<typohead type="3">National Youth Co-Ordinator</typohead>

My Dad grew up in the same house all his life til he went to University. He went to one primary school, one intermediate, one high school and then on to university, all in the same city. I moved five times with my family before I moved out of home at the age of 20. Since then, I’ve continued to move around a lot. This month I moved into my 8th new home in 8 years. I’ve always been a transient person – my home is with people rather than places. I’ve probably moved more than most, but the reality is, that my experience of moving so often is not that unusual. Younger generations today are moving more than ever before – try comparing how much older members of your church have moved compared with the young people in your youth group.

Like the last seven, move number eight was not just a practical hassle. I found myself feeling a bit emotional, although I couldn’t really pinpoint why. One thing I’ve worked out after so much moving though is that there is emotional baggage tied up in moving on - stuff you leave behind, and hopes and fears of what’s before you… I’ve been told that for some people, moving can conjure up grief that is the equivalent of someone close to them dying. Certainly for many, it can involve feeling unsettled, uncertain and lonely for a period of time.

I am grateful for those who were around this time (and the other thirteen times) to help move some boxes and listen to me try and process the transition I was making and what it meant. The time, love (and patience) they gave was invaluable. A true blessing.

This issue of Fuel is all about trying to do and be that for the young people in our midst who are ‘moving on.’ It’s a massive topic, so we’ve zoned in on the issues faced by young people moving from school to tertiary education. I hope you find some ideas of how you can help your young people move on well.

This Advent season, may God bless you, those you love, and those you find hard to love.

Arohanui