Southampton Uni - Amy's Story

Hey everyone, Phil’s asked me to write a ‘student story’, so here goes…   Firstly, I was really challenged by people’s stories at Christmas of praying with their friends etc and by how much everyone was getting stuck in- it was fantastic!   If I’m honest, I look back at the two and half years that I’ve been in Southampton and I know that I could have done so much more with and for my friends who aren’t Christians. I very quickly and easily got close to some lovely Christian friends, which isn’t bad in itself, but it meant that I neglected to build solid friendships with those who weren’t Christians, so now it is more difficult to see them because there’s not that foundation. I know that God’s used me to encourage and support a few really close Christian girls, but I also know there was more I could have done. So I guess what I’m saying is- learn from my mistakes!! I would really encourage you to find people you can pray with and look out for each other, but don’t lose sight of the amazing opportunities God has given you with people who don’t know Him yet.   One area that I have got involved in is stuff on a local council estate. Some of you probably know that I help run a Sunday Club for un-churched children on the estate from pretty tough backgrounds- nothing like my very sheltered Maidenhead upbringing.  We’ve seen the relationships we have with our children and their parents strengthening; I love being part of it and I know God’s put me there. The children probably don’t hear that they’re loved very often, and showing them that we love them and more importantly that their Father God does is a real privilege. When I get married in July we’re hoping to move onto the estate and live in that community, building our relationships and opening our house for the children to come- please pray that we find somewhere to live because we don’t have that yet!   So, I want to encourage you to somehow get involved in the community in which you live- I’ve definitely found it rewarding. Local people so often have a bad impression of students and you can help turn that around and show them some of God’s love for them. (Author: Amy Read)

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