The Final Chapter

Project 32 Team with Ken Castor

It’s sad that as I write this last entry about my final month in Northern Ireland that I’m already back in North America. To be honest I’m finding it really hard to believe that it’s actually over.

July was amazing; there are no words to describe how excited I am for all that God is doing in Ballyclare. He is moving in a real and powerful way!  I’ve already told you about summer camp, so I won’t go over that other than I still can’t believe all of what He accomplished through one week with 12 of our boys. The boys that became Christians at summer camp have been absolutely brilliant. For me it’s been so exciting to see the change that’s come over them, two of the boys are already going to be serving at Nadine’s church this next week, which has me SO excited! They are going to be taking part in a summer serve team, doing outreach within one of the local towns. Praise God! Four of the boys that are Christians have been going to church every Sunday with either Jonny, or Neil one of our volunteers/board members. I had the opportunity to take part in one of their visits to church with three of our boys, two who are recent believers and one who is very close. For me I was just overwhelmed, sitting in church with three of my boys realizing that we are all part of the same family now. God is so good.  I’m so excited to see where God is going to take these boys in the future, there is so much potential for each one of them. Continue to be in prayer for them, as it’s not easy standing up and admitting that they are a Christian amongst their circle of friends. Pray that God would encourage them daily.

After camp we had a bit of recovery time where we took a few days off, before the start of Project 32. Summer camp finished on the 6^th of July and I headed into Belfast on the 13^th for leadership training for p32. The training was so encouraging, and really refreshed me spiritually as I was having a really hard time wanting to even do P32. It’s hard to describe where I was at, but I was just struggling with a few things. God used the few days before p32 actually started to just remind me of who God really is, and what he is capable of doing. It was a bit weird seeing all of my worlds collide in Belfast, as I had friends from my home church in Calgary as well as Ken my former pastor who is back in the states, than all my Norn iron family.  It was so good to reconnect with people from different parts of my life.  My team was amazing, four Italians, one of them being my co- leader who is also the national director of YFC Italy. I also had 2 NI’ers on my team, we all had a brilliant time. I’m so excited for September in Ballyclare cause of the way God really worked through summer camp and the project 32 team. There has been so many doors opened and I’m really excited about all the possibilities. 

The 10 days of project 32 were really intense, we were up in one of the estates in ballyclare where just a few days prior to the team arriving there had been riots, petro bombs, pipe bombs, cars and buses being lit on fire and you name it happening. We had the opportunity to do a lot of work up in the estates working three afternoons in the play park with about 25 + kids, and on the other 2 days we had a chance to serve the community in there with doing a litter pick up. Most of the kids come from really heartbreaking situations, and just want to be loved. God really used the team to shower these kids with love and attention over the week we were up in the estate. A lot of the kids would come down every night for drop-in at the centre as well. It opens up doors for us to start a junior and senior drop-in hopefully come fall, which before project 32 happened we didn’t have the opportunity or the amount of kids to even initiate something like that.  We had drop-in every night during the week except for the first Sunday that the team was there.  It was an amazing week, but also a bit of a hard week for drop-in, as it was a lot of new kids coming to the centre, they brought a lot of darkness into drop-in, and there were a few nights where things were really chaotic. This new generation that was coming through the drop-in centre, are worse than the previous generation. However what God encouraged me and the volunteers and board members who have served before me was, that it’s a new chapter. We’re seeing the fruits of the older generation now, but an entire new generation is starting to come, and we just have to begin again and it’s going to take time, be we know one day we will be rejoice again over kids placing their faith in Jesus. Please be in prayer for this new generation that is coming in, like I said they are a wee bit worse than the generation before them, and it’s going to take a lot of patience and a lot of love, so pray for everyone that will be contact with them as it’s going to be difficult. Pray that God will continue to encourage Jonny, Nadine, and the board members as well as any other volunteers that will come aboard for the New Year in September.  The last day of project 32 we had a God space night in drop-in. It was not drop-in so the kids couldn’t just rake about, but it was a time where they could come and learn more about God. We had some worship, small talk, skit and a few games relating to the talk. It was amazin to see again around 25 kids who were normally bouncing of the walls, actually sit and listen. We had some really good conversations with a few of them afterwards, which for me as well as the rest of the team was really encouraging. I was able to sit and chat with one of my girls and she really opened up to me about a numerous things in her past, I’ve mentioned this girl before in previous updates, her name is Leonie. Please keep her in your prayers, she would have a special place in my heart, and I’m really burdened for her. She knows the score, but like so many of our young people don’t see the need for Jesus in her life right now, maybe after she turns 21 she says, but not right now. Pray that God would really do a work in her heart.

Project 32 came to a close on the 25^th, I took a few days off just to recoup, met up with a few of my girls on the following weds for coffee to say goodbye, than I was just busy meeting people and saying goodbye for the next few days amongst the packing and cleaning. I think I said goodbye to a group of my boys at the very least 5 times. They kept showing up at different things throughout the week.  I’m already missing my kids so much...it doesn’t help when they write on your fb wall...telling me not to go, or take up the squatters rights by living in a house for 30 days while they bring me food, which after the 30 days I could then legally own the house (that’s what they told me) Or trying to convince me to become an illegal immigrant because they didn’t want me to leave.  These kids have been my life for the past 10 months, I’ve literally poured every ounce of energy and love God has given me into these kids.  Those of you, who know me really well, know that when I love, I love deep. It’s been incredible hard stepping away and knowing that relationships are going to change. Gods been good though in allowing me to see some of the results of the past year. Knowing that all the nervousness, frustrating nights of tears and sometimes anger for the kids and the situations they were facing, the long hours and sleepless nights. It’s all been worth it, I would gladly do it again in a heartbeat. It really feels like I have left a huge part of myself behind, I know that God is faithful though, and will continue to guide and direct me, and still be at work with my kids in Ballyclare even though I’m not going to be there this coming fall when things start back up.

As for the future, I still don’t know what it holds for me.  I left Northern Ireland on the 3^rd of August and flew to the states where I currently am at the moment spending a week with friends before I finish the final lag of my journey back to Canada.  One of my boys told me in no uncertain terms that’s I was not allowed to be a Hobo or they would fall out with me.  Clearly they know me to well. God has something in store, at the moment I’m not sure where or what that is exactly. Pray that God would give me the courage and boldness to continue to knock on doors and lead me to where He wants me.  Pray that I wouldn’t stress and worry about the future (money, job, living arrangement), but do my part and be patient for his leading. Thanks so much for all of you who have followed me in this past year, and been faithful to pray and support me and the work in Ballyclare. I’m excited to see where God is going to take me next as I begin a new chapter in the story of my life.  I want to leave you with one of my favourite chapters in the Bible. 1^st Corinthians 13, that has been really encouraging to me this summer.

^“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned. but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love BEARS all things, BELIEVES all things, HOPES all things, ENDURES all things. Love NEVER ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the GREATEST of these is love.”

So let us do as Christ commands, Love Him with ALL our hearts, and love others as ourselves.

Only 24 Days? What!?!?

It's so hard to believe how fast this past year has gone. Now I'm down to only 24 days left in this beautiful country. It's a scary thought, but so incredible to see all of what God has accomplished in the past year. He is so faithful. Able to do above what we ask or even think. Many things to give praise for in this update so lets get started.

June was our last month for school program's. Our p7 transition "Movin' On Up" program finished quite well. Our last school was one of the smallest primary schools we do programs in, there was only 5 p7's, which made for some interesting times. Both Nadine and I agreed that it was probably our favorite of the 6 schools we did the program in. The kids were so lively, and made the experience quite enjoyable, and lets just say I'll never forget some of the questions asked during question time!

It was also a busy month in the fact that most of our regular program finished off at the end of June for summer holidays. Such as, drop-in, girls group, and boys group. We've been having a few new girls come along to girls group which has been really good, but some of our regulars have drifted off-pray that in the fall they will all come back, and that God would provide Nadine with some extra volunteers to give her a hand with that. Our last 2 girls groups in particular went really well, the girls were really well behaved and we all had a lot of fun. Praise God for that!

As our regular programs were coming to an end for the summer, preparation and work for our summer programs began. Summer Camp so far has been the highlight of my entire year. It was this past week from July 1-6th. We took 12 of our boys, (two ended up pulling out at the last minute) and it was such and incredible week for relationship building. It started out a bit rough as the younger group of guys were just being real fun spoilers but, the majority of them were brilliant. I knew that the week was going to have so much potential and I knew God was going to do a great work, but He did far above what I expected. I was so humbled when four of our boys came to know and trust in Him as their personal saviour. Praise JESUS!!! Two of the boys in particular I had met last year at Project 32, both of them are a wee bit older, ones 17 (Ian), and ones 16 (Dylan). I have been praying for them both for the past year, and it was so neat to see God answer prayer. Especially  with Ian you can tell that the seeds were planted deep. Please be in prayer for these boys. Ian, Dylan, Gary, and Curtis-as we all know with our own walks how difficult it can be let alone for these boys coming from their backgrounds. Pray that God would really give them strength and a hunger to learn more about Him, and that weeds wouldn't come up and choke them, or have fallen on dry ground, but they would grow and produce fruit. Some of the boys are heading to church this Sunday evening with Jonny, for some this will be their first experience in church so pray that the speaker is able to make things really relevant to them. Both Nadine and myself have just been so incredibly thrilled to see what has taken place! Excaliming over and over again to the other about how four of our boys became christians! So amazed by what God has done, and what He is still doing! With Summer Camp having gone so well, in the fall Jonny and Nadine are hoping to start up an alpha course, so prayer for that will be greatly appreciated!

As Summer Camp is now over we have a bit of a break until project 32, which starts in five days. This to has so much potential leading off from summer camp, pray that more lives will be changed, and that more conversations will be had during the intense ten days of ministry. Please be in prayer for the team I'm helping co-lead. There will be seven actual team members, and than Jonny, Nadine, and two of our regular volunteers are jumping on board once we get back to Ballyclare. Pray that the team will bond quickly during training in Belfast. Pray for me as I'm trying to finish up program plans, and go and meet the team for training on Wednesday.  Pray that God would also keep us healthy as it is a really intense week, that the team will be changed and filled with excitement for coming to Ballyclare to help minster here, and that we would really see God at work once again. Project 32 is my last thing before my internship ends, so at the end of the week I will be saying goodbye to the majority of my kids, that have been such a huge part of my life for the past year. I'm not looking forward to that so I would appreciate some prayer if you think of it.

With regards to the fall, nothing is for sure yet, I'm still pursuing things with Ontario, should hopefully know more in a couple weeks, pray that God will keep me patient and continue to trust him, as its coming down to the last few weeks and I still don't know where I'll be in the fall. Just really pray that God would direct me to the right place and I wouldn't worry about finances or how I'm going to pay for everything. God has proven Himself so faithful, and I know I can trust Him with the future! Proverbs 16: 9!

Exciting Things on the Horizon

Hi All,

Sorry that my May update is a wee bit late, I have just gotten back from my two week trip home for one of my best friends wedding! Thus I'm still recovering from jet lag, and haven't had the gumption to sit down and write this, that is until now. Apologies!

May was a very good month! It's been very encouraging to see that one wee boy grow that I mentioned in my last blog, also a few of his mates, who would have been rather rambunctious in the past (that's putting it lightly) have calmed down, I think they are really starting to recognize that were not people who are going to yell and shout at them, but the centre is a place where they can come and be loved for who they are, no matter their background.

We took a group of 9 boys ( all going to summer camp) up to Glenariff forest park, were we hiked the 4 and half mile waterfall hike, the boys did a great job and made it to the end! This was all to raise money for their summer camp costs. The car ride up was pure banter, Nadz and I took one car full of boys while Jonny took another and one of our volunteers took yet again one more car full. The day proved to be quite entertaining, but also allowed for some good chats with the boys as we were plodding along the trail! The trip only fueled the enthusiasm for Jonny, Nadine, and myself for wanting summer camp to hurry up and come as it will be a week of quality time with these boys and 5 more that have recently signed up!We are now bring a total of 14 to summer camp which is amazing! Really be praying for all of these boys, some of them have never experienced anything like a christian talk before, and were unsure as to how it will go down, but pray that even now as Summer Camp is just 3 weeks away God would be at work in these boys hearts. It's guaranteed to be a week in which none of us will forget.

The two girls I mentioned in my previous blog have started making a return to the centre which has been so encouraging for me personally as well as for Nadz. They started coming back a few days after I left for my whirlwind trip back home, when I got the email from Nadz saying that the one girl Demi had been in, I was overcome with a sense of joy, relief, and eagerness to see her again. Pray that she will continue to come to both drop-in and girls group. Pray for all of our girls, really. Pray that a strong sense of community and friendship would come out of girls group, as of right now the group is quite divided and we would love to see those barriers come down. That it would develop a place which all the girls can come, be themselves, grow together and create lasting friendships.

Our p7 transition is going well, next week we start school number five I believe, I've had to miss two of the schools due to my trip but I'm excited to get back stuck in this coming Monday! It's a little scary to think that we have only one more week of breakfast club for the year (which, by the way I have grown to love) and only 2 and half more weeks of school work before the summer is upon us! Pray that we will still be able to keep in touch with the vast majority of these kids through the summer who wouldn't normally make an appearance at drop-in.

Please be in prayer for all three of us in the office, as it's the end of a long haul and all of us are suffering from a wee bit of exhaustion, pray that God will keep our spirits high, give us energy and strength for the next number of weeks, as this is our busiest next month and half before we all head of for a wee bit of a break before starting back up again in September!

It's crazy to think that I have been here for seven and half months! That being said there is only seven weeks left in my internship and I'm sure you are all wondering whats next for me. God's taught me so much this year, about humility, servant hood, His unconditional love, and the ability to face many of my fears. He's created in me a passion for teens that are falling threw the cracks, and I'm very excited about the possibilities for the fall. Although not looking forward to saying goodbye to these kids that will have been such a huge part of my life for the past 10 months. Pray that I won't focus on the end but take each day as it comes and make the most of every opportunity to continue to build these relationships and to speak truth into their lives.

The Fall-well over my trip home I was able to visit one of the YFC centres that I had applied at over Easter to see if it would be a good fit for me, regrettably after the trip, I left feeling that it just wasn't a good fit, the people were all very friendly and have a great program going on at their location, but I didn't feel the Lord was leading me there. Upon my return from visiting that centre I set up a formal interview with the YFC in Ontario, The interview was intense, but went really well. The director for the Chapter up in Ontario is excited about the prospect of me coming on board as a member of staff. We are currently in the next stage of the process, which involves her (the director) talking to two of the boards in the two towns she things I would be a good fit in. While I work at getting my application and references in. Than if all goes well, upon my return to Canada in the fall they are paying to have me fly out to have my last interview with the selected board and town we have decided on. I'm very excited and God's given a great peace about this, however the fact that I won't know until the fall whether or not I actually have a job is a wee bit stressful, Only once I'm hired on as a staff member am I actually able to start my fundraising. So knowing that upon my return I still have to purchase a car and all the cost for moving from one province to another add up can be a wee bit overwhelming. Pray that I will continue to trust God as He has promised to provide for all my needs. Also please be in prayer about my personal relationship with God that it would continue to grow deeper and stronger, and that as I pursue the dream that God has given me for becoming a full time youth worker, that I wouldn't forget about the One who gave me the dream in the first place.

Thanks for all your love, prayers and support! May God richly bless you!

Six months come and gone

It's so hard to believe that it's May! Yet looking outside my window it's quite easy to believe,  as flowers are blooming, and each source of vegetation is clothed in a different shade of green, not to mention the weather. It's been beautiful, and proof that summer is on it's way.

As far as work goes it's been a very short month, but busy as per usual. I want to start off by sharing one of the most exciting things that happened this month. One of the wee boys that I had mentioned in my blog put his faith in Christ in the beginning of the month. We're all very excited and it's been so encouraging to see him learning, wanting to learn more and seeing the change thats come over him. Continue to pray for CH as he learns and grows, pray for Jonny as well as he disciples him.

SU's for the most part have come to a close as the end of the school year is approaching. However we are still going to be involved in the schools as the P7 Transition program soon begins and all three of us will be rather busy with that until July. It's a program that's aimed at helping the P7 class (10-11year olds) make the transition into big school in the fall.  We are still doing Assemblies as well in each of the 7 different primary schools we are involved in. Pray for us that we will retain our enthusiasm as the P7 program can get quite repetitive doing it week after week and it's always the same, except in a different school.

April's been a good month for building relationships. A couple of highlights for me were the go-karting trip that we took about 13 of our boys on. A couple days before, the boys were giving me all this smack talk about how girls can't drive (as I was the only girl going) So I was giving it right back. Well it was a fun night, and lo and behold guess who came in second? Thats right, me. I beat the one guy that was giving me the most ribbing as he came in third. The boys we're all raging and declaring that something went wrong with the clock and all that.  In the end they accepted it and even congratulated me on my time. It was such a fun night. Another highlight was being able to catch up with a couple of my girls after the easter holidays were over, i took them out for coffee, and it was a good time to catch up and continue to build that relationship. Please pray for these two girls in particular, Demi & Leonie. I've developed a close bond with the two of them, and over the past few days this was put to the test. We had our girls group sleepover this past friday/saturday and I won't go over the details but those two along with two others were caught doing a form of substance abuse. Not all the girls participated but in the end we had to call all four girls parents at 1:30 in the morning. It gave me an opportunity to pray with one of the girls (Leonie) but none of the girls were excited about their parents being called as you can imagine. Pray that they will see it as us trying to protect them and only looking out for them because we care.

Our Easter program Zone 67, went well although not in the way we had hoped. In the end only three kids signed up, but we had a number of older kids helping from a local church which kept the lighthearted banter of the week. I enjoyed the week even though it wasn't what we were hoping for, but you try, you learn from it, and find ways to change it for next year.

Preparation continues for our summer programs and I for one am looking forward to them with much anticipation. Pray that God will prepare the hearts of all the kids going to summer camp. We have 11 signed up from our centre which is 8 more than last year which is really exciting. Pray that this group will bond before we go, as we are doing a couple fundraising events. Were doing a hike up Slieve Donard on the 14th of May, and a carwash on the 28th of May. Pray that all of the young people will be able to raise all the money they need for summer camp. That it will also be an opportunity to continue to build stronger relationships with these young people.

On a personal note, I would appreciate prayer as I have only three months left in my internship, and am currently applying for full-time youth work positions back in Canada. There are a couple of places that seem keen to have me come on board. Pray that God will direct me to the right one, where it will be a right fit for all involved. Prayer would be appreciated as well when a decision has been made that as I begin to start my fundraising for my salary that it would come in quickly so that Lord willing I'm able to start work soon after returning to Canada. I'm excited about this opportunity, but at the same time saddened as I will be leaving my kids who have been such a huge part of my life for the past year.  Pray that God will guide and direct in everything, and bring the right person to replace me in the fall and to carry on the torch here in Ballyclare.

Once again thank you all for your continued support for me and for the work in Ballyclare. I couldn't do it with out your constant prayers. God bless!

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!

February? Where did January go?

And before you know it...it’s February.  Ahh where to start. January was a busy month, a slow start to getting programs off the ground, but everything seems to be back in swing now! It was a really good month; it’s been encouraging to see progress being made.

Over the past month I have had several young people open up to me. It’s so neat to see God at work, and just how comfortable they are now, when they voluntarily come up to me, telling me their life story or something difficult that they are going through in their life.  Then they go on to ask me questions about my faith and my life story. They also notice when you’re not there  on any of the given nights and will proceed to give you the hardest time, the next time they see you.  They make me smile though and I can tell that I’m going to be utterly broken when my internship is up. I made the comment the other day when some of our volunteers were talking about one of our kids who can be a bit challenging, “oh, but I like him, but then again I can’t really say that there is anyone of them that I don’t like.” Which is so true. Makes me sound like a bit of a sap but I really don’t care.  It’s the truth.

Our Fairview Outreach program started up last Friday, we are in again today, and then next Friday will be our last one. We have had 15 extra kids that don’t normally come to SU sign-up which is great. My hope is that they will sign-up for SU when they enter big school next year!  Doagh SU is going well as per usual. It’s our most regular as we are in and out every other week. Assemblies are also going well in the 7 different primary schools that we are involved in so give praise for that!

Arts & Craft Club started up three weeks ago. It was designed for girls, however our first day brought in 7 young boys and no girls. I’m really glad we weren’t able to do the homemade lip gloss the first week, and instead went with picture frames lol! However the next couple of week there has been no one, it can be a bit discouraging but not all that unusual in the estates were in.  Pray that the girls will come, and that God will give me and Nadine inspiration as to how we can encourage them to come.

My YF back at church has started up again, and I’m in full confidence that the new leaders will do an amazing job! Pray for our upcoming “wow” night which will be held on Feb 20^th in hopes to get more kids off of the street and to YF on Sunday night.

We're slowly trying to figure out girl’s group stuff. Nadine and I had a meeting  last week with one of our other female volunteers Helen, who will be helping us out with girls stuff. We’re trying to figure out ways to attract more girls, but at the same time not losing and trying to encourage our girls that do come. We’re hoping to take a group of our girls out on Feb 14^th for dessert as an anti- Valentines day thing. Pray that the girls would be interested in coming, and that we would be able to have a wee chat about what they would like to do with girls group. Also we’re having a Girl’s Bonanza Night as Nadz has dubbed it on March 4^th. Were hoping to start advertising this mid February, going to the different schools with posters, handing out flyers and chatting with the girls after school.  Pray that God will lead all three of us in going about anything to do with the girls, and that girls would come and see the genuineness in all of us, and desire to come back.

Jonny has all started up this past week on Wednesday afternoon a football program with our older boys. (similar to midnight street soccer) but here in Ballyclare. He’s working alongside one of our new volunteers Rick. Please pray for both of them as they interact and have conversations with the boys.

Praise God as six of our young people have signed up for summer camp!  A couple more that are showing definite interest! We’re already starting fundraising for many of our different summer programs as well.  Pray that God will bring in all the funding that we need in order to do the different programs. July will be a very busy month as we have summer camp the first week, football camp the next week, project 32 the week after that, and then another potential program for the week after. It will be good though, and has me already looking forward to the summer!

On Feb 22 is Canada Day at drop-in and... I’m in the hot seat. Pray that God will give me wisdom in knowing how to answer each question that the kids ask me, especially the final one as to why I gave up a year to come over and work here. 

It’s going to be a really busy month as there is tons of stuff going on, and loads of meetings, and training nights happening. Pray for strength for all of us, as well as continued energy and enthusiasm! Thanks for all your prayers, it’s a huge encouragement to me knowing that I’m being backed by so many people praying for not only me, but the work of GBYFC.