Reasons to be JOYFUL!

Just wanted to follow on a little from where we left off in my last update. Things continue to go very well with the classes and especially the older teens. We have a very busy weekend ahead. Friday @ 4.30 we leave for Aberdeen to go to a concert with "Cornerstone" who come from Falkner University. We are leaving early to go to Subway for something to eat before the concert. It's always great to get some time to talk and hang out. On Saturday we have hired the local swimming pool for some fun and on Sunday we have our 3rd Sunday night and I have started getting my thoughts together for teaching there. Very excited about the path ahead! Things are beginning to heat up and with the campaign under 4 weeks away plenty be hopeful in. The group who are coming are fantastic! These names may not mean anything to some of you, but they have committed themselves to 10 days of service to benefit the church and community here in Peterhead. Please hold these names before God as they prepare to be used mightily in service to the King - The Boys: David Emslie, Patrick Sullivan, David Cope, Ben O' Donovan, Aubrey Boynes, Mark Wilson, Ross Stars and Craig Nesbit. The Girls: Sarah Ormsby, Sara McCulloch, Dawn McCulloch, Hayley Jones, Shanae Boynes, Elaine Pressley, Amy Strachan, Brittany Cowie and Ben's girlfriend Kelsey. Please pray that we can get the content of our school assembly program pitched right and ensure the simple message is memorable and impacting to their young hearts. Please pray that the individuals who make up the group can put all else aside and be poured out for the sake of Christ. Pray that lives are brought closer to God and that faith is deepened. I have commented before on the fact that this is a first for us. To have a campaign made up of our own young Christians is a dream come true and lights up the fact that, yes, the church here is struggling, but that God is very much living and active in the hearts of his people who will surrender to His will and serve for the good of His glory. This is huge and therefore we are petitioning you all to pray big prayers for the success of the message and example the group will be living out.

I want to comment a little on Shaun Main's journey of faith. I have met and studied with Shaun twice now. It was obvious from our first getting together that, yes, Shaun was convicted, but it was also obvious that he was not totally sure about what is was he was committing too. So, we are beginning his journey to find Christ and make his calling and election sure. Thomas and Alex are meeting with us. I am humbled and inspired to be involved in this journey with Shaun. Again, I ask your prayers for Shaun's journey. There is no doubt he is searching and has made this giant leap in faith, but pray that through Thomas, Alex and Myself that we can support and guide Shaun to find God.

The last couple of classes since my last entry have followed the same track - amazingly effective! Both Friday and Wednesday night have been so open and involved with the teens. Monday was great too. We had another 2 new faces start coming. Courtney, who is Bethany's older sister and Robert who came a while back and decided he missed coming and here he is back again!

A couple of things I should have mentioned before about how proud I am of my family. Amy got news that she has been accepted into the National Youth Choir of Scotland's full choir! This is an amazing achievement and one Amy has worked hard to achieve. The quality of this choir is second to none and Fenella and I are delighted for Amy! Beth has equally been shining in her musical talent. Beth was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and participated in a residential training camp a few weeks ago. We were able to go down and share in their concert at the end of the training week. It was stunning! Fenella and I are so delighted with Beth's achievement. We can't believe the music talent there is in our house - a bit bewildering considering I have zero talent in this field!

Well enough for now, but remember God is good and His love endures forever!