Fantastic day! This morning I spent time getting my lesson together for tonight's older boy's class. Met up with my dad for a coffee and chat. Had a good talk and shared our hopes and dreams for the kingdom here in Peterhead - good stuff!
This afternoon I spent time with the Central school P6 and 7 girls coaching and playing the great game of football. Again the sky was blue and the ground outside was dry and just like last week we lasted about 20 minutes and had to go inside because of the cold. The group has grown by two, which is great. It's always good when the girl's encourage their friends to come. Got home at 4.30 and made the supper. Fenella had a rough day at work and didn't get in till 5.30. I felt so sorry for her when she got in the door - It had been a very long day. We talked for about 15 minutes and I was out the door to pick up the boy's for class.
I think we have hit critical mass! Tonight the boy's just seemed to keep coming and coming! It was by far the most we have ever had on a Thursday night. The building all of a sudden felt very small. We had a brilliant class and it really is amazing to know the guys are so comfortable and enjoying the class that they have no problem getting their friends to come. For the lesson tonight I bought a lot of the day's news papers and magazines and exposed how sinful the world is. We talked about sin and the danger of seeing it as the world sees it and not as God views it. I hit them hard tonight with the reality of a life outside of Christ and having to bear the weight of unforgiven sin. Challenged the group to take their life seriously and to make this the year they decide to get things sorted with God. There was a hush and I am confident that many of their hearts were thinking deeper than usual. Angie was her usual greatness and it was good to have John Campbell home from the fishing and able to help out too. The girls arrived at 8.00 and for the next hour we just hung out and enjoyed the time together.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Good night all.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Good, Good, Good....
Well, simply had the best day. 1st thing this morning I was teaching assembly at Anna Ritchie School. It was amazing! Shared with the school the need to be thankful and to be generous with our smiles. I talked for a good 15-20 minutes and had their attention the whole time. As always I arrived 15 minutes early to visit with the children in their classes and gave some encouragement and attention. I told the kids during the talk that I would be leaving filled to the brim on the inside with all the smiles I had been given from them.
Fenella and I get a chance to go to "Simpson's Tea Room" and just be together for an hour. Simpson's has become one of our favorite places in the world. The cakes are great and the setting is just so great for us.
Tonight we had a good time with the kids at church. The supper Maureen and May fixed was perfect and went down a treat. We had a good time in singing and again there was improvement in the "Settling Down" time between eating and getting focused. In class we started our voyage into the life of Jonah. We talked about having "The fear of the Lord" and the need for that fear to aid Obedience to God's will. The class were very responsive and the discussion was real. Time flew and it was only when a knock on the door alerted us to the fact we had gone 5 minutes over and the kids did not notice! I am confident the series will be a challenge to them.
I have to tell you about yesterday when I had the lunchtime ball games at Central with the P1's. The playing was brilliant and I thought to myself, easy - that's that. However, when I went in to the boy's changing room to see why they were taking so long to get changed, things were not all peachy! When the boy's got changed into their gym kit, they just threw their uniforms in a pile and when I went in there was total chaos. Of the 9 boys only one mother had put a name on the shirt, trousers and sweatshirt! For the next 15 minutes I was engaged in a pretty intense puzzle trying to work out who's was who's. Well, I now have a memory I did not have before!
Oh, almost forgot! This afternoon I got a call inviting me to be a part of a missions workshop held in Lancaster, south of the border. I have been asked to take 3 sessions covering the topic of "Community Youth Outreach." Fenella and I are thinking it will be a good thing. We will give it a little more thought before committing. Also got invited to teach at a young adults retreat teaming up with Patrick Sullivan who's working with the Dundee Church. I have committed to this one and am already exited at that opportunity. God is good!
Anyway, cheerio for mow!
Fenella and I get a chance to go to "Simpson's Tea Room" and just be together for an hour. Simpson's has become one of our favorite places in the world. The cakes are great and the setting is just so great for us.
Tonight we had a good time with the kids at church. The supper Maureen and May fixed was perfect and went down a treat. We had a good time in singing and again there was improvement in the "Settling Down" time between eating and getting focused. In class we started our voyage into the life of Jonah. We talked about having "The fear of the Lord" and the need for that fear to aid Obedience to God's will. The class were very responsive and the discussion was real. Time flew and it was only when a knock on the door alerted us to the fact we had gone 5 minutes over and the kids did not notice! I am confident the series will be a challenge to them.
I have to tell you about yesterday when I had the lunchtime ball games at Central with the P1's. The playing was brilliant and I thought to myself, easy - that's that. However, when I went in to the boy's changing room to see why they were taking so long to get changed, things were not all peachy! When the boy's got changed into their gym kit, they just threw their uniforms in a pile and when I went in there was total chaos. Of the 9 boys only one mother had put a name on the shirt, trousers and sweatshirt! For the next 15 minutes I was engaged in a pretty intense puzzle trying to work out who's was who's. Well, I now have a memory I did not have before!
Oh, almost forgot! This afternoon I got a call inviting me to be a part of a missions workshop held in Lancaster, south of the border. I have been asked to take 3 sessions covering the topic of "Community Youth Outreach." Fenella and I are thinking it will be a good thing. We will give it a little more thought before committing. Also got invited to teach at a young adults retreat teaming up with Patrick Sullivan who's working with the Dundee Church. I have committed to this one and am already exited at that opportunity. God is good!
Anyway, cheerio for mow!
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Monday night class doing great!
We had a great class tonight. There was a troop of kids - which is encouraging. For the second week we had 30 children come. I know the numbers are not the be all and end all of ministry, but it is a good indicator that the children are enjoying the experience of church and they are not afraid to invite their friends. Gave the kids a test tonight over the past 2 weeks lessons and the response looking at their answer papers is very good. Children are amazing! They let you know if something is good and their expressions are so genuine. We are making an effort to get the children interested in coming to the Wednesday night class, which is a bit more focused. Had some great helpers tonight - Angie as ever is there to make sure the tasks are taken in and new ones given out. There were a bunch of them handed in this week, don't know what % of kid's did them, but it looked like most of them did. This week their task is to eat at least one piece of fruit or veg a day. Angela Stephen was helping out tonight and it was good to have her back after being busy the past year finishing up some further education. The teens were great - they come in and look at the rota to see what their duties are and get stuck in! Everything about tonight's class was encouraging.
Earlier today I was at Crimond school for football coaching. I would love to say everything was fantastic, but that would not be the truth. For some strange reason the group were not getting along as well as normal and I spent a lot of time checking their lack of control and bad language. I realise there are influences that the group face at home and in their community that leave a lot to be desired and there are times I have to understand that there will be days like today when not everything is as we would like it to be. The last 15 minutes of the session was far better and there was far more team work and tolerance evident, but on the whole it was just, "one of those days." Even in light of the issues this afternoon with the group I know there were seeds planted and that next week is a new day.
Thanks to everyone who keeps the work here in their prayers. We are blessed with good people who are making our outreach to the children a lighter load this year - praise God!
P.S.Please don't stop praying for God's work here!
Earlier today I was at Crimond school for football coaching. I would love to say everything was fantastic, but that would not be the truth. For some strange reason the group were not getting along as well as normal and I spent a lot of time checking their lack of control and bad language. I realise there are influences that the group face at home and in their community that leave a lot to be desired and there are times I have to understand that there will be days like today when not everything is as we would like it to be. The last 15 minutes of the session was far better and there was far more team work and tolerance evident, but on the whole it was just, "one of those days." Even in light of the issues this afternoon with the group I know there were seeds planted and that next week is a new day.
Thanks to everyone who keeps the work here in their prayers. We are blessed with good people who are making our outreach to the children a lighter load this year - praise God!
P.S.Please don't stop praying for God's work here!
Friday, 25 January 2008
It's time for some Haggis!
Well today we had the traditional Rabbie Burn's supper - Haggis, neeps, mince and tatties - fantastic!!!
Had a magic day today, even though I got some of my times mixed up. Central school had forgot to tell me that they changed their assembly time from 9.30 in the morning to 1.30 in the afternoon. So I'm standing like a fool in the hall with no sign of any children - thankfully Mr Imlah happened to be passing and filled me in on the time change and we had a laugh about it all.
Got back to Central at 12.15 for the P6-7 ball games lunchtime club. There was a cue of 5 kids who didn't sign up for the club, but heard how good it was and wanted to join, naturally I said, welcome on board! We played "Benchball" a mixture of basketball and netball - the kids love it. Got finished up at 1.20 and had to quick change into smart clothes for the assembly at 1.30. Had a great time with the lesson, because I know 80% of the 200 children by name I really feel more of an intimacy and connection with Central. Got to present the children with their "Young Leader Awards" which was neat.
Next stop - Anna Ritchie School! You really have to be there to know how great the school is! I arrive 10 minutes early on purpose so that I can visit with the classes and encourage the children. So much happiness radiates throughout the school and it is a privilege to serve there. It was doubly great today because two former pupils were visiting and it was good to catch up with them and have them play football with the group.
I was called out on an emergency just after supper time. Somehow Angie's monitor was displaying everything upside down! It was a good excuse for a visit, so Holly and Hannah came with me to play with "Candy" Angie's dog. We got to the bottom of it and put a smile back on Angie's face.
We have Alistair Ferrie visiting with us this weekend. He is preaching at all the meetings. Alistair is a very knowledgeable guy and always presents some good stuff.
Well sorry, but I've got some chilling out to do, bye!
Had a magic day today, even though I got some of my times mixed up. Central school had forgot to tell me that they changed their assembly time from 9.30 in the morning to 1.30 in the afternoon. So I'm standing like a fool in the hall with no sign of any children - thankfully Mr Imlah happened to be passing and filled me in on the time change and we had a laugh about it all.
Got back to Central at 12.15 for the P6-7 ball games lunchtime club. There was a cue of 5 kids who didn't sign up for the club, but heard how good it was and wanted to join, naturally I said, welcome on board! We played "Benchball" a mixture of basketball and netball - the kids love it. Got finished up at 1.20 and had to quick change into smart clothes for the assembly at 1.30. Had a great time with the lesson, because I know 80% of the 200 children by name I really feel more of an intimacy and connection with Central. Got to present the children with their "Young Leader Awards" which was neat.
Next stop - Anna Ritchie School! You really have to be there to know how great the school is! I arrive 10 minutes early on purpose so that I can visit with the classes and encourage the children. So much happiness radiates throughout the school and it is a privilege to serve there. It was doubly great today because two former pupils were visiting and it was good to catch up with them and have them play football with the group.
I was called out on an emergency just after supper time. Somehow Angie's monitor was displaying everything upside down! It was a good excuse for a visit, so Holly and Hannah came with me to play with "Candy" Angie's dog. We got to the bottom of it and put a smile back on Angie's face.
We have Alistair Ferrie visiting with us this weekend. He is preaching at all the meetings. Alistair is a very knowledgeable guy and always presents some good stuff.
Well sorry, but I've got some chilling out to do, bye!
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Thursday's are ACE!
It's been a fantastic day - in the morning I had coffee with my dad. We talked for a couple of hours and pretty much solved all the problems to every issue known to man. Really though, my dad's great and it's always good to find a corner of a coffee shop and just talk.
I picked up Holly and Hannah for lunch and caught up on all the happenings at school and found out about their friends and secret clubs.
Went to Central for football coaching with the P6-7 girls. We tried to go outside, but within half an hour we were back inside! Although the sky was blue and the ground was dry, it was still very COLD! Had a good time with the girl's and left the school around 4.30.
The class tonight was great, I'm bearing some battle wounds though! I still think I'm a teenager, but my body is telling a different story. Anyway, still had a blast with the older guys and managed to put in some pretty sweet moves. We talked about boundaries and the need for people to care enough to keep us within the right path. It is tough when you look at some of the boys and know they probably don't have parents who do that for them. The girl's arrived at 8.00 and we had some fun and enjoyed the atmosphere. There continues to be new faces appearing which is so encouraging and tells us that for now we have the right balance and recipe. Angie was on form tonight and enjoyed the company after having a pretty hard week with her uncle passing away.
Tomorrow I get to teach assembly at Central school and then go back for lunchtime club and in the afternoon I have the joy of spending time at Anna Ritchie school - Great Stuff!!
I picked up Holly and Hannah for lunch and caught up on all the happenings at school and found out about their friends and secret clubs.
Went to Central for football coaching with the P6-7 girls. We tried to go outside, but within half an hour we were back inside! Although the sky was blue and the ground was dry, it was still very COLD! Had a good time with the girl's and left the school around 4.30.
The class tonight was great, I'm bearing some battle wounds though! I still think I'm a teenager, but my body is telling a different story. Anyway, still had a blast with the older guys and managed to put in some pretty sweet moves. We talked about boundaries and the need for people to care enough to keep us within the right path. It is tough when you look at some of the boys and know they probably don't have parents who do that for them. The girl's arrived at 8.00 and we had some fun and enjoyed the atmosphere. There continues to be new faces appearing which is so encouraging and tells us that for now we have the right balance and recipe. Angie was on form tonight and enjoyed the company after having a pretty hard week with her uncle passing away.
Tomorrow I get to teach assembly at Central school and then go back for lunchtime club and in the afternoon I have the joy of spending time at Anna Ritchie school - Great Stuff!!
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
A great Night
I was just going to go to bed and not "Blog" tonight, but I wanted you to know about the class tonight. It was the first time in ten months we were able to have four classes instead of just the three. What a difference!! I got some feedback from all the teachers after class and it was all encouraging.
The supper went very well too, we had a good time talking and eating together. For the first time in a while we did some "quick-draw" to find the book chapter and verse with the kids. We sang for a while and went to classes. I had 12 teens in class tonight and set out a challenge for them to examine their hearts in light of the parable of the four soils. Asked them how receptive they plan to be this year and discussed what kind of things prevent us from totally accepting God's word and living it out. Most of the class opened up and were honest about the condition of their hearts and expressed their desire to be the "Good soil." I am exited about our class and look forward to continuing the challenge. Over the next 6 weeks we are going with Jonah. His life kinda is a good character study on the different heart conditions Jesus mentions in His parable.
Well, catch you all tomorrow!
The supper went very well too, we had a good time talking and eating together. For the first time in a while we did some "quick-draw" to find the book chapter and verse with the kids. We sang for a while and went to classes. I had 12 teens in class tonight and set out a challenge for them to examine their hearts in light of the parable of the four soils. Asked them how receptive they plan to be this year and discussed what kind of things prevent us from totally accepting God's word and living it out. Most of the class opened up and were honest about the condition of their hearts and expressed their desire to be the "Good soil." I am exited about our class and look forward to continuing the challenge. Over the next 6 weeks we are going with Jonah. His life kinda is a good character study on the different heart conditions Jesus mentions in His parable.
Well, catch you all tomorrow!
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
Running on empty today
Seemed to be in a rush all day! Got my lesson for tomorrow's class partially done 1st thing. Went to Alistair Park's brothers funeral this morning. Didn't know Bill very well, but wanted Ali and Sylvia and Angie to know I was thinking about them. Got home at 12.15 and had to quick change into some sports clothes for ball games at 12.30 at Central school. Got there in the nick o time! It was great to spend that time with the P1's (age 4-5) they are adorable and we really have a good thing going there, the kids are excited about our Tuesday lunchtime club! Got finished up there at 1.20 and had to zip up to the Clerkhill School to take their assembly. After another quick change I was in front of over 150 children at 1.30. The group were the P1-3's (age 4-8's). Talked about Jesus taking the small boys small lunch and making it big enough to feed thousands. Encouraged the kids to look out for little things they can do for others that God can turn into big blessings. Had a good talk with the head teacher afterward, Mrs Anderson, who can now breathe a sigh of relief now that the school inspection is over.
I got Holly and Hannah from school next and got home about 3.15. Made some macaroni and cheese for supper and sat down for 5 minutes. I know it's been a good day and there has been opportunities to serve and share, but as I write this my head is still spinning. Looking forward no a relaxed night - no class on a Tuesday night.
Fenella got news that she passed her exam that she took when we were down in London. She is delighted with herself! I would say that I never doubted for a minute that she would not pass, however I did feel her anxiety and think she is rather quite amazing.
Well, that's it for tonight!
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