Well, last week was a pretty interesting week!

It started on Sunday with Taste leading worship at TCC’s evening service. We had a minimal set up but still arrived at 4pm to make sure everything was ready. I was due to be doing Psalm 139. We met to pray just before the service and I was starting to feel quite dizzy (get dizzy spells occasionally so didn’t think too much of it) but then as we left that room I felt like I was going to faint so sat down and Keel got me some water. I then felt quite sick so went to the toilets and was retching but wasn’t sick. Meanwhile the service had started but every time i tried to stand up I just felt really dizzy. Karen came to see if I was ok and I told her I wasn’t able to do Psalm 139 so she passed the message on to Andy. I managed to get back into the church towards the end of the service and was able to be prayed for which was really good. I just felt really miserable because I felt ill and also felt I was letting people down. I just wanted me own bed and really didn’t want to be going to a new host house and preparing for a schools week! Becca and I were staying with Andrew and Avril so I went to bed as soon as I could after I got there and Joy told me not to get up in the morning til I felt better.

So Becca got up and went to Deanes Schools for 6.30am. I heard her go and just felt so awful that everyone was going to set up and I wasn’t. I felt really guilty but knew it probably was best for me to stay and sleep. I eventually got up and went in at lunchtime but didn’t take part in the final lesson, I just wanted to familiarise myself with everything before Tuesday. There were only 3 lessons each day but they were 100minutes each. We were set up in the hall, but it was being used all day Tuesday and a few other lessons for drama, so we had to do a basic acoustic set up in various classrooms! It was a lot of setting up, packing down and moving around and at points no-one really knew what was going on! Andy and Joy had created a new lesson about what a Christian is, which went down really well. Other lessons were a combination of music interviews, quizzes, Abi and we got a lot of Q&A session time which was brilliant. Some questions… ’Did God create Aliens?’, ‘Do you believe the world will end in 2012?’, ‘Why did you become a Christian?’, ‘Do you have to go to Church every Sunday?’, ‘How do you know Christianity is the right one?’, ‘How can you prove God is real?’ so we got really good opportunities to share our stories and opinions.

Throughout the week various people felt poorly and grumpy! Becca was sick on Thursday and during Thursday night so stayed in bed Friday morning. Jack and Keel both had dodgy tummys, La Roche felt shivery and achey… by Friday it was looking pretty grim! But after an intense pray backstage for the day, the lunchtime concert and the evening gig everything got better! The gig was not as well attended as hoped but still had around 30 young people who were enthusiastic and had a great time. La Roche had a bit of a chat towards the end and a lot of them responded which was fantastic and so encouraging.

We were very well looked after this week, thank you to all the lovely people who fed us: Nick and Karen, Ian and Miriam, Andrew and Avril.

Weds 10^th

Picked up at 1pm, we had to go and get the van weighed (for an insurance report after we had a bit of a bump in Scotland) then off to Keel’s to meet everyone else. Becca drove to Norwich in her car to make life easier there as everyone is staying so far apart, so Ben and Jack went in the car with her, leaving me, Keel and La Roche with lots of space in Linford! We arrived at Oak Grove Chapel just before 5, met Darren and Becky for a cuppa and quick  plan of Thursday, then off to hosts for dinner. I was staying with Jo, Colin, Izzy and Steph for the night. In the evening Jo, Izzy and I went to Refresh, a women’s social at the church and basically drank hot chocolate and ate cake! I met Louise, a DNA student who will be working with us. Then home to bed as an early start Thurs!

Thurs 11^th

Up just after 6, being very careful not to fall into the drum kit in my room and wake everyone up! At Sewell High School just before 7 to set up in the hall and start at 9.10. Record for the quickest set up, everything went according to plan! Had all yr7 for an assembly first thing, then saw them all in smaller groups throughout the day. We also did an impromptu song at lunch time and another assembly. A very busy but very good day, the staff loved it! Packed down and then headed to Joy’s Mummy’s house for dinner (affectionately known as Nanny Pearl). After a debrief, plan and pray we had the most gorgeous meal and chocolate brownie, followed by several games of Rummikub. Me and Keel made up the beginners team, but soon got into it! We have a feeling there may be many more games to come! Then back to hosts…now staying with Darren’s Mum Carol and I have a lovely comfy double bed!

Fri 12^th

Up at 6.10, came out the bathroom to be greeted by the smell of fresh coffee…amazing! In The Hub, Catton Grove Primary School about 7.20 to set up. Having been to the school last year, the guys already knew the logistics so that made life a bit easier. I had a bit of a black material nightmare, but all worked well in the end and looked really good with our lights. Then followed a day of primary lessons…I loved it!! Yrs 4,5&6 in for an assembly, then the individual year groups back for lessons followed by a mini concert at the end of the day which ended up being the whole school, including the tiniest reception children! It was all so much fun, they were so enthusiastic and co-operative, it was brilliant! At lunchtime we were slightly mobbed to sign lots of flyers! Set a few more bits and pieces up for Saturday’s gig and then headed to Anglia Square shopping centre for the boys to go to the music shop for an hour. I went to Shoe Zone and bought some cheap boots…having not been able to find any nice ones for the past 3months, I relented and bought cheap ones which won’t stay waterproof for long! Then to Jack’s hosts for dinner in their massive house, then back to our hosts for the rest of the evening.

Sat 13^th

Morning off so got up just after 10am and then Katie (Keel and La Roche’s host), Keel and La Roche came to pick me up and we headed to Wetherspoons for late breakfast. Met Ben there, and Lois came too, yay! Had good healthy fried breakfast and then all headed back to Katie’s for the afternoon where we relaxed and played Articulate. Me, Lois and Keel against Ben, La Roche and Katie. We won! Mainly due to me and Lois knowing what each other was thinking (poor Keel didn’t get a word in!) and Ben’s slowness when the decider was La Roche pointing to his palm and saying ‘It’s a kind of tree’…I got in there first! Linford came to pick us up just before 4 and Lois got to experience our travelling conditions! We went to The Hub and set up final bits for the gig. Dinner was our choice of takeaway and we had a long debate about whether or not Becky should get an iPhone. She is still undecided! Gig was 7pm-9pm and was attended by a wide age range! We had a fair few primary children, a large group from Jack’s home church in Sheringham and then various other youth groups. It wasn’t packed but it was still a good gig. We recorded the sound live, for the first time (as we have our recording gear for the activities week with us) so will be exciting to see how it came out! Lois went back to her halls and we headed to our hosts. Always difficult to wind down after a gig so took me a while to get to sleep!

Quotes from Articulate:
LR: It’s a fruit and a phone
BR: Nokia!
(Actual answer: Blackberry)

LK: An angry cow with a ring through it’s nose!
(A Bull)

Sun 14^th

Happy Valentines Day! I am not a fan, commercial rubbish and all that, probably best not to get me started! Back at The Hub for 9am to get ready for Oak Grove’s morning service at 10am. We led the service, performing What’s It Worth and then Psalm 139 in the middle of Joy’s talk which was quite effective. The whole theme was God’s Love and it was a really good service. A couple of girls from Sewell High who were at the gig came along, not Christians but wanting to find out more. Please remember Oak Grove in your prayers, a major source of funding has been cut, affecting them and many other organisations, putting a lot of jobs on the line (including Darren and Becky). They do some incredible things in the community and are trusting God for the finance to be able to continue. We packed down everything and drove to Oak Grove Chapel where Nanny Pearl had set out some snacks…i.e. a feast! We ate lots and then unloaded and set up which took us til 5pm. Then to Katie’s for dinner and a team game of Articulate. Me, Keel, La Roche and Ben vs Jack, Becca, Joy, Andy and Katie. They won, but we’re not bitter! ‘A Flea’ was the best one on our team…there’s a story but it’s long and probably not that interesting, but I wanted to write it here so I can look back and laugh to myself. If you really want to know then ask me about it! Back to hosts and I’m preparing for the first day of our activities week tomorrow. Let’s see what happens!

Having not had internet for 2 weeks I haven’t been able to update…sorry everyone! It was quite nice though to be away from technology for a while!

We got back at 4.35am and I’m pretty shattered so will update at another point! Just wanted to let you know that I haven’t forgotten! We had a pretty awesome 2 weeks and there’s lots to share!

Unfortunately now Andy, Keel, Jack and Ben have been struck down with a vomiting bug so please pray for their quick recovery!

Sarah (my sister) hasn’t had her baby yet (due 31st Jan)…will let you know when he/she arrives!!

We travelled down to Hawick on the Saturday, via Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow. We stopped in Newcastleton at Esther’s house (The SU worker responsible for our trip) for dinner and then on to Hawick to our hosts. Myself and Becca stayed with Stephen and Liz, Salvation Army officers. On Sunday we were at Burnfoot Parish Church in the morning, spent the afternoon at Andy/Joy/Jack/Ben’s hosts in Denholm and then were at the launch service at Hawick Baptist in the evening. It was a united service which Joy spoke at and we spent time praying for the upcoming week.

The week at Hawick was different to a ‘normal’ schools week we would do. It was called Peace Week and we were going in to take RE, Music and PSE Lessons for S1. Other outside organisations and youthworkers were taking other lessons – people from Whitaugh Park took PE and Business Studies Lessons. Also the newly appointed Chaplaincy Team were around all week helping out. We didn’t have a totally full timetable so had 2 or 3 lessons free a day which was in some ways helpful to do bits and pieces but also a shame that we didn’t get to spend as much time getting to know the students. We set up in the hall on their stage (I was very excited that we had proper wings so we didn’t have to invent changing rooms with black material!) and took assemblies, lessons and lunchtime activities all week. The week was a challenge as La Roche was off ill on Monday, and then Keel was off ill on Thursday (with the gig planned Thursday night). Thursday was the day it poured with rain, roads to surrounding villages were cut off so students were being sent home; the river swelled almost to bursting point and the decision was made to cancel the gig. We were all very disappointed but were given the opportunity to perform a sort of gig on the Friday morning to S1 which was good. I guess we may not have had many on the Thursday night anyway so it was good to be able to perform to all of them and Andy shared a gospel message with them. The headteacher of the school, although not a Christian, had come to the service on the Sunday night and was very encouraging of all that we were doing which was fantastic.  

We packed down and left the school at lunchtime, heading to Beanscene to organise Secret Santa and to relax for the afternoon! Me and Keel went for an explore of the town and ended up at the top of the hill, overlooking Hawick, it was really beautiful. In the evening we went to Whitaugh Park and the rest of the team went Wall Climbing and Abseiling while I watched and shivered!

From the very first meeting in Hawick back in March there was the sense of a real spiritual battle and the week was tough. However there were so many positive comments from teachers and Esther was really pleased with how it went. A Check It Out group was started off the back of the week and we pray that amazing things happen!!

Our week in Oban was brilliant. We spent the week taking RE and music lessons across the years. We had an opportunity to spend an afternoon with a group of special needs students. We did a mixture of drama performance, drama workshop and music for the 6 students and had a really good time. The teacher was really encourage how well the pupils engaged and worked together for the hour and a half we were with them. On the Friday we were involved in an S3 conference on Conflict Resolution (organised by H2O and involving many outside speakers) which involved us performing Abi 6 times! We only had half an hour for each session so didn’t get much of an opportunity to expand on the play but I was really encouraged by some of the comments that the students had written in their evaluation. One said ‘It made me realise how one decision can have such a big effect on people’ and another was about focusing on the decisions that they had to make. Its brilliant to hear such positive comments, when I felt that what we did had had very little impact! The gig on Thursday night was great, about 130 kids came and we had at least 17 responses from young people who wanted to find out more. The week was made extra special by visits from SU Workers Martin (worked with him in Port Glasgow in January 09) and Gordon (the clown(!!!!) we worked with at Hamilton College and Stonehaven in November 08).

On the Tuesday evening we hung out with the youth group at The Well – GFG (Games, Food, God). We all shared our stories, chatted with the kids and had an awesome competition – getting the entire team through a loop of material in under 10secs! The team I was in also had Andy and Joy in it…so the other team had no hope!! We won by a good few seconds! On the Wednesday we headed over to a hostel that many of the young people live in, just hanging out with them and then Andy got out the guitar and we had a sing (Wonderwall being my favourite) and then Ewen taught us the three blind jellyfish song…hilarious first time round, after that it just gets stuck in your head and very annoying!

The guys at H2O are incredible, their endless energy and dedication to the young people is truly inspiring. After a ridiculously busy week they were then off on a weekend away with some of the young people!! Take a second to pray for Ewen and Rachel as they give so much of themselves to building relationships with the kids and sharing Jesus’ love with them.

Some feedback from teachers at Oban High School…

Support Department Teacher:

Hi Ewen, 

Just a few words regarding the team’s Wed. afternoon work with the students from the Support Dept. I feel that they adapted their programme to suit the needs of that group and gave them an excellent mix of music, drama and team building. I appreciate that they were probably not used to working with such a small group, nor with such wide ranging abilities, but felt they overcame the challenge perfectly. The fact that we agreed to leave the session open ended, but used all the time available is an indication of how well the group were kept active, engaged and interested. From my point of view, much of the benefit came from having the group work with other people that they are not familiar with, so all in all, a great success – and a thanks for devoting an afternoon to such a small group. 

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Head of Performing Arts:

Hi Ewen 

This was on my things to do list for this week!  All of our guys had a really good time last week.  It was great how the check-it-out team were able to work across the year groups and adapt their delivery to suit whatever age/ability was with them at that time.   

I really enjoyed the junior workshops and they were able to involve so much into the 50 minute workshop from drama to music to literacy to RE whilst delivering a powerful message.  As we all embrace curriculum for excellence it was an excellent example of sharing and experiencing the 4 capacities and it certainly hit them all. 

Thanks again for a wonderful week 

The Performing Arts Gang

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Department of RME and Philosophy:

Hi Ewen

 In a word I thought they were excellent in their presentation and professionalism. Before each lesson I spoke to them and told them what we were covering in class and they pitched it well and at the right level – very impressive. I also thought the message was clear and to the point. Interestingly, at the start of the week the pupils seemed to be suspicious of the group but by Wednesday all of my classes wanted to go see them – even the ones that had already done so. One point I would make is that the lyrics were not too clear – I realize this was down to the venue rather than the performance but I think in future it may be worth projecting the lyrics for the kids to follow them – otherwise they may just be singing baa baa black sheep as no-one has any clear idea of what is being sung.

Would have them back in an instant though!

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