Hole in one!!

Well, I hope you don't get the wrong idea here, but this afternoon I had the chance to play some golf with Colin and Alistair Ferry and Alex Swango. I hit a beauty on the 5th and would you believe it I got a hole in one! This is my second in my lifetime, the first was in Peterhead playing with Alex Ritchie around 20 years ago. I was so chuffed and can now boast having a hole in one in two different countries.

Apart from the golfing I did get some more important things done and made a second visit LV Pfieffer's to confirm everything for Sunday night when I have the opportunity to present the work in Peterhead to the Foothills Church. It was also good to spend a good part of the day with Alex Swango. He is still very actively trying to get his support worked out and is hoping to be with us in January 09.

I had the joy of being at HSBS chapel this morning and was given the floor to share what God is doing in Peterhead. It was good to meet so many great people and I got a surprise to see Ricky there. Ricky was an AIM worker with the West Mains church in East Kilbride, Scotland and I had the pleasure of spending some time with him at an Aberdeen youth weekend last year. It really is a small world!

Last night I spent the night with Dwight and Caroline Smith and was delighted to see that Desirae was there to for supper. Desirae is a one in a million girl! We had the joy of having her stay with our family during a previous Harding campaign and got to know and love her. I slept in Dwight and Caroline's 'Australia' room. It was good to have this time with then and they continue to be great encourager's and have a great heart for the kingdom and missions.

Well, I now only have 2 days till I fly out. I can't believe that the time has almost come. I remember thinking at various times in the trip that leaving for home seemed so far in the distance, but now the time has almost come! I must be truthful and say that I am glad it is almost over, but I also must say that I have been blessed during my ventures here. I know there are five girls who have been gracious enough to share me with the church in America for a time, but they are ready for their dad and husband to get home - only 2 more days!

I would ask that all who visit this blog keep us in your prayers. I ask that you petition our Father that He blesses all the efforts I have made for the good of the kingdom while I have been over here and that what's needed is supplied.

God bless!

The Road to El-Derado

I can't help it, but I simply have more people to comment on these past 3 days. On Tuesday night I travelled up to Little Rock to spend the evening with our good friends Nicky and Tanya Valls. It is amazing, but just simply seeing them face to face meant so much. We have known them for over 10 years now and they are simply two of the most supportive and exemplary people Fenella and I know. I had the joy of sharing a home cooked meal! I have been eating out sooo much that sitting round a home dinner table was lovely! It was good simply to catch up and talk for a while.

I left the next morning and headed south to El-Dorado. My first time there, but I pray not my last. They are a beautiful bunch of people. I had the joy to spend an evening in the home of Jack and Jeri McNutt. I know I seem to be repeating myself a lot in these past few blogs, but I have simply met some of the best people alive. Jack and Jeri are certainly no exception. I had the opportunity to meet some of the elders and deacons from the church and we spent some time talking about the work in Peterhead. I was encouraged greatly with the whole visit and before leaving I was treated to breakfast before hitting the road again back to Searcy.

Before leaving to go to El-Dorado I nipped in past to see one of my personal "Giants" in the faith, L.V.Pfeiffer. I always make a point, when I am in Searcy, to go round and visit. Maxine was poorly and I didn't get to visit with her, but spent a wee while with L.V. I was encouraged to hear that he is still preaching and sharing the depths of his years study with a church. I was even more encouraged to hear back from L.V. this morning that he had talked with his elders at the church and they have invited me to talk about the ministry this coming Sunday night. Again, I have an opportunity and I am delighted. That will be my last meeting before flying out the next day back home.

I am sooo ready to walk through my front door and be smothered by my family. Just thinking about that moment is causing my heart and eyes to fill up, but it is all that I think about when I get a chance like this to be alone.

Tonight I get to spend some time with Dwight and Caroline Smith. I am looking forward.

Well, again, that's it for now!
God bless!

The home stretch!

Ever since last Sunday when I was missing home and had a pretty bad day, things have only got better. I have spoken to Fenella and the girls often and the hospitality and support I have received here in Manchester has been outstanding! I am now in a fantastic frame of mind and am excited to be going back down to Searcy for the last spurt of meetings and presentations before saying bye to the States and hello to Scotland again.

I have been thoroughly built up during my stay here and had two great opportunities yesterday with the Waterbury and Wallingford Churches. They were both very receptive to the presentation of our work in Scotland and both had plenty of questions about the work. I was encouraged greatly by both churches receptiveness. I met some neat people and now have fond memories of two churches that before this trip I didn't even know existed. Isn't being in Christ amazing! I have little idea what the outcome of these encounters will provide as far as the financial side goes, but I know I have been blessed richly in having spent some time with them. It would be fantastic if they decided to get involved with our ministry.

I got some great news yesterday when we got back to Manchester. Taylor, a lovely young girl I got the joy to meet and visit with her family a couple of nights ago, became a Child of God's that morning. I was so delighted for her. Beth, Scott and Amy are doing a fine job! I suppose the fact that there is a strong Scottish connection with Scott's family has something to do with it all.

This morning I went for breakfast with Arnie, the preacher here. Again, I was blessed! He is a remarkable man. I loved his gentleness and found that I could talk at ease and can truly say I have a friend. He was very encouraging and had an obvious wealth of experience and insight. It was a morning well spent.

I will leave here in a wee while, to fly down to Little Rock, and can leave with a calm soul. I have loved being with the church here and know that our relationship has been strengthened.

I ask for your prayers that the people I have met and who are considering our ministry can be moved to get involved with us. Please keep Fenella and my girls in your prayers and that I can be safely united with them soon. I also ask that you keep in your prayers this coming weeks opportunities. I don't know how things will look in the end, but I do know that it is essential to my families well being that this trip is successful financially. So please keep me in your prayers that I can effectively, with passion, present the truth about what God is doing through His church in Peterhead - thank you!

God bless!

I'm a "Red Sox" fan

I know the title may put some of you who may not be Red Sox fans off this blog, but I have been hooked on baseball! I went for lunch with Anthony, the outreach minister here in Manchester, and afterward I had an urge to buy a "Red Sox" T-shirt. I suppose there is a little more to it and the fact that it is so easy to unwind watching a game is more to the point, but there it is I like baseball. Before any one gets carried away though, Football (soccer) is still my No1.

Just a "By the way" sort of thing. I am getting all these weird lumps on my hands and arm. I think I am getting bitten by something at night time. I have a huge lump on my forearm and two smaller lumps on my knuckles. Only seems to have been since since I've been up north. I don't suppose there is any reason to be worried. I'm guessing this sort of thing is common?

Last night I was with another lovely family here in Manchester - the Stafords. As with everyone I have spent time with here, the hospitality was amazing! Peter had done some kebabs on the grill and Sue had complimented with a variety of other dishes and the desert was especially good - Peach and berry pie with ice cream. I told them my wife is going to see a BIG change in me when I get home. We were instantly connected because "football" is big in the family. I am indebted to all the neat people I have met here and am blessed to have made so many connections and friendships. It really is great to be a part of the Kingdom of God. His children stand out and truly reflect the Son.

Had the privilege to watch another Red Sox game last night and can inform everyone that since I have been a fan they have never lost a game! Well, up until now that is, I may just have jinxed their run of wins :)

I am getting more excited as this trip goes on and can now see the end in sight. Only 9 days till I get to be with my family again!

God bless!

Picking Peaches

Had the neatest experience the other day - went to an orchard to pick some peaches! This was a first and it was rather enjoyable. Yesterday I went on a trek up a mountain where at the top there was a tower that gave the most amazing views.

I have to confess though that the most inspiring time I have spent here has been with the people! I have been blessed big time by spending time with some amazing, godly people. On Wednesday night I had the joy of being with Tim and Christi Garcia, who we have known for a while now but did not know they were back at Manchester. We enjoyed talking about the kingdom and their passion was obvious and contagious. Yesterday I met Brian, who is Manchester's Youth minister. We had a great time - although I had to put in a shift lifting and helping move some BIG stuff. I was delighted to be able to help out and actually do some physical work for a change. It was again a joy to get to know Brian and spend time talking about the church and again I was encouraged by his appetite for the kingdom. Last night I had supper with an amazing bunch of people all living in the same house, but with various connections and ties. Scott and Beth were a lovely couple and pretty much spoiled me all night, but the hospitality I was shown while with them was truly sweet. I left there built up and inspired. The discussion and shared vision for the kingdom we shared was obvious. I met Greg, who was visiting from Austin, TX and I am continually amazed at how the right people are in the right places at the right time with timely wisdom and insight and that was Greg. I have so much to praise God for in these past few days and I am even more convinced that this trip had God written all over it - I am humbled and overjoyed to have been in the presence of so many good and Christ centered servants of our Fathers.

I am also thankful to "Net 10!" I bought a phone card with 300 minutes and got a free phone. This has proved to be the most precious blessing of the entire trip. I have a direct link to my family and have felt so much closer and connected than on any previous trip. I will sometimes be at the laptop and the phone will ring and there will be a voice on my phone, usually Holly's voice! I am just so happy that my girls can get hold of me pretty much any time. Fenella calls when I log into our AOL account, because she knows I am able to talk when she hears the PC in the dining room say "Goodbye" and she knows I have just logged onto our account. I have so much to be thankful for and know that it won't be too much longer now before I get to be with them again.

Got a note from Mel Duthie in Dundee letting me know that she has committed her life to Christ. I am so glad for her and have had the joy of helping a wee bit in her journey to crowning Him King.

Well, stay focused and God bless!

Next stage

I have got to begin this blog with the highest of praise for Fenella! It has weighed heavy on my heart the whole time I've been over here the fact that I will miss the first four weeks of the new school term. I was scared that I would be out of the loop as far as Assemblies and school clubs. My beautiful P.A. has contacted all the schools to explain my absence and has filled my diary, so that when I get home I can slip right into the schools and minister. I am soooo thrilled and am at peace knowing that the schools are sorted.

Yesterday I arrived in Manchester, Connecticut. Took the whole day travelling to get there. As soon as I got off the plane there were two friendly faces there to greet me. I am always humbled when I think of the connections and extended family we have as a result of Christ. Here I am half way across the world and there are friends who are hospitable and extend Christ's love - it is truly lovely. I am looking forward to my time here in the North and pray our ministry will again be well received.

I have to admit that this past Sunday I was on a downer. I was missing Fenella and the girls and everywhere I turned there were families! So, on the Monday I cleared out and went to Little Rock to do some shopping for the family. It was exactly what I needed - to be by myself for a while and just thinking about my family. Even though I was standing in Old Navy with clothes all around me I had no idea what to pick out!

The last few days when I was in Searcy were good. I met up with a bunch of people. Had coffee one night with Jenny, who spent the summer with us, and Hannah Valls who spent the summer in Zambia. We talked about the kingdom and being able to see with a different perspective having experienced different cultures and stuff. I had an evening with Dwight and Caroline, who had invited a house full of people. It was at Dwight and Caroline's that one of the most memorable things happened. I got to meet Lachlan, who is also from Scotland. Dwight met him on a flight and started to study with him and invited him to stay a while until on Saturday night he was baptized into Christ. It was good to be in Lachlan's company and be inspired by his passion for the kingdom. It was a neat evening. Funnily enough Adam and Melonie Barr from Cumbernauld, Scotland were there getting Nicole settled into Harding.

I am now past the half way point of the trip and know things will fly from this point on. I am beginning to let myself think about being with Fenella and my girls knowing that there are less than two weeks to go.

I ask again for your prayers that the rest of my trip can be fruitful as I present the work in Peterhead and try to gain the support of people who are excited about the kingdom.

God bless!

Sad to say goodbye

Tomorrow morning I will fly out of the Dallas area and it will truly be a sad occasion. It has been so good to spend some time here with the Lake Dallas and South MacArthur churches. I am greatly encouraged and as if I need to be more focused, I have been able to take a step back from our ministry and see afresh how God has been working these past years. It has been great to share our joy and passion for the kingdom in Peterhead with so many here and it has been refreshing to see how well our work has been received and supported. I am totally in the debt of Glenn and Sammie! I have been part of the family these past days and the cool thing is I feel like family! God is so good. I have been well impressed by their son, Jade, he has hooked me up with a game of golf and a soccer match! He has gone the extra mile with me and I look forward to some day getting to make good on his favour when he comes to visit us in Scotland.

On Tuesday night I experienced what I'm sure will be one of my highlights from the trip. I got to spend the evening with Hunter and Liz Valls. They are a beautiful couple who love the kingdom and each other. Yes, Liz's cooking was outstanding and our conversation inspiring, but to top everything - they surprised me by taking me out to an ice-cream place!!! I was soooo happy. At heart I am a very simple kinda guy and that was just the icing on the cake! Thank you both, you made my visit!

Last night I had the joy of going down to Bowie Texas. I could not believe my eyes when John Paige walked into the building. I went through HSBS with John and had no idea this was where he had settled. It was good to catch up share where our paths had led since being in school. I met with the elders and a few others to share what is going on in Peterhead and to invite them to get involved with our work. The time spent with them was encouraging and I pray that I was able to convey with passion our work for the Lord in Peterhead.

Tonight I was thrilled to meet with a group of the Lake Dallas brethren and be able to share with them, in a relaxed class, the work in Peterhead. Again I was touched by the interest and encouragement that the group had for our work. I will always have a soft place in my heart for the LD Church, they have been helping take care of my family from the beginning of our journey nine years ago.

I suppose the important thing here is this - When I left Peterhead, I did not exactly know why the timing of this trip had to be now, but I now know why. I am so glad that God was working behind the scenes to get me over here at this time. I am even more thankful that He has been with me at every meeting with every group of people I have had opportunity to talk with thus far.

I am settled and excited about the trip so far and am now looking forward to the next stage of the trip. I do get to drop in past my brothers tomorrow before flying on to the Boston area next week to visit with the Manchester Church - looking forward!

Well, take care and God bless.