Vision becomes reality
01/10/08 21:35
Vision becomes Reality
by Crystal Johnson
Back in 1997 I worked in a high school as a teaching assistant and supported a young man who's mum was dying of cancer. At the same time another young man (both known to me - one year 8 one year 7) lost his dad through suicide. The school supported me in running a grief support project for others in the school who had been bereaved - 16 in all.
Since I left the school, nearly 3 years ago, the Lord has shown me that it is possible for me to work with bereaved children full-time BUT it was for me to pursue and bring about from scratch in Stafford. I've dragged my feet a bit, because of my own personal baggage, though the Lord has been so incredibly faithful and sent me an enormous number of encouragements a long the way!
In February I received a letter through the post for Life Success. I had no idea how my address was obtained and almost threw the letter in the bin! However, I believe the Holy Spirit stopped me and there was just something in that letter that made me realise that this was no mistake or coincidence and that I had to attend, which I did. It was an incredibly emotional time for me at that first Life Success day but through it all I felt my loving Father reassuring me all over again and encouraging me to press on. The whole day was relevant and a huge blessing, particularly the bit about putting a plan together as this had been the sticking point for me for a whole year.
When I got back to Stafford ,I met with the elders to share the vision further and they agreed to pay for me one day a week to get the service kick-started! It was just what I needed to gently push me into action. I am now accountable!!! I spent last Monday putting the plan together and sharing it with an elder who then unpicked it and helped me to make it look professional. My pastor has a vision.....for the church to pay for me to work full-time by January 2007 so that I don't need to rely on government funding. Please pray for this to come into being. I'm so excited about this and deeply humbled. What a privilege to serve broken-hearted children and their families. Glory to God....always!"
by Crystal Johnson
Back in 1997 I worked in a high school as a teaching assistant and supported a young man who's mum was dying of cancer. At the same time another young man (both known to me - one year 8 one year 7) lost his dad through suicide. The school supported me in running a grief support project for others in the school who had been bereaved - 16 in all.
Since I left the school, nearly 3 years ago, the Lord has shown me that it is possible for me to work with bereaved children full-time BUT it was for me to pursue and bring about from scratch in Stafford. I've dragged my feet a bit, because of my own personal baggage, though the Lord has been so incredibly faithful and sent me an enormous number of encouragements a long the way!
In February I received a letter through the post for Life Success. I had no idea how my address was obtained and almost threw the letter in the bin! However, I believe the Holy Spirit stopped me and there was just something in that letter that made me realise that this was no mistake or coincidence and that I had to attend, which I did. It was an incredibly emotional time for me at that first Life Success day but through it all I felt my loving Father reassuring me all over again and encouraging me to press on. The whole day was relevant and a huge blessing, particularly the bit about putting a plan together as this had been the sticking point for me for a whole year.
When I got back to Stafford ,I met with the elders to share the vision further and they agreed to pay for me one day a week to get the service kick-started! It was just what I needed to gently push me into action. I am now accountable!!! I spent last Monday putting the plan together and sharing it with an elder who then unpicked it and helped me to make it look professional. My pastor has a vision.....for the church to pay for me to work full-time by January 2007 so that I don't need to rely on government funding. Please pray for this to come into being. I'm so excited about this and deeply humbled. What a privilege to serve broken-hearted children and their families. Glory to God....always!"