Kuwait Mar Thoma Sunday School
Kuwait Parish, P.O. Box: 20130, Safat, Kuwait

VBS is a movement, which has in its existence of over 40 years, transformed children, youth and adults into God honoring men and women. Many of the Indian Christian Leaders of today are those whose lives were touched by God and who had committed their lives to the Lord during VBS.

The first VBS in Kuwait was held in 1983 under the auspices of the Mar Thoma Church, and in 1984, Mar Thoma and CSI Parishes joined together and organized the Kuwait United Vacation Bible School. Since then VBS is jointly organized every year during the 3 month summer vacation for our children.

Since the last 3 years, VBS in Kuwait was conducted continuously in a span of two weeks. In 1999, the Kuwait United Vacation Bible School was conducted during the period of June 25 till July 10 for 12 days.

The theme for this year's VBS was Soar Like Eagles adopted from Isaiah 40: 31 in which we read: But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Organizational efforts for this years VBS began with a joint meeting of CSI and Mar Thoma VBS committee members early this year in January 20th. In this first meeting, it was unanimously decided that this years VBS shall be conducted continuously during summer vacation under the leadership of an experienced VBS Director specially brought from outside. It was also decided that the Directors stay in Kuwait for a period of one month would be much beneficial to the VBS participants.

A team of Office bearers to organize the VBS were selected, as follows:

• Patron: Rev. K. Ninan George and Rev. Abraham P. Oommen
• Superintendent: Rev. Abraham C. Prakash
• Director: Rev. C.I. Jose
• Convenor: Dr. Susan Mathew
• Joint Convenor: Mrs. Annie Ivy Verghese
• Secretary: Mr. Alex P. Alex
• Treasurer: Mr. George Podipara & N.O. Mammen
• Auditors: Mr. Jacob Thomas and Mr. T. N. Nagesh

A group of 14 committee members were also selected as Executive Committee members for the organization of VBS along with different convenors and co-ordinators responsible to carry out many functions of the VBS.

The second general body meeting was held on March 7, to decide upon the budget, dates and schedule of VBS. A farewell was given on April 23, to Rev. M. C. Samuel, the patron of earlier VBS; and a farewell gift was presented on behalf of KUVBS as a token of our appreciation to achen. The fourth and fifth general body meetings were held on May 11th and June 13th to decide upon various issues related to VBS.

The Teacher's and Students application forms were distributed as scheduled. There were 42 Teachers and 431 Students registered in this year's KUVBS. All the study materials for the VBS were brought from India. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all individuals and families who helped us to bring these books to Kuwait.

The VBS director Rev. C.I. Jose arrived in Kuwait on June 19. A dedication and training session was conducted on June 20 for all the teachers and Volunteers selected for this years VBS.

The VBS began on June 25th Friday at NECK. The VBS was inaugurated by Rev Kurien Thomas of the Mar Thoma Church after a student rally and singing session. The church, Parish Hall, Diwaniya and North Tent were made available for the exclusive use of this years VBS.

Since then, the VBS classes were conducted regularly as scheduled for 12 days. A typical day of VBS started with a singing session from 3.30 to 4.00 pm followed by the director's session till 4.40. The students attended their first class from 4.40 till 5.30 and were given refreshments at 5.30. The second class session was from 5.45 to 6.30pm.

The main theme Soar Like Eagles was divided into 9 unique sub-themes, which were adopted for daily meditation and devotional sessions. The sub-themes were as follows: Soar in Liberty, Soar with new life, Soar with confidence,, soar in faith, soar in fellowship, soar against temptation, soar in loftiness, soar with vision, and soar without fainting.

This year's music sessions were lead by Mr. A Abraham George, supported by a team of music teachers, and students. A music cassette with VBS songs and a song book were also made available to the students. Teacher's devotional session was conducted everyday from 3.30 to 4.00 pm at Diwaniya conducted by various Achens & lay leaders and VBS teachers.

Refreshments were given to the students everyday which was organized by the refreshments committee headed by Mr. N.O. Mammen supported by a team of dedicated volunteers. On July 6th, the VBS students participated in the love feast, where children and the teachers shared food with each other, in the true Christian spirit.

Class Inspections were held by the VBS director and patrons on 3rd, 4th and 8th day of the VBS.

A special offetory was collected on July 7th to meet the additional expenditure of VBS. We thank all those parents and students who contributed whole-heartedly.

On July 9th, the students were given an opportunity to witness in front of others during the witnessing session held at the church. Most of the senior as well as small children participated in this blessed witnessing session.

The VBS formally concluded on July 10th. A closing ceremony was conducted on July 10 and students and teachers were given certificates for their active participation in this year's VBS. The Beginners and primary students were also a given a Crown. The office bearers and various committees members were given their certificates during the general body meeting held on July 11th.

All the Achens, teachers, volunteers, students and many parents have put in their best effort to make this year's VBS beneficial to all its participants. Let me now conclude this report with heartfelt gratitude to all of them and to God almighty for this beautiful evening and also for the wonderful 12 days of fellowship we had together during the KUVBS'99. Thank you and may God continue to help us and guide us in our days to come, and looking forward to see you all in the next year's KUVBS.