YEAR IN REVIEW : 2020 FINDING
DECEMBER 2020
THE
HIGHLIGHTS
OF
A
CHALLENGING
YEAR
CHRISTA CURRY
DECEMBER 2020
CHRISTA CURRY
THE LONGEST YEAR Are we there yet? Is it truly the end of 2020? When I think back to memories of 2019 it honestly feels like many years have passed since then and quite possibly, for the first time in history, every corner of the world can relate. In the midst of the madness I've found myself hopeful that there could be a revival of empathy in our world and a revelation of our need for God's Sovereignty in each of our lives. Hardship is a key ingredient in the sharpening and shaping of character. So that begs the question, what is our character like in these latter days of this arduous year?
For me 2020 has been one of the most illuminating years because it made room for me to unwind from unhealthy patterns that had disguised themselves as "normal" and helped me realise I was actually deteriorating inside. At the beginning of the initial lockdown in Northern Ireland I found myself conversing with God about how I wanted to use my time to its fullest potential so the days didn't slip away from me. What shocked me was that
sometimes that meant coming up with innovative ways to
reach out beyond the walls of my house to make a difference, but other days it meant
accepting there was nothing I could do but be still and attempt what they
call "rest." Apparently rest isn't always restful when you're loaded with years of baggage that needs off-loaded. Rest can actually involve a lot of work.
I often describe the flow of life as being launched into space and sent into orbit. Year after year you just get used to that trajectory and unless something comes into your path, it's really hard to get out of orbit. Because the pandemic interfered with my orbit, it forced me out of what was familiar, removed all distractions and coping mechanisms and reminded me of who I was beyond what I DID that made me feel valuable or effective.
With this packet I will be talking a lot about the tangible things that were accomplished in the past year, but in all honesty, the invisible inward stuff is what I'm most proud of. Going into 2021 my prayer is that the lessons we learned in this challenging year wouldn't be wasted. May we be people who are willing to wrestle against the injustices within both our outer and inner worlds, surrendering all of our questions and responses to the Holy One who is Sovereign above all creation.
In His service,
Christa Noel Curry
DECEMBER 20
CHRISTA CURRY
WALES video TRIP JANUARY 2020 Almost
as
soon
as
I
returned
to
Northern
Ireland from last year's Christmas break I set off to Wales to film a promotional video for a friend who is pioneering a YWAM team in Cardiff. around
I
spent
close
different
interviewing
to
a
corners
people,
week of
capturing
running
the the
city most
scenic parts of the city and sort of creating a promotional video on the fly as there wasn't much
time
to
prepare.
The
footage
we
collected was enough to actually produce multiple videos! The video is now featured on YWAM
Cardiff's
youtube
channel
and
also
their Instagram: @ywamcardiff Filming a future YWAM Cardiff staffer
prague CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 2020 In February I made the trek to Czechia to attend the European Leadership Gathering (ELG), along with a large representation of YWAM
Ireland.
The
ELG
is
a
time
when
teams from around Europe come together to seek God's heart for the continent and share what God is doing in each of their specific locations. We learned about the martyred Jon Huss
who was a local to
Prague and was burned at the stake in the city centre for his faith many decades ago. As flames rose he yelled, "Truth prevails!" Truth was a big topic of discussion at this year's
gathering.
participate
in
the
I
was
also
distribution
around the city as well.
able of
to
Bibles Some of my YWAM Ireland mates in the City Centre, around the corner from where Jon Huss was martyred
Borderwalk: year 8 AUGUST 2020
: @borderwalk20_ : @BorderWalkYWAMireland
The fact that we organised a 200 mile prayer walk during a worldwide pandemic will be a story I tell for the
rest
of
my
life!
God
made
a
way
for
us
to
complete year 8 safely by splitting the route into 4 separate weekends with two small staff teams taking different parts of the chronological route each day. There were powerful and encouraging moments in both big and small ways and we believe both bless the heart of God.
The video is on YWAM Ireland's
youtube if you want to see for yourself!
We made a whole 2nd cross so two teams could walk each day!
Team reunited at the end of the route
DECEMBER 20
CHRISTA CURRY
YWAM-ATHON Live! JULY 2020 When the lockdown hit we had two sponsor trainees
on
the
Arts
&
Media
DTS
that
weren't able to do fundraising to cover the cost of their schooling, so I implemented an idea using my video degree to help them. We used the worship hall to set up studio-style sets
Directing the crew before showtime
and
different
did talks
a
live
and
broadcast
talents
from
featuring our
staff.
People were able to pledge money as the 2 hour show played out. We were able to not only raise some money but also do something that really lifted spirits both in and outside our building. Seeing the base celebrate with cheers, smiles, jumping and hugs at the end of the successful broadcast was a highlight of my year!
TEACHING WEEK APRIL 2020 For the first time since joining YWAM I was asked to teach a full week on the Arts & Media DTS! I taught on Media in Missions and how to use the technology we have access to for the Kingdom of God. I felt it was important to teach the students how to
apply
basic
industry
technology
standard like
techniques
iPhones
and
to
social
media. Quality doesn't have to be limited to how much money you have! I also taught on The Hero's Journey and how to look at your life as a story God is telling through you. I've taught this many times over the years and it is actually a great tool for not only storytelling but for personal revelations about
identity
and
God's
redemption in all our stories.
heart
for A student's homework assignment practicing composition, colour and expressing emotion
CHRISTA CURRY
FOOD PARCEL PROGRAM SUMMER 2020 One of the best projects I was a part of this
year
was
the
creation
of
the
Food
Parcel Program with our friends in South Africa.
After
I
heard
one
of
our
former
sponsor students was out of food due to COVID I went to my friend Christy to ask for her insight on how to help since she lives there, and before we knew it we were raising money to try and feed at least 50 families in the Durban area! I created a campaign was
£1000
God!)
that
and
brought
more
than
because
in
our
of
£3000
(which
target,
praise
its
success
the
program is still going on today! Close to 200
parcels
have
been
delivered
to
various communities. In my eyes Sandile, Christy
and
Mthoko
have
been
beyond
inspirational as they do this work. Seeing the trucks filled with food being delivered to so many people in need makes my heart so happy!
Former YWAM Ireland sponsor trainees from different years of DTS coming together to help make deliveries
Christy and her son unloading the delivery truck
A family receiving a food parcel delivery!
DECEMBER 20
CHRISTA CURRY
BARISTA VOLUNTEER AUTUMN 2020 As many of you know, I'm part of a team planning to establish a coffee shop as a part of the new ministry vision I have for a town called Newry in Northern Ireland. (more info in this packet) When we heard that a cafe within the town of Newry was needing help running their cafe we decided it would be a great opportunity to get out into the new community, people
who
meet were
new
people
in
tight
a
and
spot
as
serve well.
Myself and a few teammates donated our time for a little over a month before the new regulations shut down the cafes again, but it was great being able to help while we could! On shift at the Velveteen Rabbit Cafe
BORDERWALK TALKS MARCH 2020 Part of preparing for BorderWalk season is planning times of connection with people to
let
them
know
that
the
walk
is
happening, what God is doing through it and how people can join to be a part of it. This
year
we
had
so
much
interest
from
new churches that were willing to host us
Youth at Vibe Church writing prayers on the BW cross
on various Sundays and I was able to speak at one at Every Nation Church in Belfast! Vibe
also
evening
hosted
and
a
us
at
highlight
a
young
was
adults
seeing
so
many of the local young adults going up to write prayers for God to do a new thing in their land. The more we share about what God
is
doing
through
our
obedience
in
walking, the more people believe that He is doing something new and want to be a part of it!
Speaking at Every Nation Church in Belfast
DECEMBER 2020
CHRISTA CURRY
SOCIAL FARMING MARCH 2020 One of the last outreaches we got to go on before Social
lockdown Farm.
through
a
encounter
I
hit
met
was the
rather years
to
folks
divinely
ago
and
the
Annagh
that
run
it
appointed we've
been
working with them ever since. They use their farm to work with people that have Autism through
art
therapy
and
farming
the
land
with them. It's a beautiful way to empower people and create a sense of community. Years
ago
we
helped
them
design
centrepieces based on the Fruits of the Spirit for a fruit maze they were building. We like to go back a few times every year to help weed and tend to the maze as it grows! The Jenga-style centrepiece for "Self-Control"
LILiAS FLOWER FARM SPRING + SUMMER 2020 When
all
of
cancelled
our
we
summer
spent
a
outreaches lot
of
our
got time
helping in the flower field of one of our friends who started a flower farm ministry. We
would
plant
use
flowers
spoons
that
she
to
dig
had
holes
started
and from
seedlings. I learned a lot about how hard it is to grow things, especially when there are SLUGS
involved!!
meaningful uncertainty
that we
I
found
during
were
a
it
really
time
prioritising
of
planting
things with the anticipation that they would grow. It was like an act of faith that the future would still be there and these little plants would one day fulfill their destiny of becoming beautiful flowers. All proceeds from
the
flowers
goes
towards
helping
people in need in central/eastern Africa.
Speaking at Every Nation Church in Belfast
CHRISTA CURRY
art auction fundraiser SEPTEMBER 2020 Living overseas always makes me feel like I'm
constantly
in
state
of
adapting
to
everything around me. I've lived in Northern Ireland since 2013 and have always had to rely on base and rental cars for transport. Every time I get in a car I have to reacquaint myself diesel
with or
how
the
unleaded,
blinkers
where
work,
the
if
it's
headlights
are, how that specific shifting system works, etc. So, in an attempt to create something more consistent in my life that would relieve a lot of stress, my friend Kadie and I put on an art auction to raise money that could go towards buying a new car that we could share, especially since we're moving to a new
town!
We
managed
to
raise
around
$4300, which is amazing! It was fun being able to buckle down and create so many colourful pieces with the time that we had at home. Soon we shall have a car to share! Kadie working on one of her pieces
One of my favourite pieces I sold during the auction
Pulling inspiration from some of my favourite films
DECEMBER 2020
CHRISTA CURRY
AMDTS Promo video NOVEMBER 2020 This video was shot in probably record time when considering that it was actually a more complex
storyline
than
other
videos
I've
made. I had to fly home in a few days and so this video was shot and edited VERY quickly. The tide ended up coming in much quicker than I anticipated, so we weren't able to get
Shooting at iconic local places for the video
the shots I had originally storyboarded, but we made it work and I think the end piece turned out decent! It was so fun working with a team comprised of different generations of Arts & Media staff and students! I used to have to make videos by myself, so having a small team to help me actually means a lot. Check out YWAM Ireland's youtube for the finished piece.
ALBUM COVER DESIGN ALL YEAR 2020 This project has actually been in the works for over a year now. As you might have guessed by now, COVID threw off the timeline quite a bit! I'm such a broken record, but it's true. My friend Alex works in YWAM with me and for the second time
we
partnered
up
to
create
another album design for his new CD. It's available on iTunes if you look
up
Alex
Atwell,
"Walking
Home" and eventually they will be printed
and
available
for
hard
copy purchase as well! This will be the
fourth
designed years!
in
album the
past
cover couple
I've of
The road may look empty, but it was actually really busy and slightly dangerous as cars were flying by us on the shoot!
DECEMBER 2020
CHRISTA CURRY
12th of july outreach JULY 2020 This is an outreach I help to organise every year in partnership with YWAM Belfast. It's a complex
situation
to
explain,
but
essentially
the 12th of July is a rather contentious holiday that celebrates the victory of a Protestant King over the Catholics in a battle many hundreds Prayer walks at the peace wall and around bonfires
of
years
include palettes
ago. the that
Today
the
burning
of
result
in
celebrations massive
often
piles
dangerously
of
large
bonfires. There is also a lot of drunkenness and violence that occur as well. I've seen it with my own eyes, so that's not out of speculation. We take teams in to not only pray for God's peace but to also learn more about the conflict that affects the land that we serve in.
vibe church supply drive MAY 2020 Vibe is an amazing church based out of a town called Armagh (arrmah)
in
needed
Northern help
Ireland.
sorting
They
through
donations of all kinds that would go out to people in need in the community. families
We
were
heard
living
that
off
of
some solely
cereal since the pandemic had set in, so they were doing an great job of collecting not only food but also clothes
and
other
household
essentials to help people in need. A
small
crew
from
the
base
volunteered to come help us sort and we got through a lot of items!
Sorting through donations at Vibe