Where to begin...? Schools seems to be as good a place as any. If I am honest during 2014 I thought my ministry within the schools was beginning to phase out and I was looking to other areas to be focusing on community outreach, but alas, 2015 has proved me wrong! These past months there has been an overwhelming flood of opportunity within the local primary schools and the Academy, making it obvious that God is continuing to make this an avenue for ministry. I have continued to serve the schools by way of teaching assemblies and on a couple of occasions have had the joy of James Cantly's involvement. I may have mentioned James in a previous post, but want to express again the pleasure it is to see James desire to give back to the younger kids by way of this service. We have really good times planning our talks and working on how to bless the various groups of children. We have our first assembly talk nest Wednesday and James is already hugely enthusiastic at the opportunity! Another of the new opportunities I have thrived on this past term was the area of mentoring. Previously I was invited to work alongside a couple of young boys who were struggling to enjoy their school experience. I was given the challenge to help turn that around to giving them something possitive to focus on during their school week. God uses us in beautiful ways! With one of the boys we worked the whole term on a Toolbox that he wanted to give his brother for his birthday. We hoped to get it done in 4 weeks, but turned out to last 3 months. It was my joy to talk to the older brother a couple of weeks ago and listen to the impact our working together had on his sibling and also at his delight in receiving, in my opinion, the coolest toolbox ever made! The second of my boys turned out to be bigger than I had foreseen. We began talking about his interests and quickly decided on our project - we were going to dismantle an old PC and create some kind of art work with all the various components. Like the first we thought 4 weeks was a good timeframe, but again like the first we worked together the whole term. The amazing difference though was that during our journey he was transferred to a different school and I was requested to continue our sessions because of the impact for good they had. This has resulted in this new term, having an entirely new school group to be involved with! Not only do I have the opportunity to mentor in the primary schools, but this has now overlapped into the high school. Looks like I will have some involvement with the kids who are struggling there too - God is good! Speaking of the high school, this past term has been pretty special up there. I have been part of the Chaplincy team for a couple of years now and we are really working well as a group to raise up Christ within the academy. This past term I was invited to join a group of the staff for 5-a-side football. I know on the surface that sounds a little tame, but on another level it is huge! One of the teachers who I help out on Friday lunch times at the academy asked if I would come to their Friday football sessions to further the Christian influence among the academy staff! How can you turn down that kind of invitation? I have to admit, by the time we are done with the session I am physically exhausted, but what a blessing! The good thing is that Jr is now coming too - both of us love playing football, but knowing it is motivated by one staff members desire for Christ to be seen, makes it all the sweeter.
Hmmm, just realised how blessed we are over again as this post is flowing and we haven't got to the good bits yet!
Ok, I want to encourage you by sharing the conversions of two beautiful babes in Christ. Firstly we have Becca, who is in her mid 20's. It has been a joy to watch Becca's journey. I must confess that my part has been minuscule and primarily supporting and encouraging Jr as he studied and served in revealing Christ to Becca. However, the story begins with the witness of CJ Cowie. Becca had been watching CJ from a distance and was curious at how she was so happy and her Facebook was always filled with photos of an active community life outside of work. Becca and CJ work in the same office. Becca was burdened by what life and some painful times had caused. She approached CJ and asked if she could come to church with her to see for herself if CJ's reality could be hers too. Becca, over time, came to the conclusion that she needed Christ and to be part of the community of believers!
Secondly, there's Eden who is in his late teens. Eden has just fitted right into the family and it's like he has always been here. Eden's journey to Christ can best be summed up by his confession just before his baptism. When asked about his belief in Christ as the Son of God, in a very confident and matter of fact kind of way, responded, "Of course!" That response has definitely been the hallmark of Eden's early steps in his walk by faith.
After a couple of years absence from Camp Tayside, it was my privilege to re-engage this summer. I was delighted to be teaching alongside Patrick Boyns. We tag-teamed the first sessions before the kids split into their group classes. The theme for this year's camp was "Masterpiece" and certainly proved to be a potent one! The days were focused around the concepts of: image, mould, colour, building and living art. One of the added positives that was evident during camp was the development within our Young adults who were staff this year. Our Amy and Beth along with CJ and Jess made huge contributions to the success of camp. My sister Dianne was, again helping in the engine room (kitchen) making sure all were well fed.
I want to quickly mention another of my endeavours with Alec Watson. We go out to Willowbank on Thursday lunchtimes to visit with a lovely group - people of all ages. We stay for an hour and make sure to support and encourage everyone there. Always a blessing!
Along with all the above we continue to maintain our consistent classes throughout the week. Monday nights I have the pleasure of working alongside CJ, Eden and our Hannah with the primary age kids. This class is so much fun and is aided greatly because of my helpers! Wednesday nights we meet with all ages from school age through to adult. We have 5 classes covering the various age ranges and needs. Friday nights we meet with the older kids, ages range from 12 to young adults. Then there are our usual Sunday gatherings.
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