CHAV HUNTING
Recently in England, two youngsters known as Chavs were walking down a cold, wet alley. One of Tommy's missions partners overheard them talking as they passed some holiday decorations. "Who started Christmas, anyway?" one asked the other. "I don't know!" his friend replied in a thick accent. This was just the opportunity needed to begin a rich conversation, explaining for the first time the great news of Jesus Christ to these young Chavs. It was a message they heartily accepted and joyfully shared with their families.

Chavs are a unique unreached people group indigineous to England. CHAV stands for 'Council Housing and Violent', but represents more than just violent offenders; the term has come to encompass an entire generation being raised on public assistance.

Chavs are quickly recognized by their profane language, thick accents, and track suits, with trousers tucked into their socks. Vice comes early for a chav - most begin smoking by age 8 and dependent on other chemicals, including alcohol, by their early teen years.

Often they are abandoned by their families, and continue the cycle by fathering children from multiple women. Indeed, the highest teen pregnancy rates are among the chavs; a baby bump on a 14 year old is not an uncommon sight.

Because of their appearance and behavior, Chavs are largely ignored, feared, and often looked down upon by the rest of British society. Many feel purposeless, hopeless, and lost. Sadly, there are few churches where Chavs are received with open arms. But the arms of Jesus are always open wide!

God loves the Chavs as much as He loves anyone! He offers hope, peace, forgiveness, and a better life to every Chav who would trust Him.

That is the message Tommy and the American Missionary team came to England in October to bring: Jesus loves Chavs. Nobody is a mistake, forgotten, or abandoned. And no matter how many mistakes one has made, there is redemption through Jesus Christ.

With that in mind, Tommy and the guys went Chav Hunting. Their mission was to find one Chav to whom they could express the love of God in an unmistakably grand way.

They quickly met "Pat" at an English Jumbo Sale, the Chav equivilent of an American yard sale. One day shy of Pat's 19th Birthday, the only thing Pat hoped for was enough money to go to the fair that evening. We gave Pat that ability by buying out the Jumbo Sale, and giving the contents to some kids who gathered nearby.

Pat had been raised by alcohol and drug addicted parents; had been in and out of foster homes growing up; and Pat's mother was still working as a prostitute. Pat took us to their home in the projects, which was nearly an empty shell. Pat hasn't slept at home in years - the parents were just too violent. The one thing Pat wanted more than anything was a seperate, safe place to call home.

Tommy found a social worker from a vibrant local church who was happy to help Pat begin the process of finding a new home. Even better, we learned Pat's godparents were active Christians and the best parts of Pat's life were spent with them early in childhood. The godparents now live in the American Southwest.

Tommy's team is in the process of finding the godparents and will arrange to fly Pat to the States for a time of healing and rest.

Inspired by this story and the video that accompanies it, groups of Christians around England have decided to lead their own outreaches into Chav territory. Please pray that God will open hearts and save lives as we continue to partner with those who are reaching out to England's unreached Chavs.

Click here to watch GodChasers in action in England.
 
If you would like to partner with GodChasers Ministries overseas mission outreach trips, please click here to donate and help us reach the world with God's love.
 
CLICK HERE for last months Mission's Update from LA PERLA