u/Stormboi12

I know I am a bit late for this but good luck for your exams. As silly as it sounds, enjoy it because the best bit is actually the gaps in between your exams when you see your friends, when you're in revision sessions with eachother if you're not on study leave. Last year, I became close to people I never thought I would. It was some of the best times of my life even though I was basically surviving on water and cereal bars. But seriously, enjoy life guys, good luck in your exams and don't worry about the Porter or Edna, they can't harm you. I had to write about a goddamn table.

So I am fairly new to using reddit more frequently for things such as communication between other Christians so this story is a little bit old but just wanted some thoughts on it I suppose where no one really knows who I am, I guess. So in 2022 I confessed and started to believe in Jesus and that he is the Lord our God with the Holy Spirit.

I had being to church with my mum from a very young age and as most people who grew up in a church I am assuming the first prayer you tend to learn and memorise is the Lord's Prayer. Church and going with my mum helped me to learn how to read, write and speak faster than the average infant seemingly along with my grandma helping me read. But never really understood God or his presence in my life. At times I got upset and cried because I never understood Easter and why Jesus had to die if he was so good. Anyway, that is by the by.

I came out as gay in 2020 to my family and they were fine with it but I realised that religion probably wouldn't allow it but I learned how to keep it hidden in church and around people who were going to be less accepting whether that be strangers, friends or family.

In 2022 I started believing and that year I started "baptism classes" at a church I went to (not the one me and my mum went to since I was young) and someone who I had known for a long time, was my age but slightly older than me but always good friends. Anyway, before my "confirmation" baptism in 2023 he told me, because he knew I was gay but kept it secret, that when I would step in the water and get submerged I would burst into flames or burn or something like that. Anyway, it didnt bother me too much, upset me a little bit but ultimately I knew that I most likely wouldn't. I got baptised fine and everything, I didn't burn but I just wanted people's thoughts on it. I am still happily homo, and a christian but just need guidance and support I guess.

Sorry for the ranting and rambling, just thought people for context should know a lot of my story and Christian journey, if people require clarification or further context please let me know.

So I am now an explorer scout in the UK and want to earn my Gold Award but to do this I need to complete my World Challenge badge which requires me to make contact with a scout from another country. So, a question just so I can prove it to my leaders. What is scouting like in your country? Private message me if possible as well. Thanks.