questions/Reflection
YOUNGER CHILDREN: How can Jesus take
care of you if he is your King?
OLDER CHILDREN: What can you do to let
Jesus be King in your life?
The people of Thailand love and revere their
king. But most people in Thailand do not yet
know about Jesus as the King of kings. Jesus
is the King for people all over the world. For
you, for me and for the people of Thailand
too. The Thailand Covenant Church wants to
improve their camp facility so that children
can come and learn more about Jesus. By
raising money to help build a playground,
our gifts can be used for the good of Jesus’
kingdom and we can show children in
Thailand that he cares about them.
Memorize
The Lamb will triumph over them because he
is the Lord of lords and King of kings.
Offering
During our mission moment this week we
will learn more about the children in Thailand
and the ministry of the Thailand Covenant
Church. Let’s set a goal of raising $_____ to
build a playground for Shades of Grace camp
in Roi Et. This would provide a safe area for
fun and games and promote healthy activity
in a place where children can also experience
God’s love in new ways.
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are our King of kings.
You love and care for each person in this
world. Thank you for the chance to get to
know more about the people and church in
Thailand. Please teach us how to follow you
as our King in new ways every day.
Craft
THAI FLAG
The flag of Thailand has special meaning
for the Thai people. The center blue stripe
is double the width of the other stripes
and signifies the King. The stripes on either
side of the blue are white and refers to the
Buddhist religion. The red stripes on the top
and bottom edges represent the country and
unity of the people. Children can color a Thai
flag, or glue blue and red stripes on white
paper to create their own Thai flag.
MATERIALS:
• Download the flag template at
CovChurch.org/vbs2016
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Or
• Red/blue construction paper cut in strips
• White paper
• Glue
Game
KING IN THE MIDDLE
Pick a child to be the king or queen. Put a
crown on their head and place them in the
middle of the room. Set boundaries. Line up
the group at one end of the room and on the
word “go,” the group runs to the other end. If
the king/queen touches anyone, they become
his/her subjects and must help them catch
others as they run from one end to the other.
Continue until the entire group has been
caught.
Snack
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE SALAD—fresh fruit
salad made from strawberries, blueberries,
and bananas
LIFE WITH JESUS—LESSON THEME
Day Two:
Jesus Takes Care of Us
Hear God’s Story
BATE
Do you have any animals at your house? Maybe a cat
or a dog? What kind of animals do you see in your
neighborhood? Birds? Horses? Cows? In Thailand there
are all kinds of different animals. You see cats and dogs
and birds, but you also see lizards, snakes, bats, elephants,
water buffalo and lots and lots of bugs! Elephants are
actually a national symbol in Thailand. In the past they
were used in warfare and later as work animals in industries
like logging. Water buffalo are still very common to see in
Northeast Thailand. They are used for farming and for food.
In yesterday’s lesson we mentioned about a King who cares
for us and all of creation. You have a special place in Jesus’s
heart.
AGE: 7
BROTHERS & SISTERS:
None
FAVORITES:
COLOR: Blue
SCHOOL SUBJECT: Math
SPORT: Basketball
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what
you will wear. Is not life more important than food,
and the body more important than clothes? Look at
the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store
away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
MATTHEW 6:25-26
FOOD: “Thousand-year” Eggs
We can trust Jesus to take care of us. We can go to him
when we are worried about things in our life. He wants us to
rely on him to take care of our needs.
Questions/Reflection
Craft
YOUNGER CHILDREN: Who takes care of you
in your home? How?
PAPER PLATE ELEPHANT
See the activity at CovChurch.org/vbs2016
OLDER CHILDREN: What makes you
worried?
MATERIALS:
• Paper plate
• Gray paint
• Glue
• Wiggly eyes
• Gray cardstock, construction paper, or
fabric
We may have people in our lives that help
take care of our needs and worries but we
also have Jesus looking out for us. He doesn’t
want us to be worried, but instead, trust him
with our lives. We can also help others to
understand that Jesus loves them and wants
to take care of them when they are worried.
Think about who you can share that message
with this week.
Memorize
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow
or reap or store away in barns, and yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not
much more valuable than they?
Offering
We are collecting an offering this week for
the children in Thailand, but there may also
be people here that need to know Jesus
cares for them. How can you give yourself
as an offering and be the hands and feet of
Jesus in order to help take care of someone
around you?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you love all of creation and know
exactly what we need. Thank you that we can
go to you with our worries. Please help us to
worry less and trust you more. Thank you also
for the partnership we have with the church
in Thailand. May more and more people there
come to know how much you love them too.
INSTRUCTIONS
1) Paint the back of the paper plate gray and
leave to dry. 2) Cut a trunk, two legs, and an
ear from cardstock, construction paper, or
fabric and glue to the elephant plate. 3) Glue
on a wiggly eye.
Game
CHARADES USING ANIMAL CRACKERS
A child takes an animal cracker out of a bag/
container and doesn’t show it to the rest of
the group. They then act out the animal while
the other children try to guess what it is.
When the group comes up with the correct
answer, the child acting out the charade
can eat the animal cracker and the game
continues.
Snack
ANTS ON A LOG—celery sticks filled with
peanut butter and sprinkled with dried
cranberries (red ants).
With all the bugs in Thailand, it’s not unusual
to find some in your food from time to time.
Some bugs, like ants, are even eaten on
purpose! People in Northeast Thailand love
to eat red ants with chili, lime, and sticky rice.
LIFE WITH JESUS—LESSON THEME
Day Three:
Jesus Calls Us to Follow Him
Hear God’s Story
Have you ever gone fishing? Did you catch anything? People
in Thailand love to eat fish. They put it in curries, steam it,
fry it, or make fish salads. Because it is so tasty and a good
source of protein, many farmers have fish ponds where they
raise their own fish to eat or to sell. Shades of Grace has
fish ponds too. This provides jobs for people in the area and
makes money to help support the Thailand Covenant Church.
The Bible tells us that many of Jesus’s disciples were
fishermen. That was their job before they decided to follow
Jesus. Jesus chose them and invited them to follow him.
FERN
AGE: 10
BROTHERS & SISTERS:
2 Siblings
FAVORITES:
COLOR: Blue, Purple
SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Thai, Computers, English
SPORT: Volleyball, Badminton
FOOD: Spicy Basil Chicken,
Fish with Red Pepper Sauce
(Pla Krapow, Pla Rad Prik)
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw
Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the
lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,”
Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
MARK 1:16-18
When these men heard Jesus’s invitation it sounded like an
exciting opportunity. They already know how to catch fish,
but fishing for people was something new. They decided
to leave everything to be Jesus’s disciples and learn to fish
for people.
Questions/Reflection
YOUNGER CHILDREN: What do you need to
catch fish? How do you “catch” people?
OLDER CHILDREN: What does it mean to fish
for people?
When we decide to leave everything and
follow Jesus, we can also fish for people by
sharing with them who Jesus is so they want
to follow him too. We have all we need to tell
people about Jesus, because we have the
Bible which is full of stories about Jesus and
all the amazing things he did.
Memorize
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will
send you out to fish for people.”
Offering
Remind children of the VBS goal and how the
new playground will help Shades of Grace
camp and the children in Roi Et.
Pray
Lord Jesus, thank you for the opportunity
you have given each one of us to follow you.
Please show us how to fish for people so that
even more will want to come and follow you.
Craft
BEADED FISH
MATERIALS:
• Pipe cleaners
• Colorful beads
String beads onto a pipe cleaner until the
pipe cleaner is a little more than half covered
with beads. Slide the beads into the center
of the pipe cleaner and then bend the ends
toward each other, crossing them where
the beads end. Twist the pipe cleaner ends
around each other to make a fish shape.
Game
MON SON PA (Mon Hides the Cloth)
Watch Thai children play Mon Son Pa
at CovChurch.org/vbs2016 (6:33-8:01).
This game is very similar to our game of
“Duck, duck, goose”. Instead of tapping
each other on the head (which is very rude
in Thai culture), one child walks around the
circle while the group sings and drops a cloth
behind another child. That child picks up the
cloth and chases the first one around the
circle trying to tag them before they get back
to the empty spot in the circle.
Use a simple song that reminds us of our
story today.
I will make you fishers of men,
Fishers of men, fishers of men,
I will make you fishers of men,
if you follow me
If you follow me, if you follow me
I will make you fishers of men if you
follow me.
Snack
GOLDFISH CRACKERS AND PRETZEL
SNAPS (nets)—Children may be more familiar
with the idea of using a fishing pole to catch
fish, but in fish ponds and farms in Thailand
they often use nets. This snack reminds us
that Jesus called his disciples to leave their
nets and follow him.
LIFE WITH JESUS—LESSON THEME
Day Four:
Jesus Is the Vine
Hear God’s Story
FA
AGE: 7
BROTHERS & SISTERS:
2 Siblings
FAVORITES:
COLOR: Blue
SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Traditional Dance
SPORT: Soccer
FOOD: Omelet with
Minced Pork
What do people in Thailand do for work? There are two
main industries, or kinds of work, in Thailand...tourism
and farming. Thai farmers grow lots of different kinds of
things to eat, like chili peppers, rice, vegetables, and lots
of fruit. Because of the weather in Thailand, farmers can
grow fruits all year round. You may recognize many of the
fruits in Thailand. There is watermelon, bananas, coconut,
and pineapple. But have you ever eaten star fruit, rambutan,
mangosteen or the stinky durian fruit? These are also grown
and eaten in Thailand. Fruits thrive when they are closely
attached to the vine or tree and are taken care of by the
farmer. Jesus used this picture to remind us how we need to
stay close to him
if we are to grow and produce fruit in our lives.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in
me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from
me you can do nothing. JOHN 15:5
Jesus wants us to grow strong and develop good qualities
in our lives like love, patience and kindness. But it can be
hard to do this on our own. We need Jesus to help us and we
need to stay close to him.
Questions/Reflection
YOUNGER CHILDREN: What can you do
to stay close to Jesus?
OLDER CHILDREN: Think of someone you
know who is close to Jesus. What kind of fruit
do you see in their life? What kind of fruit
would you like to develop in your own life?
We are the branches and Jesus is the true
vine. Sometimes we may get pruned so that
we can produce even more fruit in our lives.
This may mean going through a difficult time
or learning a hard lesson in life. The good
news is that Jesus promises we will produce
even more fruit after this if we remain in him.
Memorize
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear
much fruit.
Offering
On the first day we set a goal to raise $_____
for the playground at the Shades of Grace
camp to help support healthy activities and
share the love of Jesus with the children
in Thailand. So far we have raised $_____ .
Even as we give money let’s pray for the Thai
children who will come to the camp and play.
Pray that they will have a chance to grow
close to Jesus.
Pray
Lord Jesus, your word tells us that you want
us to stay close to you so that we can grow,
know you, and share your love with others.
Help us to understand what it means to stay
close to you and please help the church and
missionaries in Thailand to share you with the
Thai people so they can know you too.
Craft
TROPICAL FRUIT COLORING PAGES
MATERIALS:
•C
oloring pages—banana, durian, mango,
rambutan
• Crayons, markers or colored pencils
Game
TROPICAL FRUIT SALAD (Fruit Basket
Upset)
Have the group sit in a circle in chairs, with
one less chair than you have people. Assign
each person a tropical (Thai) fruit—pineapple,
mango, papaya, banana. Add more fruit for
a bigger group—durian, coconut etc. One
person stands in the middle of the circle and
yells out a fruit name. Everyone with that fruit
must exchange seats with someone else with
the same fruit. The person from the middle
tries to take one of the empty chairs before
they are all taken. Whoever is left without a
chair is “it.”
The person in the middle may also yell “Fruit
Salad” and everyone must change seats.
Snack
TROPICAL FRUIT SALAD—Thai people often
choose to have fruit after a meal as dessert.
INGREDIENTS:
• canned tropical fruit
• toasted coconut flakes
• sliced bananas
In a bowl put tropical fruit. Add sliced
bananas if desired. Put toasted coconut
flakes on top of tropical fruit.
LIFE WITH JESUS—LESSON THEME
Day Five
Freedom with Jesus
Hear God’s Story
Siam was the former name for Thailand. The name Siam
means, “Land of the Golden Axe” and this name was known
far and wide. In 1939, the name was changed to Thailand,
or “Land of the Free.” Thai people are very proud that they
have always been independent, or free, and were the only
Southeast Asian country never to have been ruled by a
European power.
FOKE
AGE: 4
BROTHERS & SISTERS:
2 Siblings
FAVORITES:
COLOR: Red
SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Drawing & Painting
SPORT: Soccer
FOOD: Barbecued
Pork, Soup
In America, we say we are free because we can go to the
school we choose, we can say what we want, we can choose
our friends, and we can choose what church we want to go
to. But we can have even greater freedom through Jesus
Christ. But the truth is, we are all stuck and not free at all.
At one time, all of us in this room have sinned. Maybe you
told a lie or disobeyed your parents. Maybe you had a mean
thought about another person. We easily get stuck in these
sins and are not free.
It is Jesus that gives us real freedom. He led a perfect life
and took the punishment for our sins when he died on the
cross. The Bible tells us that following Jesus leads us to truth,
and truth sets us free.
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘if you
hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then
you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
JOHN 8:31-32
We will be set free when we believe Jesus is the truth and
what he did for us is true. Not only that, but Jesus also sends
the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts so that we want to do
what is right.
Questions/Reflection
YOUNGER CHILDREN: What did Jesus do to
give us freedom?
OLDER CHILDREN: What is it like to have
freedom in Jesus?
Jesus sets us free from our sin when we
admit we are a sinner and want to sin less.
When we believe and follow Jesus Christ
as our Savior and Lord, then we are given
eternal freedom from our own sin. When
Jesus sets us free from sin, we will for all
eternity be free indeed!
Memorize
Then you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free.
Offering
Review the fundraising goal from the
beginning of the week and celebrate God’s
goodness and the generosity of the children
and families that participated this week.
Bonus Goal: Encourage your congregation
to match whatever amount the children at
VBS have raised for the playground in Roi Et.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the opportunity
to share what we have with the children in
Thailand. We pray that they would also come
to understand what it means to be truly free.
Craft
THE CROSS
We know that our real freedom comes from
Jesus and the sacrifice he made on the cross.
Today we put the Thai word for freedom on
the cross to help us remember.
MATERIALS:
• Your choice of coloring tools—crayons,
pastels, markers, chalk, watercolors.
• Painters tape
• Sturdy paper
Use the tape to make a cross shape on
the paper. Encourage the children to make
colorful designs around the tape and fill in
as much of the white space with color as
possible. Gently remove the tape to reveal
the shape of the cross.
In the center write:
This reads, Thai, or freedom
Game
E-GAR-FUKE KHAI (Crow Sits on the Eggs)
For this game, two circles are drawn on the
ground, one inside the other. “Eggs,” small
items such as balls, balloons, bean bags, are
put inside the smaller circle, the “nest.” One
player is selected to be the crow who must
protect the eggs from everyone else. The
players may do anything except step inside
the nest or touch the crow to steal the eggs.
The object is for all of the other kids playing
to take the eggs from the nest without the
crow (child in the circle) touching them.
Snack
BANANAS IN COCONUT MILK—Here is a
popular Thai dessert that Thai children love
to eat. This recipe serves about six.
INGREDIENTS:
• 4 large bananas, sliced
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut cream
DIRECTIONS:
Bring the coconut milk to a boil in a pot.
Add the bananas to the coconut milk and
cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Dissolve
the sugar and salt into the mixture. Stir the
coconut cream through the mixture. Remove
from heat; serve hot.
8303 W. Higgines Rd.
Chicago, IL 60631