DYFC Lately...

Well, the snow is back. I wouldn't be British if I didn't start with a moan. Now that that's out of my system, I can be positive. 

We have been even busier than before over here lately. We are now opening the center 3 days a week as well as having the kids hang around on a weekend. They just keep arriving, which I think is pretty nice! It's what we're here for after-all. We also have a new partnership that is now active on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the guys starting to build relationships on a Monday evening to figure out what our new programs at 'Word of Life' Church in Newark, Delaware will look like. We have some plans ready to offer to the kids and we will run whichever programs have the highest sign-up rate. This is such an exciting opportunity because it means we can get more people involved in delivering programs such as sports, art and cookery and we can begin to develop a means of creating apprenticeship type relationships whereby young people can learn specific skills from adults that can help them figure out their futures. 

This week, I say my goodbyes to Urban Promise (Wahhhh) and will instead focus entirely on the work of DYFC. Though it is sad, I am happy to be using my skills to a higher potential and helping us to develop plans here that will be long lasting. We will also be working to develop our relationships with Urban Promise and other ministry sites, so it certainly is not the end for me there. The day I had decided to be pulled out of UP all together, just so happened to be the day that the kids in my camp wanted to call me to say they were praying for me and they missed me. I got to speak to most of the kids and had a small emotional breakdown afterwards. Ha. I sincerely didn't think they would notice I was gone. I guess Miss Sarah was wrong! I will get some pictures as I say ta ta for now!

Tomorrow will be my first time in 'Grace' cottage which is the female prison. I am really looking forward to it and have been asked to observe for this one and then decide if I want to teach there. The hope is that out of this, we may be able to identify some potentials for the 'Parent Life' ministry we are hoping to set up in the near future. My schedule is beginning to look quite different to the other interns but I am glad we are all using our gifts in the best ways. I certainly am not a 'soccer coach' nor am I a pro basketballer. But I can make a good form so it's all good!

This past weekend I experienced my first 'lock in' which was titled (by the male interns, I was not a party to this decision,) 'YFC's Night of Awesomeness.' I'm sure you can all hear me saying the word 'awesomeness' in everyday language. NOT. I love you really, America. Anywho, we had such a wonderful time. A group of kids arrived that we had never met before so we let them stay until around 8pm but then kept the two boys who had signed up over night. We ordered some pizza, baked cookies, watched the 'Freedom Writers' movie, ate kettle corn, played games, ate pancakes for breakfast and went to Church in Downtown Wilmington.

Outside 'Loma' Church - this place is my dream, as it's in a Coffee Shop!

My personal highlight of the NOA was the 'name game.' All you have to do is guess the character or famous person that has been stuck on your head. We explained the rules to the kids multiple times and all placed the names on our heads. You have to ask questions to identify who you are such as 'am I male?' Tyree (who is stood next to me above) went first. His opening question was; 'am I a tie?' We quickly re-explained the rules and carried on the round. His following questions included; 'am I cholesterol?' 'Am I a pathway?' and 'Am I a finger?' By the end, I was crying with laughter. We started to film him each time it was his turn because we didn't know what he might ask next! This is why I love kids.

They didn't want to leave us!

This week we also managed to find time to fit in our surprise birthday treat for our friend Ro/Rashad. We had planned it a few weeks ago and managed to keep it a secret the entire time. Ro loves basketball so we all clubbed together and bought tickets to go see the 76ers vs Pacers. It was way more fun than I thought it would be and after being blindfolded for the entire journey to Philadelphia, Ro even shed a little tear. Ahh. 

It was more fun than I thought it was going to be, every time out and every quarter had some sort of entertainment to get the crowd excited. There was even a magician at one point! I also got to watch the dance cam, which I have seen on Youtube before but watching it live was more fun than the basketball! They did a 'Carlton Cam' based on the dance from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air which was hilarious!! It was a pretty close game but the 76ers lost 94-101. If they'd have got 100 points, there was a promise of a free Big Mac so the boys were gutted to miss out on that!

Group Selfie at the game!!

Throw in the odd birthday party, Bible study, trip to the gym, team meetings and lunch at someone's house and this is our average week! Thank you all for reading, praying and supporting me to come here. We are having a great time and I am loving being a part of this team! 

Until next time...