April 2011 A to Z Blogging Challenge

What is the A to Z Challenge? It’s blogging a letter of the alphabet every day the month of April (with Sundays off for good behavior.) It began April 1st, with the letter A and ends April 30th, with the letter Z. You can click here to see who else is participating in this challenge.



Today's post is for the letter:

I want you to meet Iggy. Iggy is an Iguana. He's also our Vacation Bible School mascot. Below, you can see him inside his school locker. That's the year we had a VBS School Musical theme.

Iggy is a very smart, kind, and generous iguana. He helps teach the kids all about God's Word and helps reinforce the lessons the kids are learning during the week. Iggy starts off our program each morning.

In this picture, he's helping to tend God's garden in Prosperity Junction, along with his friend, Rocky the Raccoon. As you can see, Barkley the tree has grown some apples. That's the year, Mickey the Mouse got a chance to ride around on the Robo-Gardener 2000. The kids got a huge kick out of that.



As great as Iggy is, this puppet show wouldn't be possible without the help of Doug Sousa, one of the deacons of Living Gate Community Church, and Pastor Steve's brother. Doug creates all the sets with the help of his family. Once we set the theme for that year's VBS program, Doug gets to work thinking about what he wants Iggy and friends to do. 
 
In addition to Doug's family--wife, Renee and kids, Doug Jr. and Jackie--Pastor Steve usually gets in on the act, talking to Iggy and his animal friends, helping to flesh out a great week-long program that concludes with our annual Open House and Hot Dog & Bean Supper. Several members of the church help Doug work the puppets, and VBS wouldn't be possible without the tremendous support of the entire congregation.
 
We've been tossing around ideas for this year's VBS. I can't wait to see what Iggy and friends do this year.
 
Do you have a VBS program at your church? What are some fun memories you have of Sunday school or VBS?