Outside The Walls

Well, last Tuesday was our first since opening the Drop-In this year that took place without a fight spilling out onto the road (youth, not team members!)

Again we had a great team, all working together. Robert was back!!

Andrew and Jo have started a low-key nurture group for the teenagers that wanted to become Christians a few weeks ago. We never thought that within three weeks we would actually have the makings of a nurture group. This is something we have prayed for for years!! These are un-churched teenagers learning about Jesus!!

Nick (team leader) has brought the drop-in alive with ideas for activity and with his catering skills is exploring the idea of food on a Tuesday night, much to the teenagers' enjoyment.

We are looking to get various activities going, like playing the drums, drama, talent contest etc.

I'd like to draw your attention to two youngsters who are coming along regularly.

One is a young lad who has a troubled background who has latched onto the team members and last week asked if he could become a team member and have an Outside Light t-shirt. We have seen this lad a few times. Please pray that we would be able to give him what he needs in the way of friendship and love.

Also a young girl studying for GCSEs. She has anger issues and struggles because of this to complete her schooling. She is a bright girl and could easily get good results if it wasn't for the things that hold her back and that are on her back.

These are just two of the many youths we see each week. There are many more, all made in God's image, all there to be loved even when they wind us up and behave badly.

But we are few! So, please get involved as a helper-volunteer if you can or join our prayer support team. We've noticed how this past couple of weeks there's been a more positive atmosphere over the Drop-In, and that's largely, we believe, because of the additional prayer support we've been receiving. But we also know that Satan won't let things be. He'll ramp up his activities, so we'll need to shore up our defences with yet more prayer. Prayer supporters aren't a luxury add-on, they're an absolute necessity, so please get behind us and please let us know that that's what you're doing.

If you can help in any way please contact me, (Phil), George or John and show your support. We are pushing forward. We face challenges and hurdles, even amongst ourselves we have doubts sometimes; this is all part of the battle. The more loyal people we have joining that battle the more we are able to press forward together in the footsteps of Jesus.

We want to be surrounded by the miraculous in what we do. Praise God for a team that is united in it's effort. Nothing will stop us if this remains. Join in if you can.

Inside/Out(side)

Outside Light is no longer just about reaching youth who are outside, we are now exploring other spheres of outreach, such as those stuck inside like the elderly, lonely, those who are hurting.

We believe that God wants Outside Light to serve those who are outside of the church walls! We are interdenominational - let's face it, where Christ is concerned, denominations are not relevant - they never were.

Outside Light is about loyal Christian brothers and sisters joining together to take action in the communities we live in, to not hold back with this but to work together to make it happen.

In 25 years as a Christian and church goer, I have not been part of a team like this, with its unity, love, acceptance and enthusiastic approach but most of all, its commitment to the un-churched and to Jesus Christ.

I really wish that you could be feeling what I'm feeling now - it's a feeling that only comes as the result of walking with others AND with Jesus, doing as he commanded and loving others. There's nothing better. No feeling like it. Nothing comes close.

Phil

philhazelden@hotmail.co.uk

georgeosborn@avantiministries.com

jndurrant@gmail.com

Mondays - The Cabin

Mondays couldn't be more of a contrast. This evening the boys were playing chess and checkers. I almost had a heart attack at one point - one of the lads had stacked a pile of cans but inevitably they fell over. The heart attack was almost provoked when one of the lads actually got under the table to pick them up. I was shocked. It was a first - but I hadn't realised at that point that apparently he'd get a free lolly if he took them to the counter for disposal.

Another feature of Mondays is the girls and lads doing various crafts. I'd never have guessed that lads would do this - I think I've said in a previous blog that I'd not have been caught dead at their age making friendship bracelets. It just goes to show though, that society is totally wrong to stereotype young people. They're all different.

It's true that the behaviour of the kids in Old Woking is more challenging than it is here, but from my own eyes and from what Phil has reported above, it's clear that those kids are capable of better behaviour when they're given time, love and respect. It's just a slightly longer process with them but I'm sure that with Him leading us, we'll get there.

Much love

John