Methodist Mission Southern

Lent is a season that draws us into the wilderness—a place of struggle, searching, and deep reflection. The wilderness is often where people encounter moments of grace—through kindness, resilience, and the quiet presence of those who walk alongside them.

 

While our young people may not be looking for faith in the traditional sense, they do find a sense of belonging, renewal, and hope in the Youth Transition Houses. In moments of support, in the shared laughter over a meal, in the persistence of a young mother finding a home, we see glimpses of something greater at work.

 

This past month, our Youth Transition Houses in Waihōpai and Ōtepoti and Waihōpai Young Mums' House have been landscapes of both challenge and transformation, where young people continue to navigate their own paths through the wilderness of the world.

 

At the Youth Transition Houses, two residents reached milestones worth celebrating—one secured a job, and another returned to schooling with a renewed sense of purpose. Their journeys have not been easy, marked by uncertainty and setbacks, but they have persevered. To honour their achievements, we shared a meal together—sushi, fruit, and jelly—simple sustenance that reminded us that even in the wilderness, we are nourished by the support of those around us.

 

The physical landscape of Ōtepoti’s Youth Transition House has also been transformed. With support from the Rule Foundation, residents had input into brightening up the lounge, making it a space of warmth and belonging. The addition of donated furniture from Crown Relocations further reinforced this sense of renewal. Like the barren places that bloom after rain, the house has become a reflection of the growth taking place within its residents.

 

Resourcefulness is often key to survival in the wilderness, and this was on full display when we received a large donation of crumbled biscuits. Rather than letting them go to waste, one resident turned them into the base for a homemade strawberry cheesecake — a creative act of making something beautiful out of what seemed broken. This dessert became a celebration of their return to study, a small but meaningful reminder that, even in the face of difficulties, renewal is possible.

 

Over at the Young Mums' House, the transition back into daily routines has been both rewarding and exhausting. The shift from holiday mode into school and daycare rhythms has been a challenge for our young mums, much like finding a steady path through rugged terrain. Yet, step by step, they are finding their way.

 

A standout success this month has been Splash Palace, where our mums and their babies have been enjoying the opportunity to swim. Thanks to funding from Active

 

Southland, our residents have had access to the pool, offering both fun and an important life skill for their pepi. Encouraging confidence in the water is so valuable, and we are pleased to now offer ongoing support for swimming lessons, ensuring these little ones continue to thrive.

 

Perhaps the hardest landscape to navigate this month has been housing. One young mother applied for over 25 houses before she finally secured a home. Each rejection was another dry and desolate stretch of road, but she refused to give up. Her story is one of perseverance—of holding faith even when the promised land seems unreachable. Now, as she steps into her new whare, we celebrate her strength and determination, knowing that she has carved a new path forward for her whānau.

 

Lent reminds us that the wilderness is both a place of struggle and a place of transformation. It is a space where we are tested, but also where we grow. In the stories of our young people and young mothers, we see this journey unfold—step by step, challenge by challenge, always moving toward hope.

 

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