I think I'm spending more time in a tent than in my house this month...is that nromal?

Wow...what a month!!

After new wine, I'm now gearing up for Soul Survivor. With all there is to do over the next two weeks, I wonder if I'll even make it alive to september!
Anyway, here it goes:

This Saturday the 18th four churches from Bognor will leave for Soul Survivor, a yearly christian festival with a number of events going on with the aim of encouraging young people aged 12 to 19. I believe this is such a needed event in the lives of so many young people. Recently in the news results were given from a study of young people in this age range, and when compared to similar studies done in the rest of Europe, a few key things stood out to me:

Young people in England have been found to be the most violent. In all of Europe, British teens have the the record for committing violent crimes, and one look at the BBC news really brings the reality home. A huge factor of this is due to such widespread underage drinking. One of the papers here today reported that kids as young as ten are getting drunk, and the knock on effect is that as they grow up without the discipline needed, they form a lifestyle of "anything goes".

British teens have the highest teen pregnancy rate. Underage relations is happening in just about every culture, but in comparison to other countries here in Europe, the scene is worst overall here in Britain.

These are just a few of the problems facing young people here, and I believe the only real hope they have is in the gospel. Please pray that our time at Soul Survivor would bear good long term fruit in the lives of everyone going (the leaders as well as the young people).

After Soul Survivor I will have a few days to reorganize myself for the next event: YOB camp. This is an event that we at Vineyard are doing for kids aged 7-11. Again, there is a real opportunity to teach and to share who God is and we need your prayers. Please pray for me specifically that God would use my short talk on the sower (Matt. 13).

After YOB camp and sometime in September I will be reviewing my contract with the church here. I don't know how this is going to go, but as of right now I think it may fall to me to decide whether to stay or move on. Please pray that God would show me/us what He wants to do.

Please pray for the weather to be kind and not rain over these two weeks! I don't mind camping, but camping in the rain just isn't my cup of tea. Please pray for my attitude as well. I know that when I get stresssed I can be a sour apple to be around! It'll take an act of God for me to be pleasant with all that's happening right now :-)

God bless! I miss you all and am looking forward to Christmas and coming home to visit again!

Till next time,
Paul