Spring is officially here...

March is over and April is fast on its way.  It’s hard to believe that Easter is just over two weeks away.  I must say I’m looking forward to that. There is so much to give praise for this month so let me start by telling you about probably my biggest highlight for March… our “Ladies Night”

To put it simply it was an amazing night.  We had 14 girls in total, 12 of them were brand new to the centre, and even some of our breakfast club girls came along which was brilliant. We had a pamper room upstairs which included makeup, nails, and foot massages along with facial steamers. After the girls got pampered they were able to get a photo taken with their mates (which we then got printed for them later) and downstairs with yours truly was cupcake design and chocolate fondue. The girls loved it. Do to the success of “ladies Night” we launched Girl’s a week and half later.  It’s  now every Wednesday night. We had a total of 9 girls the first night, and 7 the next time, and were having it again tonight. The amazing thing is that new girls have come each and every time, and they have also started come along to the likes of drop-in as well. In total now we have over 30 girls involved in different programmes held at the centre. A vast increase from a month ago when we there was just 7. So praise God for that. Please keep Nadine, Helen, and I in your prayers as we build relationships with these girls. There are two girls in particular who are from breakfast club, that have been coming to both girls group and drop-in. Be praying in particular for these two girls, my heart breaks to hear the stories they tell me, both girls are involved with drugs and sex. That sad thing is that this is very much the norm, girls as young as 11 are known to be having sex.  

My knowledge of drugs and alcohol and all things related has been broadened quite a lot over the course of the past couple weeks. It honestly blows my mind, really pray that God will keep these kids safe, that He would give us the words to say when we’re talking with them, and that He would open up their eyes so they can see what they are doing to themselves.

Another highlight for me again is Wednesday afternoon drop-in. All the craic and banter that happens has a way of perking your spirits from whatever mid week slump you happen to find yourself in.  Even though with the likes of breakfast club, afternoon drop-in, and both guys and girls group now on a Wednesday it can make for a long day, but it is still probably my favorite day.

School programmes have been running well. The three of us did another set of RE lessons in another of the local primary schools, and are trying again to set something up for yet another school. SU’s and Assemblies, as usual are going really well.  We have started to send out emails for a P7 transition programme that we do towards end of April, May, June time.  We go to the different primary schools and try to inform and prepare the kids who will be transitioning to a big school, and the big school environment. Pray for that would be appreciated as we start to sign up different schools.

Over Easter we are doing a programme called “Zone 67” it is specifically for P6, and P7 grades (9-11 year olds) We will be doing it over 4 days, and two hours each afternoon. There will be different things like crafts, games, and a possible trip on the last day.  

Unfortunately we haven’t been able to launch the likes of Friday Night drop-in yet, as we have not been able to gather enough volunteers, and it has now been pushed back to start at the beginning of May, Lord willing. Pray that God will provide us with enough volunteers for this.

Planning and preparation for a lot of our summer programmes is fast under way it’s scary to see just how fast everything is coming up. We have 10 signed up for summer camp, which was our goal, and still possibly a few more that seem keen to go. All forms need to be in by the end of this week, so pray that forms would come back to us soon. I’m really looking forward to both summer camp and project 32 this year. It will be good to spend some quality time with our young people, I pray that God would really work, and prepare hearts especially for the likes of Summer Camp.

Thank you all again for your prayers and support, I know God is moving in this town, and I’m so excited to see what He has done over the course of the past month.

Another Month Come and Gone

Well where to begin. February was probably our busiest month yet there were/are so many things in progress and currently happening around GBYFC. Time is moving far too quickly, but it is really encouraging to see what God is doing in this small town.

School work was/is still incredibly busy. Our 3 week SU outreach programme finished off on the 18^th of February. We were in three consecutive Fridays teaching and interacting with the kids. Our theme was Incredible and true. Our talks were on three of Jesus miracles, Water into wine, Calming the storm, and finally the raising of Lazarus. We had 15 extra kids sign up, which was really encouraging. I think I can vouch for the rest of the team that Friday afternoons finishing off with the SU was the best way to end a work week.  Jonny and Nadine were in another one of the primary schools doing RE Lessons for 4 weeks as well. They finished that up and are now currently doing the same programme in another school. Amongst all this, we still have Assemblies in 7 of the different primary schools once a month, as well as our regular SU’s in Doagh, and the Secondary school. Many of the schools are also starting to sign up for our P7 transition programme which will take place towards the summer. Give praise for all that opportunities that we have and thanks that the schools have been so welcoming and wanting us to come in.  

Towards the middle of February the schools were off for half term. Since all the schools were off, we decided to take full advantage of this, and got out of the office and touched up the centre. We re-painted the entrance now complete with the GBYFC logo.  It definitely brings new life to the place, and although three full days were spent painting it was a nice break from the usual routines.

Art’s and craft’s unfortunately didn’t go well, and we have decided to drop the programme as no one was showing up. We are currently looking at re-vamping the programme and doing something similar at the centre on Thursday afternoon instead. If all goes well we would like to see it up and running mid March.

Drop-in still on Monday & Tuesday night’s are going really well. We have recently started introducing the idea of a “hot seat” and guest speaker once a month at the centre. So far it is going really well. We had Steve McCready this last Tuesday night, sharing his story, and I think we were all a little nervous as to how a talk would go down with our young people, but it went really well, and Steve did a great job. Canada night was a blast, hot seat went really well, the whole centre was decorated with maple leaves, and Nad’s even made some Nanaimo bars, which were really good. All the kids and volunteers signed a card for me, which meant more than words can say. It was a great day! Afterschool drop-in on Wednesday afternoon’s is probably my personal favourite of the week. A lot of good conversations and load’s of laughter. Although it’s a smaller group that come in, it provides the opportunity to really build those relationships. For example this last Wednesday (drop-in usually runs 3-5) was 3-5 and then Jonny took off and Nad’s and I were there till ¼ to 7 with three of our guys. Really good conversations, how be it rather amusing at times.  I love it.

On the 26^th we had a bag pack fundraiser in ASDA, which went really well. Praise God that the community is starting to recognize us more and more and are becoming quite supportive of our work. Also give thanks that so many people came to support us and volunteered to give up a couple hours of their Saturday to pack grocery bags.  

Praise God that 6 boys have signed up for summer camp, and a couple of the girls seems to be showing genuine interest as well now. The next deadline for the last discounted price is March 7^th, so pray that they sign up! Preparations for Project 32 are starting to get well under way as well, time is flying by and before we know it summer will be here!

Girl’s group will hopefully be kicking off next week. We had a big girl’s night March the 4^th (last night) at the centre and we were all so encouraged to see 15 girls that the majority of them have never stepped foot into the centre come and were so excited about the idea of girls group. It was really encouraging for all involved but especially I think for Nadine, Helen and I. A lot of work had gone into it, and were so thankful for all the ladies that gave up their Friday night to help us out. I fully enjoyed myself, there was one point where there were 7 girls around the coffee bar decorating cupcakes and it was me behind the coffee bar and they were peppering me with loads of questions, everything from self image, to Canada and the States, to pretty much you name it.  It was a younger crowd them what would normally come to the centre, the girl’s ranged from 11-14. I’m looking forward to the start of a girls group with these girls. A couple of our girls from breakfast club showed up and for both Nads and I that was really encouraging to see. Continued prayers for this would also be really welcome, that Nadine, Helen, and I will be able to come up with creative ideas for girls group and continue to invest in and build relationships with these girls.

Jonny’s Wednesday night football programme is also going really well. On average there are about 12 of our boys that go. Continue to pray for Jonny, Rick, and Michael as they interact with these boys and are building on the relationships already formed.

Another highlight of the month for me was going up to the North coast for a part of a day, sometimes I have to pinch myself at the fact that I'm living in Northern Ireland-such a beautiful country.

As you can see it was a very busy month, and March is looking to be very busy as well. Continue to pray that God would provide opportunities for conversations, and that amongst the busyness we would all still remain refreshed and not become burnt out. Thanks again for all your prayer support, it is appreciated more than word’s can say. I’m looking forward to see all of what God has in store for March!