Start date + Friends leaving.

This is me and the January DTS who have just graduated their school. They fast became a lot of my favorite people and I'm going to miss them a lot!

 

These beautiful ladies are my good friends Lucie (r) and Megan (l). Megan joined staff at the same time as me and staffed on the January DTS. Her commitment is now up and has also left us to study in the homeland of Canada. Sad times for us but excited for her!

Start Date + Travels

These past few months have been a bit hectic and while I have just returned from a well earned holiday in Portugal I am writing this from another airport departure lounge.

This time I'm waiting to board a flight to Geneva to attend 'Slingshot', a 3 week training course aimed at young leaders. I'm excited to be going and to have the opportunity to learn from some amazing leaders who have gone before me, including Loren and Darlene Cunningham, the founders of Youth With a Mission. 

Behind me however I leave 2 newly arrived team members and one would question my leadership in this decision. Well, I feel that this course will equip me with better skills to be able to not only effectively lead this team but I also hope that it will impart knowledge to me that will be foundational for all my subsequent jobs.


Alright - I'd better rush and board my plane!

Fair trade Fashion

Previous to my work in YWAM I spent a summer working in India for VIA Design, a fair trade design company passionate about using textiles to champion the talents and rights of those in the majority world.

'Our vision is to empower people at the margins of society who have had few opportunities, via design'

 This is a powerful statement that resonates with me still and encourages me in the influence that the Art and Design world holds.

Although based in South India, the work of VIA Design partners with artisans across India as well as in the west. On a recent trip to Kolkata, Janet Rogers, VIA Design CEO worked for Freeset, a company the employs women and girls previously trapped in the Sex trade. 

'At Freeset we are about doing business differently. We believe business can make a huge difference in the lives of trafficked and vulnerable women and seek to employ as many as possible through sustainable businesses.'

Through her work with Freeset, Janet also learned of the work of Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan and their clothing line, Beulah.  Combining their love for fashion, and heart for social justice, Beulah is committed producing top quality fashion without compromising on ethical issues.

"The idea of creating a female fashion line came to us as we witnessed more and more women escaping shelter and needlessly returning to the streets, lured solely by the promise of money. We knew then that we had to build something that would give rescued women the opportunity to be involved in something worthwhile, in something that engaged their minds and talents, in something they could contribute to without restriction and with no shame.
"We'd heard about Freeset, the Fairtrade business that offers employment and salaries to women previously trapped in Kolkata's sex ring, and it seemed ideal to support it."- Source

Basically, I just love their stuff and their vision behind what they do. It encourages me to continually pursue high standards not only for myself and those around me but also those connected to me even by the threads that I wear.

More drawings...

Drawn for my good friend and colleague, Helena Kittle for her work as the Youth and Childrens Coordinator on the Forever team. check out her blog here ----> 

Aim Lower

Start Date + Festival Outreach

Information postcard being given out at the event

    These are two fliers that I've designed and had printed for an Outreach that has been put together for next week. For the second year running we'll be going to Mind Body Spirit, a new age spiritual festival held in London and visited by thousands of people throughout the week. 

    It's exciting to be going with a team to offer prayer and present Christianity as a valid expression and avenue in exploring spirituality and faith.

More information?

http://www.forever2012.com/other-outreaches/

Start Date + A Game of Pool

While visiting Dorset over Easter I went with a group of friends to the pub for a good old fashioned game of pool.

Sadly though, I didn't frequent pool-table-owning establishments enough in my formative years, and so lacking the practice, I'm rubbish. Splitting into pairs, I tactfully positioned myself with the best player, Martyn so as to deflect my lack of talent on his abundance. 

With the opening break putting us at a disadvantage Martyn was nonplussed and promptly potted 4 balls before handing the cue over for me our next turn. I'd like to say that the balls that rolled around the table during my turns were strategically repositioned but realistically, they weren't. However, despite a few fouls on my part we only the first game ended in only a minor loss.

Beginning the second game Martyn and I developed a strategy in which he told me where roughly to hit the cue ball and enabled me to be a positive contributor to our second game. During a single turn in fact I potted 3 balls in a row and with them my confidence grew. The third game however only served to diminish it.

 Overly trusting of my ability to hold the game, Martyn frequented the bar more regularly and subsequently the gents thus leaving me on my own. Usually the first to assert my independence, I soon floundered when fending for myself and handed our opponents a severe advantage. 

While reflecting on life during a recent run with a friend I complained about my indecision and insecurity concerning certain choices I had before me. Having been party to my above display of pool-playing-skill, my friend used the game as an analogy God's guidance over our choices. 

Under His instruction and guidance I have not only the information but also the confidence to try things out of my strengths and expect successful results. However as our Father, God loves his children and have given us free choice to make decisions for ourselves. Yes, he loves to coach us and will advise us but there is a point when we just have to act and have faith that His Spirit will fill the gaps where our humanity fails. 

I guess my faith has been lacking more recently than I'd like to admit. 

I thought I was only questioning my own ability but I hadn't really allowed myself to think what I was really lacking was faith in God. Thankfully, he is much more faithful to me than often I am to him.

Striving for Peace

The spirit of the Ancient Olympics was peace. Every country participating in the Olympics signs a truce abstaining from violence during the season of the games. Needless to say little is done to follow this through.

To highlight this issue, Michael Bates is walking from Mount Olympus to London with the hope of changing our commitment to the pursuit of peace. 

"I couldn't move the Government an inch on this issue, so I decided to move myself 3500 miles." Michael Bates.  
 
In the light of recent events I think this is particularly important so please, visit the site, sign the petition and encourage Michael on his very brave journey.