After sixteen months; seventeen international flights; five internal flights; over three hundred and eighteen hours endured on methods of public transport, ten boarder crossings by land, spanning all six continents, touching down (and hopefully souls) in twenty countries, we have finally reached home safely.
We did in fact reach home at the beginning of November however we’ve since been caught up in the whirlwind of life back in Bonnie Scotland so apologies for the lack of communication. Contrary to rumour it has not been due to the “snow sweeping across Scotland”, our fingers have not turned to “icicles” (yet), Lorna has not moved to another “country called Kirkcaldy”, Kirkcaldy is the city she lives in, however that mistake is understandable given that Fifers speak a different language, and I have most definitely not been “eaten by Nessie” but thank you for all of your concerns.
However we would really like to inform you as to our plans to continue the vision and work of Soul Touch and to thank you for your continued support, interest in and encouragement for our venture thus far. Thank you for your prayers: they have sustained us through every trial; strengthened us in weakness; comforted us in loneliness; protected us through dangerous circumstance, both spiritually and physically and they have blessed us beyond our imaginings. We ask that you will continue to commit to regularly praying for this work with the confidence that God is attentive to your requests and these prayers are being answered.
We’re so aware that we always send out prayer requests and have been really negligent at filling you in on all the answers to them, so here goes:Firstly huge congratulations go to Lorna and Diego who are engaged to be married on the 18th of July this year. I repeat, this year! Panic not, dresses have been bought, kilts have been measured (causing much hilarity given that the measuring took place in cyber space as Lorna and a slightly hysterical Caroline shouted instructions to the two – non Scottish- gentlemen at the other side of the world, Diego and Paul in Australia, expecting them to understand the traditional attire and take the whole thing seriously. Despite the fact the guys used an industrial measuring tape we are assured the kilts will fit!). Cars have been hired and the band is booked; there will be dancing, lots of dancing! And so Diego Herrera and Lorna (Herrera to be) have much to celebrate. Divinely appointed to be together the handsome, luscious locks Latino and the bonniest lassie on the wee island of Scotland met in Australia where their love for the Lord, commitment to seeing his church radiate and their slightly bizarre, yet thankfully very similar, sense of humour brought them together. Their life together is gonna boast bright clothing, even brighter smiles and worship that will bring heaven here on earth. Bless you both; everyone who has the privilege of knowing you has the joy of seeing God at work because of your obedience to him and love for each other.
Another big up praise report must be given for the provision God has made for employment since we returned home. Whilst I have returned to teaching English at Wallace High School three days a week Lorna has taken up the role as community warden with Fife Police, where she is involved in the rehabilitation and welfare of young people caught up in patterns of anti-social behaviour. Despite initial anxieties and wee concerns about how being back at work would compromise or detract from the vision God has given us we can gratefully report that quite the contrary has happened. Huge thanks go to my colleagues and pupils at Wallace High School who have made my return a complete pleasure. My love for staff and pupils there has only added to my excitement and confirmed my commitment to developing the potential of young people. With an emphasis on global citizenship and enterprise I pray that God will continue to open doors where I can utilise the skills I have acquired over the last 17 months to bless the community I’m now working in. Lorna and I continue to thank God for the opportunities to share our faith at work and pray for more and more. When I’m not in the classroom and Lorna’s off her beat we thank God for the privilege that it is to continue the vision of Soul Touch. Soul Touch was the name given to the particular project that saw us going around the world, living out of our backpacks, working alongside some of the most inspirational individuals and committed congregations around the world.
Since returning home Soul Touch has developed further as we strive towards our goal: equipping young people with the gospel and facilitating a way for them to put their faith into action, breaking chains of injustice and fulfilling their God given potentials. We are overwhelmingly grateful for the group of Soul Touchers at St Andrew’s church, Bo’ness who are committed to this vision. Thank you for your encouragement, wisdom, patience and for sharing all your expertise with us. Together we are honing aims, objectives, the practicalities of mission teams and funding for Soul Touch teams as well as nurturing existing relationships we’ve been blessed with in the UK and around the world.
We plan to continue working under the umbrella of World Without Walls, from which a number of initiatives can be developed, including Soul Touch teams being sent out. WwW is a ministry committed to: ‘encouraging the development of a just and upright society in the world through the sharing of gifts, resources, persons, vision, good practice and love, between Scottish churches and organisations overseas; contributing to social and humanitarian well being’. Final praise report:
(Pics explained: The group in the hall is of the lil reunion we had at church on returning to Scotland. It's tradition here to always have scones 'n' a cup of tea after a everything.
The two girlys, Jen and Yvi, are two gorgeous girlys of God that God has blessed our lives with. He is revealing more and more of peeps here who are seeking God and are living in pursuit of the plans he has for them. We love them!
The apple stamped with love 'n' the crazy lot surrounding it are our friends at St Andrew's church. Our prayer is that love would be the fruit of our lives n with God at the center we are all drawn closer together.
And finally the huddle of B E A uiful peeps at the bottom are some friends from Newcastle Chirstian Life Centre, where God is rising up leaders. These guys really do make the house radiate and shine a light that others are drawn to.)
God has been so faithful and, as you are all aware, I could talk for Scotland but I will finish up with something that I pray will encourage you and bless you as much as it as us: the revival of the church in Scotland. Many people have commented, in jest, that neither of us will “be able to settle here” or that we will “not want to hang around ”. The truth is that Scotland is not only home because of our families and friends but it is an incredibly exciting place to be. Exciting does not necessarily mean comfortable or easy but we believe, and have witnessed already, a revival sweeping across Europe that neither of us wants to miss. Admittedly the church here has been injured but in abandoning it in its injured state we would only deprive ourselves of witnessing the healing process and the healing process is gonna be amazing. It’s a season we have already entered into and both Lorna and I have been encouraged and overwhelmed at the speed that God is healing hurts here and taking the church to a whole “nuther” level. Music festivals such as Clan, Frenzy and Hillsong conferences all host thousands of worshippers in Europe who are seeking and believing for God to be the answer in this really lost and vulnerable society. Although we have a long way to go we are so encouraged seeing how God is positioning individuals and congregations in a way that builds up and reaches out.
Your Partnership:
To those of you who were part of our journey, there is not a day passes that we do think of and give thanks for you. You are held in our prayers and we love you.
Finally we would like to invite you now to be involved in the continuation of the vision of World Without Walls (Soul Touch). Your support is invaluable to the development of this vision and to the souls being touched by your generosity. May you be abundantly blessed and know that in everything we do we strive to Glorify god by serving his people.
Love Erica Bonnar and Lorna Main: the original but we trust not the last “Soul Touchers”.
Soul Touch xxx
We believe it is the responsibility of the church to respond to the needs of the world and to break chains of injustice. We are called to go (Mt 28:16), to serve (Mt 25: 40) and above all to love (Mt 22: 37).
