Wrapping Up

Today was our final day of ministry here in Salford–until January, that is! We had an assembly at North Grecian Street this morning and the Eden Bus was tonight–and…wow. I think tonight was the toughest session we’ve had yet on the Eden Bus. The kids were acting up like I’ve never seen before–horrible language was being used, hurtful and awful jokes were being directed towards an adult who was on the bus tonight, some of the kids got physical with some of our leaders…we had to get everybody off the bus and leave early because things were so bad. And, of course, the bus got egged while we were pulling away.

Ever since I came here to England in summer 2006, God has given me a heart for the people here, for this country; this part of the world. But tonight–wow. God finally broke my heart for them. I got home tonight and when I got to my room I just started crying. I was fine, but the kids obviously aren’t. I wasn’t upset because I was stressed out, but because my heart hurts so bad for the kids here. They have such anger and bitterness in their hearts, which is obviously coming out on us, and I just can’t even imagine what kind of things they must be dealing with in their lives to make them say and do the things they do. I love them, I love them, I love them–and I will continue to. God cares about them more than I ever possibly could, and I want more than anything for them to know that we do care; that God cares more than they can imagine.

Tomorrow we leave for Yorkshire Dales for our debrief until Thursday. I leave this Saturday to come back home–and I can’t tell you how excited I am! I think this Christmas will be so refreshing, and I am really looking forward to it–and looking forward to seeing all of you! But continue praying for the kids here-that they would be able to receive our love, that we would be refreshed over Christmas so that when we come back in January we will have an even bigger capacity to lavish God’s love on these kids.

Blessings to all of you, and Happy Christmas!