Cloudy skies.
Pathfinder Investiture 14 Nov 2009
The Pathfinder leaders and pathfinders had been working tirelessly since the beginning of the year, organising the Investiture programme. It was to be the highlight of the year, where everyone would be rewarded and recognised for their hard work and efforts. The planning was meticulous, and compared to the many camping trips organised throughout the year the day should have gone without a hitch - but if the weather had anything to do with it, the day was destined to be a wash-out.
The week leading up to the Investiture programme saw London and the rest of the country battered by strong winds and heavy rain. All the Pathfinders were eagerly watching the weather forecast for Sabbath morning, and hoping that the rain would hold off until after the parade up Plumstead High Street was finished. The Plumstead Pathfinder Club had invited the Brixton & Lewisham Drum Corps to lead the parade, and also had the support of the Holloway Pathfinder Club to attend the event.
On the morning of the Investiture programme, everyone in the Plumstead area woke up and were greeted by heavy rain and driving winds. What a disappointment! Nevertheless, everyone kept their spirits high and kept praying that God would perform a miracle. By 9.30 am the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. Wow, God is good!!
The programme went ahead as planned. The Plumstead Pathfinder Club are extremely grateful to the Brixton, Holloway and Lewisham Pathfinder Leaders and Clubs for their continued support, their attendance and participation made a difference. Everyone involved in the programme, from the Eager Beavers to the Master Guides, were superb.
he pulled a number of items from his special bag; some un-cooked rice grains, 2 glass jars and seven golf balls. He said that the rice represented the activities that he fits into his week (the glass jar). The golf balls were a representation of his devotion and prayer time spent with God. After filling his week with all his activities he noticed he did not have enough time for God, and he could only fit a little of his prayer and devotion time into his week. He suggested that we change our priorities, making time for God first, and building our daily activities around him. That way we can fit all our plans into our week.
There were some powerful messages delivered throughout the morning. Dr N Dare presented the Children's message, which spoke about the world being upside-down. She engaged the youngsters involvement by asking whether they thought they were strong enough to turn the world the right way up. The resounding response was a yes. The youth said they could do it by not engaging in activities that could harm their bodies or minds, by standing up for the truth, and by believing they could do anything they put their minds to with determination and God's help.
Trevor Haywood used a number of illustrations to convey his message to the young people. In his first illustration
In his second illustration he demonstrated that we need to be specific in what we ask God for when we pray to him, being genuine and sincere when we pray. He used a number of youth and children for this demonstration along with
Pastor Johns, some string, a biro pen, some tape and lots of balloons. In this illustration Pastor Johns represented God in heaven holding one end of the string on the other side of the church. The children blew up the balloons (which are our prayers), and were asked to release them in the direction of Pastor, hoping that they would get to him. Of course, we know what happens when we let go of a blown up balloon, the results of releasing seven or eight balloons created much laughter - none of them got to Pastor. With the help of the string inserted into the biro which had a balloon taped to it, the momentum from the released balloon, took it straight to Pastor.
By the time Trevor got to his third illustration everyone noticed the sky clouding over and the rain starting to fall again, and we wondered whether the march would go ahead or not. Trevor took some other items from his bag; a candle, shallow bowl, some water and a lighter. He lit the candle and said that we are all light berears, having an important message to give to the world, but if we put our message aside - or hide it, our lights would go out. He placed a glass jar over the lit candle an it burned for a little before becoming dimmer, and eventually going out.
The Pathfinders and Adventurers were invested as proud parents and members looked on. The children were delighted to receive their pins, honour badges and certificates.
At the end of the service David was asked to say a special prayer to ask God to intervene, hold back the rain and allow the Pathfinder march to go ahead, giving the club a chance to let their light shine in the community, and to distribute flyers and tracts to onlookers about the work of the Pathfinder Club and God's love. You know that we serve a mighty and compassionate God. Our prayers were answered once again. The rain stopped, we had the march, and dispite the cold and cloudy conditions, the Patfinders had a smile on their faces and a song in their heart. Oh, and just as they returned to church the rain started to fall slighty. The Pathfinders were faithful as they marched along!!
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