Hakka Birthday!

And I would walk 500 miles, and i would walk 500 more, just to be the man that walked a 1000 miles to fall down at your door! Dannanannananana!

Ever done “Strip the Willow” in the middle of New Zealand? To the Proclaimers? In the middle of really nice restaurant? Well welcome to my birthday celebrations of last night! I would like to thank Erica’s family so much for givin me the best Kiwi birthday, your Scottish dancing is better than my Hakka! Oh my, the Hakka, have you ever seen it??!

Erica and I went to visit a Mauri Village two days ago, part of the visit was a nice welcoming show that the Mauri’s put on. Nice dancing, even nicer singing, but one of the main Mauri traditions is a dance called the ‘Hakka’. Some of you may have seen the All Blacks rugby team do it before matches to scare the opposition? Yup thats right, the dudes stick their tounges out and pop their eyes out in an act of defiance and intimidation to enemies. They slap their bodies to get the blood flowing and stomp to show their fiercness. Well….me and Erica were in the front row of the wonderful performance. At one point i forgot i was in the show and believed that my wimpy face and Erica’s paparazzi moment had stirred up the warrior action back into these guys, i thought that we had really upset them! Erica was gripping onto me and so excited with sticking her tounge out when the Mauri guys were doing it, i was gripping back onto Erica trying to roll her tounge back into her mouth in fear that we were disrespecting the Mauri’s! It was such a great show and at the end, these marvelous people invited us to take a photo with them, its a good one, and if we had figured out how to put photos on this blog them im sure that you would like it.

I love Erica’s blogs, don’t you? I know, for me, the inspiration and the challanges that come from her posts just make me so hyped about what God can build into my life and where he can take me on my journey! I would like to share with you how God is using past stages of my journey, stages that i never thought would be part of my future and is bringing good out of situations that i just wanted to forget about. You’re on the footpath God has put you on too and i pray through my experience you will find encouragement and comfort knowing that God uses your struggles to be your strength.

I’m going to take you back to summer of 2006. That particular summer i was looking for something different to do. At that point of my life i guess you could call me a "jelly Christian". I call it "jelly Christian" because i was a wobbler, there wasn’t much too my christian life, i would mould to any situation that i was put in and i would melt when the times got too hot.

I decided that i had enough of working in the bank, and was going to bite the bullet and go into the youth working industry that i had always desired to be in (it is only now that i know that it was God that was pounding that desire to be in my heart!) So in great adventure style i signed up to do Camp America! Camp Wabenaki, New York, was the camp that they placed me in and it was a camp for disadvantaged youth.

Being a Scottish lass fresh out of her small town ways was big enough shock to the system when i arrived in New York but once i was placed on the camp i also realised that i was the only white girl surrounded by the "flyest" streetwise urban kids in New York. It was awesome. But i struggled. I was a haggis in the middle of all these hot dogs and it just didn’t mix, in any way or form! I didn’t know my R‘n'B music, I didn’t know how to play ‘B”-ball or know the street words that were flowing from everybody. I had to look after 6 young girls that only answered to screaming attitude and after my first week of camp, i was stressed and i had a stye on my eye! I didn’t know at that point that i could turn to God for help and instead, i tried to turn myself into Oprah Winfry. Which made me even more stressed. I was out of my depth, out of every zone imaginable, but i was jelly and moulded to the situation i was in.

So, i got through the 3-months at camp, at the end of the time at camp i was the whitest black person you would meet! I had a blast in America but not without much struggle. Through my time there i guess i had developed issues about my personality, my attitude towards life and the way i treated people to gain respect. I had accomplished my desire to work with youth but i had diminished my ability to use the gifts and qualities that God had uniquely given to me, leaving me feeling very weak and lethargic. I doubted if working with youth was my desire and i wasn’t sure if i would work with them again - and definately not in a different country!

Shortly after this trip, i gave my life back to God. Recognising my gifts and qualities that he had given me and realising that i couldn’t try and use someones elses gifts or qualities because it just wasn’t me and during our trip, God has put me in many situation where if i didn’t know who i was in him then i wouldn’t know my identity. He has put me on a trip where i have to work with youth from countries all over the world! And through one of the toughest times of my life, i now find peace and conifidence in my ability to work through similar situations because God has turned my struggle into my strength!

You may be in a situation right now that you are feeling out of your depth in, that is making you feel so run down that you are getting stye on your eye! Or is there is maybe a part of you past that still brings on a cold sweat? You might want to put this part of your life under the ground, make it so weak that it has no power but God wants to bring strength to this part of your life to glorify Him. He makes the problem your power. Let your backbreaker be your backbone!

And for today, me and Erica are getting prepared to go to the Parachute music festival! We have our tent and backpack packed. Our singing voices on, or its more yellin’ than singing at festivals right?! We are so excited! We will be sure to let you know how it all goes shortly……….

Much Love, Lornaxx

Indescribable Catch Up

“You have a lot of catching up to do!” Many a word spoken in jest. These were the words of my Uncle Jimmy, (well second cousin really) a relative I never knew existed until five minutes before we boarded the plane from Sydney to New Zealand on January 3rd. Jimmy and his beautiful family have become more than just relatives we’ve been reunited with; welcoming us into their home they have been our hosts (we’ve kinda gatecrashed their house as only soul touch can) our family, our grandparents, hairdressing advisers (due to a unfortunate accident I had with a bottle of bleach) and our dear friends. Jimmy was referring to the fact that we hadn’t updated our blog since arriving here in NZ and that although it’s a mere fortnight a lot has happened, starting with discovering his, my, our (Soul Touches) wonderful family! Jimmy’s stories about the grandparents I never met, tales and photos of a young Bob Bonnar (my dad) and facts outlining some of our family history have been amazing to listen to. (I’m more determined than ever to discover some of my ancestry having been mistaken for everything and anything except Scottish throughout our trip including: Spanish, Italian, Israeli, Egyptian, Indian, Sri Lankan and the latest Mauri!)

So catch up we must…
Reluctantly we left Oz, experiencing the familiar upset we feel every time we leave a country, worsened greatly by the fact that we were saying goodbye to Caroline (Lorna’s outrageously gorgeous, spirit filled sister), our other soul sis Emily (Young), Hillsong church and the whole host of amazing friends we made there. Filled with anxiety, excitement and the anticipation of what lay ahead in New Zealand we mumbled our way through the airport completely delirious from sleep deprivation. Before you begin to sympathise let me briefly explain why exactly the Soul Touchers became “zombified” over New Year. Hogman-nanny (day) was spent camped out at Sydney Harbour with a picnic under glorious sunshine surrounded by our friends. In the evening we, along with the other thousands of people there, enjoyed watching the indescribable array of fireworks (yes both showings!) blasted over the Opera House and Harbour bridge signifying the New Year. We then sped off to palm beach (will spare you the details of the crazy Mexican Driving aka our new,dear, unintentionally hilariously funny friend David. I don’t remember writing ‘near death experience’ on the itinerary for the new year celebrations but never the less we did it, enjoyed it and survived it so “‘Thank God for Jesus!”) David’s driving did however have it’s benefits; we caught the sunrise on Palm Beach and even some waves before heading up to The Blue Mountains with Lisa and Mel, Samuel and Nina (some of the stunning girlys who blessed our time in Oz) where we marvelled at some of God’s indescribable creation.


Marvelling over beautiful sunsets, roaming mountains, endless ocean and indescribable views is something Lorna and I have become expert in most recently; seriously New Zealand is Scotland… on the rocks! Never one to allow comparisons to be made between our beautiful homeland, Scotland and countries we visit I have succumbed to admitting that the beauty I have witnessed here surpasses any other I have seen in the world- yes Roy even Scotland on the sunny day!

Having said that working with Scripture Union in Mangawhai heads (a campsite situated in the most idyllic coastal area North of Auckland) has probably tainted my judgement. Our mission was Scripture Union summer camp; our destination was Mangawhai Heads; our team had boundless energy, talent and even dressed up as pirates! The result of this combo was The Best Camp Ever!

On arriving in New Zealand Lorna and I were bombarded with leaflets about bungee jumping (which we did in Uganda… that was so last year!), surfing, sand dune surfing and all sorts of insane extreme sports. Written on most of these leaflets , and the words on most backpackers mouths, was “The real Kiwi Experience”. Little do they know that the “extreme” packages they are offering to these 20-30 year old tourists are indeed tame in comparison to the challenges undertaken by the 30, 11-16 year old, children we were leading at camp last week. Kayaking over the estuary, climbing a sand dune (which we did before plummeting face first back down it on a boogie board), surfing a wave, playing volleyball on the beach, undertaking the flying fox and water slide challenge and even managing to clean up for cabin inspection were some of the activities the kiwi kids enjoyed… and all that before lunch! The kids boundless energy and the leaders dedication was a privilege to watch and a blessing to be part of. Each day started and finished with the ultimate high adventure. An experience I didn’t see advertised in any of the backpackers guides. It came free of charge and was, and is, available to all those who turned up. It’ s called encountering God and, as the children and I witnessed, it surpasses any thrill of any extreme sport!

Sharing with these children, trying to answer their questions about faith and witnessing them journeying with God has to be the ultimate high of our Kiwi experience! It was "far out” as they say! Hearing their eagerness to know God more and to serve him better completely saddens and excites me. It excites me to know that they are going to be soul touching, travelling around the world and serving in ways more significant than we can even imagine. It saddens me however to know that there are still so many people still searching; still flicking through Adventure guides trying to find another high. People clinging on to relationships that are “good”, “fine” and never knowing a relationship with God, the “far out” one that is there for them if they just turn up.

The reality of peoples reluctance to turn up hit me when we left camp. On our journey home (which by the way was detoured because of a spontaneous and extremely exciting road trip which I’ll tell you about later) someone said to me, “I don’t really need God in my life ’cause my life is sweet and I don’t want to have to give that up”. That’s great if your satisfied with “sweet”.

The truth is God does not want you to give up your life so you are miserable he wants to give up your life so that he can take you to the next level. Sometimes we have to give up the good to get the “sweet”, then give up the “sweet” to get to the “far out”. Then give up all of those things to get to where God wants us to be. I don’t have vocabulary adequate for that level, it’s truly indescribable. I know this because I’m living it, or trying to and I’m not even half way there.

I can’t remember if I’ve told you guys before but when I was in Peru last year I read a book called, “If you want to walk on water you ‘ve got to get our of the boat”. It’s based on the story of the disciple Peter walking on water with Jesus. Peter was in the boat. He was with his friends (the other disciples) and he was safe. Then Jesus called on him, challenged him really, to walk on the water. Now Peter was someone who knew Jesus well and he’d seen Jesus perform miracles yet he was still reluctant to get out of the boat; walking on water with Jesus required trust. Peter had to be confident that Jesus would make it possible (I assume everyone knows that walking on water, apart form on this occasion is impossible). Eventually Peter got out of the boat and he walked on water with Jesus. Happy ending eh…or not. it wasn’t completely smooth for Peter. He took his eyes of Jesus for a second (his confidence faltered) and he began to sink beneath the waves. In that moment Jesus reached out his hand and rescued Peter.

I want you to imagine your life is your boat. You think it’s safer than walking with Jesus but in actual fact by convincing yourself of that your denying yourself the experience of walking on the waves. I remember for years I sat in my boat (not literally) surrounded by things that made me feel safe, things that were “sweet”. “Sweet” relationships, a “sweet” job, basically things that made me comfortable. I didn’t want to give them up incase I failed, incase I fell flat on my face really. Then I discovered that God “isn’t in the business of making fools of people” (my angel sister reminded me of this as I sat in my boat) and that indeed “all good gifts come from him”.

For me camp was amazing because I got to share with the kids their journey. Some are so bold it’s frightening. They are way out on the waves trusting in God and all he has planned for them. Others were going through moments that they needed Jesus to rescue them but what was amazing was that none of them were in their boats. This summer they stepped out by going to camp; by doing so they stepped up!

Finishing camp is usually a bit of a depressant. You immediately forget about the mozeees (mosquitos) round the camp fire remembering only the toasted marshmallows and testimonies. You miss the shower song at 7am (Thanks Bella), forgetting the 14 (at my last count) spiders singing along with you while you bathed. Most of all you miss the delicious hourly camp food. This time however Lorna and I did not experience the post camp lull. Instead we set off on our road trip (courtesy of Shane and Crystal Gauld who generously gave us their daughter Lizzy’s car…thanks Lizzy!) Our bags and mattresses safely packed up in the boot we set of with transport and accommodation!

I won’t bore you (or rather depress you) with the details of our adventure, sleeping under the stars in Russell, swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands or quad biking along the 90 mile beach, lets just say we had and are having an amazing time.

Right now we’re enjoying some more time with the family! Next week we’re off to Taupo to swim in the largest lake in the southern hemisphere. And after that we’re going to work at Parachute www.parachutemusic.com/festival/2008/ No not sky diving, the largest Christian music festival of 2008! We’re loving every second!

I am so glad I got out of the boat! I’d rather live my life walking on the waves, allowing Jesus to recue me when I stumble than sitting in the boat wondering! Would you?

Love you all!
blessings in abundance Erica xx

Reflecting 2007..Bring on 2008!!

To our precious friends and family,

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and recover sufficiently in time to start the festivities again for New Year! Before we enter into 2008 we'd like to share with you some of the projects that we, because of your faith, generosity and support, have been able to accomplish in the 2007. Thank you for your continued love and gentle guidance on our mission so far.

Soul Touch, known to many adorable African children as Auntie Erica and Auntie Lorna and to friends as Hoddit and Dottit, is the name of our project. We have been traveling now for six months and are almost at the half way point of our round the world trip. So far we have survived Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Israel, Egypt, India (deportation out of India to Sri Lanka), back to India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Now at Hillsong church Australia we are being challenged, encouraged and questioned about our trip. Starting with the name!

Why Soul Touch? Well for those of you who know nothing about our mission (shame on you read our blog- www.worldwithoutwalls.net) let us explain briefly what we are doing and why the name is much more than a title; it's become our way of life. Our aim is to significantly touch people lives by contributing practically to the work of either their charity and/or church, creating opportunities for them to experience Christ’s love in action.

In each place we visit we work alongside the local community and church helping with a huge variety of tasks including: teaching, acting, singing, painting, brick making, bricklaying, talking and most importantly listening. As Ambassadors for World Without Walls, a ministry birthed out of St Andrew's church Bo'ness Scotland we are striving to capture, on film, the stories of the people we meet. Stories of children rescued from the streets of Uganda now educated and looking forward to the future. Of children who once thought they were invisible, forgotten by the world and by God; living in the jungle of India alongside wild animals, now expressing wishes of going to university, becoming doctors, missionaries and "bus drivers". Stories like Rita Nkemba's. A Ugandan women who set up an orphanage in Kampala, the countries capital and who has dedicated her life to looking after the some two-hundred abandoned children now in her care. The stories we have heard and captured on film will then be used to bring awareness to the worldwide church about the needs of the people it’s serving. We aim to strengthen relationships with WWW partners aswell as expanding its partnership network; identifying projects that you can be involved in supporting.

Brooke Fraser (Singer/songwriter) sings in her song Albertine: "Now that I have seen, now that I have heard I am responsible." We believe it is the responsibility of the church to change the injustice that exists all over the world. We appreciate that not everyone can visit these places; that’s why we’re capturing it on film! The films show that amongst all the poverty and amidst, what appears to be, the most desperate situations there is hope.

We saw hope in the little ghost town of Pebane, Mozambique where we started our trip. There we joined a team (Team Moz, led by Jennifer and Alasdair Tollemache) from Stirling Baptist Church. For the past three years this Scottish church has been partnering a local hospital in Pebane, providing medical facilities for them. This year the aim was to supply the hospital with a much needed surgical unit. Disease is rapidly spread there because there is simply no sanitation and, before the teams visit, no running water. A 42 foot container, filled with medical equipment (most of which was surplus in the UK but still in excellent condition) was shipped from Scotland to Mozambique. Within a week it was converted into a fully furnished, working operating theatre which is now used to serve the local community. Team Moz continue to raise funds and dedicate their time and prayers to their partners in Moz. It was a challenging yet encouraging way to begin our journey for lots of reasons; it certainly acclimatised us to work on the mission field: working in the heat, gathering water from a well to shower, using a rather less conventional toilet than we are used to and living, breathing, eating and sleeping side by side! (http://themoznet.blogspot.com/)

We saw hope in the camp we visited in Gulu, a place in Northern Uganda which for the past 21 years has been in civil war led by terrorist Joseph Kony. Kony, in his attempt to overthrow the government, has captured and enslaved thousands of children turning them into "child soldiers". These children are forced to pledge allegiance to his army demonstrating their loyalty by murdering their own siblings and/or cutting of the limbs, ears, noses and lips of their parents. Yet even there we saw hope of Christ, demonstrated by KPC (Kampala Pentecostal Church). KPC, lead by pastors Marylin and Gary Skinner, recently opened in Gulu. They are dedicated to breaking the chains of injustice and saving the lives of the people there.

And of course as many of you all have witnessed the hope that exists in Peru because of the partnership and faith of The Vine Trust, Scotland and SU Peru. You have seen street boys rescued and placed in homes and most recently a second medical ship cross the Amazon joining its sister-ship there to provide medical care for some of the worlds poorest people, living on river. This is the place where the mission really began; the place Lorna and I met and the place we first witnessed how powerful and constructive small groups of people can be when they work together (www.vinetrust.org).

We hope that you will see a pattern emerging here; a pattern we have witnessed. In each place we have visited there is need yet there is also a response to that need. All over the world seeds have been sown; small groups of Christians are living out the gospel in real, practical and powerful ways. We trust that you will join us in continuing to support some or all of these projects. Start by following our journey. Log onto our blog: www.worldwithoutwalls.net (go to the Soul Touch link). We pray that you will be as inspired by these teams of ordinary people doing extraordinary things as we are.

Finally we want to wish you a wonderful, prosperous and very blessed new year. We are looking forward to all that God has planned. The next stage of our journey takes us to New Zealand where we volunteer for Scripture Union on a children's summer camp, teaching them water sports (you might want to pray for that one!) We then head to South America: Argentina; Brazil; Bolivia; Peru; Guatemala and finally Mexico. We know that hearing the stories of these people will change our lives and we pray their lives will be enriched by our by our responses to them.

Love and hugs in abundance Erica and Lorna
Soul Touch xx

soul_touch@yahoo.com