Rainforest Falls: A Week of Fun, Faith, and Friendship at UMCL

In mid-July, UMCL turned into a rainforest, filled with kids laughing, singing, and learning about God's love. Vacation Bible School (VBS): Rainforest Falls brought together 36 children from the community, most of whom aren't affiliated with UMCL. With 16 adult volunteers and nine middle school youth volunteers helping out, it was a busy, joy-filled week. Kids ages three through fifth grade spent four days singing, learning, crafting, and playing together, all coordinated by Annemarie Barry, UMCL's Director of Spiritual Growth, who brought the rainforest to life.

No trip through the rainforest is complete without animal friends, and this year's Bible Buddies were a hit. Tango the Quetzal, the resplendent bird, helped kids see God's beauty. Seymour the Glass Frog was tiny, translucent, and full of surprises. Dottie the Ocelot showed kids what it means to find safety, since she takes refuge up in the trees, just like we find our safe place in God. And Tia the Giant Anteater carries her pups on her back everywhere she goes, a sweet picture of how God's love stays with us wherever we are. The kids also got to enjoy Rainbow the Parrot (who flew from the Amazon for the week), a larger-than-life feathered friend they named themselves.

Each day of VBS revealed a different truth about God, reinforced through crafts and games: God is our Creator, who spoke our whole world into existence. God knows everything – he is all-knowing. God is our Safe Place; he gives us refuge. And God is Love – God’s love is unshakeable. Along the way, kids kept track of their "God Moments", the little and big ways they noticed God showing up around them throughout the week.

The week was also filled with joyful music and dance. And, as part of their mission project, kids collected school supplies for students in El Salvador, Jamaica, Haiti, Honduras, and Guatemala, a hands-on way to show God's love reaches far beyond the rainforest walls.

Rainforest Falls wrapped up with a family-friendly, music-filled worship service on Sunday, where the VBS explorers showed off everything they learned throughout the week. It was a week full of laughter, new friendships, and a whole lot of God moments. We're so grateful for the staff and volunteers who make it possible for UMCL to share this experience with our community.