Thought for the Week

I had never heard of ‘boomwhackers’ let alone played one. However I had my introduction at the Presbytery Youth Camp on Cowal last Thursday. It was great fun and was just part of a super day with more than 50 teenagers enjoying lots of activities at the Benmore Centre. There was kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, biking, caving, music, art and much more. I stuck to the more ‘grounded’ pursuits! However the best part of the day was the many wonderful conversations with these enthusiastic young people. They are an inspiration as they face the world with hopes and dreams and visions. As well as having a lot of fun together, they consider the serious issues in the world today. Folk from Christian Aid had spent a day with them simulating, as best as possible, what it would be like to be a refugee. They had to consider what was truly important in their lives. They had to think what they would prioritise if they only had minutes to flee their homes and could only take one thing with them. This really moved the young people as they considered what was of real value in their lives. I wonder what you would stop to take with you if you had to make that choice. Our lives are cluttered with possessions and often they dull our vision and blind us to what is really important. This exercise inspired the young people to want to do something. I went home tired, but so refreshed and enthused from being in the company of these visionaries of the future.