This week I've had the opportunity to meet up / chat to a few young people who have been previous team members on CRED trips, and it has been really encouraging to hear their reflections on the trip and in particular how, in each case, the trip is shaping their future in some way.
One of the girls, Nicole, went to Uganda with me, and before she went she wasn't sure what she wanted to do career-wise or what to study at University etc. In Uganda she had a number of opportunities to do some teaching - to street kids in a catch up centre, to young children in a little early-years primary school, and to older children in a rural school. To those of us watching Nicole in action it was clear that she has a gifting in teaching, and thankfully Nicole has realised that as well. She doesn't go so far as to say that she has a gifting in it, but she certainly acknowledges that she loved all the teaching, and would like to do that always. So when I met her on Monday it was lovely to hear that she is applying to Lancaster Uni (and others) to become a primary school teacher - all thanks to Uganda!
The same day I met two of the other girls on that trip, and for them the experience abroad had been less revelatory and more about confirming what they already were thinking. Holly loved doing all the sport activities, and the people-interactions, and whilst she enjoyed the teaching opportunities it showed her that teaching isn't for her long-term. However, what it did do is confirm for her that the key factors that make her tick are helping others, and sport. On the back of that, plus other life-experiences she is now pursuing sports therapy. Not an obvious link to Uganda, but she spoke of how the trip definitely played a part in shaping her thinking in a way that wouldn't necessarily have happened so clearly over here.
For Courtney the impact was an amalgam of all the trip, and the various experiences had. She wants to pursue a career in medicine, and says that Uganda, whilst not the 'defining moment', was a key confirming time for her, and she returned to UK more focussed than ever on pursuing the academic grades she needs to get to be able to get to med school. Slightly more hazy, but another example of how these trips can be deeply impacting on the participants.
I've also chatted to Erin this week, who went to Ethiopia, had an amazing time, was very deeply impacted, has been praying a lot about it all since, and now is looking to go out to Africa again, but for longer, to pursue what she feels is her calling. All very exciting, but I'll not tell you more as I'm hoping Erin will write it up in her own words for me to share with you at some point.
These trips really do make a difference in people's lives, and as I mentioned recently we are about to have 3 more teams of young people going out to serve alongside CRED partners, and not only impact the lives of the children who participate in the activity weeks being delivered, but also have their own lives transformed. I'm looking forward to bringing you news on these trips as they unfold.
Finally, a little treat for those of you who know Natalie - one of my two daughters, and the one who is in India at the moment on part one of an incredible gap year.
Here is a photo she sent through this morning of her and 4 of her friends - all in their India outfits ready for church. CRED trips have played a massive part in shaping Natalie's path as well, so she features here not just as my daughter but as another example of how God is using these trips to shape the next generation!
One of the girls, Nicole, went to Uganda with me, and before she went she wasn't sure what she wanted to do career-wise or what to study at University etc. In Uganda she had a number of opportunities to do some teaching - to street kids in a catch up centre, to young children in a little early-years primary school, and to older children in a rural school. To those of us watching Nicole in action it was clear that she has a gifting in teaching, and thankfully Nicole has realised that as well. She doesn't go so far as to say that she has a gifting in it, but she certainly acknowledges that she loved all the teaching, and would like to do that always. So when I met her on Monday it was lovely to hear that she is applying to Lancaster Uni (and others) to become a primary school teacher - all thanks to Uganda!
The same day I met two of the other girls on that trip, and for them the experience abroad had been less revelatory and more about confirming what they already were thinking. Holly loved doing all the sport activities, and the people-interactions, and whilst she enjoyed the teaching opportunities it showed her that teaching isn't for her long-term. However, what it did do is confirm for her that the key factors that make her tick are helping others, and sport. On the back of that, plus other life-experiences she is now pursuing sports therapy. Not an obvious link to Uganda, but she spoke of how the trip definitely played a part in shaping her thinking in a way that wouldn't necessarily have happened so clearly over here.
For Courtney the impact was an amalgam of all the trip, and the various experiences had. She wants to pursue a career in medicine, and says that Uganda, whilst not the 'defining moment', was a key confirming time for her, and she returned to UK more focussed than ever on pursuing the academic grades she needs to get to be able to get to med school. Slightly more hazy, but another example of how these trips can be deeply impacting on the participants.
I've also chatted to Erin this week, who went to Ethiopia, had an amazing time, was very deeply impacted, has been praying a lot about it all since, and now is looking to go out to Africa again, but for longer, to pursue what she feels is her calling. All very exciting, but I'll not tell you more as I'm hoping Erin will write it up in her own words for me to share with you at some point.
These trips really do make a difference in people's lives, and as I mentioned recently we are about to have 3 more teams of young people going out to serve alongside CRED partners, and not only impact the lives of the children who participate in the activity weeks being delivered, but also have their own lives transformed. I'm looking forward to bringing you news on these trips as they unfold.
Finally, a little treat for those of you who know Natalie - one of my two daughters, and the one who is in India at the moment on part one of an incredible gap year.
Here is a photo she sent through this morning of her and 4 of her friends - all in their India outfits ready for church. CRED trips have played a massive part in shaping Natalie's path as well, so she features here not just as my daughter but as another example of how God is using these trips to shape the next generation!
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| Natalie (far right) with 4 of her fellow travellers and friends |
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