Michigan—One could almost hear the roar of the lion, screech of the monkeys, and trumpet call of the elephant from the Metropolitan Church in Plymouth, Mich., June 27–July 1, 2005. Children came to the Metropolitan Church to go on "safari" with the Serengeti Trek Vacation Bible School (VBS).

Rula Karapatsakis, Metropolitan VBS leader, with the help of 25 willing volunteers, took children on a jungle journey through the Bible. Daily themes helped the children get to know more about God by talking to Him, telling others about God, working for God, and ultimately learning what it means to love God. These lessons were demonstrated through singing, crafts, games, snacks, a life application video, discussions, and enactments.

On day two, the theme was to talk to God. During snack time the children sat in a circle with their “crew” leader who asked the daily challenge, “From what you learned today, how would you talk to God?” The children's responses included: “Pray all the time”; “Pray with a friend”; “Pray with a sick friend”; and “Pray at restaurants before we eat.”

Besides the learning activities, the children went on a special mission called “Operation Kid-to-Kid Offering.” Here, the children assembled 20 school-supply kits for needy children in Africa. Where possible, each child contributed one school-supply item. Each kit included one full-color Bible workbook, pencils, pens, notebook, eraser, sharpener, and a ruler.

As many as 65 children attended; 20 were from non-Adventist families and 24 were pre-school age.

Joy Hyde, Metropolitan Church communication secretary and church clerk