InVerse: Never Let Me Go!

I’m guessing the title of this post has got you wondering what news I have for you. Well, simply, I am alive and on fire with God’s love. So here’s the story of how I got here:

It was sometime near the beginning of the year when our Youth Pastor, Mo approached a few of us from the church band that I am involved with, and asked if we would like to play the for Randburg Methodist Holiday Club and Training camp. Of course, we jumped at the opportunity! And so the band “InVerse” was born.

We spent many hours over the two months leading up to the training camp, working on a few new songs, including the Holiday Club’s theme song: “Never Let Me Go” by The Planetshakers (You get it now, huh?). And I have to say that we put in a huge amount of effort that we can all be extremely proud of. 

On Friday the 22^nd of June we loaded three cars and a trailer full of bags, bedding and music equipment ( I didn’t want to mention the microwave, but it had its humorous place on the weekend)  and headed off to Cyara Lodge in Hekpoort. We arrived at around 4pm and began our set up and sound checks and waited for the Methodists to arrive. After introductions and supper, we started off the camp with a few games and a worship session that left us with jaws on the floor! The Methodist youth took so well to our music, dancing and singing along, it was a feeling like no other. They actually enjoyed and appreciated our music, and worshipped along with us to our most amazing God! (Something we have never experienced before). God is so good.

The weekend proved to be great fun and an awesome bonding experience, not only for us as a band, but also between our Anglican band and the Methodist youth from Randburg.

We left Cyara on the Sunday afternoon feeling fulfilled and that we had accomplished the work God had sent us there to do.

Still on a high, we made it through the following week, before starting Holiday Club for the Grade 1-7 kids last Sunday. One word I would use to describe the week would have to be REWARDING! Working with children is probably the most rewarding duty, and especially as we led them to God while having fun at the same time. The theme for the week was ‘Treasure Island’.

The day consisted of two worship sets with the kids, small group quiet time with Bible stories and activities, games, crafts, a play segment that continued on each day, and a delivery from the post man. In the evenings the leaders, directors and band enjoyed supper together and engaged in various activities throughout the week. Monday consisted of some worship and a variety of games that left us all in hysterics. Tuesday we set off to the Brightwater Commons for an evening of Ten Pin Bowling (Big ups to Alex who beat me in the end!!). Wednesday was a rather different evening: “The Amazing Amazing”. We basically had a page of requirements and had one hour to fulfil them. Our car was our ship, and we had to look the part of the certain members we were portraying aboard our pirate ship while completing certain activities in and around certain restaurants, shops and the Brightwater Commons. It was great fun! Thursday night was a ‘meet-the-parents’ evening, where our parents as well as the kids attending holiday club and their parents joined us for some worship as well as supper and a segment from the play (which was absolutely hilarious! One word: Mermaids- cue hysterical laughter here ^_^).

On a whole the week was an amazing new experience for all of us and a great way to grow together. Despite all the ups and downs, we managed to pull together as a team and do the work God placed in our hands. We would not have been able to do it with His amazing love, strength and grace.

I would also just like to send out huge thank you’s to: Mo- for leading us to this opportunity and his motivation, James- for allowing us to join his youth on this project and encouragement throughout, The RandMeth Youth- for welcoming us with open arms, and treating us like family, St Mike’s 6pm band and our families- for the support and encouragement throughout our preparation and during the week, and lastly to the members of InVerse: Alex, Chris, Daisy, Davie, and Tiff- for all the time you sacrificed, the effort you put in and the enthusiasm you showed in making this youth band a success! I see only great things coming our way from here. Let’s make the most of the opportunity that God has granted us, and go out there and change lives.

To God be all the Glory!

The band- InVerse: Chris, Mo, Daisy, Davie, Nikki,  Tiff, & Alex.

Until next time,

Keep rocking for Jesus and keep your eyes on the Cross!

Nicole_Kayley <3

P.S. I will upload another post entirely dedicated to photos from camp and Holiday Club as soon as I get hold of them.