The deep "bong" of the authentic American Indian drum called to order the beginning of another day of Vacation Bible School at Valley Adventist Christian School this past summer in Kalispell, Mont. Children scampered to take their seats next to their "Indian guides" on logs around a campfire for general assembly. The theme, "In His Moccasins," was featured the first week at the North Valley Church in Columbia Falls, and then a second week in Kalispell on the 20-acre Adventist school grounds.
An 18-foot Sioux tipi was set up with smaller tipis surrounding it to create the feel of an Indian village. The children divided in groups by age to rotate to the Bible Tipi, Indian games, and Indian craft time, then back to general assembly at the campfire for more songs, a "Fruits of the Spirit" skit, and guest American Indian story tellers.
The Bible time was located inside the largest tipi where Pastor Tom Glatts shared stories of some of the greatest American Indian chiefs, told Bible stories, and along with the teenage "Indian guides," helped the children learn memory verses.
Between the two churches, 80 children attended the Vacation Bible Schools this year, and we pray that we can continue to be a blessing in the lives of these children and their families.
Two of the 80 children who attended the Kalispell Vacation Bible School enjoy making Indian crafts.
Vacation Bible School in Kalispell featured a Native American theme.
