Page 13 - Contact Winter 2015

Hope House Diary... Monday Evening... Wednesday Drop-in... The Good News Club. The children are waiting outside the doors as we arrive. The noise and the Wednesday is a quieter day in Hope House but God always brings along someone who just needs excitement as they all talk at the one time echoes in the air. We turn the key and there is a mad rush to the space to talk and pour out their heart. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in numbers that we help put out the tables and the chairs. We listen to stories about what has happened at school and what think unless the place is packed full of people, it is not a success. God gives us those times when is going on in their little lives. Tables up, chairs out and a mad scramble as they sit down! Juice and we just need to be still and know that He is God. biscuits are being prepared along with eager little hands wanting to help. “Can I read the story tonight?” asks Scottie. “Can I read it next week?” shouts Lewis. Amazing! Thank you God that these little ones are so keen to read stories from Your Word. Thursday Drop-in... We read about David and Goliath and the question is asked by Lorraine, “Why was David able to defeat Goliath? Was it because he was bigger than Him?” “Don’t be silly Lorraine”, answers Lewis, “it was because God was with David and not Goliath and God is still with us today, isn’t He Lorraine?” The place is buzzing by 9.45 am. This is our health day in Hope House. Margaret takes our blood Thank you God for their understanding of who You are. After messy crafts and juice, crisps and pressure and she makes sure that we stay healthy. Bob, Lynne and Sandra soon appear; Lynne and biscuits consumed they want to sing Jesus Loves Me. Hands clapping in time to the singing - Bob with guitars and music stands. The chords of Amazing Grace and other wonderful songs fll the sometimes not too tuneful, but who cares - their night in Hope House is almost over until the next time. air. We sing at the top of our voices. Thank you God that You ask us to make a joyful sound to the Lord and not a tuneful one! It’s great. I hope every single person living within ear shot hear us and come in through the doors. Tuesday Drop- In... Thursday Bible Study... The doors are opened at 9 am usually by Roy and soon the smell of freshly brewed cofee flls the air. It’s not too long until B arrives and he enjoys his pancakes and tea. He asks the question “How would folk know if you are a Christian or not?” We explain to him it is not just about the confession with the About 20 of us gather just before 8 o’clock for our weekly Bible Study. We are studying Ephesians mouth but it is about a life change. Lorraine talks to him about how uncertain life is and about how but took a wee break to look at the work and role of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for Martin who leads important it is to know that our future is secure in Christ Jesus. Roy invites him to Café Church and the group. This, for me, is the most important thing we do in Hope House. It is wonderful to see how volunteers to come and pick him up. Thank you God, for the quieter moments in Hope House and people are growing in their faith and how they naturally disciple each other. They care for and look for allowing us the opportunity to come along side B. After he left Anne, Roy and Lorraine prayed for out for each other. Thank you God for allowing me to be part of their journey. him. The quietness did not last for long. Soon the place is buzzing with people and M has arrived with her strimmer. She is going to cut the next door neighbour’s grass. The people have taken ownership of the house and we don’t need a rota to wash dishes or sweep the foor. Look out feet, here comes Lorraine McAllister M with the brush! Tuesday Evening: The Art and Prayer Thing... Not sure how it ended up with the name ‘Art and Prayer Thing’; perhaps it’s just because we keep things simple and say it as it is. Ten of us meet, guided by the expert hand of Carole Kane - thank you for Carole. We start of our evening with the all-important cup of tea, followed by lots of laughter and chat. We are making a prayer banner for the prayer room. We decide which material to use for each letter and we set to the task of cutting them out. We can’t wait until the banner is fnished and it is put up in our Prayer Room. We tidy up and sit in our circle. We openly discuss our worries and concerns and we bring them to God in prayer.