Last week, Hardin United Methodist Church held its Vacation Bible School. The school convened from 5:30 through 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday nights.

According to Pastor Gideon Watson, the theme of this year's VBS was "Hero Central: Discover your strength in God. The message is that Jesus Christ is the greatest hero, and that every person can be a hero by developing a personal relationship with Jesus."

The entire campus was transformed into a superhero zone. Capes shields and arm cuffs were made for each student or anyone who wished to wear them each day. The concept did get through to the children. The place was swarming with heroes of all sizes and shapes and colors. If questioned,even the smallest would pipe out with, "I'm a superhero!"

Daily schedule included class rotation for courses such as Bible lessons, science,crafts, story time and short skits in which characters acted out real life conflicts which could be resolved by applying biblical principles such as the Beatitudes.One of the actorsbore a striking resemblance to a familiar figure.

Included in the day was an assembly led by Assistant Pastor Klint Bush dressed in fire fighter gear. Under his tutelage,the kids were energetic and enthusiastic. His sidekick, the dancing,singing, guitar playing puppet, was a show all her own.

Another one-woman show was found in the person of Marcie Alford. She served as narrator, actress, Clark Kent in that fabulous way that only she can achieve. She was marvelous and undaunted.

Director Kim Bush,and her family members,Linda Brandl,and her team begin working on VBS many months ahead of time. Says Bush,"The success of our VBSis directly related to the hard work of everybody working. I'm grateful."

The church runs a bus that goes into the Knight's Forest neighborhood and other areas of the community. Assistant Pastor Klint Bush attributes the highattendance at the VBS to the bus. "We decided," he added,"to make VBS our outreach program. It has been successful. We do all we can at the church on the hill." The bus also runs every Sunday morning. Laura Yarbrough is the most efficient bus driver and she also served as a team leader for VBS. The bus offers hope for those without transportation. The youth were taken to camp last week; provided by the church.

This Christian Superdelegation dined sumptuously each night.

Monday night,the adults ate gumbo and the children had chicken nuggets. Everyone had hot dogs Tuesday. It was spaghetti all around on Wednesday night. Thursday, the final evening of VBS, Bro. Cecil Godwin fried up some down home mouth watering catfish, fries, and hush puppiesfor the grown ups and the children had fish sticks. The parade of desserts was endless each day. Robin Allen served as hostess for adults. Carrie Yarbrough and a team provided for the kids. All were dressed in superhero gear.

As a special treat, for the family and friends night on Friday,the church hosted TEAM IMPACT. Keenan Smith of Crosby Church and Franklin Harris performed incredible physical feats while testifying to the power of their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The superheroes clapped and cheered the two big guys on as they ripped a phone book into shreds, broke a baseball bat across their own back, rolled an iron skillet into the size of a burrito and more.

Members of the Hardin Volunteer Fire Department visited the VBS Tuesday. Wednesday,Liberty County Sheriff Deputy Brett Audilett and the drug dog Chance came for a presentation.

Every child was given a Bible. They were encouraged to open them in good times and bad times, and read them in order to know how to live.

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Empowerment on Hardin hill - Liberty Vindicator