Assemblies
Mission Moment
The mission emphasis to your VBS program provides an amazing opportunity for children to participate in giving to ministries that share the gospel. Check with your director to see when she wants to feature the Mission Moment—either during the assembly time or during one of the rotations.
This year, we’ve partnered with Children’s Hunger Fund to provide food and the hope of the gospel to hungry children through Mission: Hope Excursion!  
Mission: Hope Excursion
This week, we’re exploring the wonderful depths of the Bible, God’s living Word! Scripture is full of life-giving truth, and it’s how we learn to live like Jesus. In many ways, it’s our map to God’s plan for our lives and a manual for us to learn how to serve and obey Him the way He deserves. 
We’ll take a moment each day to hear from children in different parts of the world and how God is working through the local church to deliver hope to them. During the Mission Moment, each team will receive a new Hope Excursion Report, where we’ll meet a little girl or boy and learn about their life in a different part of the world.  
Living in Peru, Zambia, Nepal, Ukraine, and the Middle East, each of these special kids has a unique story of poverty and struggle. They, and kids just like them all over the world, are faced with questions of where their next meal will come from nearly every day. Not only that, they don’t know the truth of the gospel and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
There’s something you and your kids can do to help!
The Bible tells us that we should give to the poor because when we do, it is an act of love and obedience to God (Proverbs 14:31).Together, we are going to do just that by delivering hope to children all over the world!
Setting Off!  
During mission time, you and your kids will set off on Hope Excursions to support local churches delivering hope and food to children in need all over the world.  Your mission is to collect coins for meals that will be delivered in Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks. 
A Food Pak is a 20-pound box of nutritious food that is hand-delivered to the home of a needy family by a trained volunteer from a local church in their community. 
Rally your kids to raise funds for the meals that go in every Food Pak. Each meal costs only 25 cents! So, every dollar that’s raised provides four meals for hungry kids—and each meal represents an opportunity to proclaim the gospel!
EVANGELISM OPPORTUNITY: Answers in Genesis, Slavic Gospel Association, and Children’s Hunger Fund have joined forces to create gospel tracts—available in English, Thai, Russian, Spanish, and French—which are included with each Food Pak! Samples of these colorful, kid-friendly tracts are in your Starter Kit. Purchasing the English versions in bulk helps to fund the distribution of these tracts. See the VBS Resource Catalog for ordering information.
The following items are available on the Resource DVD-ROM or for download from AnswersVBS.com/CHF2017.
Printable Child Profiles—Five days of true stories about hungry kids in other countries. These exciting and educational prayer briefings will help your kids connect with the real needs of suffering children. 
Printable “Map of the World” activity sheet, featuring our excursion routes and locations of the children from our Hope Excursion Reports.
Printable Mission: Hope Excursion banner artwork.
Printable Mission: Hope Excursion artwork to help your kids track their fundraising progress.
Printable Mission: Hope Excursion fold-up coin bank for collecting coins.
In addition to the above, the following item is available on the Children’s Hunger Fund DVD-ROM that comes with your kit or to download from AnswersVBS.com/CHF2017.
Daily Mission: Hope Excursion videos
Purchasing Items
Included in your starter kit is a sample of the sturdy, pop-up Coin Pak bank made for your kids to use as they collect quarters for meals. Check with your Director for this sample. After VBS, these will be fun souvenirs that can be kept as reminders to always care for the needs of others. Coin Paks are available for purchase from Children’s Hunger Fund (order info below).
Also included in your starter kit is a beautiful, handmade bracelet from Uganda. This is Children’s Hunger Fund’s gift to you in thanks for your participation in Mission: Hope Excursion. The beads on these bracelets are rolled by hand out of magazine paper by Ugandan men and women who have been trained and given fair-wage employment through one of our trusted ministry partners in Africa. A limited number of these bracelets are available for purchase to give as prizes, souvenirs, or thank-you gifts for your volunteers. 
To order Coin Paks or bracelets, please visit ChildrensHungerFund.org/AnswersVBS. To place an order over the phone, call Children’s Hunger Fund at 800-708-7589. 
For questions regarding your Mission Moment resources, please call 800-708-7589 x 2110 or email VBS@ChildrensHungerFund.org.
Orders must be received 14 days prior to your VBS date. Available while supplies last. 
Collecting Donations
Give children their own Coin Pak bank for collecting donations. Work with your director to set up a fun area (e.g., treasure boxes) for kids to deposit their money each day as they begin VBS. Encourage your kids in the weeks leading up to VBS to save their money and then begin collecting the first day. Or plan on passing out the Coin Paks on Day 1 and begin collecting on Day 2.  
Once you’ve totaled your donations, please make out a check to Children’s Hunger Fund and indicate “Mission: Hope Excursion” in the memo area to ensure proper recognition, and fill out the Return Form (on the Resource DVD-ROM). Send your check with the Return Form (on the Resource DVD-ROM or online) to:
Children’s Hunger Fund
Attn: Mission: Hope Excursion
DEPT LA 24373
Pasadena, CA 91185-4373
Learn more about the gospel-centered mercy ministry of Children’s Hunger Fund at ChildrensHungerFund.org. 
Tracking Your Progress
To help your kids maintain their excitement for Mission: Hope Excursion, announce how many meals they provided each day. Check with your director to find out when to do this: either during this time or during the opening or closing assembly time.
Here are two fun ways to help your kids see their progress as they fundraise. 
Make your own goal tracker and update it throughout the week. Print your copy of Ryker’s Thermometer and markers (cut into five pieces). Each day, fill in the thermometer using one of the markers and write the total number of meals raised so far on the corresponding line. 
Show progress with the Mission: Hope Excursion PowerPoint slides. Update the thermometer temperature with the total number of meals raised so far.
Consider having a contest between boys and girls, or between teams, to see which group can bring in the most money. Printable artwork and PowerPoint slides for your own goal tracker are on the Resource DVD-ROM and your Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM.
The Wild Brothers
Mike and Libby Wild, along with their four sons (Morgan, Hudson, Kian, and Asher), are a missionary family with New Tribes Mission, ministering to an unreached people group in Asia Pacific. Their four sons have produced high-quality videos about their adventures living in a remote area and exploring the jungle around them. Find out more about the Wild Brothers at TheWildBrothers.com. 
In partnership with Answers VBS, they have also produced five short videos for you to share with your kids during this time. These videos are available on the Resource DVD-ROM and on AnswersVBS.com/CHF2017. 
Daily Assembly Scripts
Day 1: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM. 
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide
Today at Operation Arctic, we’re learning that the Bible is the Book of books! It’s unique and full of treasures that can’t be found anywhere else. The Bible, the Word of God, tells us that one way to show we love God is to serve those who are hungry and in need. Read Matthew 25:34–46 (or shorten for your time).
All over the world, and even in our own neighborhoods, there are kids just like us whose families don’t have enough to eat every day. Jesus tells us that the poor will always be among us and that we should always be generous to give whatever we can to help them—it doesn’t matter how much we can do, only that we love our neighbor just as Jesus has loved us. Read 1 John 3:16–18.
We’re learning all about how exciting the Bible is and that it really is one-of-a-kind. But, to get the real treasure out of the Bible, we don’t just read what it says—we actually do what it says!
Jesus loved us by giving up His life for us so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life with Him in Heaven. He gave His life without asking for anything back from us. The Bible tells us to give to others because we have received, and that when we give to the poor, it is an act of love to Jesus. Read Proverbs 14:31.
Every day this week, we’re going to take a few minutes to learn more about how we can do what the Bible says and help those in need. But, we’re not going to just listen—we’re going to act on what the Bible says! So, we’re setting off on Hope Excursions to give meals to kids who don’t have enough to eat. 
We’re teaming up with Children’s Hunger Fund to deliver food and hope to children all over the world! Each day, we’ll learn about a special girl or boy in a different part of the world and the unique problems they face. Then, after learning about them, we’re going to do something to help them! 
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Bedelia” slide
Today, we’re meeting a very special little girl in South America, and we’ll see how someone’s obedience to the Bible has helped her family get the food they need. 
SHOW: Video 1—Bedelia 
Child’s Name: Bedelia 
Country: Peru
Problem: Extreme Poverty, Hunger
Peru is a beautiful country where people from all over the world go on vacation to relax and enjoy the beaches and mountains. But many of those who actually live in Peru are poor and hungry like Bedelia. 
It would be hard to go to bed hungry like Bedelia. But, like Ryker said, there’s something we can do to help. Are you ready to set off on your Hope Excursion and deliver hope to kids like Bedelia? Okay, explorers, here’s our plan. Thanks to Children’s Hunger Fund, churches deliver Food Paks to hungry kids and share the gospel with them—and we can help by raising meals to go in the Food Paks for only 25 cents for each meal!
We’re each going to take one of these Coin Paks home (show collection boxes), and you’re going to show the coin boxes to your family and friends and tell them about kids like Bedelia! Ask them to help you on your Hope Excursion by donating coins for meals—remember, every 25 cents provides one meal for a hungry child! 
Starting tomorrow, bring back any coins you’ve collected. Then, each day we’ll count how many meals you’ve raised so far! Together, we can deliver hope to kids in need all over the world. Not only are we raising meals for them to eat, but we’re also helping them hear about the good news of Jesus in the Bible! 
Send each child home with a “Bedelia” profile sheet and a pop-up coin collection bank. Sturdy, pop-up collection banks are available for purchase from Children’s Hunger Fund. See Mission Moment page for ordering instructions. Printable sheets and banks are included on the Assembly DVD-ROM.
Day 2: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM.  
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide
Hey explorers, as we learned yesterday, our mission project for the week is called Mission: Hope Excursion. We’re working together to raise meals that cost 25 cents to help children who are hungry and hurting all over the world. 
Every quarter we raise for Children’s Hunger Fund will provide one meal for a kid just like you! These meals will be delivered to them by local church volunteers who care for them and want to share the good news of the Bible! 
How many of you have started out on your own Hope Excursions to raise meals already? Wait for participation. 
Fantastic! We’re already off to an amazing start. Determine with your director when you will announce the amount of money raised each day. If you decide to do that during this time, say the following; otherwise, modify this to fit your schedule. I’m so proud of how many meals we’ve already raised—and we’ll hear that number . . . after we hear our next Hope Excursion Report for the day!
Remember yesterday’s report about Bedelia in Peru? Well, today we’re meeting another special little girl, this time from the African country of Zambia. Her name is Inez (ee-NEZ).
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Inez” slide
Like Bedelia, Inez and her family don’t have enough food to eat and be healthy. What’s worse, Inez’s mother is very sick and the medicine she needs is very expensive. 
Let’s learn more about Inez and how we can help kids like her by watching our next Hope Excursion Report with Ryker!
SHOW: Video 2—Inez
Child’s Name: Inez 
Country: Zambia
Problem: Hunger, Disease
Inez and her family are very poor. Her father, who was a copper miner in the hills of Zambia, recently died of a disease called AIDS. Inez’s mother is also sick with the disease and needs a special medicine that is very expensive. This leaves little money for the family to buy food and other resources they need. 
Inez must be very sad to lose her father and scared that her mother is sick as well. She and her sisters are also in danger of becoming sick, especially if they are weak from hunger. The good news is that a local church heard about Inez’s family and is now helping them by delivering Food Paks to them regularly. Not only do they have enough to eat, but they’re also hearing about the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Bible, which is having an “incredible impact” on their lives! 
There are many other kids like Inez who need our help! Let’s set off on our Hope Excursions to raise more meals so that they, too, can hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and find hope in Him! But first, did I forget something? Was I supposed to tell you something? Oh, that’s right! Who’s ready to hear how many meals we’ve raised for kids like Inez so far? Well, we counted the coins you brought in and so far, we’ve raised ____ Food Pak meals! 
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 2 and fill in current meal count. 
Awesome! Ready to set off on our Hope Excursions again and raise more meals?! Don’t forget to bring your coins in tomorrow so we can keep delivering hope to hungry kids around the world!
Send each kid home with an “Inez” profile sheet.
Day 3: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM.  
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide
Alright, explorers! Do you know what time it is? It’s time for our Mission Moment again! We’re halfway through our Hope Excursion Reports and just about ready to meet our third Hope Excursion buddy for the week. 
Every day this week, we’re working together to collect coins that will raise meals for children in need all over the world. These meals will be packed in Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks and hand delivered by local church volunteers to the homes of kids across the globe. And, every meal is a chance for a child to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Okay, let’s get to our Hope Excursion Report. 
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Bishal” slide 
Today, Ryker’s going to tell us about a little boy who lives all the way on the other side of the world, in Nepal! Nepal is a beautiful country with lots of mountains and forests—and it’s home to Bishal, a little boy who lives with his family in the capital city of Kathmandu. 
Ready for the full report? Okay!
SHOW: Video 3—Bishal 
Child’s Name: Bishal
Country: Nepal
Problem: Hunger, Injustice 
Poverty has led Bishal’s family to the brickyards of Kathmandu, where they have essentially become slaves to the factory owners. The room they live in, which is owned by the brickyard, costs more than they are able to make. Therefore, they can never leave. Not only that, all their money goes to rent, so there isn’t much left over for food. 
Bishal’s family can never leave the brickyard because they were tricked by the factory owners, who take all of their money even though they work very hard. That seems really unfair, right? But, like Ryker said, there is something we can do to help. The meals we raise this week can help kids like Bishal get the food they need to be healthy and grow. 
And, the meals will be delivered by local church volunteers who can care for these families and tell them that God is a good God who cares for them. 
But, before we set out to collect more meals, who wants to hear how many we’ve raised so far?! Okay, in just two days on your Hope Excursions, you’ve all raised ___ (number) meals! That’s incredible! These meals will go directly to kids all over the world who need food and hope. 
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 3 and fill in current meal count.
We’re on track to make a huge impact on the lives of kids in need all over the world, so keep up the amazing work and set off on your Hope Excursions to collect more meals.
Send each kid home with a “Bishal” profile sheet.
Day 4: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Family Reunion Voyage DVD-ROM.  
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide 
Alright, explorers. Who’s ready for our fourth Mission Moment for the week? Pause for participation. Me too! Let’s get ready to set off and hear another Hope Excursion Report from Ryker. 
It’s been such a blast exploring the Arctic and hearing Hope Excursion Reports from all over the world with you. Remember, we’re not just raising meals for these kids, we’re helping make a way for them to hear about the good news of Jesus and the truth of the Bible, the greatest book in the world. We have this incredible letter of love, and now we have a way to share it with kids all over the world! 
Before we move on to our next Hope Excursion Report, I have a couple questions for you. First, how much does it cost to raise one meal? That’s right! 25 cents! Okay, second, if you have five dollars, how many meals does that provide? Yes! 20 meals! Isn’t that amazing!
So, let’s get to our next Hope Excursion Report so that we can get out there and collect more coins! 
Today, Ryker is going to tell us about a little girl who lost so much but found hope because of the kindness of others and Food Paks raised by kids like you. Her name is Lena, and she lives in a country called Ukraine. 
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Lena” slide
Are you guys ready to hear more about Lena? 
SHOW: Video 4—Lena 
Child’s Name: Lena
Country: Ukraine
Problem: Orphaned, War 
Lena lost her mother and father and is all alone. She didn’t have any family left until a pastor took her in and started to care for her. There are many children in Ukraine and all around the world who have lost their family to violence and war. 
I’m so thankful the pastor and his family are now caring for Lena like their own daughter. Not only that, the Food Paks we’re helping to fill with our coins this week are helping their family have enough food to feed everyone. 
Speaking of Food Paks, are you ready to hear how many meals for Food Paks we’ve raised so far? Okay, we have one more day of collecting coins, but so far, we’ve all collected enough coins to give ___ meals to kids in need! Praise God! 
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 4 and fill in current meal count.
But like I said, we still have one more day, so let’s make it our biggest. Set off on your Hope Excursions and collect those coins!
Send each kid home with a “Lena” profile sheet.
Day 5: Snowfall Station Opening Assembly
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
Slides and videos for this section are on the Mission: Hope Excursion DVD-ROM.  
SHOW: “Mission: Hope Excursion” slide 
Wow, can you believe we’re on our last day of our Hope Excursions? You are the best explorers, and I’m so thankful we’ve gotten to explore the Arctic, learn about the Bible, and raise meals together all week. 
On our first day, we learned how the Bible tells us that if we love God, we will obey Him when He tells us to serve others. This week, we’ve been doing just that by collecting coins for Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks, and I’m so proud of how everyone has joined in. 
But, it’s important to remember that we can always be serving others, both people we know and people we may not know, that are in need. Ask your family to help you find ways to help the poor even after VBS is over—you can still deliver hope from home! 
Okay, we still have one more Hope Excursion Report. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to miss our friend Ryker! Today, he’s going to tell us about a little boy named Elias.
SHOW: “Hope Excursion Report—Elias” slide
Elias and his family had to leave their home and country because of a war. Now they are living at a camp in a new country. Let’s hear how we can help kids like Elias. 
SHOW: Video 5—Elias 
Child’s Name: Elias 
Country: The Middle East 
Problem: Refugee
Because of a terrible civil war that still rages on, Elias and his family had to flee their home and leave Syria. They, and millions of others, have left everything in order to find safety in a new home country. Sadly, they were not able to bring any of their belongings and are now in need of basic necessities like food and shelter.
Can you imagine having to leave your home and all of your things to go to a new country? Millions of kids just like Elias have also had to leave their homes for the same reason and are now living in tents and camps all over the world. Thankfully, there are churches and groups that are helping them through this time, just like the church that helped Elias. And WE can raise meals for them, too!
Send each kid home with an “Elias” profile sheet.