Dear Goodnews
I was really struck by Kristina Cooper's front page article in the
last issue about what has happened with the young people on her housing
estate as we are experiencing something of the same thing.
Over the past 12 weeks, when we have been having our prayer meetings
in the church hall, the cars in the car park have been getting vandalised.
I have a special car because I am disabled and I was anxious for it
not to be damaged so on the 12th December when I left my car, I prayed
particularly for an anointing of the Holy on everyone venturing onto
church property, including those who use the car part as a short cut
to the local chippie.
Ten minutes into the meeting one of our members, Tom, came into,
having witnessed couples "snogging" outside and others kicking
a ball of lighted paper around. As we had had a firework thrown into
the hall a couple of weeks earlier, he felt that he had to act decisively
so he went out to deal with it. Five minutes later he returned, followed,
to our surprise, by a dozen or more teenagers, whom he had invited
in out of the cold.
Considering they were in the hall for more than an hour they were
remarkably well behaved, causing a minimum of disruption. At teatime
a lad came, demanding tea, but when asked to serve the others first,
he smiled, rallied his chums and proceeded to serve tea and biscuits
to the old timers with good humour. Tom had apparently offered them
tea, instead of freezing outside, welcoming them to come inside and
join us in "praising the Lord" and to have tea and a bit
of "craic"(fun) afterwards.
The following week - the 19th - we had decided to have prayer and
praise and a shared table before closing for Christmas. Not knowing
what to expect we arrived at the hall later than usual as it was being
used by the school for their nativity play. We have a regular number
of about 20-25 members to the group and on this night we had a dear
lady in her 90's and our teenagers had returned - over a dozen of
them. Some were without doubt disruptive and embarrassed and others
were just inquisitive. Two came out with me to move my car. I explained
why my car was high and its various extras to help me with my disability
and I took them for a little spin in it.
One young chap fixed my clock for me as it was an hour fast. Then
he said, "We ain't bad you know miss, it's the others."
I couldn't help smiling. He then said, "We'll learn them songs
miss for next time if y'like." I tried to explain that this wasn't
necessary as the words were on a wall board. He then told me that
he couldn't read, that he was dyslexic. When Tom heard this he grinned,
shock hands with the lad and said, "Me too."
One or two of the young people were quite abusive verbally, pushing
us tot he limit, and at times the atmosphere was somewhat tense. But
then came the shared table and again they blossomed, serving the oldies,
whilst cramming doughnuts into their mouths and chocolates into their
pockets.
Eight young men stayed the course, joining in the Our Father and
singing hymns - sometimes embarrassed, occasionally I think sincere.
I realised that it will be difficult to house the two extreme ages
together for prayer, whilst socially, together they are magic.
This is a large council estate, quite deprived and for the past nine
months the rosary has been said for each road in the parish and everyone
living in these roads. I feel that the Holy Spirit is bring these
young people to His house and that he is asking us to respond to them.
That the Lord is calling His children home and inviting us to be His
arms to welcome them. But How! When I was praying this morning I felt
that the Lord was saying "Give me your yes, My child and I will
do the rest."
We are being given the opportunity to put into action the words that
we proclaim daily "Here I am Lord, It is I Lord, I have heard
you calling in the night, I will go Lord if you lead me, I will hold
your people in my heart.
God Bless,
Janet,
Selly Oak,
Birmingham
