It could be a miracle. But I don't think it really is. Just perhaps, reality. An update.
I have a free day in London... And....I’m not going out to hit the shops (though that really is tempting....) my friend is at work, and has let me be still at the beautiful apartment she shares with her friend. No appointments, deadlines, buses or trains to catch (at least not until later this evening when I’ll travel back to Bath). I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to just be still, and quiet. Restorative I guess... I’ve just returned from Scotland (via a 9 1/2 hour bus journey...) where my Ugandan friend – Vincent and I were doing outreach for KCM and the ‘End Child Sacrifice Campaign’. [Note: this blog is going to happen backwards....and in parts. So beginning with Scotland and back to Uganda... I know, strange but it’s the only way I can get my head around it for some strange reason.] While in Scotland we stayed with a beautiful family who are involved with ‘Teen Challenge’. A program that reaches out to people caught up in addiction, not just specific to teens but to anyone in need. Teen challenge in Scotland has a fleet of buses that go out every night (apart from Sunday) onto the streets and meets such an immediate need – of acceptance...a listening ear and just being there. Marks and Spencer (a huge grocery and food chain here) donate a heap of bakery items and sandwiches at the end of every day to be given out on the buses. Tea and coffee is also freely available, and if you’ve ever experienced a cold summer (yeahha) night in Scotland – you would know a hot drink is so wonderful. And if you’re homeless, the value of a hot drink just multiplies. We went out on Friday night first to a suburb of Glasgow called ‘Greenock’ and opened the bus to from 8 – 10pm, and then into central Glasgow from 11 – around 1am. Many people came onto the bus, the ages between late teens to 40s. Drug addicts and alcoholics, and prostitutes (some were so young; it was heart wrenching to see them). They spoke freely about their addictions, yet many of them not willing or ready (at this stage) to take the next step into rehab. The bus is an awesome way of indentifying people who are really wanting change, wanting to stop the horrible cycle of additions. If they are identified through the outreach nights, they are encouraged to come along to the church cafe in Port Glasgow on Sunday night – an amazing, non judgemental outreach every Sunday night. The church opens its doors to anyone at all (as most churches do – but this night is especially for these people.... more Marks and Spencer food available (cookies, cakes, muffins, sandwiches, salads...gosh – it’s a feast), tea, coffee, a rocking band playing modern worship and a light hearted program of encouragement and testimonies, . My goodness, I’ve never seen anything quite like it ...around 60 and (I was told there are) sometimes more drug addicts and alcoholics together in a church with established members of the church – singing, listening, being encouraged. There was no judgement, just acceptance and love. Quite an amazing and humbling experience. Vincent and I were asked to give our testimonies on the night we were there. That too was (nerve wracking...I’m not yet the most confident public speaker...), but something that I was really thankful that I had the chance to do.
When people from the bus attend the service, and genuinely show they want help – they are interviewed for acceptance into a rehabilitation program based in the beautiful countryside on the outskirts of Glasgow. The house is called ‘The Haven’ and it’s truly a retreat. The haven is for the guys, and the girls are accepted into ‘Hope House’ a little further away. They stay in the structured program for 12 months within their own freewill – no force. Once they’ve graduated from the 12 months, they are then transitioned into another house where the program isn’t quite as structured – for another 6 months. It gives them confidence to transition into the real world. Having a bit more freedom during the 6 months, but still with the support of the team if they need it – helps them gauge how they’ll go when they move away from the Haven into the real world. We went to the Haven on Saturday morning after being on the bus for the devotions they have there – and a tour of the property. I was so encouraged and blessed to see this next step. There were around 8 or so guys with impacting stories, clearly thankful and happy to be in the place they were. It wasn’t heavy. The atmosphere was really positive, and quite light. I am certain they have hard days; I don’t think there would be a drug/alcohol rehabilitation program that would be all smooth sailing. The histories of some of the guys I spoke to were full on – but how awesome they can go through the healing process in such an amazing environment with a team that have their heart in exactly the right place. I’ll be keeping this ministry in my thoughts and prayers for sure...
Part 2 (London, Bath and Newwine Conference installment) to come, very shortly. x
