Working with youth

First of all, I respect all my seniors who have poured into my life and for all that I am now. Coming to the point, working with youth is no easy joke. Well, I don’t have any credentials to write this stuff, but, I think I can give my view. Let me put it this way - me being a youth (huh! kind of) this is what I would expect from people who are in youth ministry.
‘Youth’- this period seems to be the most crucial phase in a person’s life. The choices one makes at this junction determines his future. In this phase there would be a lot of crossroads where one decides which side he will take. There is nothing called right or wrong road, I guess! It seems like a lot of advice ah! If you are one of those people working with students or youth, and mean serious business, here are my personal observations:
- Get to their wave length – talk about their issues. You must be wondering what to talk about. Talk about love, sex, marriage, girls, studies, career, interests, sports, internet, pornography, smoking, drugs, alcohol, money, in conclusion point them to what bible says.
- Respect the student as an individual (person) for who s/he and what s/he is.
- Try to bring in practical applications of the bible - Scripture into Campus Life!
- Spend time with them; I know urban life is a busy paced lifestyle. You may say that I am working for students on various organizational requirements, but, if you don’t spent time with them, it is not worth. Because spending personal time means a lot to the students. It shows that you are respecting them as individuals.
- Be open and accessible to them. Then the students would be willing to share.
- When the above things are dealt with, then there would be personal sharing from both ends. It might be rude to get into one’s personal issues. If you have a good relationship with students, they would open up. Dealing with students’ personal lifestyle is very important, as students go through a lot of crisis, for example, an identity crisis.
- Meet at common places or at his/her place where s/he is comfortable
- Never try to put up a ‘super hero’ character or dominate the students.
- Just being yourself, is very much appreciated. The real you!
The above may be hard or idealistic, well I have tried to do these little things and I guess they worked.
“If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” – John 15:5 = THE SECRET

CHILD LIKE LOVE!

I parked my bike and walked past the kids who were playing Badminton. Those kids must have been 10 or 11 yrs old. There were three kids in all - Pinky, Tina, and Bunty. (Names changed- bhuu!) Pinky and Bunty were playing, hardly able to lift the racquet. I guess it’s been a while; Tina was waiting for her chance to swing the racquet. The deal was, whoever misses the shuttle cock will be replaced by the other. I was watching these beautiful kids, all colorfully dressed up, full of innocence. (I hope so!). Pinky missed the cock, and said, “No, no. Let’s start from the beginning.” So they agreed and resumed the game. After some time Pinky repeats the same. Pinky started to dominate. I wondered why? Pinky missed the next time too, and there was an argument. “Pinky, now you better move. Bunty and I will play”, said Tina. In no time Pinky took the cock and started explaining the rules to both Tina and Bunty.
“Listen, this is my shuttle cock and I will tell you the rules and I will decide who has to play with me. For you both, it is after 3 changes that you both will shuffle. But, for me it is 25 times. Immediately Tina and bunty said, “No, no. That is not the way. We will not play with you.” Quickly, Bunty ran to call his elder’s sister to justify the play. Tina did not know how to react to this. If she were an adult, she definitely would have given Pinky, a piece of her mind.
I was really taken aback by these scenes. Kids are kids. I guess they don’t harbor hatred or grudge against each other; it must be just for that moment, unlike elders who, in fact, preserve all the anger and grudge and one find day explode – which could be deadly and dangerous.
Let not situations be a hindrance to loving the other person!

The most patient group!!!

Delhi being the capital of the Great India, Security is tightened up at every public accessible place, Compared to other cities of India. It’s been five months that I have been in Delhi, every day I use the metro and I see healthy built security personnel with their guns- not sure about the series or model no. But one thing is for sure, the trigger is locked and a chain is passing from the gun to the guard’ waist belt. Just to ensure no one snatches his toy. Whenever I hit the metro, the security personnel’ are having a close watch over the entry points. When I return he is in the same position. And it is been 5 month. What must be going on in his mind? How patient he is with his gun. Will he be thinking that he is less productive for not using the gun? I always smile at the guards, to make them happy and feel loved for the esteem service to the society. They are the most patient group- having a deadly weapon in their hand but not using it. Hope they don’t require to use it. If they use it, it will cause bloodshed-which I don’t wanna see.

JAI HIND...

Who’s money- who’s Bossing?

I got the opportunity to work with couple of organizations, and it seems to be the same when it comes to finance. Yes, I am talking about finance officers, treasures and cashiers (My dad too is a finance officer for more than two decades, should find out from his colleagues how he handles)
Though I like them, but they become my anti. Let me put it across. When I was in a team earlier, the cashier (putting in simple terms, Which I like!) never approved any of my proposals, though I get prior permission from the head. It was always delayed when it comes to money. The cashier would always be critical and suspecting, as if I would run away or eat up all the money. (I guess it because of the training that he gets, Poor him!!!). It was never a team effort. He was always suspected that some think is wrong. My question is, whose money is the cashier giving, is it from his pocket. That he is finding hard to give. If the legal procedure is correct, why don’t you dam Approve!!! (Sorry for being harsh, cos it hurts me). There has never been incidence, where the team along with the cashier works hand in hand to see the project through.
The other side, working with a voluntary organization, or so called Christian organization, I feel pity for the cashier. Same is the case. I guess the cashier works in a reputed firm, presuming the corporate ensure the staff’ pay checks are on time. I guess the staffs demand it to be that way.
So our man volunteers to be the cashier for the voluntary organization. What is the problem for him to make the pay checks on time, just as he wants it to be? Let me give you, a piece of my mind. Never take people who work in this volunteer organization for granted, they aint cheap stuff, or begging you for their pay checks. Are they asking a share from your personal money? I really don’t understand, what you think of people working in Christian/voluntary organization. Listen Christian workers never beg anyone for their financial needs. They look up to GOD, GOD makes a way, but Cashier(s) are a hindrance. On a personal note, I really can take care of myself, if my family comes to know about this, they will really feel bad and ask me to quite. Which I don’t want.
This is to every cashier of every organization especially remember these
This is not your money.
When people do their job and submit the report, you better pay them on time.
Never under estimate Christian worker, they are not begging
If you got a doubt or not satisfied, as them directly, never prolong their payment.
The peanuts an organization gives, how dare you hinder that little?
I plead- Never be a hindrance for a minister of GOD, when it comes to finance.

If you got something to say ,pl feel free!!!!

Two sides of a coin

My laziness has brought me at least today to write this stuff; else you would have had this write up long back! I was returning from work in a little crowded bus, in front of me was seated a very decent 30 + years woman. After a short drive, a guy in his shabby dirty clothes, was asking for water to the conductor, He said No water! The driver also exclaimed – No water! From nowhere this woman picks up her bottle of water and offers it to this guy. I did not expect nor did that guy, that this woman would offer her water. You might think – I am too judgmental about people especially women, But, the fact is, if you would have witnessed it. It would be something unusual as it was to me. I was thinking, YES this world still has LOVE to offer.

Scene B! In the busy metros, I get into the train with an elderly man, in metro trains you have reserved seats for special people- Women, Aged, and differently able. As usual at the sight of an elderly person, one will offer his/her seat. In this case the elderly man was offer a seat (it was reserved for ladies). The elderly man gladly accepted the offer. After a couple of stations a 30+ years woman enters the train. She gets close to the seat, and gives in gestures saying- hey old man this seat is for ladies, so you better get up!!! After a couple of moments the elderly gentleman feels the vibes and offers her the seat. In no time there was another swap and the elderly gentleman was offer a seat side by. (This is a general seat). The point here I want to make is, in this scenario would you go by rules/regulations or by humanity concern. I would definitely go by the later. I felt that the woman should not have disturbed the elderly man.

Be yourself – By being like others!!!

The statement seems to be a trick one, but thought provoking. We have always been driven by what the code of the society is, be it in any scenario - youth, fashion, trend, religion and even Christianity. We (It includes me also) what the society goes by, for instance in Delhi University, the foot ware code is; All start- Converse! I was taken by surprise how the majority is wearing the same.

In Christian circle there is also of pressure to keep up to the standard, if one is new believer (Sorry bro can help it), you got to speak in English, learn the Christian lingo and stuff. But you can never be what you are!

Nobody is talking about failures or personal struggles in life, when they meet for a corporate gathering, the conversation goes like this

A: Hi! How are you doing?

B: I am doing fine/great! Thank you, How about you?

A: I am also doing fine! So, what up….. and the conversation goes on into some common topic and not talking about themselves.

But I know for sure, there must be so much grief A or B is going through, if they share it might turn out to be shameful event…which I avoid too!!!

Our idea or concept or perception about everything has been influenced by others. For instance about – career; it has to be rewarding, visible growth in career, no failures etc. but that is not the truth. Unless one goes through it all by himself, without the influence of other; then, he has learnt it.

I am deeply alarmed after a discussion with my friend; what people teach is always from their view point, understanding and what they have experience in life. If you take for instance a philosophy professor, If he is an atheist his arguments would always aligning to his beliefs. Take me for example, all my life I had been with the company of boys, and I think in lines of a male chauvinist, unlike my friend, who looks from a different angle defending the girls.

Dr.Ken of ATCS, a renowned theologian , who also is an environmentalist…. Is now teaching from the perspective what he has been influenced by…. Is it right!!!

Ps: I have no personal grudge against him, I deeply respect for who he is and what he is.

I have a question at this point! Then how does one learn, if not taught by others.

Again, you might be said, Emmanuel you shouln’t be writing all this stuff. I am asking you, who said so?