Yes!

We have all managed to get a couple of days to recover and rest. Camp Tayside was quite a journey and ended on an amazing note. The title of this blog is "Yes!" Which was the statement printed on this years camp tee-shirt. This was in response to the camp theme which was, "Does God Exist?" I enjoy Christian Apologetics and to some extent I enjoy looking at the science that supports the Genesis record of Creation. However, there is a limit to our ability in comprehending what the creative power of God is. I really struggle when we as "Man" try to work out everything through the avenue of science. I must confess to not having the most complex or intelligent brain. I take comfort in passages like the Psalm that states, "I do not concern myself with things too marvelous for me." There were numerous evidences for the existence of God throughout the week of camp! When there was a challenging idea or opinion being expressed during the lesson you would see little groups of focused people searching the scriptures for a solid foundation and turning to the "True" source for their answers. I would hear prayers in various small groups expressing desire to get close to God through their struggles and searching. I would hear young men and women share their desire and joy in being able to serve others and be used as instruments that bring others closer to our Father! In everything, the week of camp was very powerful! Yes, there were times when our concepts of creation were being tested to their limits and beyond, but those were the times when the truly godly ones rose up and led the others to the Word and found opportunity for faith to become deeper and more real! It was quite a journey this year at camp. However, I have no doubt that in many ways the theme of camp was answered in each of the campers own hearts and that when they all wear their tee-shirts they can wear them with real ownership that, "Yes, God does exist!"

Isn't it amazing how we have no way of predicting what some outcomes will be! If you had asked me before camp what my thoughts would have been they certainly would not have included any of the above. Again, I am in awe of what God brings about! Looking back over the week it is amazing to see how God was lifted up throughout the week! There were times when the bible was secondary and not even opened to times when the kids couldn't wait to get into their groups and set the bible loose! There were times when science was almost lifted above the Creator God, but then you would see kids in their small groups and devo's sharing how great God is and how amazed they were at His Creation! I have nothing but praise for the leadership at camp! It has been such a joy for me to see more of David Emslie, Paddy Sullivan and Paddy Boyns' love for the kingdom and their delight in passing faith to the generation coming up. I have been richly blessed by their example and count it a joy to be able to serve alongside them in the arena of Camp!

I must mention a few reasons for godly pride in some of the Peterhead young people. At the end of camp there are a few awards give out in recognition of excellence. Megan Strachan was recognised as the "Most Outstanding Girl Camper!" Megan is 9 years old and this was her first year at camp! Shaun Main was recognised as the "Most Outstanding Boy Camper!" Shaun is 17 and just became a Christian a few weeks ago. He is already setting quite and example! Thomas Dickie was recognised as the "Most Outstanding Sports Person!" Thomas was exemplary in how he competed and showed a right spirit during sports and games. It is so encouraging to see obvious signs that God is working in the lives of these young people! Again I refer to the theme of camp - "Does God Exist?" Yes, just look at the lives that are allowing Him to work in them!

One last point about camp. My prime role before going to camp was to work with some of the older teens and young adults. The reality of this was quite different than what I had envisaged. Through the various challenges being presented in the class times, it became obvious that this group needed to become focused on service, both to the physical needs of camp and to the spiritual needs. This group were challenged to go and introduce balance to the campers. To encourage bible study and prayer within camp. Very quickly this group gelled and became a tight group focused on this task. I was very proud of their example around camp and for their devotion to helping meet the needs of camp.

Throughout the week of camp we were constantly being confronted with the question, "What is the purpose of Camp?" In my mind camp is a place where... "The older ones who know God and live in His love, give and share it. The younger ones receive it and learn now to enjoy life with it!"

"As the heavens are above the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)

Home Safe and Sound!

Just a very quick not to let you all know that I am now home safe and sound. I had no issues whatsoever on the way home. Waiting for me at Aberdeen were the ones I love most in this world! Amy missed you - hope NYCoS is going well looking forward to Saturday!!

Thanks again to all in America - God is good!

Coming Home

Well, I am sitting at Memphis airport waiting to fly out HOME! There were times I didn't think this day would come, but here I am able to sit and think about nothing else but my family. I know what is waiting for me when I land in Aberdeen later tomorrow. The truth is that the time has passed quickly while I have been here in America. I have lost track of all the places I have visited, all the people i have met and all the presentations I have made. All I can do now is have a little patience and pray that God's people respond to our need and provide what we need to keep going in our journey with the Peterhead Church.

I have been so encouraged from home while being in the States. I must mention Ryan Geddes and Mark Gourlay especially! Almost every time logged onto facebook they would let me know they were thinking about me and would chat for a wee while. That meant a lot to me - thanks guys! It was also good to get a note from Rachel, Thomas and Shaun. I have found a new love for facebook that I never really appreciated when I was home.

These past days have been frantic. I prayed constantly to remain strong in the last days. I hope during my last few presentations I was able continue to express the passion and love for the church in spite of being pretty empty on the inside. I had the joy of meeting with the Central Church in Little Rock. They were a great group of people! Ginny made and impression on me and I thank God for her openness to our ministry. I felt a little sorry for Jerrad, the head of the missions committee. I was relentless in trying to get together with them and I thank God for Jerrad's obvious love for missions and willingness to make the presentation happen! I had a special time with Mike, Deborah and Brian Ireland. Had a good time remembering past times and the bond we all share in Christ. Fenella and I thank God for the involvement of the Ireland's who have always been generous and shown much love toward our family going back to our time when we lived in Searcy, AR - THANKS! I had the joy of heading back to Nashville and staying with the lovely couple that is James and Faye Pitts! I will not think of them without receiving great encouragement - they have been one of the great Joys I have enjoyed this trip. I met with two churches and thank God for being able to see the strength of the Nashville area. I had the joy of meeting up with Lisa Stiles. Lisa will always have a dear place in our hearts. Lisa came back to Peterhead right at the start of our work there and shared in the joy of seeing doors open and kids flood in! It was good to catch up, Lisa!

I had a meeting with the missions committee at College Church on the Sunday afternoon. My only regret was that the meeting was at 4.00pm. The world cup final went into extra time and I missed the second half of extra time and the Spanish goal! Well, that's not really important, but meeting with people who have invested so much in our ministry over the years most certainly was! We have been immeasurably blessed because College Church have supported my family all these years. I was able to present an update on our ministry and report on the potential "new" support resulting from my fundraising efforts thus far. There were so many people in that room who have served the kingdom tirelessly their whole lives - I felt a little out of my depth if I am totally honest. That night I had the joy of meeting with Foothills Church. I had the opportunity to share a presentation of our work and also preach some too. I felt a closeness with the Foothills body. Maybe it was because of L.V. Pfiefer being the preacher there or maybe because Paul and Sharron Pitt and Jim and Nellie Hardin worship there - I don't know, but I do know I had a good time there!

Well, I close out this entry asking for your prayers that the purpose for this trip was achieved. Only God knows how things will finally work out. I know I have spent all my energy and tried to be bold, yet genuine. I have been blessed richly and now look forward to time with Fenella and my girls!

Family here I come!!!

God bless and thanks to all who have been instrumental in taking care of me these past 4 weeks!

America - Week 3

It is so good to be sitting this side of the trip and taking stock of where this journey has led to this point. Yes, I must start by stating the obvious I MISS MY FAMILY, but the truth is I have known a peace and contentment while being here. I thank all of you for your prayers - they are truly a source of strength to Fenella and I. With a mad dash to the finish of this trip I pray I can finish strong and that God continues to work in and through all that I have been led to and have been involved in. I have so much to be thankful for! I have met many new people on this visit and have been humbled many times by the generosity and hospitality of fellow Christians - I have been richly blessed! I have had an opportunity this morning to sit and evaluate the trip so far and although I am not able to say with assurance that the trip has met it's purpose yet, I have confidence that the opportunities gone before and the ones ahead can ensure my family's needs are met - Lord willing!

I spent much of this past week in the Dallas area. I started out with a 7 hour drive down to Bowie, TX. I met with them on Wednesday night and after some issues with the GPS and some rather strange directions to the wrong destination I was able to find the building and meet with the church. I felt so at home there! The atmosphere and the people were so homely and welcoming! I was able to split my time in the presence of the church with an update on our ministry and a lesson from the Word. They were so genuinely receptive to our work and gave so much encouraging words that I left there feeling so honoured that I was serving in the Kingdom. I had the chance to catch up with an old friend in Jonathan Paige. It was soooo good to reminisce about good times we had shared and the possibility of sharing some good times in the future over in Scotland. In everything I was refreshed!

From Bowie I drove up to Lake Dallas and spent the next 5 days there. It is ALWAYS a joy for me to get back to Lake Dallas. The church were the first to get involved with my family and have been a great source of joy over the 11 years we have served together in the kingdom. I spent the first couple of nights with Bill and Sue Allen. Bill has been and elder with the church for many years and is a true gentleman! I was spoiled rotten by them and had the delight of going to a major league baseball game. The Texas Rangers were playing the New York White Sox. The match was postponed for almost 4 hours due to some rain and it was quite hard to stay positive for that length of time. There was redeeming factor - John Bowles! I have known John for a number of years and knew he had a great heart for the kingdom, however this was the first I had been able to sit and talk for any length of time - a blessing in disguise! After being there 7 hours I was ready for bed, didn't get into the house till 2:00am! On the Friday morning we had a meeting with the Missions Resource Network in Dallas. They seem to have a good grasp of what missionaries life and needs. I was by now staying with Glenn and Sammie Johnson. I consider their home to be a safe haven because they are so down to earth and welcoming. I had the joy of sharing our work during the Sunday morning class and again I was asked to preach that morning too. Had a great time, but my favorite time there was at a picnic that night. We had an amazing game of football (soccer) and then settled down to a devotional I was privileged to lead a thought and then invite the teens to share their camp experiences. It was a brilliant night! I met up with two outstanding boys the next morning at Starbucks for a coffee before heading up to Searcy for the last leg of the trip. I had a good talk with Taylor Lively and Adam Goodnight and was well impressed with their faith and love for the kingdom.

PS. I have to mention Hunter and Liz Valls. This was the first time I had seen their son Turner - he was sooo cute! They are a lovely family.

Anyway, during that time I was constantly online and on the phone trying to plan the week ahead and trying to set up some new contacts to hear our appeal and potentially get involved with supporting our work.

This is now the final push and then HOME!!!

Please keep everything in your prayers - God Bless!

America - Week 2

Well, I did consider making the title of this post, "We're not in Kansas any more." It is becoming so evident, since being over here in America, that as much as I love the Kingdom I have to face the fact that in Scotland the Church of Christ is tiny. It was made real when I was presenting our work in a congregation of around 450, that if you were to put all the Churches of Christ together in one place we would not have filled the building I was standing in!

I spent time with two of Fenella and I's favorite people in the world in Glenave Curtis and L.V. Pfieffer's. These are two safe haven's whenever I come over. Glenave was looking so well! I loved hearing about her new book she has written titled, "Food for the Soul." Anyone who knows Glenave will understand why that is a very fitting title. Glenave and Dean have always held a special place in my family's heart. L.V. was a great encouragement to visit with! I had the joy of sitting in three of his classes during my spell at Harding University. I have a great deal of respect for his life and teaching.

I have had the joy in this last week to spend time In Manchester, CT. I flew into Boston on the Wednesday evening and stayed there till the following Monday. I was GREATLY encouraged during my visit there! I must mention a few special people - Bob and Gail Jarvis, who opened their home to me and took care of me, Dave and Debbie Barbarian, who gave me hope that fundraising might not be the challenge that is seems to be, Tim and Christie Garcia who always make me feel so at ease in their home and as ever George and Elaine Caruthers, who have been great supporters of our work over the years - THANK YOU ALL! I love the church there in Manchester. They have risen to the challenge and have committed to increasing our support by a further $300 a month! It is always humbling to be treated so well and the joy of seeing their belief in what we are doing is so encouraging! Christie Garcia took me to the airport and it was early on the Tuesday morning before I found my way back to George and Donna's house in Searcy.

On a lighter note - before leaving for Texas on Wednesday morning, George and I had the joy of playing 9 holes! We got up at 5.30am to play before he started work at 8.00am. George played well, but was not quite able to defeat his big brother! A rematch has already been requested! He is a good man and I miss having him around. I jumped in the car and headed of in the direction of Bowie, Texas. Eight hours and short of 500 miles later I got there and with 5 minutes to spare got behind the pulpit and shared the presentation about our work and preached a short lesson. The response was encouraging! They all expressed how they loved being involved with us. I had the chance to stay around and visit a while before heading up to Lake Dallas. I must mention the joy of seeing John Paige again! John was at HSBS the same time as I was and we have an instant love and respect for the other. It was a GOOD visit!

Today, I had the JOY of getting together with Greg Cole and Bill Walker from the South MacArthur Church. Both these men are giants in my book. I did not tell Bill I was coming and surprised him. He grabbed me and we hugged and spent over an hour catching up and remembering good times. Greg Cole is a special man! Greg and I met on one of my first ever fund raising efforts in America. From that first meeting I have always felt a bond and deep appreciation for Greg - he has one of the most gentle and sincere hearts I have ever came across. Got to spend an hour with him over lunch before getting back into the car and heading back to Denton.

These past days have reminded me how great it is to be a part of God's family. I have friends that, if not for the Kingdom, I would have never met and had the honour of getting to know - God is Good!

Haven't mentioned all the frantic planning that is going on in the midst of all this. I am actively trying to get in contact with people who can get me to talk with various missions committees etc... This is time consuming and tough to keep track of. Please keep Fenella and my girls in your prayers! Needless to say we are struggling to be apart under these circumstances. I am missing the reassurance and stability that my family bring. I am not quite at breaking point yet, but every time I see their faces when I present our work I have to make a quiet gesture to our Father to get me through the thing.

Please be praying for my efforts and again if there are people you think might be interested in touching base with regard to supporting our work, get in touch and let me know - my number while in the States is 501 207 1891.

God Bless!