I suppose it had to happen. We've been coming out since April and this is only the second evening that we've had bad weather! It's testament to God's provision that that's the case.
So it was with some doubt that we headed off to Alexandra Gardens, flask of hot chocolate in hand and a bag of plastic cups, only to get there and find an empty field. If it had been up to me I would probably have called it a day but I knew there was no point doing that 'cos George, Helen, Rob and Rae were with me and there's no way they'd have let me get away with such disobedience. And rightly so, because after twenty minutes three of our regulars turned up, we had a good game of football (I was a waste of space again :o)) and lots of hot chocolate. Then on the other side of the field a large group of youngsters arrived and congregated under the car park lights.
George and I wondered over and chatted. Again we found the group friendly, some we knew, some we didn't. All were pleasant. Some came back over to the basketball court for some hot chocolate - but a couple complained 'cos it wasn't as sweet as last week and I forgot the whipped cream and marshmallows. Slapped wrist - I promised to remember the trimmings for the next time - though we're not meeting again until September because of Bank Holiday. We're hoping to have a back-to-school bbq for them then, though.
A few good conversations were had this evening. A couple of lads opened up about their lives - one has aa brother who was a dad at 18 and who has been in and out of jail. Another lad feels he's not leading a 'good life'. Another was pleased to introduce his Christian friend visiting from Basingstoke. To be absolutely clear about this, these are the same kids who anyone looking in to the group from the outside, might be inclined to think were 'trouble'. Indeed the Police have visited the group most nights, one of them said. I suspect that's because they congregate near to houses and make noise. But it's little wonder that they stay near the light - the car park's the only source of light there and there's nowhere else for them to go!
I'm certainly not going to blame kids for wanting to keep in each other's company and I pray that more older people and community groups and those with responsibility will start to think in terms of what it's like to be a young person outside and do something about it. It's great that we have a residents association where there's a core of people who have a heart for the young people. But until there's a joined-up approach to life outside for youngsters, they're likely to continued meeting in car parks, creating noise and causing some folk to be nervous.
Prayer needs - please - what do we do for these young people as the evenings draw in? Please pray too for the young lads we talked to.
Much love
John
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