40 days and 40 nights without Facebook!

I always said I wouldn't (couldn't?) do it but I finally thought I'd be radical and see how life without Facebook is. I'm already doing more valuable things instead of mooching around and wasting aimless time on it. I want to give this time consciously to God. It doesn't just mean reading the Bible and talking to him a whole lot more, it might also mean that I invest the time in people or in my work generally. See what I say after a week or few! I do feel slightly cut off though in a way. Interestingly though I've found myself checking the news a lot more!

Last week was relatively quiet which meant I started preparing for this week really early- that was great and really paid off. Yesterday was SO GREAT with the kids. Praise the Lord! It was quite a peaceful atmosphere and the kids were really 'there'...not sure if that conveys what I mean! A miracle happened in that for the story, they all were waiting for me in a circle on the carpet- this does NOT happen! It is normally a struggle to get them interested or sitting down in one spot. They were quiet and all eyes were on me. Wow! It was such an odd but good good feeling! I was really inspired to make the story quite interactive so I told the story of the years in the desert when the people were to and fro with their trust in God despite all the cool things that happened. We experienced the bitter water the people found with 'bitter lemon', which they thought tasted disgusting. They were so cute! They could imagine what it was like for the people. At the end of the story where the people realise how strong God is, how they actually do need his help and how he was actually on their side, a little girl piped up: 'Ah I'd love to have such an adventure!'

Many thanks for your prayers. It is so so encouraging actually seeing positive improvements. One boy has been coming for a few months is really aggressive and was so wound up towards the beginning. As time has gone on though, though of course he has his moments, he's really softened. He asks to play with me, is learning to accept when things don't always go his way, listens and he doesn't constantly disrupt. He shows that he really wants to be a part of the group! I think it's cool that he's learning that he is taken seriously as well, not just dismissed as a naughty child. All these improvements can't be underestimated. Thanks to God! At the start of the story this week, this boy retold basically the whole story of how God delivered the people because God is strong and can do anything. It was so cool!

Today was pretty much the other end of the scale- quite discouraging! There were a certain few girls who were completely disruptive, going against everything, complaining (especially when they didn't win or get immediately exactly what they wanted), not listening and not allowing a good atmosphere for everyone else. It was so hard! I did a little impulse which was a little difficult anyway, but was made harder because the kids were so disruptive, making me lose my track and they were just not responding to me. I had a few firm words but that did not work. They just laughed the whole time! Also, who would have thought a game of 'fruit salad' could amount to such arguments. So all in all not so cool. Would be great if you could pray that the kids could somehow develop respect for me, not so that I feel cool but because I mean well for them and have something valuable to pass on to them!

Youth was great tonight, fun and they all really got into it :)

I have loads to do in the next week but also really looking forward to a visit from my friend Irina again. I do need to find and leave a lot of time to be inspired for my talk in a couple of weeks... a 'sermon' actually. Scary!

I'm going to stop now- I have the feeling this has got long! Looking forward to your many emails and letters, replacing all Facebook communication!