Friday Club Report
Tonight, we had another bulk of 40 kids to cater for. It’s just amazing how eager they always are to come - even when we arrive 30 minutes early to set up the place, they are already asking about getting in!
Again, they were very unruly tonight. However, the songs went quite well. Like always - as long as we keep bringing up their favourite ones, they kind of sing along - although "singing" might be a too optimistic description of what otherwise could easily be called "screaming".
Earlier this week, I made the suggestion to use the projector for the Bible story and Grace was more than willing to take up that offer. So we had a presentation prepared which was supposed to underline the story - which was about the 8th commandment, "Do not steal". This was going well, but for some reason, it didn’t had a calming effort on the kids. Too much optimism? Our attention was divided between looking after the presentation and the discipline. Not very successful, I have to admit. Quite a few of the kids had to be placed on single chairs at the back of the room in an effort to get the message across: "Don’t speak while the teacher is speaking!".
After the story, we usually have some crafts prepared to underline the topic of the story. Since a few weeks, since the great "surge", we were struggling to have enough material for all the kids, so we decided to divide them up into 2 groups and then the smallest kids go into another room - which fortunately is available - where two of the leaders do some games with them.
When all are finished with their crafts, we do some games in the big room as well. Yet it was again nearly impossible to get it going. It took ages to divide them up into groups, let them stand in different corners of the room and then try to explain the rules to them. So the first game more or less failed, half of them didn’t even know what to do … The second game was a bit better. All in all, from the 20 minutes left for games, there were maybe 5 Minutes of actual playing! The rest was a struggle. Well, it’s all their time, they are wasting it, but it’s sad for those kids who would be willing to go along!
Friday Club is always also an effort to get in contact with parents. Last week, I could speak with one of them and hopefully there will be more opportunities like this again to speak to him. Tonight, one of the parents stayed during the club and I’m wondering what she is thinking about the whole thing!?
Sometimes, however, we get the neighbourhood to know even more than we intend to. So two weeks ago, we had to escort a young kid home, since he didn’t feel too well. We returned him to his home, which we heard afterwards as being known for drug dealing! It was very disheartening to realize that! Last week, this boy didn’t come, but today he was back and seemed to be okey and took part in all activities again! Thank God for that!
When the kids leave after 60 Minutes of exhausting struggles (only on the part of the leaders!), we have to make sure that the small ones are being collected by their parents or their "guardians" - this is or should all be noted in the attendance list. They should obviously also not leave without their coats, but tonight, one coat was left behind. Then, one of the kids claimed it to be her brother’s, so Margaret and I gave it to her, not without an odd feeling about it! She had a certain smile in her eyes, which we thought as being a bit suspicious!
Lo and behold, when Grace was about to leave, she couldn’t find her coat with the car keys in it! Panic was about to creep in! Margaret and I recalled the name of the girl and so we (with Grace) decided to pay her house a visit and see what that coat was saying about his owner! Our attendance list revealed the home address of that girl, but we were sent on to two other houses where she could be and we found her in the third one. The keys, however, had already wandered to another place! But with the help of some other kids, they were quickly retrieved. God is amazing! Meanwhile, Carrie, who stayed back in the clubhouse with our kids had her own moments of fear, when she realized that the doors weren’t locked after we had left to search for the coat! Some juveniles banged at the door and shouted some abuse, but fortunately moved on without further ado. So with 30 minutes late, we could finally leave and lock the place down and return to our homes.
On our way home, we heard that VIA had problems with their place in St. Flannans School - they couldn’t use the hall and were forced to move to library. They were not too happy about that!
All in all, we have to keep urging you to continuously pray for Friday Club and the neighbourhood, and for the outreach to the youth in general!
See also Tricia’s report from Oct.’08 with a brief history of Friday Club.
Thanks,
Matthias
Great report matthias. Its good to let people know what really goes on at club. I was really encouraged that one of the parents stayed through the whole club, and commented very positively to me about what we were trying to do. It was very sad about the issue with Graces coat especially as she had spoken on that very issue ‘do not steal’ but maybe good will come of it as further contact is made with parents. I will be teaching on the commandment ‘Do not Lie’ this friday. We really need God to quieten the childrens hearts and be open to God’s voice speaking to them. We can only scatter the seed but God must do the rest.
Comment by Carrie — Mon, 30. March 2009 @ 19:10
Yep, I loved reading both Matthias’ piece and Carrie’s comment. Perhaps those of us not helping at Friday Club should set a reminder on our phones (or wherever!) to make sure we pray for Friday Club at the time it is taking place. From what I have heard, the work needs much prayer. And Cloughleigh needs much prayer too. So lets get behind the Friday Club volunteers in prayer and trust the Lord to work in the lives of both the children and their parents.
Comment by Maddy Pain — Tue, 31. March 2009 @ 12:34
Your report is very honest and frank!! It made me laugh at the struggle we have some weeks in keeping things going!! but I am also so encouraged by the work that the Lord is doing in Friday Club and with the contacts we have made with some parents. We need lots of prayer and especially that the workers hearts would not grow weary. God has provided a wonderful team there, which delights my heart. God give us His strenth and courage to keep going!
Comment by Margaret Angland — Tue, 31. March 2009 @ 17:59
Hi Matthias!
But seriously, I’m always encourgaed to see the Gospel being shared with the youth of Ennis. Sharing God’s word with kids is a powerful and amazing thing. It was by the word of the lord that God revealed himself to Samuel. (1 Sam 3.21). God Bless!
Nice situation report on Friday Club. Brings back a lot of memories for me. I think we used to work together on the front-door alot when I was a helper a club. Good times. We could have taught the London police now facing the G20 protests a few tricks!
Comment by Shane Angland — Wed, 1. April 2009 @ 19:39