Unmistakenly this was another hard working youth camp. However, I never regret for one moment going and being part of the team. Things were sent to try us, yet we overcame all the obstacles and it was an honour to witness the faith of the young people grow on many levels.
I had the great pleasure of leading the creative worship workshops where the youth were encouraged to be creative in their means of communication with God, and to experiment with new ways of communicating be it art, music, prose or poetry. See below for examples of painting and photos from the workshop. Art created in these sessions was used as background to the song lyrics whilst the young people led us in worship. It was a good opportunity to show their work and it was inspiring to see young people finding expressive ways to communicate with God.
I was also honoured during one of the workshops that two of our many musically creative youth put music to my poem entitled "Eternal and Faithful". Another member of our youth wrote a poem, as well as creating art, which, with his kind permission, I include below:
I had the great pleasure of leading the creative worship workshops where the youth were encouraged to be creative in their means of communication with God, and to experiment with new ways of communicating be it art, music, prose or poetry. See below for examples of painting and photos from the workshop. Art created in these sessions was used as background to the song lyrics whilst the young people led us in worship. It was a good opportunity to show their work and it was inspiring to see young people finding expressive ways to communicate with God.
I was also honoured during one of the workshops that two of our many musically creative youth put music to my poem entitled "Eternal and Faithful". Another member of our youth wrote a poem, as well as creating art, which, with his kind permission, I include below:
The Rise and Fall
Lord I have given you my heart
You have taken me into your presence
I have been welcomed into your temple
You show me true love and mercy
I’m so happy that you are with me
I’m in awe of you
But then you make me look outside of your temple
And it is so ugly, full of pain and suffering.
I want to look away but I don’t want to disappoint you.
You take me by the arm and you lead me to the temple door.
You ask me to leave
You ask me to change the ugly world
You ask me to do the impossible
Lord how can I change people who don’t want to change?
Lord how can I love people who don’t want to be loved?
And my Lord answers:
“Because you have me”
Lord I have given you my heart
You have taken me into your presence
I have been welcomed into your temple
You show me true love and mercy
I’m so happy that you are with me
I’m in awe of you
But then you make me look outside of your temple
And it is so ugly, full of pain and suffering.
I want to look away but I don’t want to disappoint you.
You take me by the arm and you lead me to the temple door.
You ask me to leave
You ask me to change the ugly world
You ask me to do the impossible
Lord how can I change people who don’t want to change?
Lord how can I love people who don’t want to be loved?
And my Lord answers:
“Because you have me”
Some feedback from the workshop itself:
"I liked the fact that there was freedom to do what you wanted. I enjoyed being able to look through the different versions of the bible and reading some of the poems."
"I liked the fact that there were no people grading my work, like in school."
"Awesome. It helps show there are a lot more ways to worship God."
"It was brilliant. God really spoke to me and touched me and answered my prayers."
"I enjoyed the freedom to do what I wanted (paint, draw, write, soak, pray) and really experience praising God in new and exciting ways."
All in all I loved being part of such a dynamic week where we were able to draw alongside the youth, discuss their life of faith, encourage their worship and to see them grow.
