Home and Away

In Norfolk there is a generalisation made that we're quite isolated, struggle to look at the wider world and are generally not interested in life beyond the county boundaries.

There are several things happening in youth groups, with churches, organisations and through individuals which fly in the face of this assumption. Below are a couple of examples of broadening horizons for young people from Norfolk. Pete Tyson reports.

Last year Stuart Patience explained to me that he would be handing in his notice at Framingham Earl High School, where he was a very well respected English teacher. I was a bit gutted as he had been an excellent support for my work in the school, offering his room to use and meeting with me and others to pray on some mornings before lessons.

The news was, however, far more exciting than disappointing. He was moving, with his wife Abi and their newly born son Christopher to work with the urban poor in South-East Asia. Immediately, I saw the opportunity to help the young people in Poringland (and further afield) to look outside of the local setting and be part of what God is doing in the wider world.

The picture to the right is from the international food evening which Stu and family took part in, proudly parading their patriotic pallets.

IGnight is a monthly youth event for 11-19's, running every 3rd Saturday at the Methodist Church in Framingham Earl. At IGnight we have a regular slot where we share updates about how Stu and the family are getting on (we call this slot 'have a little Patience'.) The young people are always interested in hearing how their ex-teacher is doing in his work. For young people to see a professional they know from a normally secular environment living out their faith in such a radical way is nothing short of inspiring!

After several months of language study Stu and his family will be placed as volunteers with a local charity, and we have a standing order set up to support them each month. The young people are encouraged to bring some money to IGnight to help support Stu, Abi and Christopher in their work. I believe that this helps young people to live out their convictions with actions as well as words. We have a feature in the Methodist Church prayer room focusing on the Patience work. But we also want to support them with our finances too. This is part of our worship to God, and our work in discipling young people.

If you would like to know more about the work of Team Patience or would like to give financially to support their work, please email me at ptyson@norwichyfc.co.uk

Hi! My name's Naomi, I'm English, and I'm a little bit quirky.
Last year I moved to France, knowing only how to say: ''Bonjour, je voudrais une baguette''.

''Why would you do that?!'' You ask? Because I felt lead to volunteer with an organisation called YWAM, which, amongst many other things, runs 6 month programs called 'Discipleship Training Schools (DTS). The aim of these schools is to provide a place for young people to learn more about God, about themselves and about living in community with others; to develop a deeper intimacy with Him; and to learn how to put Christian 'theory' into practice!

One year on, and speaking a little bit more French than before, I now have the incredibly challenging opportunity to direct the next DTS that starts at the end of February. Our focus is the creative arts, and how we can use our creativity to share the astounding message of Jesus Christ. Students will be coming from all around the world, and we need your help!

Whether you are interested in coming or you know of someone who might want to come (it's never too late to apply!); whether you want to tell the young people in your church about the opportunities of doing a DTS, or whether you want to give financially: I appreciate it! Please do pray for us, and if you can't make it all the way over here, why not start exploring your own method of expressing God's liberating message through the arts?

If you would like more information on what is a DTS, or on what we do in Lyon, visit our website and contact us!
YWAM Lyon: http://www.jem-lyon.com/

DTS's run all around the world, in many different languages and with many different focuses. Check them out, as well as everything else that YWAM is involved with:
YWAM International is found at: www.ywam.org/