Count down to Kenya

A hundred or so young people and adults gathered at Sandy Park yesterday.  Not to watch Exeter Chiefs throwing a rugby ball around, but to spend time with Jesus the 'Chief Cornerstone' at SWE Salvation Army's annual youth councils. 

Illusionist Steve Price entertained, amazed and amused us... and, thankfully, left Goodreach's head firmly on his shoulders!

Steve also encouraged us to trust in God.  We heard the same message, loud and clear, from Ian as he led the worship, and from Helen as she gave the message from the Chief's own words:  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30)

To love him from the deepest part of our beings, to give God his worth as we live our "every day, ordinary lives... and place them before God as an offering." To fill our minds with with his word and to use the energies he has given us in acts kindness, doing his will wholeheartedly.

That's what we're hoping to do as we prepare for the amazing adventure before us.  We know it's going to be challenging.  We're going to meet new people in unfamiliar situations, and we're going to make firm friends.  We're going to laugh a lot.  We're going to cry too.  We know we'll be making a difference, and we know we'll be changed. 

Above all, we know the Chief will be ahead of us, leading our journey together.