The Ninja game

Every week I'm asked if they can do the Ninja game.  They get to play it about once a month.

Like what's the time mister wolf but in the dark!  Great for 8-16+ year olds

Equipment:

A variety of different sized tables and barriers.

• Torch.
• Chair

 Where:

You're gonna need a hall for this game!

  The SETUP:

• Chair down one end with a boy or girl holding a torch sitting on it.
• Put the tables on their sides with legs facing the chair (so kids are moving towards the tops!)
• Turn the lights out for each go.

The game!

Everyone else has to make it to the chair in the dark past the tables from the opposite end.
No Running!
The kid on the chair has to shine the torch on the others and call their name.  If they get caught by the kid then they have to go back to the other end.
If they make it to the chair without getting caught - they WIN!  Then generally they get to sit on the chair.

ENJOY

Blind stumbling

                  

A game to test the communication and creativity of your group.

Equipment

• Some chairs
• Poles
• Cones
• Anything that can safely be used as an obstacle for someone blindly stumbling.

Setup

1. Split the group into 2 different rooms with an assortment of the above equipment in each.
2. Let the groups create a course   of obstacles that can be followed by a blindfolded person member  Roughly 6 obstacles should be enough to be entertaining but not take too long.
3. Get the groups to test it to prove that it's possible,
4. Send one member at a time to the opposite room blindfolding them before entrance.
5. On first entry the team who've built the course instruct the member around the course to completion.
6. Then the member who has just completed the course instructs the next participant / victim!

 For added humour if the group gets bored get the instructors to instruct around fake objects to see how far they can get the participant without them catching on.

Added interest

It can be a good time to talk about what it's like to be blind or have disabilities.  Get the group to consider things that help blind people.  For instance the floors around road crossings with lumps or stripes to alert blind people.  At the same crossings, the crossing sounds etc.   Even the lumps on keyboards and remote controls to allow for you to feel which button you're pressing.
 

The thankyou

Thankyou for reading this.

I find it incredible how such a simple thing can change your entire point of view.  How everything in the world suddenly becomes OK just by someone saying thankyou for your efforts.

One of the boys I lead endeavours to say thankyou to me at the end of the night.  Well most of the time.  For instance if the programme went badly at the youth group he may just skip the thanks.  However I generally get those words from him that mean more than he can know.  When he doesn't it's a clear indicator that the night did not work and most of the time I've already noticed but his confirmation means it all and only makes me cherish the days I get it right even more.  How would you ever notice the good times if there were no bad times.

It turns out that one of the parents has even noticed the difference by just saying thanks.  I received an extra thanks, partly forced but nonetheless an extra from her son.  Obviously my face betrays my love of such a simple remark to set me at ease, even for a short while.

So my point is simple.

When you receive a thankyou, congratulate yourself on a job well done

When you get something week after week keep saying thanks.  You may not know the difference you're making in that persons life.

Finally, consider your life.  The things you've had, the friends and the moments.  Perhaps It's time to start thanking God for all He's doing in your life.  It means so much to us, how much more does it mean to God who does so much in your life.

 

The return of structure

Having worked as part of a structured Youth group for a fair few years now I've seen the difference that can come of such work.  I even ended up speaking to a local chaplain who was of the opinion that such work is increasing and the call for it is growing as people have begun to notice the implications of a far too liberal upbringing.  To further explain such a point i'll refer you to the video below from TED.com on the very same subject.

Oranges & sunshine

Our world has so many flaws.  The people, so many vices.  I have so many vices.  But sometimes it still amazes you to see the damage that can be done from one to another.

In this case I'm talking of the film 'Oranges & sunshine'.  Which documents the struggle for a social worker to come to terms with, and deal with the mass migrations of children to Australia.  This being done without consent of parents, in fact the children were, in some cases, told that their parents had died!

Once in Australia few dreams of Oranges and sunshine were realised.  Many were sent to places where they were used as labour.  In some cases abused in the most vile forms.  Then they were ignored.

Our government, and the charities who supported the work, hid the migrations from sight.  They pretended it had never happened.  It took years of work to find parents, names, anything to help the lost children of our empire.  23 years before the government even admitted it had happened!

The truth behind human sin is infinite.  We treat each other like dirt.  We take a step up by pushing each other down, revelling in it.  We've made it all too easy to bypass the truth and come out smelling of roses.  The little we do for others is considered enough.

I ask you now to strive for the best.  Normal is not good enough.  You can always do more and what you give will surely be given back to you with interest by He who we call God.  For we shall all face troubles,  but God is with us.

Finally, Human nature is to learn.  Let us move forward, let us forgive, but let us set things right.  We are all in God's Kingdom, we are all brothers.  Live like you mean it!  And love one another.