Wonderful Chaos

I´m finding it difficult to compartmentalised everything that is in my head right now so please bare with me as i try to relay the wonderful chaos that has been our lives for the past few weeks, since our last entry.

Starting with the most recent and unbelievably, unexpectedly wonderful birthday. I never imagined turning twenty five would be such a joyous event but the boys in Casa Girasoles, Kawai (y mi mejor amiga, Lorna) managed to make it exactly that, ensuring I had a birthday I will never, ever forget. The festivities kicked off at 3am...yes as in the middle of the night. I´m assured that serenading random Scottish girls is not something the children do often but rather their singing is part of a custom they have here and a special treat for loved ones on their birthdays; that and throwing eggs at them. Thankfully I managed to avoid the latter despite the efforts of the little ones. I felt completely blessed (if not a little tired) that they would do that for me and so I actually loved every second of their singing. I will never forget all thirty boys, washed and smartly dressed in their school uniforms, no doubt having completed their morning chores and breakfast early in order to perform the torture...I mean treat, is a sight for which I will be eternally grateful.


The festivities did not stop there infact that was only the beginning. The day went from wild to wilder. Cancelling afternoon classes - a bit too eagerly I might add ( Lorna and I were teaching the boys English in the afternoons after school) the boys set about organising a surprise party! It started with pass the parcel, musical chairs (carnage), pin the glasses on Raul (the house Padre) and I even had a go at wrecking my very own, first and I´m sure last, piñata. Sharing a house with thirty boys meant that we did¨t get any of the sweets from the hanging Spiderman but that didn¨t detract from what really was an amazing birthday. Thank you all so much for sending sweet messages and pressies (thanks Drummie!) I feel far too old...I mean loved.
And so as you can see we´ve delved into the second part of the Soul Touch mission in our typical style - chaos... wonderful chaos!

For those of you who we did manage to see on our wee week in Bonnie Scotland will be able to testify it never really stopped. Arriving in Edinburgh to long awaited smiles, cuddles, tears and champagne on ice Lorna and I soon forgot the troublesome 48 hours + that it had taken to get from Bolivia, including cancelled flights, 13 hours in a taxi through Bolivia on what they assured us were roads, a long nights wait in Lima airport and a hospital visit. Don´t worry we´re both well. We were there awaiting the arrival of Marisole and Emilio¨s fourth baby but sadly baby Gabriel didn´t arrive until after our departure! (Welcome to the world gorgeous! We can´t wait to meet you!).

The weekend that followed was full of the excitement of seeing our families and participating in the conference...we know you´ve all been waiting to hear about the World Without Walls conference and so we won´t keep you in suspense any longer.It¨s an event that we and I know many of you have been praying for, for a long time. Over 300 churches from around Scotland participated, each purchasing a tent. The proceeds from which along with the actual tent were sent to partnership churches in the developing world. Each congregation presented information about their church lives inside their tents, sharing faith stories!

As Lorna and I walked round the tented village so many of our anxieties were stilled; prayers were answered and realities were confirmed - Firstly the anxiety, or rather excitement that we had for the event itself. We´d been reading about the preparations from afar and so it was a real blessing to see so many come together. We´ve actually been praying since the beginning of this trip (and many of you have prayed with us around the world), for the churches in Scotland, that we´d see a revival, an awakening in that place. Well our prayers are always are heard!

And then finally our wee reality check. The reality that the church in Scotland is wonderful but that the best is still yet to come. We recognise our part in the body of Christ but we also recognise where we´ve been wounded and where we need help being healed. The most awesome thing about the conference was that it was confirmation that the healing has started.

One of the best moments for me was being given the opportunity to sing with my stunningly talented sister something I´ve longed to do the whole time we´ve been away, singing songs she has composed:
"Lord of the broken hearted. Lord over all. We are here waiting to hear your call.
Though we are broken hearted, though we may fall - we must be willing ready and listening, trusting you Lord over all.
For only you can restore in us hope
Only you can revive us again
Only you that can answer the prayers of our hearts so Lord we cry out to you (Lyrics Eliza Bonnar)
As I stood hand in hand with my sister and Lorna looking over our nation, Ian gently echoing this chorus behind on his guitar, I was touched by God¨s grace, so thankful for the humility he gives his people.

The Church of Scotland gathered together in that place crying out for revival, recognising that it is only God that can send it but they were most definitely making sure that they were ready and waiting for it to come!

Lorna and I spoke a lot over the week we were there, at every given opportunity. Not in the limelight (although given the chance...) but to the people. We shared with them stories, stories you´ve shared with us. We shared testimonies, testimonies you´ve shaped by sharing your faith, homes and lives with us on this indescribable journey.

Lastly we shared with them our vision for the future, a vision we share with you. Of seeing justice being brought to the nations. We¨ve simply been given, the responsibility, the girt and the massive privilege of being the intermediators.

And so we celebrated with our friends at home about what God is doing in the nations, reuniting with friends we made in Uganda and Argentina. The celebrations for me were almost overwhelming.

Finishing the week witnessing my brother marry his beautiful wife and best friend Fiona. Lorna and I we´re with them in the Jungle in Peru when they met and even the monkeys were talking about their flirting. It was a complete joy to be part of the ceremony - a privileged to share their special day and a complete riot on the dance floor! Needless to say little sleep was had but lots of love was shared in that week.

We truly thank God for the time we had at home - maybe not sleeping but we both definitely left completely energised and elated by what God is doing in Scotland!

We are now, as you know, in Peru working with Union Biblica. Some of you will probably know of their work, although possibly not directly. They work in partnership with The Vine Trust. An organisation also birthed out of Bo¨ness Scotland. In previous years Lorna and I have only really participated in the work they do with street children and the medical teams. These ministries in themselves reach hundreds of thousands of lives. The work that is going on out here really warrants its own TV series.....oh and it has one. I know many of you have been enjoying the Amazon Hope series on ITV. Lorna and I enjoyed it from Australia thanks to technology! In the next few weeks we hope to get a little more insight into the other work they do within schools aswell as visiting the numerous homes they now have in 6 different areas of Peru. Homes for children who once lived on the streets. Children like those who sang to me and partied with me on the 19th of May. Children, whom given the opportunity to shine, brighten up lives. Being here with them has certainly brightened up mine!


Love from Cusco
Erica xxx