Potter’s Field partnered with Crossroads Community Church from Vancouver, WA to send seven young adults to participate in the 7th annual, week-long VBS hosted at Harrah Assembly of God. There, we ministered to nearly 120 children from the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation in Harrah, WA! It was a wonderful week to be there with an incredible team of 18 from Eastgate Community Church, who have been a part of this VBS since the beginning. Although located in Cincinnati, OH, many of the team members had been there in previous years and, in a sense, have “grown up” with this community.
Pastor Jerral Campfield and his wife Ginny Campfield, of Harrah AOG, have been faithfully serving in Harrah for 10 years and in the Yakima Valley for over 30. They were both born, raised, and married in the area and even attended Harrah Assembly of God as a young newlywed couple, never imagining that God would call them back to minister in their hometown 50 years later. They are examples of saints of the faith. They love this community and are excited for what God has in store for Harrah and the Yakima Valley.
The VBS was called “TIME LAB,” where the overall concept was being able to go back and forward in time to see that Jesus is real. We started each day with an assembly and ended with an assembly, where the kids recited their memory verses. Every day the kids played games, did crafts, ate snacks, listened to a teaching, and did an experiment. We also served a pancake breakfast every morning.
At the start of the trip, the team set up for the VBS and then went door to door to hand out invitations. There were some families who actually came for the first time through this outreach.
We participated in the youth group which brought 26 junior high and high school students to the VBS. Many of these kids have been coming annually and have looked forward to this event.
“I got to interact with the girls of the youth group. Something so precious was being able to share with them that God has a purpose and plan for their lives and that they were not an accident. We were able to share personal testimony and God’s word daily. There is a lot of pain and hurt in the Yakima Valley but the Lord wants to do a mighty work. I left there being assured of that.” – Joanna, PFM Staff / Team Member
“One of the young boys kept causing problems but I was determined to love him… he was my friend by the end of the week. It is a place that needs investment – the Pastor and his wife invested so much but can’t do it all themselves. The youth is what needs investing in. This week I saw the power of just investing in one kid and seeing how it actually impacted his family too.” – Dani, PFM Staff / Team Member
Dani spending time with the children!
“Yakama is a place with a wide Hispanic community. It was a blessing to connect with them through not only language, Spanish, but also through our similar culture. The Lord uses Harrah church and the Cincinnati team every year to pour into the children! It was beautiful to serve alongside of them!” -Izabella, PFM Staff from Guatemala / Team Member
Izabella with the teen girls!
On the last day, we invited all the kids, their families, and members of the community to an outreach dinner where the kids were able to put on a special presentation and win prizes for the week. We also had the opportunity to share about the vision of Potter’s Field and our love for the Yakima Valley.
It was a great privilege to be able to participate in this trip. Please continue to keep the people of Harrah in your prayers!
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