Missions to Mexico
Printable Version
In the afternoon groups hold a V.B.S. at the church you'll be serving at for
the week.  The children range in age from 3-12.  This is a great way to
share the gospel and disciple those who attend.  Often, the younger ones
will be accompanied by their moms.  Teenagers will often observe
from a distance.  
Your group will do a total of 5 VBS's and one scaled
down VBS without a craft and snack for the Evening Outreach that
falls midweek.

Sample V.B.S. Outreach Schedule (Approximate time 2 hrs.)

2:00 - 2:20 - Game time outside with children
2:20 - 2:35 - Song time (3 or so songs upbeat 3 or so slow)
2:35 - 2:45 - Puppet show  
2:45 - 2:55 - Two short testimonies geared towards children
2:55 - 3:00 - Drama or skit if you have one
3:00 - 3:30 - Bible Story via video
3:30 - 4:00 - Crafts & snacks   

Below is more info on each part of the VBS:

Game time - 20 - 30 min.
Your group will play outside games with the children such as; jump rope,
beanbag toss, ball tosses, duck duck goose, soccer, bubbles, face
painting, frisbee games, baseball (with plastic bats and balls, and etc.  
You can organize your group into smaller groups who can be in charge of
the various games happening.  There won't be large group games where
all the children will be involved in, but various, smaller games happening at
the same time.  The children usually will rotate and go from one game to
the other as they please.  After game time, make sure each group picks up
their sports equipment as the children will often try to take it.  This is a time
to get to know the children and draw a crowd from the community.  We
would ask, if you could, to bring some sports equipment with you for this time.

Song time - 15 min.
Your group will do 5-7 children's Spanish songs.  Several of these should
be upbeat songs with motions.  Several can be slower songs.

Puppet show - 15 min.
A big highlight of the V.B.S. is the puppet show.  We have the puppets and
the Spanish scripts.  The scripts are on a Cd and easy to follow.  It
basically involves voice recognition.  Upon arrival, we'll show those of your
group who want to be involved in this area how to do it.  The puppet show
has verses that accompany each day's story.  After the puppet show we will
spend a few minutes teaching the children the verses.  The last day we will
hand out simple prizes for those who can say all the verses.  If you would
like to bring some prizes you are welcome, or if not, we'll use some from
extra crafts that other groups bring.

The theme for the puppet teaching time is as follows:

Day 1 - Romans 3:23  "All have sinned"
Day 2 - Romans 6:23  "The results of sin"
Day 3 - John 3:16  "The love of God in providing a Savior"
Day 4 - Romans 5:8  "The mercy of God"
Day 5 - Romans 10:9  "Trusting Jesus as my Savior"

Each day the children will memorize a verse that corresponds to that day.  
If you would like to include the verse some way in your craft, here's the
version the puppet show uses:

Romanos 3:23  "Por cuanto todos pecaron y están destituidos de la gloria
de Dios."

Romanos 6:23  "Porque la paga del pecado es muerte, más la dádiva de
Dios es vida eterna en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor."

Juan 3:16  "Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su
hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en el cree, no se pierda más tenga
vida eterna."

Romanos 5:8  "Más Dios muestra su amor para con nosotros en que
siendo aun pecadores Cristo murió por nuestros pecados."

Romanos 10:9  "Si confiesas con tu boca que Jesús es el Señor y crees
en tu corazón que Dios lo levantó de entre los muertos serás salvo."

Two short testimonies geared towards children
Try to be brief (3-5 min.) and share something that God did in your life, to
draw you to Him, when you were a child.

Bible Story - 35 min.
This is usually done via video on a large screen or TV.  Because the
children are more unruly in Mexico and harder to control, we find a Bible
Story via video works well.  We have the movies, big screen or TV for this
part of the V.B.S.

The theme of the Bible Story teaching time is as follows:

Day 1 - Video  "Creation"
Day 2 - Video  "Noah and the Ark"
Day 3 - Video  "Moises and the Ten Commandments"
Day 4 - Video  "Life of Jesus Birth and Childhood"
Day 5 - Video  "Life of Jesus Crucifixion and Resurrection"

Craft & Snack time - 20 min.
This is an important time where your group's participation is important.  The
children are divided into groups of ten with one or two people from your
group attending them.  You will need to bring crafts and snacks for at least
100 children (we will notify you if you'll need to bring more).  Package the
crafts in bags of ten in non-see through bags.  Package the snacks, as
well, in bags of ten in non-see through bags.  Put both the bags of crafts
and bags of snacks in one non-see through bag.  Each large bag should
contain one sack with ten crafts and one sack of ten snacks.  We have
found that by forming groups of ten, and having them seat themselves on
the floor, works best for crowd control.  Each sack is for each group of ten.
Try to avoid candy and sweets for snacks.

Summery of what you need to be prepared to do and bring:

1.  Bring game things to play with children during the play time
2.  Be prepared to sing some children's songs (If you need help let us
  know). For help with children's VBS songs
click here
3.  Bring crafts and snacks for five VBS's with enough for 100 in each VBS
4.  Twenty five or so prizes for those who memorize VBS verses. (These can
    be simple but a little more quality than the crafts that are for everyone.
5.  Come prepared to share 12 testimonies geared for children.

Here are some craft ideas:

Coloring books - You can photo-copy pages, or purchase a Bible coloring
book (preferably in Spanish) and have the children color them.  Crayons
needed.
Puppets - Use paper lunch sacks and provide pieces for their mouths,
ears, and etc.  Crayons needed for this craft.
Paper plate half-masks - Beforehand, cut paper plates in half, punch holes
by ears, and cut eye-holes and a slot for the nose.  Let the kids color them
and put rubber bands through the holes.  They can wear the masks by
putting the rubber bands around their ears.
Paper plate visors - Beforehand, cut paper plates in half and punch a hole
near each corner.  Have the kids decorate them and tie a piece of pre-cut
elastic through the holes to make a visor.
Crowns - Trace a simple outline of the front of a crown onto tag board or
other stiff paper.  Cut them out and punch a hole at each end.  Let the kids
decorate them and put a piece of pre-cut yarn or elastic through each
hole.  To put the crown on, place on head and tie strings in back.

Here are some snack ideas:

Single serving of canned fruit/applesauce, pudding (don't forget spoons.
Single serving bags of chips.
Single serving bags of peanuts.
Single serving boxes of raisins.
Single serving cookies, or animal crackers.
Granola bars
Individually wrapped Hostess/or similar treats.
Graham crackers.
Handi-Snacks (crackers and peanut butter, etc.)

It definitely works best if the snacks are individually wrapped and
easily transported.  It is often possible to get stores in your area to
donate these types of items.
Game Time
Game Time
Song Time
Song Time
Puppet Time
Testimony Time
Story Time
Craft Time
Craft Time
Fun
Developing Relationships
Vacation Bible School Prep