20:20 & Fusion

Hey everyone, hello from S.A. I hear you may have heard my email last night. I hope everyone is well and enjoyed Castlewellen? God has been opening my eyes to his power and presence everywhere in South Africa. I have joined a church called Harvest Christian Church, it is just overflowing with God I can't wait to get to church every week. Last night though was the opening night of their on campus ministry and guess what guys.....it's called:

Twenty20Destiny | Campus Ministry
A Student Revolution Impacting the Nation by Bringing About Positive Change
It just showed me how God works across continents, and it encouraged me so much and made me think of everybody at 20:20 at home. I miss all of you and look forward to getting back into WPC. For the first time I have truly understood what a church family is and it is the most wonderful feeling. Thank you all for your prayers I am safe and well and am making good friends here. God answers prayer! I joined a cell of girls from harvest and we've been discussing how to lead a person to Christ....What should you say when someone asks why are you a Christian or why should i become a Christian? So it has been really great as its something I have never felt very confidant in.

Last night at the twenty20destiny night some of our friends were in a drama that I just have to get a copy of for you. It blew me away....the most powerful thing I have ever watched. I don't wanna spoil it but it was about how 'other things' can separate us from God. God spoke right to my heart that moment and said 'I've always been here, waiting for you, wanting to be with you. I've been trying to reach out to you but things of this world have tempted you away. Please come back to me, I love you.' I was brought to tears at how I always seem to put other things before God and I recommitted my life when they asked people to stand as I just wanted God, nothing else, nothing else can satisfy, and I longed for Him, His presence beside my all the time.

Guys I just wanna say God holds out His hand to us at ever step in our lives and it's our responsibility to put our hand into His and say 'God I trust you, not my will but yours be done'.

Here are the details for the Castlewellan Retreat next weekend! Apologies I forgot to print this off and distribute on Friday night!

We will be departing from Waringstown Presbyterian Church Car Park at 6pm on Friday 22nd February. We will arrive back at WPC car park on Sunday 24th February at 3.30pm.

CONSENT FORM MUST BE COMPLETED & RETURNED TO NEIL

Things to bring:

• Sleeping bag & pillow
• Warm clothing
• Older clothing for Saturday afternoon activities & late night ‘Capture the Flag’
• Towel & wash kit
• Bible, notebook & pen
• Snack Food:
• Torch & batteries
• Sense of humour

We had our Christmas night out with Fusion & 20:20 before Christmas. We went to the Panto and had a great nights craic! I had decided that at a time of year when we spend so much money on ourselves it would be good for our young people to give some away to helps people less fortunate in other countries. So i gave them some advance warning that we would be taking donation in the hope that we could buy a herd of goats (cost £60) for a family in Afghanistan from Present Aid. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of a group of young people mostly aged 11-18. The total raised was a fantastic £211 which meant we were able to buy the goats as well as pigs for a family in Nicaragua, ducks for a family in Bangladesh, a bike for an outreach worker in Malawi and a water tap for a community in Nicaragua! How amazing is that! If you haven't visited the Present Aid website then you really should - use the link above. Maybe you could purchase an ethical gift for a friend or family member.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had an exciting new year's eve, bringing the New Year in with style. I welcomed in the new year on Portstewart Strand and it was fantastic! In the dark all you could hear was the roar of the waves and the sound of footsteps on the sand!

So as the new year begins I am drawn to think of the year gone by - and to remember the many ways in which God has been good to me, and the many times when I didn't deserve his goodness! There are so many blessings that come to my mind!

And as I think on the year that is to come I see many things which I will face and struggle with. I need to lay these before an Almighty God, and believe that just as He was with me in 2007, so He will be with me in 2008!

So let us pray for all that 2008 may hold: school and exams, starting university, new jobs, Fusion, 20:20, discipleship program and Romania trip, 20:20 weekend in February, holidays. The Lord holds all these in His hands. And as we look around the world and see conflict and strife we must remember, the Lord holds all these in His hands.

So let us listen and hear the Lord say to me, and to you:

Here is the Patience video we showed last week in 20:20. I know some of you couldn't be there and I'm sure all of you would like to see it again anyway!



I've posted a couple of the thoughts and quotes i shared on Patience on my own blog so just click here.

It's been ages since i have posted here but thought i would share a bit about the activities of last weekend! 20:20 celebrated the 18th Birthday of Jessy Stoddart on Friday night with a 60's party in the church hall! It was awesome craic and special mention has to go to the female leaders who put extra special effort in to their costumes as The Supremes. Alas i have no pictures of this to share with you but if anyone has some pics then let me know!

On Saturday we had a 20:20 Day trip to Dublin. The highlight of this was the Surprise Mystery Event! This had built up quite a suspense amongst the young people for the 2 weeks leading up to the trip and i don't think they were disappointed. We had booked the Viking Splash Tour, a trip around Dublin on WW2 amphibious (yes land and water!) vehicles called DUKW's. Here's a few pics to give you an idea! All and all it was a great day's craic with the young people who made it along!