Author: Gracie Xing
Date: 08/18/2026
Category: Thanksgiving Testimonies

This year’s VBS was deeply meaningful to me — not because of one big, miraculous event that took place particularly, but because of the countless small acts of service and dedication that I witnessed throughout the week. From worship rally leaders practicing in advance of the event to counselors and teachers patiently caring for energetic children, everyone poured their hearts into making this week a success. Seeing that level of commitment made me reflect on what truly makes VBS so special.

To me, VBS is an extraordinary experience because it gives us the opportunity to plant seeds of faith in each child’s heart and trust God to help those seeds grow throughout lifetimes. While we may not immediately see the results, every Bible lesson taught, every moment shared during snack time, and every conversation can leave a lasting impact.

One moment that particularly warmed my heart was when a child recognized me from a previous year and excitedly came up to say hello. It was a small interaction, but it reminded me that the counselor-student relationships built at VBS can last far beyond a week.

Another moment that stood out came from the VBX program. The counselors were trying to prepare popping boba for the kids, but despite numerous attempts, things did not go as planned. After nearly an hour of trying, they switched up and made traditional boba instead. Rather than settling for a less engaging activity, they worked hard to ensure the children would still have a fun and detectible experience by driving to pick up more ingredients and make the treat for them.

In addition, it was encouraging to watch the children learn more about the Bible while building meaningful friendships with their counselors and classmates. The fun activities blended with lessons about faith, creating an environment that was both exciting and spiritually enriching. The week was topped off with Water Day. This joyful activity was filled with laughter and excitement, but beneath it all was the bittersweet feeling of a great week coming to an end as everyone tried their best to avoid getting drenched, usually without much success.

What impressed me most was the dedication of the counselors. Waking up early each morning and dealing with children all day is not an easy task, (in retrospect, we all

probably appreciated parents more after that week lol). Throughout the week, I could see God working through counselors as they modeled patience, love, and selflessness. Watching them reminded me that serving God is often not about receiving recognition (as some counselors had to pick up the slack of their fellow peers) but about faithfully helping others in small ways. Their example challenged me to think more deeply about my own attitude toward service.

In my role as a videographer and photographer, I learned several valuable lessons as well. First, I learned the importance of not procrastinating. Second, I learned that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Trying to handle every project by myself only created unnecessary stress, while sharing the workload allowed me to do a better job and enjoy the experience more.

The VBS directors, Nicholas and Aobo, as well as all the adult volunteers, worked tirelessly to make this event successful, and their efforts were evident throughout the week. Every day, children returned full of excitement to learn about the Bible, participate in recreation, crafts, and music, and spend time with the friends they had made discussing Italian brainrot and getting jobs at the ripe age of 8. Seeing their enthusiasm reminded me why VBS continues to be such an important and meaningful event for both parents and kids.

Looking back, there was no single moment that defined this year’s VBS for me. Instead, it was the faith, dedication, and strength from the Lord shown by everyone involved that made the week so memorable. While we may never fully know how the seeds planted this week will grow, I am grateful to have played a small part in helping children learn about God’s love.

VBS Video link: https://youtu.be/Kw2wyO-LV_4?is=b4dAFUarV43K4dr-

 

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