Street Ministry
Street Ministry was...loud tonight. At first it looked like there was only going to be six of us there which REALLY isn't enough people to do things. Fortunately, the youth group who was booked to come arrived and we were able to have them do most of the labour. 40 youth and their leaders is about 28 too many though. It seemed as though there were kids everywhere! We were struggling to find them things to do. We were so blessed by their presence though.
After the meal they spread out and talked to people and it was just great to see them playing games, laughing and listening to our community members. People on the streets or living in destitution often have no one to talk to and no one who will listen to them; especially not that unconditional kind of listening. I did debrief with the group, and I have never heard a youth group talk so much. Each and every kid shared a story of someone they had talked to and it was really amazing. We didn't take them out on the streets, and although that is my favourite part I was glad that both the youth and they people present had the opportunity to interact in such a positive way.
I enjoyed the night as well. Having groups is A LOT of work and although I spent most of the night doing "kid control" there were some definite highlights. One of our regulars, a schizophrenic gentleman gave me a giant hug when I went to shake his hand. He's never done that before and it really touched me. Sometimes I sit here and ask myself if we're really making a difference. If whether me being out there Friday nights working my butt off actually does any good. Siloam provides food Friday nights too, do we really need to be out there? I always get that answer though, that we do make a difference, and today I really saw that in him. I also was able to have a good talk with a man I've been having some deep conversations with the past couple weeks. He was really going through a rough patch but it seems as though things are looking up for him these days and I hope they continue to do so.
Although there is much more I could say, I need to end this. I have to be up early tomorrow to shower before a church workshop which starts at nine. I someone just couldn't find the energy to shower when I got home tonight knowing I'd either have to go to bed with soaking wet hair or blow dry it. Neither appealed to me. The workshop should be good though so I'm excited about that. Of course after that I'm going to Mel's to do laundry and I still have a paper to finish. Then comes church Sunday, lunch with Breanne's family, practicum logs and then the Kutless and Newsboys Concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After the meal they spread out and talked to people and it was just great to see them playing games, laughing and listening to our community members. People on the streets or living in destitution often have no one to talk to and no one who will listen to them; especially not that unconditional kind of listening. I did debrief with the group, and I have never heard a youth group talk so much. Each and every kid shared a story of someone they had talked to and it was really amazing. We didn't take them out on the streets, and although that is my favourite part I was glad that both the youth and they people present had the opportunity to interact in such a positive way.
I enjoyed the night as well. Having groups is A LOT of work and although I spent most of the night doing "kid control" there were some definite highlights. One of our regulars, a schizophrenic gentleman gave me a giant hug when I went to shake his hand. He's never done that before and it really touched me. Sometimes I sit here and ask myself if we're really making a difference. If whether me being out there Friday nights working my butt off actually does any good. Siloam provides food Friday nights too, do we really need to be out there? I always get that answer though, that we do make a difference, and today I really saw that in him. I also was able to have a good talk with a man I've been having some deep conversations with the past couple weeks. He was really going through a rough patch but it seems as though things are looking up for him these days and I hope they continue to do so.
Although there is much more I could say, I need to end this. I have to be up early tomorrow to shower before a church workshop which starts at nine. I someone just couldn't find the energy to shower when I got home tonight knowing I'd either have to go to bed with soaking wet hair or blow dry it. Neither appealed to me. The workshop should be good though so I'm excited about that. Of course after that I'm going to Mel's to do laundry and I still have a paper to finish. Then comes church Sunday, lunch with Breanne's family, practicum logs and then the Kutless and Newsboys Concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!