The Last Term

So people! I have just returned from the longest time away from Enfield I've had since I arrived in September, and what a bizarre experience it was too. What with residential at the lovely All Nations, to 10 days at home, to Spring Harvest and back to Enfield....It's been a long time, and I missed it so so much. I have spent over 10 hours on trains back and forth, and about 6 hours in a car, meaning that when I finally got back I was pretty confused about where I live!! Especially now, as many of you know, because I have a lovely new housemate called Beth. She is tidy. and clean. Which means the house is the tidiest it's been since Sept at least...and it makes me clean! She is also other things besides tidy too...and we're getting on really well :)

So the 3 weeks of holiday were about two things- reflecting on the past, and looking forward to the future. This term in a lot of ways will be really different, obviously the team has changed because the boys have gone and Beth is here, but as well as that we will be involved with a number of "projects" which are exciting. We also have a LOT of planning to do in terms of May half term and Summer stuff, so my work is going to look a little different this term.

The most exciting thing at the moment is that we've been asked by the academy to organise and present some sex education lessons to the pupils. Because I have recently done the training, i'm feeling really excited about doing this...it will be a challenge but I'm so looking forward to it. The state of sex education in the schools and churches in this country is something that is always on my heart- when I look at what a mess so many people are in because of being ill educated about sexual health, contraception, and just how to BE in a relationship. Sigh. so it's going to be amazing to be involved with this -yay.

In terms of looking back, I think it would be good to reflect on my experience at being on team at Spring Harvest. I was working with the 11-14s team, and having been to Spring Harvest every year I can remember, it was interesting to see it from the other side!
It was the most enthusiastic week of my life...really had to let go of all cynicism and just get into it. This was a good technique it seems- even the "coolest" of kids couldn't help but laugh and join in. It's been a very long time since i've been involved with anything similar, and a very long time since i've had to engage with kids who are so...christian. This was definitely the most difficult thing. Amongst all the fun and games though, God did some amazing things. Praying and worshipping with the team for 2 hours a day really helped me to put God in his place as we were working. The biggest response night was to the talk about action- getting out there and LIVING your faith, which I thought was amazing- God really seems to be moving in everyone about the issues of community and social action. Was a privilege to pray with the young people.
Another highlight for me was helping the kids who had come on their own to make friends. We took about 20 of them to the funfair for an hour one afternoon at the beginning of the week, and they were together from then on. It was SO lovely to see, and so worth giving up an afternoon for.
For me, the week was just really encouraging. Even though it was such hard work, and long days, I came back feeling really energised and ready to carry on- really believing that he IS able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20)

So now, looking ahead, in my second week back, I am beginning to apply the things I learned to the way I live my life. Worshipping God, and praying to him every morning allows me to put Him in his place for the day, and remind me why i'm here and what I should be doing. And it's not just praying, but really believing that God WILL move, in a bigger, more amazing way than I have asked Him too. The other thing is realising that the lies that run through my head- like "I can't be bothered" "I'm not good enough to do this" "the young people don't like me" etc etc are just that LIES. They're all part of spiritual warfare, and I need to work through them and against them, constantly fixing my eyes on Him.
Good times.