Wednesday 27 August 2008

Everyone Stop Singing

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







Wednesday 20 August 2008

Tuesday Tuesday

For the first time this week we had nobody start off on the Tuesday night spot who was from New Life. Well-earned holidays took their toll on the team but He'd provided for us through George, Rae and Malcolm once more. Helen joined us soon after we reached the field, having driven non-stop from a business appointment in York. That's dedication and she said afterwards she'd been 'looking forward' to being out with the kids, all the time she was driving back.

Rightly we give God the glory, but I can't help feeling inspired when I see dedication like that, and it makes me glad that I'm able to participate in the kind of fellowship where sacrifice (as it is when you've not been home to get changed, even, following a business meeting, then driving over 200 miles) is seen as a pleasure and a privilege!

Again, following a grotty weather day we started walking from New Life Church with a huge black cloud in front of us hanging over the field. Again by the time we reached there, it had gone and the sky above showed patches of blue. Not once since April have we been rained off on a Tuesday. It's bound to happen one day but I can't help feeling that our God's helping us beat the weather odds because He wants us out there.

When we reached the field, there was just a small group of quieter lads and girls playing cards. It didn't take George long to show-off his card tricks and pretty soon he had them enthralled and mystified. Malc chatted to a lad who wants to join the Army Cadets when he's older, and Rae and I played Frisbee with a couple of other young lads - skills are improving all the time. Was a time I couldn't throw one of these things for toffee, now I've reached anorak status and feeling rather pleased with myself ;o)

By the end of the evening Helen, Malc and George had all had good conversations with young people and relationships had developed further. One lad heard the Gospel from George and asked him to return next week to tell him more. George has promised a book next time.

I'd describe this as a gentle evening. We were joined by some older lads a little later, but we know them and we know their behaviour. Just one of these can be a little troublesome but I believe God has His eye on him too and given time I expect to see changes.

Please pray for that lad - let's call him James. Please also pray for the lad George met - let's call him Paul.

Much love

John

Monday 18 August 2008

Evenings Drawing In - and Getting Wet

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

Friday 15 August 2008

What is church?

There are many different interpretations and meanings for this word. For me, the closest definition is what happens on a Monday and a Tuesday evening.

This Tuesday evening I saw one of the young people we had prayed for last week; he and his friend were both appearing in court the following day. Unfortunately the other lad had been sent to prison for 12 months; he was the chap we had played snooker with and who had listened to the Gospel a few weeks later.

Initially I was dismayed thinking this young lad had been taken out of the picture. Phil however suggested we go and see his family and try and get permission to go and see him; love in action as well as word.

When we arrived at the house we could hear the family through the window saying, 'It’s the people from the church, invite them in.' After we’d knocked on the door they asked us in and were so warm, the kettle was put on and we talked through what had happened to their son, brother and father of a little boy - who was strutting around the house.

They asked us to pray for the family and the mother was open to coming along to a church service, she had been to a church a few years back and God had definitely been working in her life. Myself, Phil and Malcolm sitting in this house were quite a sight, it reminded me of when Jesus went to the tax collector's house, everyone else thought he was mad however Jesus knew that everyone was a sinner and everyone needs help.

For me the church is Christ’s body here on Earth, the church buildings are hospitals where we go to get patched up and receive instruction for battle and then out into the field with the weapons of the Spirit – truth, righteousness, salvation, faith, God’s word, the Gospel – this was church for me on Tuesday night….

Please pray for this situation, that all glory would go to Christ and we would see a transformation in the whole of this family, they would fall on their knees and cry out to Christ. We need prayers so much…

George

Joining you all on Tuesday evening in the Gloster Road area gave me time to reflect and pray, perhaps more as an observer!

I have been picking up news from Phil for quite some time and praying and I feel very much for youngsters facing a challenging upbringing.

Phil and George mentioned about an 18 year old lad who they had heard had just been put in prison. Some of the guys we meet on the streets up in London have done time, as they say, and it can be a struggle to put your life right. We dropped round to where he lived and were welcomed in by his Mum.

The family are from a gypsy background and we were very welcomed and definitely the Holy Spirit wanted us there. We were given a cup of tea and we learned that the lad had been given twelve months and should be out in six. Phil and George wanted to find out how they could visit Billy as they have prayed for him several times, got a good relationship and shared the gospel with him telling him he has a real future with Jesus in his life. We got his prison details and Billy's Mum was really keen that we somehow got alongside him while he was inside.

It was something of a surprise that the Judge gave a custodial sentence but there has been quite a lot leading up to this. The lad's Mum told us that she had given her life to Jesus at a Gypsy Christian gathering some five years ago but had backslidden - don't we all a bit at times! She was looking after the lad's little son of twelve months who had just begun walking - a sweet little chappie called. I felt so much for this litte fellow who greatly needs our prayers as does the lad and the whole family at this difficult time. I guess the lad will be quite shocked and we must pray that the experience of prison does not harden and harm him. Pray that he will open up his heart to Jesus, as his Mum has, and receive inner healing. I have to confess that I have shed a few tears for them.

Malcolm

Note from John: The family asked that the church pray for them using their real name. However I'm not sure that it's good to use their real names on a blog, so I've not done so. It's testament, though, to their seriousness about this that they would be happy to have it used. Maybe one day.

Monday 11 August 2008

Progress

For the past couple of weeks on Monday evenings we've tried to chat to the lads who arrive on their motor scooters in Alexander Gardens Rec, but they've not been that keen. So this week we resorted to guerrilla tactics - we took food (much of it home-baked by Rob) and hot chocolate, with marshmallows and chocolate flakes. There's nothing quite like good food and hot chocolate to get the attention of teenagers :o). Below you'll see a short video clip, deliberately fast so that you can't identify anyone - but nevertheless you'll see a group sitting and lying on the floor. Again George is there, chatting and talking about Jesus.

Another, smaller group was playing in the corner of the field. We know them but they were a bit intimidated by the main group who are a little older. So Rob and Sam took drinks and food over to them to make sure they weren't left out.

Already these kids are getting the idea. Some are really surprised that we're taking them goodies, for free! Others are beginning to understand that we're doing it because we care about them. Some are still challenging, others are really very caring. Very often you'll hear one correcting another when they swear in front of us, or when they do something stupid like throwing marshmallows around. When I started picking up rubbish, one of the girls made a point of helping.

These are good kids at heart. Yes, in a big group they can behave in a silly way - but individually they're just normal kids. We hear there have been complaints from neighbours about youths on the rec, (although not when we've been there). We noticed this evening a number of cars speeding up and down the main road, a couple seemed to be racing each other. They used the car park opposite to sit in their cars and rev them up and to blow their horns. A couple of older people seemed to be with younger ones in the car park - partly it was they who appeared to be promoting the bad behaviour. Watching this going on I wondered what potential there was for these older people and the young men with fast cars to affect the thinking of the younger people. I'm glad we were there this evening to provide a counterbalance to all the negative activity that was going on around us. I think that on balance, the teenagers were more interested in the food and George than in the idiots blowing their horns and behaving like loons in their cars.

I really want to get over to everyone who reads this that the way we're able to express fellowship between one another, is very special. The best way of explaining it is that it's like having REAL brothers and sisters - the only difference being that you can't choose your real brothers and sisters :o) I was reminded of this this evening when Phil turned up after our time out. He'd been at an important meeting with his Church Elders where they'd been discussing Outside Light and how it fits with their vision for outreach to young people - but when it had ended, he made his way straight over to us to find out how our evening had gone. This wasn't the action of a mere friend.

There's real support and caring within the group and this can only be because Jesus is at the centre of it. We have a common purpose, which is to share the love of our Lord with those outside. For anyone thinking about joining us, or who is about to embark on a different adventure with Jesus, I'd just say that you'll never regret it. He's always to be trusted, always there and when we trust Him, He's always unifying.

You might have noticed that we've a new logo - our grateful thanks to George's mate, Mike Butcher. The graphics are fresh and contemporary and we shall be looking to use them on things like 'T'-shirts, so that we're easily identifiable when we're talking to young people. We'll also shortly build a website. Incidentally, the arrow signifies that we're designed to GO.

What we need, however, is a strapline/slogan that tells some of the story of what we're about but in a way that speaks into the lives of those we're trying to serve. Please may I ask anyone who feels they have some idea, to let me know?

Much Love

John


Tuesday 5 August 2008

Recurring Theme

Re-reading George's diary from last week, it's again clear from the experiences of the last couple of days that we're all subject to stresses and strains and, being human, we often fail.

This isn't discouraging though. I suspect the Lord uses us (the Outside Light Team) because of our weaknesses. We're the best people for the job because we CAN'T do His work in our own strength. We HAVE to rely on Him.

Monday it was my turn again to fail. This was especially hard for me because I've spent quite a lot of time recently, thinking about church, thinking about what the Bible says about sharing the Gospel and also about what we as 'Good Christians' need to do in our lives in order to maintain a strong relationship with our Lord, as well as what we need to do for Him. And then... Monday I did the complete opposite and wound up the evening in a totally negative frame of mind again and regretting my weaknesses - but actually our weakness is exactly the point and what He uses.

This has happened to me a couple of times, but each time I've discovered a couple of things come out of it. Firstly, because we work in close fellowship, it gets noticed and prayed for. Secondly, the Lord lifts me back up again and that great feeling of closeness to Him returns. He forgives EVERY time I turn back to Him: unconditionally.

And again this evening out in Old Woking, others shared feelings of tiredness and slight anxiety about things going on in our everyday lives. Right now a couple of us feel really vulnerable and in desperate need of prayer.

Monday night we went back out to Alexander Gardens. Rae, and George (St John's Church), Phil and Michelle (New Life) and Nen, Rob, Vicky, Matt (HTC) and Gazzer - Vicky's boyfriend. Rae and I stopped on the way into the park, to chat to three girls, one of whom was stuck about 11' up in the side-netting having climbed up for no other reason than it was there. Somewhat frustratingly she called the Fire Brigade from her mobile and they arrived just as we were able to get hold of a ladder from a really helpful neighbour. I think they were too excited about seeing the firemen to get any sense out of them, but they did say thanks afterwards for trying to help. :o)

Meanwhile, Nen and Michelle prayer-walked around the field, and George, Phil and Rob with Gazzer and Matt were off playing football with around 25 lads, with another 30 or so lads and girls hanging out next to the basketball enclosure. Many of these were older kids on motor scooters, and as last week, they weren't very open to conversation. However there were some other young people in the group who we knew quite well. Interestingly, one of these sprung to my defence when one of his mates responded in a slightly negative way to a question I was asking about what they might want to do when it gets wet and cold later in the year. In fact I probably wouldn't even have noticed that he was negative, except for this other lad telling him to be quiet because I was 'just being kind'. This lad, let's call him Will, keeps popping up and we all have a feeling that the Lord has his eye on him especially.

What we discovered is that during the school holidays these kids mostly just hang out in the park. They're bored silly. Some of them had been there since 2pm that day (most other days are apparently the same) and they were still there when we left at some time after 9pm. Next week we hope to take hot chocolate and a picnic. We might also be able to tell them about the music events that the Knaphill Residents' Association plans to organise later in the month. I wish we could do more for them. GIven that our young people are this country's most valuable resource, it's a little worrying that they're not finding more to do. It's a shame too that society mostly leaves them to their own devices. Is it really a surprise that young people up and down the country get into trouble when they're bored and left alone to do whatever springs to mind?

Once George finished playing football it didn't take him long to get his rucksack and start distributing the little coins with the Ten Commandments printed on them. The young people really love these and for a few moments they seemed to swarm around George so that they could collect theirs.

Tuesday night out in Old Woking we were again short in numbers, but this time we had Rae with us again. I'm hoping that George will update this write up with his and Phil's meeting again with the lad they played snooker with a few weeks back - call him Sam. It seems that his mate (call him Joe)(also there this evening) has been chatting to Ali at Christ Church Woking. Hopefully you'll forgive us our excitement that the Lord seems to be working in the lives of both of these lads. More from George later. Please come back soon.

Nick met up with four lads, who were there on the way, and also on the return home. Rae knew two of them from our time prayer-walking around Waterer's Park several months back. One of them, new to me, delighted in the use of every swear word in the book. I confess a slight anxiety. Being a bit old-fashioned I don't much like standing back while this kind of language is used in front of a lady. Rae wasn't phased by it though. It's part of the servant mentality not to judge and she and the Nancy's and Helen's have this in spades. Thank God. I do pray, though, that one day this lad and others like him will grow up and become a little more respectful.

Inbetween times, Rae and I chatted to a mother (call her Sally) and her daughter and son. Tomorrow is the daughter's 16th and we delivered a present that Nancy (who is in Cambridge currently) had got hold of for her before leaving. The people in this family are, unfortunately, not strangers to the law. Conversations on the doorstep are often surreal, and what I always hear is the story of a family that rejects authority of any kind, that doesn't trust easily, that is poor in many ways, that doesn't do a great job of looking after itself. They are nevertheless open to talking to us. Not once in all the time I've been visiting that house have we been told to go away. They always come out to the doorstep and Sally talks about her week - unfortunately, a week in the life of Sally isn't much to write home about.

A few weeks back we gave Sally a Bible and pleaded with her to open it. This really is something to pray hard about, please. She's also looking for a 3-piece suite, as hers is falling to bits. Anyone with a spare/unused suite could let me know, please, if they're prepared to make a gift of it. We've helped Sally in other ways under Hope08 BUT there is a danger of her completely missing the point and taking Hope08-help on face value only. This, perhaps, is the biggest single prayer, which is to ask for our Lord to help Sally move forward from the obvious help she gets from Hope08 and the Gloster Road team - and to start looking at life as having hope and possibilties - and hopefully take her family with her. Pray for us too, as we need to be able to handle this sensitively and with the Lord's leading. We don't want to do any less or any more than He wants.

Rae and I finished up again on the field, playing frisbee with a small group of kids. The father of one came out - I was some distance away but Rae had a useful chat with him. We both feel that it's important to meet the parents, especially those of the younger kids. It seems right that the parents should know who is chatting to their children - and why. With this in mind the group is meeting in September to formalise a number of things. One of these will be to agree a logo, with which we hope to make 'T'-shirts amongst other things. It seems responsible that parents should be able to know that the people their kids are talking to, are who they think they are.

Anyway, LOTS of prayer is needed for us as we realise our weaknesses, and as Outside Light starts to progress to the next stage, which will help realise its true potential because that's what we truly believe is what He wants.

For His Glory

John