Packs of hope
JAMES
One of the highlights this month was joining Zara in delivering our new mental health packs to the Ulster Hospital.
It is so important that we take the time to listen and seek to understand the needs of the young people we aim to serve. During our time at the Ulster Hospital, we had the privilege of meeting the staff there, who are doing incredible work on the front line. They shared heartbreaking stories of young people who have been admitted into their care for anything from a few days to a year. We heard how young lives and their families have been deeply affected by the challenges that mental ill-health, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and other issues have caused.
Through the kindness of God’s people who have supported this work prayerfully and underwritten it financially, we were able to leave a significant number of mental health packs in the hands of staff to distribute as they see fit. These packs are designed as seeds of hope, speaking life and light into the darkness that ill-health can bring.
Our work in this area gives each person who receives a pack a clear pathway to our online support page. This page provides professional support for specific issues, shared testimonies, printable resources for parents and leaders, and pathways to organisations for those who require additional support. We have been working hard on these support pages and ask that you join us in praying for each and every young person who visits them. Our prayer is that God would continue to use these resources to do a work in the lives of each young person as they journey towards wholeness.
REBEKAH
This month, God has given our team some amazing opportunities to speak life over young people. A highlight for me was getting to speak to young girls in a GB and watching one of our interns, Patricia, share her story with them. It was so powerful to watch how God used her vulnerability to encourage them and teach them about their value.
I also thank God for our volunteer team. This month, we had time as a group to study the Bible together, and their heart for Jesus and desire to know Him more is so special.
As a media department, we have been praying into how God can reach young people that we may never get to see face-to-face in schools or youth groups. We believe that our media has incredible power to do this, placing scripture into their hands via their phone or tablet. Please pray for James and Rhys as they channel their creativity to online platforms and make the message of Jesus accessible to young people today.
Please continue to pray for us as a wider team and that God will continue to provide, enabling us to keep reaching young people with the message that their lives have value and that they are made for more.
CHRIS
I am so grateful for all the amazing things God has been doing through Made for More in Northern Ireland and further afield! In October, Rebekah and I travelled to Salou, Spain, to partner with the Evangelical Church of Salou in delivering workshops in local primary and high schools across the region. On a youth retreat, we also led two sessions with the young people from the church, exploring how we can live lives of purpose when we live in light of who God is. This was a great way to spark conversations about where we are in our walk with God and to encourage the young people to do the same.
Additionally, we led a kids’ club session one evening, led a young adults Bible study, and also spoke at the church’s weekly prayer meeting!
A real highlight for me was when we were able to go into our first Spanish high school. A young person who had engaged deeply throughout the workshop shared how impactful it had been to hear about mental health and the value of each person. He had struggled with poor mental health, and I was able to briefly share how my mental health story has led me to where I am now. He then went away promising to check out our Instagram, which is full of the light of Jesus!
Thank you so much for your prayers and support while we were away. We have truly seen God answer these prayers and seen new links being established between the church and local schools! Please continue to pray for the Salou church and that the light of Jesus will shine in the spiritual darkness in Spain. Thank you!
Beth
Thank you for your continuous and committed prayers for Made for More. We are so aware that prayer is the driving force behind our work as we submit everything to the Lord, so thank you for partnering with us in lifting requests to Him.
In November, we have seen great progress in our Special Educational Needs (SEN) project. We have delivered seven SEN workshops, reaching around 33 participants. During this time, we delivered our first SEN-tailored digital footprint workshop and visited our first adult special needs group—what a privilege!
Please pray as we edge towards the new year for more doors to open and more opportunities to reach these wonderful people. Thank you.
JOHNNY
November saw the launch of our new merchandise. A lot of work went into photoshoots, social media, and website updates, along with the beginning of the market season. We would appreciate prayer that the merchandise reaches the right hands to spread the message of what we do at Made For More. More importantly, we pray that each person who receives it will know that they are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10, embroidered on the back of the fleeces).
Please pray for the team as we enter or are already in a busy season. Pray for meaningful conversations at the markets, as well as for our workshops—that we’ll have the energy to communicate effectively and continue to rely on God’s strength.
