Local News
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| The DeVizia family, Kevin, Joy, Hope (11), Abby (9) and Josiah (8)--of Mill Rift, PA--say The Good News Puppets and their Christian ministry has brought nothing but joy and appreciative audiences to them. |
Like thousands of other local school children who spent the past couple of months off school, so have Hope (11), Abby (9), and Josiah (8) DeVizia. Unlike most, however, they and their parents, Kevin and Joy DeVizia, have spent a major portion of these weeks traveling throughout the Northeastern United States and Canada with a van full of ‘characters.’
The DeVizia family’s companions have included such noteworthy personalities as Sam, Susie, Jimmy, Mary Ellen—all children—and their grownup relatives Aunt Jennie, Grandpa, and Grandma, all of whom have shared tight quarters in the family’s van or tag-along-trailer. Amanda Kolk (13) of Port Jervis and Gabrielle Cerberville (12) of Milford were also along for the ride.
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| Good News Puppeteers Gabrielle Cerberville (12), Hope DeVizia (11), and Amanda Kolk (13) shared a few quiet minutes together before a performance in Brodheadsville, PA |
The purpose of the traveling entourage? Kevin DeVizia explained, “Through our puppet shows and ministry, we hope to reach many children and families with the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ. We want to serve Him well and help as many as we can.” Founded five years ago, the DeVizia family’s Good News Puppets present music, skits, and games to audiences of all ages and through all types of settings. Their family-based themes always revolve around their ministry’s Christian values and lessons.
Joy DeVizia explained, “We have ‘band guys’ who pretend to sing RPM (Righteous Pop Music) songs with Christian-type words substituted for the original, and we use old hymns that have been updated with more popular music styles.”
The show also involves audience sing-alongs, skits, and a variety of hands-on games.
DeVizia said, “Skits usually involves a child or children making some type of big mistake and a lesson taught by one of the adult characters as to how the problem could have been prevented or handled it better.” Such lessons might stress a reliance on God, honesty, responsibility and commitment, or other values the DeVizias say need to be encouraged and strengthened in children. Various Bible stories are often acted act by costumed members of the group as well.
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| Puppeteers Gabrielle Cerberville (12), Hope DeVizia (11), and Amanda Kolk (13) 'on the set' for one of many Canadian and American performances this summer. |
The Good News Puppets, well known in the Tri-States region through performances in such places as local campgrounds, churches, hospitals, Vacation Bible Schools, and Meyer Mote, perform in parks, churches, homes, campgrounds, and even ‘on the street’ when traveling. This year’s shows were a bit different in order to accommodate both French-speaking and English-speaking American and Canadian audiences. Kevin DeVizia explained, “Since we had both languages, we did not include any skits with spoken lines. It worked equally well for all audiences.”
DeVizia, who teaches math at Delaware Valley High School and runs such extra-curricular DV programs as Scholastic Bowl and The Math Fair, said the Good News Puppets have brought nothing but special memories and enthusiastic audiences to him and his family. “No matter where we have traveled—from Pennsylvania to Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and Quebec—we have been happy working in any place the Lord provides,” he said. “We love traveling with our family and puppeteers in this very worthwhile ministry. Everyone has a role and is very busy in that role, and we find it very rewarding to work together for this task.”
The Good News Puppet may be booked through the Gospel Ministries to Children (GMTC) website www.gmtcpocono.org/director.html or by calling the DeVizia family at 570 491-5526. While there are no fees charged for their performances, donations to the non-profit group are gratefully accepted.
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