Vacation Bible School at the First United Methodist Church of Avon Park ministered to about 20 children a night with a new and exciting type of HolyLand experience.

  The stage was set in Egypt at the time of Joseph. Participants were led through from his rise from prison to the palace.

  Children and their families had the opportunity to stroll about in an Egyptian marketplace, visit Joseph in prison, then watch as God led his rise to power in the palace - second in power only to Pharoh himself. 

  The markeplace included a jewelry store, barbershop & salon, heiroglyphic artist's shop, basket weaver & toy shop. Participants had a chance to learn how to wrap a mummy at the royal embalmers and see how the Israelites made bricks out of mud and straw.

   This year's vacation Bible school brought the story of Joseph and the Israelites' captivity to life for young and old alike in both a fun and interactive way. We tried to help everybody concerned to understand more fully how God worked in Joseph's life and how He continues to work in our lives today.

  This year's vacation Bible school was a lot of fun both for the students and the teachers. In many cases it offered an opportunity to share our faith with youngsters -- many of who are totally unchurched -- with not a lot of work. It is a great outreach and an excellent opportunity to show God's love.