Joan Anderson from Ascension, Genie Hanson from Central Freeborn, Christine Ness from Salem, Annette Hansen from Trinity with Jill Hagen as the leader from Trinity were the adult church representatives from four Lutheran churches for tying everything together for a successful vacation Bible school. (Tie it all together they did, even though the pink bow got wet.)
They made signs and had literature at the above four Lutheran churches (plus various places around town) reading: Vacation Bible School June 18-21 at Edgewater Park in Albert Lea 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for grades 1-6, 9 a.m.-12 noon for pre-school. No cost.
In invisible ink each sign read: It takes a village to teach a child.
The word was put out that the gala event would kick off at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 17 with pizza and root beer floats. Vacation Bible school attendees could bring anyone—especially dads, as it was Father’s Day. The Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp teachers for grades 1-6 attended the gala pizza party, leading in the table grace plus introducing themselves.
Micah Friginal, Liz Meier, Miranda Englar, Reid Hunhoff and Emma Davis were the team with Emma as the leader.
“It takes a village to teach a child” was understood but not spoken by the team. Other teachers and helpers were Carissa, Sam, Gillian, Jayden, Skylar, Nancy, Patty and spouse Bob, Carrie, Joan, Nyla, Shyanne, Christie, Michele and Rev. Eileen. Steve Olson was the solver of maintenance things. Bob Hanson was the “go-fer.” Eunice Bakken, Carol Bertelson and Mary Ann Atchison were pushed to their maximum ability in keeping a supply of cookies on hand—about 12 dozen, to be exact. All this was done knowing “it takes a village to teach a child.”
The Okoboji team was housed at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, rural Albert Lea. They were on their own for the Monday evening meal (they went to China House in Albert Lea). On Tuesday evening they were picked up at 6 p.m. by another team, Buster and Sadie (two draft horses) pulling a wagon driven by Gene Wangen to the Diane and Gene Wangen cabin in their woods for a cookout along with some great conversation. Wednesday evening, the Okoboji team was treated to the evening meal at Trinity Lutheran Church, along with more great conversation.
“It takes a village to teach a child” was the unspoken theme each evening.
Thursday was the final day of the Okoboji team teaching. Thursday evening a potluck supper was followed by the vacation Bible school attendees giving a program that was most enjoyable. T’was then we saw the results of “it takes a village to raise a child.”
P.S. If you were involved in any way: Monty and Arlen, park and rec employees, a helper, gave supplies, brought food, provided taxi service, a teacher, had a VBS bumper sticker, whatever—go look at yourself in a mirror eye-to-eye as you say, “I’m proud to be an example of Minnesota Nice.”
As part of VBS, items were collected for the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. I know all of you have heard the saying, “The show must go on.” That is exactly what was done as even though it rained every day, vacation Bible school went on by moving everything inside to Trinity Lutheran Church (“Everything” included 24 pre-school kids, 36 in grades 1-6, supplies, food, the Okoboji team and their supplies). This was most certainly a small miraculous accomplishment! And all God’s children said, “Amen.”