A lot has happened in the past couple weeks. We are soon to start a Bible study for some of the drop-in girls to familiarize them with the Bible and its contents, as well as sharing with them what it means to be a Christian and also living a healthy all-around lifestyle. This, along with a "workout drop-in" are two new events we're working on starting this coming week for the young ladies in the area. Although those interested in learning more about the Bible and how it effects their lives are few in number, we are hoping their eternities will be changed through Christ during our time with them on those nights.
Alongside those nights I am looking to start a Bible study/LifeGroup with the young ladies that volunteer their time week in and week out to building relationships with the young girls that come to drop-in on Tuesday and Thursday nights. These ladies are anywhere from Sophomores or Juniors in high school to teachers in the local schools. I am hoping that this can be a time for those who continually pour themselves out throughout the week to be refilled, refueled, and refocused to why we do what we do with our time (i.e. volunteer at drop-in).
Also, a former youth minister in the area who is recently back in town and I are going to be talking about starting up a Bible study for the Juniors and Seniors that go to church in the area to prepare them as they head out into the big world of university in the coming years. Now, over here 11th and 12th graders are called lower 6th and upper 6th, and when talking of these 2 grades you'd say 6th formers...however, it is not pronounced siXth over here, but rather siCKth. The reasoning I was told by the daughter of my host family (who is in upper 6th) is that siXth takes too much effort to pronounce. lol
Despite the excitement, nerves, and anticipation of these ministries beginning, I can't help but be a little frustrated. You see, on Saturday nights there is an event at the Kairos called Fused. Fused is our equivalent of youth group. However, because it is held at the Kairos, rather than at one of the churches (neutral "territory" for all denominations to come together) the young people from drop-in will sometimes come in and make a disturbance, thinking it's their place, if the doors are open, it's open to them. Although I want more than anything for them to hear the story of Jesus and for them to have a relationship with Him, it has become hard for some of the young people who are curious about Christ to fully benefit from programs like Fused because what use to be a place where they were respected and loved, a safe haven from ridicule and shame, has become another drop-in night where young people get up in their faces and yell, "Why are you an f-ing Christian?!?!?!" It was not until tonight that I truly understood the hardships and pain that come from such actions. I, at 23, being a Christian for 14 years, who has gone to conferences throughout my school years, has a Bible degree, and surrounded by fellow Christ followers, felt the pain from scorn, mockery, glances, and odd comments tonight. Being mocked and made fun of by several of the young people I am choosing to leave everything I know so that I can minister to them laughed straight in my face, made fun of the fact that my hands were in the air and I was singing the songs (that everyone else was singing behind them if they would've just looked)...I was in a room full not only of Christians, but fellow AMERICAN Christians, yet I still felt so alone, crushed, with those young people mocking me and tearing me down. Yet just last week I told one of the young ladies who recently gave her life to Christ to just blow them off, not let them get under her skin, to know that we love her and it doesn't matter what they say, she belongs, even though it won't be easy all the time. I didn't really have words to give her because I had never harshly encountered it myself. Tonight, however, my eyes and heart were open to a glimpse of the pain that must be in her heart. She doesn't have a Christian home to fall back on or family and friends close to her she can confide in. I can't wait to talk with her, pray with her, cry with her over the pain it causes. I know living a life for Christ is THE way, but that doesn't make me bulletproof. I'll stand strong in the battle, but wounds still need to be tended to. And because of my experience in battle (as sheepish as it may sound), I pray they will help this new believer's battle wounds become battle scars that tell a remarkable story of a fierce warrior. In times of war we need not stand on the sidelines, but join the troops in battle. I was sitting on the sidelines...that time is over. Where are you in the war? Are you healing wounds? Are you in the line of fire? Are you sitting on the sidelines? Are you on the front lines? Are you recently back from the war, telling of your battle scars? We are all in the war, though our places may be different. We are all warriors, are you armored?
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