1:  What have been some of the highlights of your year?
Meeting loads of young people throughout the year and telling them about Jesus! Being a Christian who doesn't necessarily fit with the stereotype they may have in their minds...
The CROSS Project residential, July o9. It was an amazing time where God was so present and making Himself known to the young people which, for some, was a new experience which, hopefully, has really touched their lives. Also it was so much fun! Good times.

2:  Tell us about one person you have met this year who has been a real encouragement or inspiration to you.
Becky, the other full time worker at The CROSS Project, has been a real encouragement to me and has supported me throughout my time here in whatever I've done, giving constructive criticism (helpful advice!) as was needed and also telling me when I'd done well and reassuring me when I doubted myself! I learnt a lot from Becky, her attitude towards her work and her dynamic and relationships with the young people we met.

3:  What have been some of the most difficult things you have faced during your year?
Doubting my own ability to do schools work has been a bit of an issue through the year, in that I always got really nervous of saying the wrong thing whenever we went to do a lesson or a club. Also the sudden passing of my Gran in May was very sad and I missed a few weeks from work because of that.

4:  Describe how God has brought you through such times.
God has made me so much more confident throughout this year! At the beginning of the year I would never have even imagined that I would be leading lessons or standing up in front of everyone at the residential and trying to teach them a song (I'm not a great singer...). This confidence has, more recently, stopped me from being nervous and I've really enjoyed myself since then!

As for my Gran's death, CROSS were so supportive of me and just told me to take as long as I needed off work. It was so great not to feel under pressure to go back to work...even though it meant missing the Schooldays Disco fundraiser for which I was the licence holder. Arrangements were all made so I could take time off. This was a real blessing from God and helped me, I think, more than I know!

5:  How has God been changing you during your time as a volunteer?
As I mentioned, God has made me so much more confident in myself this year. It's unbelievable! Lots of people have noticed this, and commented on it!
Also I think God has changed my heart so I have more love for other people, even if I don't know them. I've found that I feel more concerned about others than I used to be. God is showing me people more through His own eyes than mine.

6:  What new interests, gifts or skills have you discovered this year?
In terms of new skills, I haven't really discovered any. put I have developed and greatly used my existing skills. I have used my technical and computer skills hugely this year in the office which I didn't expect when coming to do schools work! I've used my musical gifts in the church, playing for the Methodist Circuit music group on my sax, and I taught myself to play the guitar! I've also, obviously, done lots of youth work so my skills and gifting in that area have been used lots in teaching and interacting with young people.