Sally

I have been on the Gaines gap year team for 5 weeks now but it feels like only 5 minutes!

Since I have arrived at Gaines I have been kept very busy and the weeks have flown by. Bethany and I are the Gaines gap year girls and we are getting on really well and are both adapting to living away from home.

On Mondays we get our day off after the busy weekend. We have spent our days off exploring the city of Worcester (mainly the shops), going for walks (including stroking wild ponies and picking apples) and watching movies.

As a result of living in a large beautiful house in the country there is some practical work and cleaning to be done. However, working together with the Gaines team is a lot of fun and has led to rides on the back of a tractor and raft building!

On Thursdays we go to the Midlands Ministry Training Course (MMTC) in Birmingham which is excellent as we have the opportunity to learn more about God’s Word, how to tell others about the gospel, and how to teach the Bible to others. I have already been able to put these skills into practice through leading studies with small groups on the weekends.

The highlight of my week is definitely the weekends when we have church youth groups staying, because we have a chance to share Jesus with loads of young people – which is incredible! On the weekends we get to lead small group Bible studies and fun activities such as graffiti and craft.

From the moment I arrived at Gaines I was given a lot of responsibilities which helped me really feel like an established member of the team.

While here we attend Woodgreen evangelical church, which has been such a great part of life at Gaines. Even after the first week at Woodgreen I felt so welcome and part of the church family. The Bible teaching is fantastic and the young adults after-church session helps us to look further into the Bible.  Beth and I have also joined a Growth group at church which we attend on Tuesday evenings.

I am thoroughly enjoying every aspect of Gaines and I am meeting so many wonderful people. I am growing in my love for Jesus more each day.

Sally