Alrighty, so I know I haven't posted in a while. BAD ME! But to be honest, it's either been really busy crazy or being able to simply relax from the crazy busy so I haven't gotten around to posting lately. First, let me say thank you for your prayers during the difficult time the community recently had with the loss of a young man in town. It was a time when it was evident of the Church's light in this town and to the people effected by the tragedy. Young and old both came together and came alongside the hurting, the mourning, and the persecuted during this time of dire need for the young people of Newcastle. Whether it be a shoulder to cry on, sitting in silence, or playing games to get minds off of the events of that dreadful night, the Church located in Newcastle was being the Church to their community and it was all by the strength, wisdom, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for lifting Newcastle up in your prayers for they were truly answered in tremendous ways by opening opportunities to speak into the young people's lives not just to have an impact on changing lifestyles, but eternal destinations as well. Christ is risen and reigning and is real and active in lives of Newcastle.
Now on to the exciting conversation I had tonight with a young person during drop-in at the Kairos Centre (drop-in is basically where young people come from off the streets and spend time playing pool, ping-pong, Wii, XBox, doing crafts, drinking tea and chatting, etc.--aka a place where relationships are formed over time in a more positive environment compared to where those they would normally be getting drunk and smoking pot<--not all, but many would join in similar activities if not for Kairos).
Well, tonight I was talking with a young man who recently has become much more interested in the Christian faith and what it means and looks like to follow Christ. He was telling me how he was trying to read a Bible he had that was the King James Version, but it was just too difficult to understand with its old way of phrasing everything. Then some of the young people who have already come to faith bought him a Bible and gave it to him not too long ago. He was very excited, told me how he even has a Bible on his phone now that he reads during school, even though kids give him stick (a hard time) about it and he actually defended the Word and stood up to his peers, which got one of them interested in what it was all about and is now searching a bit into the Bible and the Christian faith now as well. SO EXCITING! Then I began asking him where he's been reading in the Bible and if he's enjoying it and he told me he started in Matthew, which I found very fitting since his name is Matthew :) And he started asking me where I started and how I went about reading the Bible because he really wants to read through the entire Bible, but sometimes he gets bored or frustrated and then other times gets really excited and reads a lot of it, but wanted to know a more strategic way to go about it. This brought us into a conversation about being honest in how I am actually just working through reading the entire Bible through for the first time through this year and how it truly is difficult, especially during certain books that are so filled to the brim with names and dates, ages and places, that it is hard to keep everything straight. I explained to him that a friend once told me not to expect too much of myself in the beginning because I will only get burnt out so, instead, take baby steps and start small, and not to be myself up if I miss a day, but stay as positive as possible. It was great to be open and real about our struggles (new believer to one who has been around for a few years) with how reading the Bible, no matter how much we WANT to read through it, is still very difficult. It was such an encouragement!!
What makes it even better is that he began talking with me about the Catholic priests who have been convicted as pedophiles and how that frustrates him, not because they have been convicted, but about the fact that that spreads throughout the news, but places like the Kairos Centre, where Christians are doing positive, impactful ministry in the community are not being recognized and the hard work, love, and dedication we volunteers are putting in being broadcast. He was frustrated because he wanted Christ's name to be seen in a positive light through places like the Kairos Centre rather than through a few Catholic priests who have misrepresented Christ in the news and their communities. Unless you have been in the type of ministry and situation that I find myself, the impact, encouragement, and drive those words gave me, coming honest and true from his heart, I can't even describe. Between that and my week trip to England, I could not be more encouraged and energized to spread the Gospel through word and deed through Kairos and all throughout Newcastle. It is amazing how affirming conversations can have such an impact on your outlook on ministry and the work you are doing so far from home.
While I was visiting Sandy I was able to go with him to his placement where he does youth ministry and drop-in type youth work. It gave me a fresh eye on ways to facilitate drop-ins as well as starting conversations and such. It gave me a new confidence when coming back tonight to the Kairos Centre. I was less timid to begin conversations with young ladies with whome I normally was unable to begin conversations. I have been praying since before I even arrived that the Holy Spirit help me in ministry to young women because I honestly struggle with it, but feel lead by God to help advance the ministry to them. The Holy Spirit has shown me, through helping at Sandy's placement, ways in which to engage the young women I encounter during drop-ins at Kairos. The Holy Spirit is working in and through me and I cannot take any credit for this new found confidence and ability, but it is truly only by the Holy Spirit that this has occurred. Tonight I think I had at least a wee conversation with almost every young women that came through the doors tonight, whether it be a deep conversation or simply asking their name and letting them know we're glad they came tonight. It's incredible the work the Holy Spirit does when you simply give in to your weakness and truly let the Holy Spirit's strength take over.
Don't take for granted the little things, whether in word or deed, Christ speaks through all modes of communication and can use all, old or young, long time followers or newborn Christians to impact the world for His Kingdom. satan has nothing on our King, we've already won the victory, lets fight like it for this world and His creation.
"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."--2 Timothy 1:7
