Summer Intern leads VBS at San Pablo
Summers in most cities and towns with churches are considered to be Vacation Bible School (VBS) season. In big cities like El Paso, there’s a VBS happening pretty much every week of June and July, sometimes more than one a week. When Greta Wiederhold, a college student studying German Education at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, and a member of Family of Christ Lutheran Church from Ham Lake, Minnesota, wanted to do a month-long internship with YLM, Rev. Dr. Karl Heimer suggested she organize, lead and direct a VBS at San Pablo Lutheran Church, one of the nine mission-churches YLM partners with; this one is located on the YLM campus.
“I’ve helped with VBS at my church in Minnesota,” Greta shared, “But I’ve never organized or directed it. My mom has, so she was a great help during the two months of planning before I came down to El Paso.”
During those two months, Greta planned and organized a five-day event to include music, snacks, crafts, games and Bible lessons, all themed Superheroes of the Bible. It was easy to pick the theme because Family of Christ had donated supplies that would be useful for the theme chosen.
The children had a lot of fun –up to fifteen kids of all ages participated –and with three other YLM summer interns helping, Greta enjoyed directing and leading San Pablo’s first VBS in over six years, according to Maritza Muñoz, the San Pablo Church Facilitator.
“My favorite part of VBS was at the end of the two hours –the kids would get together and act out the Bible story of the day. I had nothing to do with it, so I got to just watch. I enjoyed it so much and it amazed me how much they remembered.
“My experience here [at YLM] helped me learn to work independently in the sense of not being told what to do and how to do it. Organizing and leading VBS was a lot of fun; it was a huge learning experience, and I had an awesome team –my mom’s guidance, Maritza Muñoz’s knowledge of San Pablo and the surrounding community; she helped with publicity, recruitment, and the logistics of where we were going to do the lessons, snacks, crafts, games. Her husband, Miguel Muñoz, helped with the set-up of AV/Sound for the music videos. Then there were the other interns –Ben Scheffler (Michigan), Sophie Coke (Michigan) and Jayne Kurpius (Minnesota) –they were very instrumental in making it happen every day.”
For the rest of her one-month internship, Greta helped in a variety of ways, from office work to helping with food baskets, assisting Alonso Gonzalez (Servant Event Project Facilitator) in picking up materials for Servant Event building projects, at times even joining a Servant Event group in helping them build a house. “I even helped clean Building 12 –the Dormitory –for incoming groups,” she shared with a bright smile, “There was really nothing I wasn’t willing to do.”
Greta was truly shocked at everything YLM does to serve people in need, “It’s not just food –it’s not just shelter. It’s clothes, toys, Bibles for detainees, school supplies, hygiene items, radio station –there are so many ways YLM is sharing the Good News to so many. I liked being a part of that this month.”
When asked why an internship at YLM and not somewhere closer to home where she wouldn’t have to step out of her comfort zone, Greta laughed, joy evident on her face,
“Because YLM is authentic. I’ve had many friends who’ve done mission trips through other organizations, but they put up a wall or two, then spend the rest of their time going places, sight-seeing –being tourists. At YLM, when you come to serve, that’s what you do, because YLM is all about serving others. Every day, you go out and you serve. It’s hard, and often times, sweaty and dirty work, but it is a joyful kind of work because you encounter something truly beautiful –you encounter Love.”
YLM is truly grateful for her service to the many people who have been, and will be, impacted through the work of her hands and the love in her heart. She’s changed the lives of many through her simple acts of kindness given every day, and her own life has been changed in return.
“I’m a better person, a better student, and a better servant –most importantly, I’ve grown immensely in my faith because of YLM’s mission.”
Greta will be heading doing 10-month study abroad program in Austria starting in August. She’ll continue to be in our hearts and prayers, and we’re excited to see her again. Greta, know YLM will always be home for you!
