June 10

Sampler Day 1

The kids arrived today. We have 7 Samplarians this session, 3 boys, 4 girls. None of them are from Ohio. It looks like it will be a good mix this session. Robyn is really enjoying herself and has made a bond with one of the girls in particular. I’m really pleased that she is enjoying herself.

The theme for VBS this week is “Great Bible Reef.” I have been placed in charge of the music. Of the samplers there are 3 who brought instruments, all the boys. So, we are the music team for VBS. I’ve never been in charge of a group of musicians before, so it has been a little odd stepping out and taking charge. But the really encouraging thing is that tonight we were practicing in a classroom across the hallway from May Schwartz, the church music professor at the seminary. Before she left for the night she stopped in to tell us how good we sounded and to invite us to come and play for her class later in the week.

Monday’s theme for VBS is, “God cares for us.” Each day has its own theme and its own animal. Tomorrow is a seahorse. We are going with the seahorse because in the seahorse world it is the male seahorse that cares for the young. This ties in with the Bible story of the day which is all about baby Moses in the reeds and being protected from slaughter.

I cannot help but think about the connections between the Bible text for tomorrow and the current situation of the African American population. Pharaoh was out to wipe out all of the male Hebrew babies so that the Hebrews could not become a political force and so that none of them would be able to take away his power. I’m not sure what the number is off of the top of my head, but there is a huge percentage of African American males that end up in jail or dead before they are 25. It seems that systemic oppression is not a thing of the past.

I’m pretty tired after today and it seems like most of the other counselors and kids are as well. Hopefully a good night’s rest will recharge everyone’s batteries.