Almost over - Jelgava Outreach Part 3

'Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.' - Romans 12 v 9 + 10

Tomorrow evening we are leaving Latvia to fly home to NI. It's been an amazing week - to be back in Latvia, to see old friends, to make new ones, but most of all to be part of the work of God's kingdom here in Jelgava.

The last three days - Wednesday to Friday - we've been visiting homes to deliver bags of food to people who are in need. It's always a great way of spending time with people to just chat and be their company for a short time. I've been on this outreach for three years now, and I've done lots of home visits. I understand that actually people just need someone to talk to, someone that will listen to them and someone to simply spend time with. They need this much more than the food bag more times than not.

'He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.' - 2 Corinthians 1 v 4

Yesterday my group had an amazing time at the home of a deaf man called Valdis. His 80 year old mother lived beside him and joined us in his house also. Usually on home visits we'd spend around 30 minutes in a home, maybe up until an hour if it's an especially great time. We were Valdis and his mother for 2 hours yesterday!

They told us all about their lives, their families, and of course the struggles of being a deaf person. His wife had left him 20 years ago and he now lived alone. Valdis is such a generous and kind man - he kept making us food and tea, whilst all the time showing us all his pictures of his family.

Valdis couldn't hear, and as a result couldn't speak either. At first I thought it would be really awkward and we'd leave after 10 minutes. I was very wrong. Even after 2 hours I didn't want to leave, I could have stayed there all day - it's not an exaggeration.

I see the importance of spending time with people like Valdis, who don't get many visitors, simply because they're pushed to the margins of society. The way of the world is broken. God was clearly showing me His heart for these people and how much He loves them.

I wanted to share this to hopefully either challenge you or encourage you. Maybe both. Remember God is not just your father. He is father for the homeless, for the disabled, for untouchables. Don't ever forget to show His love to these people too.

'We love each other because he loved us first.' - 1 John 4 v 19

We are his house - Jelgava Outreach 2

It's been a couple of days of hard work and great fun, but more so; a couple of days that The Lord has already began to reveal Himself.

There's too much to give you a detailed breakdown of our schedule over the last few days, but during our morning team meeting I read this verse in Ephesians and it really spoke to me.

'Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.' - Ephesians 2 v 20

It's amazing to think that we are the house of God. Not the church building we meet in and sometimes stereotypically view as the house of God. It is us - you and me. It's about fellowship and unity. There are many different, specific and unique parts of the body - but together we are one. Many functions for one purpose.

It's been amazing already to be part of a large group of people giving their time, energy and themselves for the glory of our Father God. During our worship times, its been especially clear to see that God is dwelling among us.

And Jesus is the cornerstone! He completed this house. Without Jesus, our house comes tumbling down. Over these past few days we've been encouraged and empowered by Jesus Christ Himself. And over the next few days we're going to be going out, into the local community of Jelgava, to fulfil one purpose - bringing the Kingdom of God to Jelgava.

Hopefully more updates will follow this one, so stay tuned but more importantly keep us all in your prayers. And until then remember - you are the house of God!

Strangers Passing Through - Jelgava Outreach 1

So as you may have known, I'm back in Latvia this week; from the 22nd Feb - 2nd March. Why? I'm part of a group of friends from NI attending a week of Mercy Mission Outreach in Latvia. The Outreach is a global event, ran by Youth With A Mission, with a team of over 400 people usually from countless different nations. It occurs annually, with every year the Outreach happening in a different city in Latvia.

We were up bright and breezy at 4am to start our travels to Latvia yesterday for one week of Outreach work. We arrived in Riga Airport in the afternoon, and already were greeted by some familiar faces. We took a bus with some other teams to Jelgava, the city where we will be based this week. We are staying in a school in the city, because it's the only place to hold so many people.

Throughout the week we'll be visiting homes with food bags, giving out free clothes, and running a number of different programmes for children, teens, disabled and much more. I hope to put a few regular updates on here about how we're doing, but if that fails then I'll sum it all up with one post at the end of the week!

Last night, The Lord was already at work! We were unloading one truck from Norway, and some local kids were hanging around. They were obviously very curious; seeing all these clothes and toys disappearing from the truck into the school. They were standing right beside where I was working in the line. So I asked if they wanted to help, which of course they were more than happy to. As they excitedly joined our line, I got chatting to them and got to know them a little bit.

Afterwards, the NI team went to a local fast food place for some dinner. There were 5 kids, and the 3 boys also came to Hesburger to join us. Karl bought them some good generously, and we enjoyed their company a little longer.

It's great how a little bit of hard work and a tasty reward can quickly bring a bunch of strangers together. It's a good sign for things to come!
I eagerly await the wonders that God has in store for this week! Whatever we do will prosper!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. - Psalm 1 v 2-3

Is there a potential for things to get worse?

If you haven't watched the latest episode of Ross Kemp Extreme World, which focuses on Belfast, then I really encourage you to go away and watch it. Hate. Division. Violence. It's shocking and sad to see something like this in the 21st Century and in first world United Kingdom, never mind 30 minutes from where I live. Here's a short video taster of the episode if you haven't already watched it...

What happened to trust? to peace? to love?

The clip ends with a rather negative note - "Is there a potential for things to get worse there?" Living in Bangor, 15 miles away, is sort of like being in a bubble. We see it on the news, read about it in the papers, hear it on the radio. We just continue to live on in our bubble, hoping that things don't get worse. But when do we actually ever strive to make things better?!

"You are the salt of the earth."

"You are the light of the world."

- Matthew 5 v 13 and 14

It's very easy for us to be indifferent about things happening in the world, or even on our doorsteps. But the Bible tells us, that as Christians, we need to be a light in darkness. That is a strong image of two complete opposites. There is no indifferent alternative between light and darkness. You're one or the other... Which one are you going to be?

It's the same with these Neknomination videos online at the minute. We can think that by simply not being part of it we are doing good. But why not go one step further? I saw one video of a South African guy who was nominated by his friends, but instead of downing alcohol, he went to give food to homeless people. Light in darkness!

Let's be active as Christians! Let's be the light! If we are Jesus' love and peace to people in our broken, evil and hateful societies then I have to believe that our good acts and kindness will stimulate others to live in love, peace and forgiveness as well.

If I was Ross Kemp in the video, I would have ended with a more positive question...

"Is there a potential for things to get better?"

How can you make it better?

Leave your cloak in 2013

Hey everyone,

Hope you all had a great Christmas full of rest , and enjoyed a safe New Year! Speaking of a new year, welcome to 2014! It's a New Year, and of course that means a new start. But I'm not talking about not eating chocolate, going to the gym more or giving up the cigarettes. No no. I'm talking about a new start spiritually.

Maybe it's the year you want to commit your life to Jesus. Or perhaps it's a good time to look back on 2013 and learn from it, and start 2014 with a renewed sense of purpose and freedom in the Spirit of God. I know personally, I would like to leave several aspects of my character in 2013 and let God really transform those parts of my life this year.

Thinking of a new start and about letting Jesus transform your life, I've been looking at the passage of Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was a blind beggar healed by Jesus, who restored his sight and thus radically changed his life. You may think it's a little strange that I've chosen to focus on this passage in regards to a new year and a new start, but follow with me and hopefully you'll catch my thought in all this.

'Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.'

 - Mark 10 v 50

Zaiga Boitmane Photography

It's very easy to read this passage and to simply skim over the first part of verse 50. But think about it, why did he throw his cloak to the side, leaving it behind as he went to follow Jesus? My opinion, and you may disagree, is that his cloak was a symbol of his old life. The cloak represented every day of his life when he sat by the side of the road in blindness begging for money. Then Bartimaeus is healed by Jesus, he is no longer blind - physically or spiritually - and the last thing he wants to do is bring part of his old life with him in his new life with Jesus Christ.

Makes you think, right? When did you give your life to Jesus? And did you throw "your cloak" behind? Did you leave your 'old life', your sinful nature, "your cloak" behind? If you're anything like me, you probably have clung to your aspects of your old life. I know I haven't let go of certain aspects of my character that just don't have a place in my new life of walking in the Spirit.

2014 is the year when many resolutions will not make it to 2015, if even lasting this far. It's the year the World Cup will be in Brazil.  It's a year that will make make and break many people. But it's a year of change, so let's make it a positive change. Let's leave behind our cloaks of the old life, and fully embrace the new life God has graced us with. Let 2014 be the year that God uses you!

So let's throw our cloaks aside, jump to our feet and come to Jesus!
Be blessed

Gingerbread Foundations

Christmas is just around the corner! The last minute shopping, the trees are up and the festive clothing is out in full force! Last night at Helen's Bay Youth, we had our Christmas Party and everyone was in the holiday spirit.

We of course had the obligatory game of Pass The Parcel, a little party with snacks and drinks, but the highlight of the night had to be making our Gingerbread Houses. Chaos isn't usually a word I'd associate with Christmas, but after some of the houses yesterday I think that it is most appropriate. Of course not all of the house were bad. 2 were brilliant, 1 was decent enough (my group yeooo) and then 1 was pure awful. You can guess which ones are which below...

However, with our group particularly we struggled with wobbly walls. The group that had a pile of gingerbread rubble for their house would also say their wobbly walls were at fault. I think that most groups struggled with the shaky nature of the houses. Why? Well there were no foundations...

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - Matthew  7 v 24 - 27

It's exactly the same for us as people. Not even just Christians. Everyone has foundations - it just depends what you build them on... and whether or not they are solid. Some people have friends, family, or wealth as foundations. Whilst these things may not be bad inherently, if you look to build your life on them they will surely let you down and your 'house' will collapse.

You want solid foundations? Choose Jesus. He's the only one that will be able to keep your walls firm and your house steady in even the most troubling storms of your life - just make your foundation in Him.

How can I make a foundation in Jesus? What's that even mean? Start by accepting Him into your life and living the way God wants you to. Taking time to get to know your Father by reading His word and talking with Him in prayer is vital.

Take a look at the Gingerbread houses again. Which one are you going to be?

Christmas Came Early

As soon as Christmas last year had ended we were already starting to see Facebook status' counting down the days until next Christmas. It's that one time of the year that everyone is waiting for. I was waiting for Christmas for a different reason than the festivities, the copious amounts of turkey and of course the presents. I was waiting until I was off University for Christmas so I had time to travel back to Latvia.

Have you ever had Christmas come early? You got some good news. Your football team got an unexpected great result. Or maybe a relative has sent you a Christmas card with money in it a week early. Well my Christmas had came early being in Latvia last week.

I was only there from Monday until Friday, but it was surprising how many things I was able to fit into 4 days. My main reason for going back was to visit the Children's Centre in Karosta, Liepaja, where I used to volunteer. I was living and serving in this Centre for around a year and a half, and it became home to me. The children became my brothers and sisters, and it was the hardest thing to leave behind when coming home. Naturally I miss them, and I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to visit them.

They weren't so pleased. Well they were happy to see me as well, until I told them that I was staying only until Friday and the next time I'd be back would probably be the summer. Needless to say, I was the victim of a few bad words and slight physical torment. I had also brought over a pile of clothes for the kids and teenagers - some second hand and some brand new. Thank you for anyone who gave me clothes or money to support the need of these children. I was able to buy 20 pairs of gloves, 20 pairs of socks and 12 hats for only £65 in Primark to bring as well as the tonne of second hand clothes too. The director of the Centre will be able to give them out to those in need, and they are extremely grateful of this support.

On the Tuesday morning, I was able to return to 5-a-side football with my friends from the Liepaja police. I used to play with them twice a week when I lived there, and can't really remember how I got involved in playing there! But there great guys and I miss them too, so it was great to go and play some football with them, and to keep our friendships going. I ask you to be praying for those guys too! On Tuesday evening, I was able to meet some kids from our summer camp and play bowling with them. It was a great time together, although I suck at bowling, and its important to not forget about the work we did in the summer. God is still working in these children and we need to continue to work with Him in our prayers.

Finally, I was able to spend a substantial amount of time with our friends - a family of 4 in Liepaja. I met Igor and Liga in YWAM originally, and our friendship has continued since then. They have two amazing sons, and are people of God, whom I respect and love. It was great to have a meal at theirs and to just enjoy fellowship together again. Be praying for this family together with me! I am looking forward to the next time I can see them again.

All in all an amazing week - just too short! Please be praying for all the people I have mentioned in this post, I am thankful and I know they would really appreciate it too. If you've any questions or would like to know some information then please get in touch with me! Maybe you'll even want to come along with me next time ;)  Blessings.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”