Weekends away – aren’t they brilliant?  We had our annual Pathfinders Weekend Away the weekend before last, and it definitely was!  On the Friday evening, eighteen Pathfinders and assorted leaders packed our bags and crammed ourselves into a minibus and two cars, and wended our way to St Bartz (near Barcombe) for a noisy, energetic, fun-filled weekend.

There was a lot to do, and the Pathfinders soon rampaged around the building, in and out of its nooks and crannies, discovering table tennis and table football, space outside to kick a football, comfy sofas to collapse into and chat, dorms, hidden staircases and lots more. 

Soon, though, it was time for the first session, and our speaker, Nathan (from Christ Church, Mayfair), began to teach us from the Book of Jonah.  Over the weekend, he gave four excellent and useful talks that took us through the whole book, demonstrating that God is in control, and that he is full of compassion and kindness to sinful people like us. It was really encouraging and challenging, and we had good times in dorm groups discussing what we had learnt, applying it and praying for one another.

The rest of the weekend was spent in a blur of eating delicious food, playing games, ice skating, watching a film and taking part in general silliness!

It was a great time, so thank you to all the leaders, Pathfinders, cooks and drivers, and most of all, thanks to God!
Jez Lowries

There is a simplicity about a child’s faith in God which is deeply refreshing. As leaders we have seen this at Jaffa Club this term. It has greatly encouraged us.

Jaffa Club (Jesus A Friend For All) meets each Wednesday at Lindfield Primary School. We have 13 children who come for games, craft and teaching from the bible. Some are from Christian homes; others have no church background.

This term we have been looking at the Psalms and the amazing truths they teach us about God. At our last session the children were asked to write their own Psalm. We had doubts about setting this task. 

But, without hesitation, a group of seven year olds penned the following:

‘When I am in trouble, you are always there to help me.’

‘You give me happiness.’

‘You are so powerful that I can never be more powerful than you.’

‘When I awake in the morning you are with me - day and night you always help me.’

‘You help us and never sleep or doze.’

It’s not far off King David’s best, and like his, it flowed straight from their hearts. 

Children often grasp more easily than adults the incredible truths about God. When we asked them what do we need God’s help for, one child replied, ‘We need God’s help for everything’. We asked who they would go to if they had a problem. Most put God first on their list.

As leaders we have needed God’s help too. In September we started with just me and Oli Taylor leading. But after much prayer God provided two more leaders, Gemma Sawyer and Lizzi Green. We have also seen the difference prayer makes. When we pray together before Jaffa, and especially when First Priority prays for us, the children are calmer, the conversations deeper, the attitudes gentler.  When we pray, God works.

Please do keep praying for Jaffa and the other work going on in our schools. Please pray that God would keep stirring the hearts of the children and drawing them closer to Him.
Sarah Jones