Today one group went back to the youth transitional housing that they are cleaning up and worked on building a fence.
They also did another fence panel at this site.
Another group went to Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in Exeter where they sorted and cleaned.
The group that is at the Habitat for Humanity home is making great progress with the interior walls on the home.
Yet another painting project for the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
A group also went back to Soup and More and helped out with their meal today. On top of serving and cleaning a few people were also asked to hold "Monday School" (since Monday was a holiday) for a few children that attend the soup kitchen.
Another group also went back and did more cleaning and organizing at the single mothers home. They used a wheelbarrow to spread the gravel over her driveway.
They also built a new platform for her laundry line so she can continue using it.
Every group will also have the opportunity to go down to London to visit Streetlight ministries and tour the city to see it through the eyes of a homeless person.
A few youth skipped out on their chores last night and had to play minute to win it. They had to place a (new) pantyhose over their head and see who could eat the most banana.
Before the youth and leaders left the church this morning each person was given $0.30, what a person on welfare would have left after their rent is paid and other necessities are purchased for each meal. They came back and showed us what they had bought with the money they had available.
They were then treated to a single serving of Kraft dinner and a hot dog to give them a small sense of what it would be like to live on Welfare.
The youth have quite a bit of free time when they can make use of the various activities available at the church.
These young men were playing pool.
We started the evening service off by singing "Lean on Me" with the actions as requested by a group of people.
Then we continued to worship God in song.
Gil again asked a number of youth come forward and share their God moments of the day.
Gil then shared his message with us. Tonight's message was about "do not conform to this world", and Gil clarified that 'this world' can also be translated 'at this time'. He said that we often avoid what God places on our heart. He emphasized that tonight's message is a 'not' statement (do not conform) and not statements are always followed by a 'but'. The cross is always followed by the resurrection. Gil stated that it is not good enough to understand God's heart, we have to understand his methodology. As human beings we like to serve but that doesn't work, we need to give in friendship. If we give out of friendship then we can critique in love. In the bible Jesus wept over the sinners before he ever allowed his anger to act, and in the same we can critique others if we weep over them first. Gil also noted that Jesus never tried to convert anyone, he made them disciples. Jesus asks us to love and teach people, and sometimes loving them means letting them walk away. Gil encouraged us to let love win, "love your neighbour as yourself". To love by proximity, and pressing on in love. When barriers that were assumed are dropped peace and love will reign, and the moment will be sacred. Gil ended the night by reading the prayer of St. Francis.
- Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
- Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
- Where there is injury, pardon;
- Where there is doubt, faith;
- Where there is despair, hope;
- Where there is darkness, light;
- Where there is sadness, joy.
- O Divine Master,
- grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
- to be understood, as to understand;
- to be loved, as to love.
- For it is in giving that we receive.
- It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
- and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
- Amen.
The Praise team then finished the service off by singing another great selection of songs.
