Recap Post 4 -My Local Outreach Responsiblities
Hello!
As I said in 'Recap Post 1' I have work duties every Monday through Friday, and we all rotate on weekends. Our duties also change every few weeks. The first round I was assigned to clean in the clock building. This involved cleaning the bathrooms, hallways, offices, etc. Also located in the Clock Building is the Oval Café. It's just a little coffee house the base has, but it's open to the public an not just the YWAMer's. So, when it's open, it stays pretty busy. I really loved cleaning there. I got to know many of the 'people who work behind the scenes' there. They are a wonderful group.
Now, my duties involve cleaning #9 building where our DTS group lives. It's two floors and four of us actually clean here. It's our living quarters so you can imagine all the cleaning and maintenance required is like taking care of your own home. :) I enjoy it as well, but I do miss the clock building.
Every Sunday night my small group hops on the train for a five min ride to Luton where we help with the Roma Church. It's a new ministry for this church to hold Roma services. I'm especially thrilled because I've always wanted to meet gypsies. I haven't had the chance to really meet the parents yet, but they are so beautiful with their skirts, scarves and jewelry. However, they are extremely poor here, too, because very few speak English or understand the system. The church tries to help them so they can get jobs and such instead of begging.
My group really focuses on keeping the kids entertained. And in case you don't know, where there's one Romanian woman there's usually at least five kids. The numbers vary between anywhere from 10 to 40 with ages six to 13. And that's not including the five and under group next door. It's very different working with these kids and trying to get them to settle down because they're not really used to 'restrictions' and discipline. (Anyone who's ever worked with bus kid ministry times your experience by 20 and you get the idea.)
But we do love those kids so very much. Last Sunday I saw a boy about eight years old sitting by himself. I had a beanbag in my hand, and when he looked at me, I signaled to toss it to him. He nodded his head and got up. So, we just tossed the beanbag back and forth. I got a little silly with my throws and it was fun to watch him mimic me. I would later notice that other kids teased him and that he didn't understand one word of English. Naturally, he went pretty deep in my heart. I can't even pronounce his name, but God knows who he is when I pray.
It's very funny how we're so full of energy every time we come back. You would think we'd be worn out, but it's actually energizing. -Go figure!!!
One thing that really amuses me is how much I keep working with kids, and that I've already babysat for one of my staff leaders. The reason for my amusement is because I keep telling everyone I've never been interested in working with kids. "That's not my ministry." Somehow I think God is trying to teach me something here. Whether or not I'm supposed to actually work with kids full-time or not, I believe He wants my heart to be willing and not rejecting.
Tomorrow night will be my last night with the Roma church. I am a little sad about this, but it's only right that other members of my DTS get their chance to work with the kids. I'm not sure what my assignment will be next round. It could be street evangelism or working with a local church youth ministry. Who knows yet?
But next weekend we'll all be headed out to Sussex to help with the annual 'Big Church Day Out!' It's a MAJOR annual event that involves a giant outdoor stage, various music bands playing, thousands of people camping out in tents all weekend(including us), art, fun and food.
Since our group will be working there we will have backstage access, food passes (thank God), restricted area passes, shower access!!!!! -and just about everything you notice staff get to have whenever you attend an event and see 'staff only' signs and wish you could go there. ;)
It's a lot to describe so I'll just copy and paste from the website:
"BigChurchDayOut is an all-age event taking place at Wiston House, West Sussex BN44 3DZ on 24th & 25th May 2014.
Here's the web link for more information. I'm REALLY looking forward to it!!!!
http://www.bigchurchdayout.com/
As I said in 'Recap Post 1' I have work duties every Monday through Friday, and we all rotate on weekends. Our duties also change every few weeks. The first round I was assigned to clean in the clock building. This involved cleaning the bathrooms, hallways, offices, etc. Also located in the Clock Building is the Oval Café. It's just a little coffee house the base has, but it's open to the public an not just the YWAMer's. So, when it's open, it stays pretty busy. I really loved cleaning there. I got to know many of the 'people who work behind the scenes' there. They are a wonderful group.
Now, my duties involve cleaning #9 building where our DTS group lives. It's two floors and four of us actually clean here. It's our living quarters so you can imagine all the cleaning and maintenance required is like taking care of your own home. :) I enjoy it as well, but I do miss the clock building.
Every Sunday night my small group hops on the train for a five min ride to Luton where we help with the Roma Church. It's a new ministry for this church to hold Roma services. I'm especially thrilled because I've always wanted to meet gypsies. I haven't had the chance to really meet the parents yet, but they are so beautiful with their skirts, scarves and jewelry. However, they are extremely poor here, too, because very few speak English or understand the system. The church tries to help them so they can get jobs and such instead of begging.
My group really focuses on keeping the kids entertained. And in case you don't know, where there's one Romanian woman there's usually at least five kids. The numbers vary between anywhere from 10 to 40 with ages six to 13. And that's not including the five and under group next door. It's very different working with these kids and trying to get them to settle down because they're not really used to 'restrictions' and discipline. (Anyone who's ever worked with bus kid ministry times your experience by 20 and you get the idea.)
But we do love those kids so very much. Last Sunday I saw a boy about eight years old sitting by himself. I had a beanbag in my hand, and when he looked at me, I signaled to toss it to him. He nodded his head and got up. So, we just tossed the beanbag back and forth. I got a little silly with my throws and it was fun to watch him mimic me. I would later notice that other kids teased him and that he didn't understand one word of English. Naturally, he went pretty deep in my heart. I can't even pronounce his name, but God knows who he is when I pray.
It's very funny how we're so full of energy every time we come back. You would think we'd be worn out, but it's actually energizing. -Go figure!!!
One thing that really amuses me is how much I keep working with kids, and that I've already babysat for one of my staff leaders. The reason for my amusement is because I keep telling everyone I've never been interested in working with kids. "That's not my ministry." Somehow I think God is trying to teach me something here. Whether or not I'm supposed to actually work with kids full-time or not, I believe He wants my heart to be willing and not rejecting.
Tomorrow night will be my last night with the Roma church. I am a little sad about this, but it's only right that other members of my DTS get their chance to work with the kids. I'm not sure what my assignment will be next round. It could be street evangelism or working with a local church youth ministry. Who knows yet?
But next weekend we'll all be headed out to Sussex to help with the annual 'Big Church Day Out!' It's a MAJOR annual event that involves a giant outdoor stage, various music bands playing, thousands of people camping out in tents all weekend(including us), art, fun and food.
Since our group will be working there we will have backstage access, food passes (thank God), restricted area passes, shower access!!!!! -and just about everything you notice staff get to have whenever you attend an event and see 'staff only' signs and wish you could go there. ;)
It's a lot to describe so I'll just copy and paste from the website:
"BigChurchDayOut is an all-age event taking place at Wiston House, West Sussex BN44 3DZ on 24th & 25th May 2014.
The BigChurchDayOut is all about us coming together to celebrate our faith, no matter what our church or background. The inaugural event at Wiston, West Sussex in May 2009 attracted 15,000 people, making it the biggest one-day Christian event in the UK. In 2010, with an additional site in the Midlands, over 25,000 came together over 3 days to worship and have fun together, and with just one event at Wiston House since 2011 BCDO now sees over 20,000 join in celebration each year.
The BigChurchDayOut is about people and faith, music and worship, activities, families, and just being together. There’s something for everybody, from a nice cup of tea with a Chamber Orchestra, to high energy worship, and some of the best ‘Christian’ music the world has to offer…it’s all about being ‘church’ together.
Our aim is to encourage and inspire people to press in for all that God has called them to do, both locally and further afield, and to provide a relaxed environment to introduce friends and family who have little or no experience of church. We are committed to giving those who attend the opportunity to respond to the gospel message each year."
Here's the web link for more information. I'm REALLY looking forward to it!!!!
http://www.bigchurchdayout.com/
Comments
Post a Comment