The holidays have arrived for children in Chile, and as usual, parents are looking for the best options to keep their little ones busy with recreational and educational activities. Seeing this need, the Seventh-day Adventist Church extended Vacation Bible School to the community, with themes such as "Children in the Kitchen," "The World of Insects," and "A Journey through the Sea of Galilee".

Vacation Bible School is an initiative the Central Adventist Church of Temuco has decided to develop. The program lasted five days and offered the children of the community a fun, educational experience during their vacation, teaching them great lessons from the Bible and encouraging them to follow Jesus.

In addition, the children participated in hands-on activities in the kitchen, learning the basic principles of nutrition and how to prepare simple, nutritious dishes and appreciate the importance of good health. They also took home basic recipes they can use in their daily lives.

The program was designed in a versatile way to cater to different age groups, from 5–14 years old. Activities were adapted to the needs and abilities of each group, ensuring that all children could actively participate and enjoy the experience.

Variedad de niños asistiendo a la jornada. (Credit: Nicolás Acosta)

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In addition to the activities in the kitchen, there were spaces for arts and crafts, ball games, and group dynamics. These activities complemented the culinary learning and helped the children develop social skills, teamwork, and creativity.Claudia Silva, director of Children's Ministries in Chile, is pleased with the initiative and considers it a unique opportunity for the children to have fun while learning important things. She is grateful for the mobilization of the entire church, which committed numerous members to this event, especially the teachers who gave their all to extend a special event.

Reaching Families

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in southern Chile is firm in the idea that Vacation Bible School is a program that will benefit, over the years, many children from the Adventist and non-Adventist community, opening a door for Christ to reach families.

The program is carried out in various cities in the southern territory to ensure that all children have access to this educational and recreational experience during their vacations.

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Spanish-language news site.