November 3, 2014
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14 ESV
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Fun and exciting new developments are happening in Ocean View. We are recognizing a gap where God is asking us to step in and we are taking the plunge to love others. We have been serving in the Ocean View High School over the past year running the Shine and Strength Courses that are written by Hillsong Church, teaching girls and boys of their inner worth and value through Biblical principals. These courses have been hugely successful and really welcomed by the school and students. However, we always left feeling there was MORE that needed to be done. MORE that God wanted us to do.
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“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” -Proverbs 12:15 ESV
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Over the past 9 weeks I have been overseeing two students from Azusa Pacific University in California who are here doing a study abroad program and needed an internship. They volunteered in various places in Ocean View doing counseling, and OV High was their primary place to serve. They met with a few students and counseled them but it showed us that SO MANY MORE are needing someone to listen to them.
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“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” -James 1:19 ESV
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So we are making plans and moving ahead. My ‘WE’ is myself, Chevonne Lawrence, the Ocean View Methodist Youth Pastor, and Hannah Ross, our volunteer from Raleigh,NC who is here working with us in the View. We are setting up structures in the high school so we will regularly have ourselves and other counselors in the school meeting with students who are in need. Students will be nominated by their teachers if they are showing problematic behaviors or signs, and they can also nominate themselves to speak with someone. We will also be weekly encouraging the teachers at one of their faculty meetings in order to support and connect with them. Furthermore, we will continue our Shine and Strength courses and even start to do MORE! Lastly, we are setting up a room at the Methodist Church that will be a counseling room; safe and private for any who want to counsel those in needs.
Really exciting stuff. This has been on my heart for years and now together with my team we are setting up structures to actually help those in need and let them know we are here for them. I can’t wait to see how God works and can’t wait to share it with you!