The internet connection at our home, Kingdom House, has been disconnected. We’re sorry that you have been unable to hear from us for the last couple of days. The loss of connection has been felt on both sides of the Atlantic- we have missed the encouragement of the comments and the knowledge of your prayers.
We are now on a ferry traveling between Scotland and Ireland. Of course they have internet access, even though we are floating!
The Homecoming Service after camp was amazing. We asked Gary, the pastor, to get us two student testimonies and when we arrived, SIX students had signed up. We allowed them all to speak and it was beautiful. One girl said “I felt the love of 5 million people and then I realized it was God.” Wow. Jane, the student who you prayed for specifically, also spoke. She talked about how she had felt like she had a blindfold on and God had removed it. Jane’s family are not Christians and her mother was not pleased with Jane’s choice, but we are trusting God to use Jane to bring salvation to that home!
The entire service was blessed- many adults came forward for prayer at the end and much of the prayer was focused on healing. It was great to get to experience these things with the students AND their families.
Tom’s ear is feeling almost 100% better! Thank you for your continued prayers. Many of our team is feeling sick- “upper respiratory infection” is the diagnosis of choice. Yesterday, in one of the vehicles, the common chant was “1-2-3-cough!” (with the windows rolled down, of course). So please pray that as we travel tomorrow that we would be able to rest on the plane and in the airports. Traveling sick is not fun at all.
Though camp is over, we are still strongly feeling the battle that the enemy is waging. We are seeing and experiencing things that show us that he will not give up on territory that has been his. We know that we have the victory and that what God did in our lives and the lives of the campers and counselors at camp is SEALED by the Holy Spirit. We are claiming that in the name of Jesus! Continue to fight for us in prayers!
Also continue to pray for our team unity and joy. When we get home from Ireland tonight at 2am, we then have to pack and get ready to leave for the airport at 6am, so the chance for sleep is probably slim. Cramped quarters + packing + cleaning up the Kingdom House + no sleep (could) = not fun times. So pray that we would find JOY and LAUGHTER in our last few hours together.
Our flight leaves at 9am from Glasgow and we then leave London at 12pm. We will arrive in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon at 4:30pm.
Thank you again for your commitment to pray and continually lift us up to the Father. Your letters of encouragement that many of you wrote have been uplifting to us. You will never know the long-stretching effects of your prayers and encouragement- may the Lord repay you ten fold for the time and energy that you put towards us. We are eternally grateful.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Camp recap.
**This blog was written on Sunday afternoon with the thoughts that posting would be an option that day.**
I’m sorry that it has taken us a couple of days to write a blog for you. When we returned to the Kingdom House yesterday afternoon after cleaning camp and saying goodbye to “our” students, we pretty much were one of two things- asleep or loopy from being tired. ☺ Those were the only two options.
We spent the afternoon in Paisley, just walking around and buying some last souvenirs. Lance made us his famous macaroni and cheese with bacon for dinner and then we spent the rest of the evening either working on the camp highlight video or watching “Lord of the Rings”. The video was a huge success, even though 1/3 of it was deleted by the computer at 1:45am, which meant a redo that lasted a bit longer. Scotland is beautiful at 2:30am.
At the end of camp, we could not have been happier with the results. Gary and his adult church members are thrilled. His exact words were “You met and exceeded our expectations in every area that we could have thought of. The programs [games, etc.] were great, but the power of God was what made the difference.”
Thank you for praying for the students, specifically Andrew and Jane. We are thrilled to tell you that they BOTH gave their lives to Christ on Friday. You’re prayers are powerful and effective!
You should have seen the students as camp came to an end- broken hearts and crying eyes all over the place! Apparently it is tough to leave being with us for a week- who knew? The high school boys laid in their room singing “Your majesty, your majesty, is why I sing” and bawling with each other. It was hilarious and tender all at the same time. Maybe our delirium made it more funny than it really is. Not sure.
We are on the way to our Homecoming Service- 2 of the Scottish students will be giving their testimonies, 1 Scottish adult will also be sharing, and Ian Smith will be giving his testimony as well. Tom will be speaking on how to fan the flame in the hearts of the students.
For the last 2 days, we will be touring around Scotland and Ireland. We are very excited, but it is two long days of travel in tight quarters. Though the main spiritual purpose of our trip is finished, we still need your prayers. Thank you for committing to pray us all the way back in to the United States on Wednesday afternoon.
Please continue to pray for Tom’s ear and Cheryl’s health. Also pray for us- that we would enjoy each other’s company and continue to laugh a lot as we travel around and spend time together. It’s funny- this leg of the trip requires as much patience as the rest- just with each other instead of 11 year old boys! ☺ We consider ourselves very blessed to have this time together to rest and recover and enjoy the beauty of Scotland. We are SO grateful for God’s presence and blessing at camp- we are praying the same for the last couple of days!
We just finished our camp highlight video and we will be posting that as soon as possible. Remember that with each picture you see, that camper was affected by God because of the time and effort you put in to our trip. Your prayers are the glue that held us together and we are so deeply grateful. Continue to cover us as we travel and pack to come home.
I’m sorry that it has taken us a couple of days to write a blog for you. When we returned to the Kingdom House yesterday afternoon after cleaning camp and saying goodbye to “our” students, we pretty much were one of two things- asleep or loopy from being tired. ☺ Those were the only two options.
We spent the afternoon in Paisley, just walking around and buying some last souvenirs. Lance made us his famous macaroni and cheese with bacon for dinner and then we spent the rest of the evening either working on the camp highlight video or watching “Lord of the Rings”. The video was a huge success, even though 1/3 of it was deleted by the computer at 1:45am, which meant a redo that lasted a bit longer. Scotland is beautiful at 2:30am.
At the end of camp, we could not have been happier with the results. Gary and his adult church members are thrilled. His exact words were “You met and exceeded our expectations in every area that we could have thought of. The programs [games, etc.] were great, but the power of God was what made the difference.”
Thank you for praying for the students, specifically Andrew and Jane. We are thrilled to tell you that they BOTH gave their lives to Christ on Friday. You’re prayers are powerful and effective!
You should have seen the students as camp came to an end- broken hearts and crying eyes all over the place! Apparently it is tough to leave being with us for a week- who knew? The high school boys laid in their room singing “Your majesty, your majesty, is why I sing” and bawling with each other. It was hilarious and tender all at the same time. Maybe our delirium made it more funny than it really is. Not sure.
We are on the way to our Homecoming Service- 2 of the Scottish students will be giving their testimonies, 1 Scottish adult will also be sharing, and Ian Smith will be giving his testimony as well. Tom will be speaking on how to fan the flame in the hearts of the students.
For the last 2 days, we will be touring around Scotland and Ireland. We are very excited, but it is two long days of travel in tight quarters. Though the main spiritual purpose of our trip is finished, we still need your prayers. Thank you for committing to pray us all the way back in to the United States on Wednesday afternoon.
Please continue to pray for Tom’s ear and Cheryl’s health. Also pray for us- that we would enjoy each other’s company and continue to laugh a lot as we travel around and spend time together. It’s funny- this leg of the trip requires as much patience as the rest- just with each other instead of 11 year old boys! ☺ We consider ourselves very blessed to have this time together to rest and recover and enjoy the beauty of Scotland. We are SO grateful for God’s presence and blessing at camp- we are praying the same for the last couple of days!
We just finished our camp highlight video and we will be posting that as soon as possible. Remember that with each picture you see, that camper was affected by God because of the time and effort you put in to our trip. Your prayers are the glue that held us together and we are so deeply grateful. Continue to cover us as we travel and pack to come home.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thursday at Camp
After four days and four nights at camp, we are exhausted and energized, all at the same time. It has been a stretching and beautiful experience. The students have fully embraced us- again, the lower numbers of students make it possible for us each to have a personal relationship with each of them. It’s been great. We love each of them.
Annie spoke on Tuesday night about faith. The Lord showed up in a big way and about 80% of the students responded to the invitation to grow in faith.
Tom spoke on Wednesday about the life of Jesus and what it looks like to live like Him. Many students also responded to this message, as was evident in the small groups this afternoon- many of them spoke about Jesus and His life and what that meant to them.
The small groups have gone well. The students have opened up to our counselors and we are truly seeing lives changed before our eyes.
Tonight the talk was on worship and how to live a lifestyle of worship. For the first time this week, we really are seeing the students embrace worship. Even as I type right now, it is 11:35pm, and the students have been worshipping for over an hour. Which is HUGE because for the last couple of nights the students have “survived” through 2 songs after the message then scooted. So for them to somewhat grasp the goodness of God and decide that He is worthy of worship FOR AN HOUR! is amazing.
Be certain, though, that all of this fruit is coming at a cost- we are fighting spiritually constantly. Our prayer shield is more important to us now than ever. Please press in for us for the rest of camp and the rest of our trip. The enemy does not give up, and neither will we! We see God moving and we hang on tight to Him to be our Defender and our Protector, as well as the Victor in this battle for these students!
Here are our specific prayer requests:
Tom’s left ear is stopped up. It doesn’t hurt, he just can’t hear out of it. He says, “maybe God is trying to teach me how to listen”. ☺ We’ll see. Please continue to pray for him- he speaks tomorrow night here at camp and again Sunday morning at the church where the majority of students come from (Gary’s church). Pray specifically that the blockage will break up and his hearing will be fully restored.
Cheryl is still sick.
Our team, as a whole, is tired. We are pressing on and pressing in as much as possible, but we need your support to hold us up and help us complete the race we have run so far.
We have one more full day at camp and then the students leave around 11:30am. Pray that we will be creative tomorrow, as creative as we were on our first day! That we would be as enthusiastic as we end as we were in the beginning!
Tom is speaking tomorrow (Friday) night on Real Love, but at the students’ request (fantastic!), he will also be including how to hear the voice of God.
Our heart, above all else, is that God would make these PERMANENT changes in the students’ lives. That this wouldn’t be a temporary change, but a God-ordained life change. That God would seal the work that He has begun and that the church we are working with would foster and grow what God has begun here in these hearts.
There are two specific students we would ask that you pray for: Andrew and Jane. I don’t think it is appropriate to give you details, but they both desperately need the Lord’s touch. And maybe I can just say that our patience is near spent on Andrew, though our hearts break for him at the same time. PRAY for them.
And of course, continue to pray however the Lord leads you. Hopefully by the weekend we will be able to post more pictures and give you an overall report.
We have seen God move. And we love Him for it. And want MORE!
Annie spoke on Tuesday night about faith. The Lord showed up in a big way and about 80% of the students responded to the invitation to grow in faith.
Tom spoke on Wednesday about the life of Jesus and what it looks like to live like Him. Many students also responded to this message, as was evident in the small groups this afternoon- many of them spoke about Jesus and His life and what that meant to them.
The small groups have gone well. The students have opened up to our counselors and we are truly seeing lives changed before our eyes.
Tonight the talk was on worship and how to live a lifestyle of worship. For the first time this week, we really are seeing the students embrace worship. Even as I type right now, it is 11:35pm, and the students have been worshipping for over an hour. Which is HUGE because for the last couple of nights the students have “survived” through 2 songs after the message then scooted. So for them to somewhat grasp the goodness of God and decide that He is worthy of worship FOR AN HOUR! is amazing.
Be certain, though, that all of this fruit is coming at a cost- we are fighting spiritually constantly. Our prayer shield is more important to us now than ever. Please press in for us for the rest of camp and the rest of our trip. The enemy does not give up, and neither will we! We see God moving and we hang on tight to Him to be our Defender and our Protector, as well as the Victor in this battle for these students!
Here are our specific prayer requests:
Tom’s left ear is stopped up. It doesn’t hurt, he just can’t hear out of it. He says, “maybe God is trying to teach me how to listen”. ☺ We’ll see. Please continue to pray for him- he speaks tomorrow night here at camp and again Sunday morning at the church where the majority of students come from (Gary’s church). Pray specifically that the blockage will break up and his hearing will be fully restored.
Cheryl is still sick.
Our team, as a whole, is tired. We are pressing on and pressing in as much as possible, but we need your support to hold us up and help us complete the race we have run so far.
We have one more full day at camp and then the students leave around 11:30am. Pray that we will be creative tomorrow, as creative as we were on our first day! That we would be as enthusiastic as we end as we were in the beginning!
Tom is speaking tomorrow (Friday) night on Real Love, but at the students’ request (fantastic!), he will also be including how to hear the voice of God.
Our heart, above all else, is that God would make these PERMANENT changes in the students’ lives. That this wouldn’t be a temporary change, but a God-ordained life change. That God would seal the work that He has begun and that the church we are working with would foster and grow what God has begun here in these hearts.
There are two specific students we would ask that you pray for: Andrew and Jane. I don’t think it is appropriate to give you details, but they both desperately need the Lord’s touch. And maybe I can just say that our patience is near spent on Andrew, though our hearts break for him at the same time. PRAY for them.
And of course, continue to pray however the Lord leads you. Hopefully by the weekend we will be able to post more pictures and give you an overall report.
We have seen God move. And we love Him for it. And want MORE!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Camp photo.
We have a bunch of great photos for you, but it takes so much time and our internet time is so limited, that for now, this will have to suffice. This is most everyone. On the bottom right is Gary- the pastor of the church we are working with. Next to him is Cheryl, our fearless, yet under-the-weather, leader. About 1/2 up towards the left you see Heather and Lance, the missionaries that our teams have also worked with in the past (they are holding their two youngest children).
Hopefully we'll get some more pictures available to you soon!
Day 2 of Camp Scotland!! :)
Our first day of camp has come and gone and to be honest, we are already tired! But it’s a good tired- a “these kids are having a blast and it’s hard to keep up with them” tired.
We have 24 campers (including the four from Kingdom House- Praise God!) and then about 7 Scottish adults. 4 of the adults are here just to work in the kitchen. It’s unbelievable how much they are serving our team and the students. It is a real blessing. There are 3 students who are unsaved (that we know of)- pray that God would call to their hearts and they would respond!
The students jumped right in to the games and activities as soon as they got here. The Scottish people by nature are far more reserved than Americans- so where our students at home would jump around and holler and act insane, these kids do about 15% of that, but enjoy it just as much. It is amazing how receptive they are to us and to each other. One HUGE benefit of such a small camp is that it is fairly easy to remember names, so they have learned us and we, for the most part, have learned them.
The service last night went well. The students worshipped and were attentive through the talk. We sense and believe that God is stirring things in their hearts and speaking to them in the deep places.
We played a few team games including running the obstacle course (which they call an “assault course” here). We made about 60 water balloons just to make the course more difficult- each team had to carry 10 balloons safely through the course. And then, as boys will do, it became a water bomb throwing game. Which was fine with us. ☺
Tom arrived today, safely with all of his luggage! Another praise! He will rest tonight and then speak tomorrow night to the students. It will be very nice to have another male counselor here- there are a lot of boys who need (and deserve!) personal attention and love, so it will be nice to add another adult to the pack.
As far as prayer needs, there are many. To be totally honest, we are feeling a bit overwhelmed. The students did not go to sleep until far after midnight and were up running the hall (that we ALL sleep on!) by 6:30am. It’s one thing for their little bodies to survive that, it’s quite another for ours to go with that little sleep AND try to plan a fun-filled day for the students. We are spending some time today trying to figure out how best to solve this sleeping situation- there has got to be a solution besides making them run laps for a couple of hours each evening!! ☺
Cheryl is quite sick. It seems to be a cold/flu type thing, but she is coughing through the night and just feeling miserable during the day. Elizabeth also has some sort of cold that is hindering her ability to help lead worship. And if you haven’t heard, we’ve already made our first trip to the emergency room. Ian was bounding down the stairs at the Kingdom House on Sunday night and apparently is unaware of his own hopping ability and hopped his head right into the cement sloping ceiling. 3 stitches later and a sweet bald spot, he’s feeling better. But our team, aside from being tired, is experiencing quite a few health issues. PLEASE pray for healing and strength. We are looking at some other sleeping arrangements for Cheryl (11 year old boys are not all that sympathetic to her pleas for sleep), and hoping that some of the medicine she is taking will make her better quickly.
We are also finding that there is more down time than we expected- for example, breakfast was supposed to be at 9am and the students were eating by 8:15am. So what in the world are we supposed to do until 10am?!!? It’s a frightening thought! ☺ Pray that our minds would be filled with creative and fun ideas to fill in the small blank areas that are popping up.
It is interesting that it only took one day of camp for our personal strength to run out. Our own ability, our own enthusiasm and excitement, has apparently been zapped. At our own Summer Camp, the first day is always the most difficult and then it eases up as you go. We keep reminding each other of that, hoping that the week will continue to get easier. But it is hard. We are fighting for our joy.
Please pray- we KNOW that in our weakness God is made strong! And we want to see Him show up for these students- in the fun times and in the serious times. We need HIM!
So, to recap, please pray:
-for salvation for the lost
-for sleep/rest
-for strength
-for creativity
-for healing
And honestly anything else that comes to your mind. We are relying, FULLY, on the power of God today.
We have 24 campers (including the four from Kingdom House- Praise God!) and then about 7 Scottish adults. 4 of the adults are here just to work in the kitchen. It’s unbelievable how much they are serving our team and the students. It is a real blessing. There are 3 students who are unsaved (that we know of)- pray that God would call to their hearts and they would respond!
The students jumped right in to the games and activities as soon as they got here. The Scottish people by nature are far more reserved than Americans- so where our students at home would jump around and holler and act insane, these kids do about 15% of that, but enjoy it just as much. It is amazing how receptive they are to us and to each other. One HUGE benefit of such a small camp is that it is fairly easy to remember names, so they have learned us and we, for the most part, have learned them.
The service last night went well. The students worshipped and were attentive through the talk. We sense and believe that God is stirring things in their hearts and speaking to them in the deep places.
We played a few team games including running the obstacle course (which they call an “assault course” here). We made about 60 water balloons just to make the course more difficult- each team had to carry 10 balloons safely through the course. And then, as boys will do, it became a water bomb throwing game. Which was fine with us. ☺
Tom arrived today, safely with all of his luggage! Another praise! He will rest tonight and then speak tomorrow night to the students. It will be very nice to have another male counselor here- there are a lot of boys who need (and deserve!) personal attention and love, so it will be nice to add another adult to the pack.
As far as prayer needs, there are many. To be totally honest, we are feeling a bit overwhelmed. The students did not go to sleep until far after midnight and were up running the hall (that we ALL sleep on!) by 6:30am. It’s one thing for their little bodies to survive that, it’s quite another for ours to go with that little sleep AND try to plan a fun-filled day for the students. We are spending some time today trying to figure out how best to solve this sleeping situation- there has got to be a solution besides making them run laps for a couple of hours each evening!! ☺
Cheryl is quite sick. It seems to be a cold/flu type thing, but she is coughing through the night and just feeling miserable during the day. Elizabeth also has some sort of cold that is hindering her ability to help lead worship. And if you haven’t heard, we’ve already made our first trip to the emergency room. Ian was bounding down the stairs at the Kingdom House on Sunday night and apparently is unaware of his own hopping ability and hopped his head right into the cement sloping ceiling. 3 stitches later and a sweet bald spot, he’s feeling better. But our team, aside from being tired, is experiencing quite a few health issues. PLEASE pray for healing and strength. We are looking at some other sleeping arrangements for Cheryl (11 year old boys are not all that sympathetic to her pleas for sleep), and hoping that some of the medicine she is taking will make her better quickly.
We are also finding that there is more down time than we expected- for example, breakfast was supposed to be at 9am and the students were eating by 8:15am. So what in the world are we supposed to do until 10am?!!? It’s a frightening thought! ☺ Pray that our minds would be filled with creative and fun ideas to fill in the small blank areas that are popping up.
It is interesting that it only took one day of camp for our personal strength to run out. Our own ability, our own enthusiasm and excitement, has apparently been zapped. At our own Summer Camp, the first day is always the most difficult and then it eases up as you go. We keep reminding each other of that, hoping that the week will continue to get easier. But it is hard. We are fighting for our joy.
Please pray- we KNOW that in our weakness God is made strong! And we want to see Him show up for these students- in the fun times and in the serious times. We need HIM!
So, to recap, please pray:
-for salvation for the lost
-for sleep/rest
-for strength
-for creativity
-for healing
And honestly anything else that comes to your mind. We are relying, FULLY, on the power of God today.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Camp- here we come!!
We leave in about an hour to begin set-up of camp. That's 11am our time. The campers start arriving at 3pm.
Please pray today. For the students to be open to receiving our friendship, for registration and set-up to go smoothly, and for the evening service- the band and the speaking.
We'll update as soon as possible. This is where the rubber really meets the road and your prayers become our lifeline.
Please pray today. For the students to be open to receiving our friendship, for registration and set-up to go smoothly, and for the evening service- the band and the speaking.
We'll update as soon as possible. This is where the rubber really meets the road and your prayers become our lifeline.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Edinburgh called. We answered.
As seems to be the case, we again have lost internet connection at our house. For some reason, the only wireless network in our house today is called “Omneechka”, and being that none of us are Russian, we have no idea what that means. If only we knew more Russian passwords to try….
So we have come into Edinburgh today. What an exciting and unexpected day trip! Our schedule, as is the situation on most mission trips, is constantly changing. We originally believed that we would be spending today in Glasgow and tomorrow setting up for camp at the Scout camp facility. We are unable to get in to the camp tomorrow, so we went this morning to let the team see the rooms and area to get an idea of where we will be. Then we hurried to the airport to pick up our long-awaited team member Katie B.! What fun to have her here finally. Thank you for your continued prayers- she and her gear arrived here safely.
Now we are in Edinburgh. We are hoping that while we are gone from the Kingdom House, someone will be able to figure out how to repair the ole internet- our elusive companion. If not, we will again go on a search throughout the local area to attempt to find some sort of connection. Honestly, our only purpose for internet is this blog- we want to keep our much appreciated (and MUCH needed!) prayer warriors updated on things here. So take some time today to pray that God would provide connection for us so that we can let you know specific ways to pray.
We had an amazing time of worship and prayer last night with the family who runs the Kingdom House. It was one of those times when God’s hand is so apparent- what are the chances that the family would be YWAMers who are living out the dream that God has placed in their hearts? It was amazing to hear their testimony of God’s faithfulness that led them to this place. Their heart for this country, and the Kingdom House specifically, was inspiring, to say the least. We as a team are constantly amazed at the way God moves around us- He just keeps reminding me that He is the same God- yesterday, today, and forever- in Georgia and in Scotland. He is God. And He loves to move.
As we prepare for camp these next couple of days, we are sensing God’s excitement and power. We feel certain (in our own hearts and in prophetic words spoken over us- from here and from some of you at home) that God has very BIG plans for this week. That this is only the beginning of what He is doing. And we could not be more honored to be vessels in that. What a pleasure to join with God in what He is already doing in the hearts of youth in Scotland!
Lance gave us a quick rundown of the young culture here in Scotland last night- and it is heartbreaking. There are only 2 schools here- elementary and high school. At the age of 11, students are sent to “high school”- can you even imagine what it would be like for a 6th grader to be in the same school as a senior? That’s exactly the case here. Needless to say, that leads to some QUICK maturing of young children. And being that most people use public transportation, that is about the same age that parents let their kids ride the trains to different towns to hang out with friends. So what we would consider appropriate for maybe a 14 year old (going to the mall alone with friends) is common for 11 year olds. Think of characteristics of a common 16 year old in America and you can contribute that to a 12-13 year old here. All over the world, children are no longer being allowed to grow up slowly. Sink or swim, as the case may be.
For those who swim here, they end up going to school until they are 18 and then going to University. For those who sink, they are called “NEDs”. That stands for Non Educated Delinquents. And what we would consider a condescending term is what everyone here considers normal- this is even what the GOVERNMENT calls these kids! They drop out of school and then live up to their name- delinquents. We actually got to meet a couple of boys yesterday and they made sure that we knew that was who they were. It was sad. Scotland has created a sub-culture that is nothing more than a self-fulfilled prophesy. We speak LIFE into those kids and pray that God would tell them who they REALLY are!
For our camp, we will not have many (if any) NEDs. Most of these kids are from a living church that seeks God’s heart. Though we were originally somewhat discouraged by our numbers (around 20ish kids and 6 Scottish adults), we now see God’s hand on it. With the students we have coming, and their already blooming hearts for the Lord, what they experience at camp will be fostered by their home church and they will be able to fan the flame of God in the students’ hearts. Then they will be able to go back in to their community, culture, and schools (which are full of NEDs and other students who need the love and salvation that Jesus brings) and be a light to others.
Here are the things we are specifically praying:
-Wisdom. Scotland has ridiculously strict rules about child safety and child protection. Though that is not a bad thing, is does not leave a lot of room for the physical touch of a hug, etc. that these kids need. One of the greatest prayer requests from the church here is that these kids would experience the LOVE of God. Pray that we would be wise in how we show it- that God would open doors for us to express His love for these kids.
- We are still praying that the 4 youth that live at the Kingdom House would want to come to camp. What we originally thought was 2 boys are actually 1 boy and 3 girls (sorry bout that!). Please pray that God would draw their hearts towards Him and they would want to be at camp! Pray that as we interact with them here, they would feel a connection with us and want to spend more time with us.
- Finally, just pray that in the next 36 hours, we would be able to remember every detail to pull camp together. We are asking God to be bigger than our memory! We want these students to have a genuine experience with God, but things also need to be organized and ready when they get there so their focus can be Him, not us.
- Weather. Umm....did anyone mention that it is COLD here? And RAINY? Cause it is. And many of our best laid plans will not work out so well if it rains daily at camp. PLEASE pray for a super-natural warming outside and a rain free (or little rain) week.
We will, God willing, be able to blog again soon. Who even knows at this point? I've never experienced so many random internet connections. Entertaining, to say the least.
We are off to see the Royal Mile and have fish and chips! Delicious! Praise the Lord for how He has provided for us so far- with provision, safety, and most important- HIS PRESENCE.
We love y'all and depend/rest in your prayers. Please continue to lift us up to our Father as we seek to join in the work that HE is doing here. All power and honor to Him.
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory because of Your LOVE and FAITHFULNESS."
-Psalm 115:1
So we have come into Edinburgh today. What an exciting and unexpected day trip! Our schedule, as is the situation on most mission trips, is constantly changing. We originally believed that we would be spending today in Glasgow and tomorrow setting up for camp at the Scout camp facility. We are unable to get in to the camp tomorrow, so we went this morning to let the team see the rooms and area to get an idea of where we will be. Then we hurried to the airport to pick up our long-awaited team member Katie B.! What fun to have her here finally. Thank you for your continued prayers- she and her gear arrived here safely.
Now we are in Edinburgh. We are hoping that while we are gone from the Kingdom House, someone will be able to figure out how to repair the ole internet- our elusive companion. If not, we will again go on a search throughout the local area to attempt to find some sort of connection. Honestly, our only purpose for internet is this blog- we want to keep our much appreciated (and MUCH needed!) prayer warriors updated on things here. So take some time today to pray that God would provide connection for us so that we can let you know specific ways to pray.
We had an amazing time of worship and prayer last night with the family who runs the Kingdom House. It was one of those times when God’s hand is so apparent- what are the chances that the family would be YWAMers who are living out the dream that God has placed in their hearts? It was amazing to hear their testimony of God’s faithfulness that led them to this place. Their heart for this country, and the Kingdom House specifically, was inspiring, to say the least. We as a team are constantly amazed at the way God moves around us- He just keeps reminding me that He is the same God- yesterday, today, and forever- in Georgia and in Scotland. He is God. And He loves to move.
As we prepare for camp these next couple of days, we are sensing God’s excitement and power. We feel certain (in our own hearts and in prophetic words spoken over us- from here and from some of you at home) that God has very BIG plans for this week. That this is only the beginning of what He is doing. And we could not be more honored to be vessels in that. What a pleasure to join with God in what He is already doing in the hearts of youth in Scotland!
Lance gave us a quick rundown of the young culture here in Scotland last night- and it is heartbreaking. There are only 2 schools here- elementary and high school. At the age of 11, students are sent to “high school”- can you even imagine what it would be like for a 6th grader to be in the same school as a senior? That’s exactly the case here. Needless to say, that leads to some QUICK maturing of young children. And being that most people use public transportation, that is about the same age that parents let their kids ride the trains to different towns to hang out with friends. So what we would consider appropriate for maybe a 14 year old (going to the mall alone with friends) is common for 11 year olds. Think of characteristics of a common 16 year old in America and you can contribute that to a 12-13 year old here. All over the world, children are no longer being allowed to grow up slowly. Sink or swim, as the case may be.
For those who swim here, they end up going to school until they are 18 and then going to University. For those who sink, they are called “NEDs”. That stands for Non Educated Delinquents. And what we would consider a condescending term is what everyone here considers normal- this is even what the GOVERNMENT calls these kids! They drop out of school and then live up to their name- delinquents. We actually got to meet a couple of boys yesterday and they made sure that we knew that was who they were. It was sad. Scotland has created a sub-culture that is nothing more than a self-fulfilled prophesy. We speak LIFE into those kids and pray that God would tell them who they REALLY are!
For our camp, we will not have many (if any) NEDs. Most of these kids are from a living church that seeks God’s heart. Though we were originally somewhat discouraged by our numbers (around 20ish kids and 6 Scottish adults), we now see God’s hand on it. With the students we have coming, and their already blooming hearts for the Lord, what they experience at camp will be fostered by their home church and they will be able to fan the flame of God in the students’ hearts. Then they will be able to go back in to their community, culture, and schools (which are full of NEDs and other students who need the love and salvation that Jesus brings) and be a light to others.
Here are the things we are specifically praying:
-Wisdom. Scotland has ridiculously strict rules about child safety and child protection. Though that is not a bad thing, is does not leave a lot of room for the physical touch of a hug, etc. that these kids need. One of the greatest prayer requests from the church here is that these kids would experience the LOVE of God. Pray that we would be wise in how we show it- that God would open doors for us to express His love for these kids.
- We are still praying that the 4 youth that live at the Kingdom House would want to come to camp. What we originally thought was 2 boys are actually 1 boy and 3 girls (sorry bout that!). Please pray that God would draw their hearts towards Him and they would want to be at camp! Pray that as we interact with them here, they would feel a connection with us and want to spend more time with us.
- Finally, just pray that in the next 36 hours, we would be able to remember every detail to pull camp together. We are asking God to be bigger than our memory! We want these students to have a genuine experience with God, but things also need to be organized and ready when they get there so their focus can be Him, not us.
- Weather. Umm....did anyone mention that it is COLD here? And RAINY? Cause it is. And many of our best laid plans will not work out so well if it rains daily at camp. PLEASE pray for a super-natural warming outside and a rain free (or little rain) week.
We will, God willing, be able to blog again soon. Who even knows at this point? I've never experienced so many random internet connections. Entertaining, to say the least.
We are off to see the Royal Mile and have fish and chips! Delicious! Praise the Lord for how He has provided for us so far- with provision, safety, and most important- HIS PRESENCE.
We love y'all and depend/rest in your prayers. Please continue to lift us up to our Father as we seek to join in the work that HE is doing here. All power and honor to Him.
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory because of Your LOVE and FAITHFULNESS."
-Psalm 115:1
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