Cardboard and Catchups

A few weeks (months?) ago, I was lucky enough to give the talk at our Youth Group. Following the great testimonies we heard on our camp, we wanted to inspire more young people to share their faith with others.

 

Since then, we've started a new term, kicking off last Friday with a classic event, the Suit Up Cafe`. Not quite formal, not quite informal, but something magical in between. We had a great set up with couches, candles and a photo booth, complete with amazing props.

To keep the youth entertained, we played some theatrical games; Space Jump, Subtitles, Thank 'Gosh' You're Here, Props, and Questions, just to name a few. These games were well received, with most youth happy to get up and make up funny scenes and lines. Theater Sports are some of my favorite games, and we played a brilliant new one, called Rollercoaster - the name of which I totally didn't just invent.

Essentially, we sent 3 youth out of the room, and assigned them each a different activity (a roller coaster rider, a woman in labor, and someone sitting on a park bench). When the reentered the room, they had to act out their scene and the audience had to guess what they were up to. Unbeknownst to the actors, however, was the fact that we told the audience that the supplied chair was a toilet. The screams of "HOLD MY HAND!" and "I AM PUSHING!" of the lady in labor was too much, absolutely hilarious!

Of course, with any game, you need to ensure the people playing are the type who won't be phased by these sort of shenanigans. It's all too easy for someone to take something the wrong way and the leader in charge landing in a load of trouble. So think through any games and scenarios you'll be posing; especially if you're in a Christian youth group. It's all too easy to think that all scenes will be appropriate. 

In other exciting news, an opportunity has arisen for myself and my beautiful girlfriend to join a mission trip to the Philippines at the beginning of 2013. The mission involves a youth leadership training camp (which I'm super excited about), and a medical mission, helping the poorest people in the Philippines get access to the medical attention they so desperately need. I've been offered a chance to give a talk or workshop at the camp as well, which I'm super excited about!

Of course, getting on mission isn't cheap. If you'd like to help out, please send me an email.

Loads of exciting stuff is happening, news of which will filter through to here soon; so stay well, get lots of sleep, and most importantly: Love God, Love People, Love Service.