Team VBS take on Camp

July 4th, 2026
by Tammy Stone

Jack's VBS blog

This week we had the opportunity to host a Kids camp at the Hope of the Nations Primary school. The school is highly respected and many local officials send their children to the school. It is an English only school so students are learning their lessons in English. Local government schools do not teach English until secondary school. Over the years our church (SVCC) has helped with projects around the school, including painting the school. My favorite part of this week was a session I got to teach on sharing your faith. I was helped by my friend and buddy Saidi. I met Saidi 7 years ago when I first had the opportunity to come to Tanzania. It was so exciting to see him in his role as a leader here with Hope of the Nations and to hear him share his story about how God is using him to impact the kids in Kigoma. Even though we live half way around the world, he is still my friend and brother in Christ.

Aidan's VBS blog

It was awesome to support the buddies from hope of the nations with their local youth (13 and under) ministry. It is called "Kids Club" and it’s similar to junior high ministry in the states but with even younger kids mixed with 6th and 7th graders). Was a younger crowd and it was eye opening to see how much they knew about the scriptures for how young they were (the buddies have been pouring into these kids as they all meet twice a week).

Being our second VBS camp we were more tired, but were familiar with the flow of events. God has pulled us through and have given us the energy to teach the games, and the words to speak in our messages.

Been having a blast learning more Swahili and just hanging with youth. They got limitless energy and love to worship God through movement. I love this.

As the last camp it’s been awesome to see that the same God is worshiped in all languages. I can’t speak the language but I know God understands. He is beyond language and is the same God, no matter where I am. Saw this very clearly at the 5 baptisms at the edge of Kigoma town in lake Tanganyika. Was a wonderful time in the midst of all the Swahili worship in between baptisms to talk to God and reaffirm his sameness. He is always the same God.

Kevin's VBS blog

My experience at the primary school was exuberant! After the last VBS I found myself more emotionally exhausted then I expected. Battling a lot of self negativity. Through this I've learned how dependant I am on the Lord to rest in him. A verse that I've found reasuring is Roman's 6:4, and Psalm 113:5, praising the Lord here in Tanzania has been a very enriching experience for my faith. Getting to know the little ones at the primary school was heart warming, seeing them doing crafts and playing games. I can't express this enough that the kids have a LOT of energy. This VBS felt so quick, starting to dread returning to the states, the Nationals and the team here have been a huge light to me.

PHOTO CAPTION: The boy in red to my left is Daniel, I got to know him only a little, though. His favorite subject to learn is Civics.