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!