St Cuthberts Church: October 2007

Friday 12th October 2007 Janet, Dave, David and Dan

Well, another evening full of events, for Group 1. We meet at Rosedale Church and as Pam is away on holiday Daniel came out with us.

Hoddesdon - We met up with a group of about 8 boys age between 16yrs, and 17 who attend St Mary’s School in Bishops Stortford and live in the Broxbourne area. They said there was someone famous from Big Brother going to ‘Faces’ (night club) that night. As we stood talking, a stretch limo went round to the club but we don’t know who it was. These boys were on their way home because they were too young for ‘Faces’. We also spoke to a doorman (Pete) outside the Salisbury Arms who was going to be outside till around 12.30am. We spoke to 3 men outside the Swan pub one of whom Dave knew and we stood talking for awhile. We said hi to a lot of people and most said hi back. When we got down the end by Barclays, we found a large group of girls and a few boys. We crossed over and walked through the group. Then Dave and I spoke to a few 15 yr old girls, told them who we were and were volunteers, and they were very surprised that we would be out. A young male about the same age as the girls came over and told us "Hey, I know about Street Pastors and I'm a Christian too". He was quite pleased to tell us this. We said well done, and he walked away. We thought how brave of him in front of all his mates. Again we carried on walking towards the clock tower, met another 3 girls getting into a car. After another short conversation they told us they were not driving but one of their sisters was taking them home. Daniel and David spoke to a few people to, including a lady around 20 yrs old, she was out with her mates, but they were younger than her, and she was going to catch them up, or go home. David found some money laying on they floor but as there was no one around, it was decided that david would put it in the collection box at his church. We walked to Sainsburys but hardly anyone was there so we went back to our car.

Old Pond - We broke again into 2 groups. We are pleased to report there were hardly any boys or girls in the park but when we got out the other side some of the kids came over and told us there had been a fight out side the kebab shop. We saw no evidence of this but we did split into 2 groups again and walked all around the old pond to the Victoria pub. There were a lot of people outside and Daniel and Dave were surrounded by a small group of 2 girls and 2 boys. The boys stood up and chatted with Dan and Dave, but the girls had their photos taken with them instead! They seemed to enjoy the attention!!! David and I went over, had a photo taken as a group, and we went on. Outside the Firkin Pub David and I meet a young man called Dan who told us about one of the pubs that allow underage drinkers in. Also that the bouncers and bar staff were selling drugs and that it was very easy to get hold of drugs. He said that there should be bins outside the pubs, with sand in, for cigarette butts instead of letting people just putting them on the floor. On our way back to the cars we stopped to talk to the driver of a coach outside Wolsey Hall who had brought a party from Stansted.

Waltham Cross - We parked at the back of the Post Office and we met up with a few people. Dave and David were talking to a homeless 15 yr old boy who said he was chucked out of his temporary housing. He had been threatened by the nephew of the family who lives there. We called the police, who took just under the hour to arrive. We brought some chips for every one which helped pass the time, mind you, they were yummy. The police officer said that there weren't a lot that they could do and after sometime the police men left, leaving George with us. We stood back and prayed about the situation we were left in, and 2 mins later 2 girls got off the bus and he went home with them. PRAISE the LORD, AMEN.

We must also thank Alison for her support on the phone and Jo, from Enfield Street Pastors, who kindly came to give us a helping hand on her way home, even though we had the LORDS hand there. Thanks Alison and Jo.