This week, being a Bank Holiday, we had Monday off, but we were made to feel guilty about that when we dropped in on Alexandra Gardens the following day at 6 to have our photo taken for the News & Mail/Review with a bunch of older lads and their motorbikes.
We were trying to dispel the myth that these lads are anything other than young people with motorbikes. If you read earlier blogs you'll see that it's only recently that these older lads have started turning up, and they've been harder to get to know than the younger ones. But our being prepared to speak up for them seems to have improved that dynamic so that there's a better chance now to build relationships.
Local residents are understandably troubled by large groups of them congregating under the car park floodlights most evenings. I have to confess that I'd get upset about that as well if I lived there; however the reason these young people go there is because there's nowhere else in Knaphill that's more attactive than the floodlit car park next to the houses. They don't go there to wind people up, they go there to hang out and they're thoughtless so the wind-up becomes a by-product.
Anyway, the guilt came when one of the younger lads (one who couldn't be photographed because he was under 16) excitedly asked if we'd arrived to play football as we weren't there on Monday. He'd been looking forward to our arrival but we never turned up. Guilt aside, I guess that at times like these it's easier to appreciate that you're making a small impression on their lives. Had we turned up on Monday, I doubt he'd have said 'thanks for giving your time to play football with me'. So yes, there was guilt, but there was also huge reward in knowing that we're actually valued to some degree.
Please pray that the newspaper puts the case for youth in Knaphill positively. The photo, if it's printed, will show a rum bunch - George and me looking the rummest - and there will be a tendency for people to judge on appearances. But that's not what Jesus did, and maybe if society could be a little less judgemental and a little more accepting then there wouldn't be outcasts taking the wrong path and causing the kind of pain that is being experienced in London now nearly every week!
Tuesday was a different experience yet again. He provides. We prayed last week for more help so that some could visit houses while others went to the rec, and this week there were EIGHT of us. Not all of them will be regular crew, but we were thankful nevertheless and this was a strong team, unified by Jesus.
There were three main highlights. The first was a young girl, about 12, let's call her Anne (reasons will become clear later). After visiting houses all eight of us ended up on the field. Helen and I walked down there with Anne, chatting away and her enjoying our undivided attention. Pretty soon we were frisbeeing with others in our team, but Anne tired of this and suggested we dance - we duly obliged, each of us attempting something that the dusk fortunately made difficult for others to see. Then bored with that she suggested we sing. So George sung a couple of witty ditties, and Helen had a go too. Len (Helen2 visiting from St John's Church) launched into Our God's a Very Big God with all the actions. Pretty soon, we were all singing this, with Anne singing at the top of her voice. But when she realised I wasn't crouching down for the submarine bit, she called for everyone to stop singing - which put me in so much mind of Anne, our previous vicar's wife at HTC who would do the same if we weren't putting enough gusto into Sunday worship - I was made to crouch for the submarine before she'd allow us to continue. Pretty soon we were joined by other girls and the chorus that rang out across the park in the dark was fantastic. Anne asked if we could sing another song about God, but then decided she liked that one so we sung it again. I know it's a small beginning but I can't describe how right this felt to all of us.
I've written before about one lad (the one whose language is appalling and who hangs the seven-year old upside down by his ankles while he swears at him, and is generally boisterous). Nick again noticed last night how caring he actually is towards the younger kids. When the seven-year old hurt himself in a tackle, it was this lad who was first over to him and making sure he was ok. A lot of people in this world put on a front when they lack confidence in themselves. But at their heart, they're just like anyone else. I've reason to believe this lad will be important for our work in the area in years to come.
I've written before about signposts showing where we've just been - a kind of 'well done' from Him for a good evening. The icing on the cake last night was when walking back to the church, in the fish and chip shop seeing Joe (pseudonym) who is Sam's mate. You may remember that Sam, also not his real name, is now in prison. Joe's got a visiting order (VO) from Sam, and will be going to see him next week. When Phil's back from holiday we're praying that he and George will also be able to go and see him. Please add this to your prayer list too - Sam's another one we feel that the Lord has his eye on and who could have a significant impact for Him in that area in years to come.
Next week we're hoping to have bbq's on Monday and Tuesday. New Life Church and individuals came up with the £1400 to buy the commercial kit necessary to do the job properly. We thank them and God for their generosity and support. Food's really good for attracting the attention of young people and we plan to put this phenomenon to good use in the years to come.
If there are any adults who fancy coming along to either of the evenings to help out, then we'd be really appreciative.
Please pray prayers of thanks, prayers of worship and prayers of intercession for the young people I've written about this week. You may remember the Outside Light rule, 60% prayer, 40% action. The more you and we pray, the more action we can take, so your support in this is 100% important - thanks so much for your faithfulness.
John
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