CCA Youth.

CHRIST CHURCH, ALANDUR.

Youth fellowship.

It has been two years now since I've attended the youth fellowship last time in Christ Church, Alandur; though I still pay a visit every time I cross Chennai. Those were great days, juggling my ball between my trainings and the Church. My training sessions spanned only for 4 hours during weekdays and 2-4 hours on Saturdays depending on the volume of LAB exercises we had. This gave me enough time to spend on other things.

CCA Youth - One dynamic group of young people, bound together by the love of Christ. They (We) :-D meet every Sunday after the church service. We start with couple of songs and this problem always existed - feeling very lazy to sing. To solve this problem somebody in the group will come up with this "so called *mind blowing*" idea of singing an "action song". Whew... I am game!. One secret thing is, initially I found it difficult with the actions because, they were different apart from what I've learnt. But, as I always had a good talent of imitating , I started managing my show. Most of the time I've succeeded when tried doing new actions flawlessly. This is followed by a time of worship and Later comes the time of testimony. We then get into the message. Every week a different speaker is arranged and it really really would be a great time learning the Word of God. Finally we wind up by praying for each other and few prayer points. So did every Sunday pass away.

There were exceptions too. Inter-church competitions made the difference. It is actually a one day event organized by most of the churches accross Chennai. It involves a package of songs and a whole bunch of competitions. The event starts after the church service, which ever the host church it be.

I vividly remember my first day when I stepped in being a part of CCA Youth fellowship. I was introduced to the youth secretary, Deepan Francis. I found him to be busy with a paper and a pen writing something. I didn't understand what he was doing. The moment I was introduced, he said; "Paul, good to have you with us. You will be participating in a competition called Ship Wreck. We will be leaving in a while". I was thrown flummoxed. I told him as this being the first day, let me sit and watch everything first, then will join you in all other competitions. He never seemed to mind my plea and didn't excuse me. One thing that concerned me a lot was, I didn't know what 'ship wreck" meant. :-P Did I ever say them this? The gentleman in me again played his part. Finally what? We won a prize! I accompanied the group in many other Inter-church competitions. It was all fun, I say.

We organized one too. Titled as "Anchorage", one big event by our fellowship with a big budget.

It was really a good experience doing everything from end to end. We practiced for the singing sessions, prepared charts, score cards, fiddled with the background curtain decorations, designed our T-shirts, blah blah blah blah... and many many more. The event on the whole was a great success. End of the day, we planned to go to the beach and have a gala time. Eventually, ended up hitting our heads against the pillow after a fully packed busy day. I lost the opportunity in marking my footprints along with the youth members on the sands of Besant Nagar beach.

I've spent ample amount of time with the Sunday school children too. They were awesome. I pray for every children out there, that they may grow in the knowledge of God.

I owe a lot to the fellowship. This was the only source which kept me running closer to God in the marathon of my life; all my days in Chennai precisely. I thank every youth member there. If my memory is not that bad, here are some to be mentioned... Deepan Francis, Eben, Alphonse, Beryl, Joshua, Chinna, Inba, Dani, Justin, Calvina, Caroline, Sarah, Deborah, Diana.... and many more. Sorry people if I had failed to mention your names. You'll have to blame my poor memory.

The last Sunday after which I had to leave Chennai, I stood outside the church compound, on the road looking up the cross over the Church. Tears rolling down my eyes, I thanked the Lord for all that he had taught me during my three months stay in Chennai and for giving such a good fellowship to be enriched in Him. I payed a standing ovation.

I didn't know if I will ever comeback again to join this dynamic group. But, I made a choice to never loose any opportunity in landing down here to pay a visit. I also prayed for a similar fellowship where ever I go. Yes, I knew I was leaving for Hyderabad. After a great sigh of accomplishment, I left home.

I am in Hyderabad at present. He has proved Himself faithful again. I have a good fellowship here.

Later!