Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Thank you Patrick!
Patrick you are such a huge inspiration to us here at Wallace High School! We love you! xxx
Monday, June 8, 2009
Welcome Wallace High School
Good morning pupils at Wallace High School! Soul Touch would like to extend an official, exceedingly grateful, welcome to everyone at Wallace High School. Firstly thank you for your enthusiasm and constant support! Thank you for your interest in our work in Uganda and for choosing to make a difference to other people's lives.
Over the next few days you have the opportunity, and the time, to contribute something positive, meaningful and enriching to the lives of abandoned children, living in Uganda. You have the opportunity to ask questions to key people who dedicate their lives to rescuing and caring for these children. You can also link up with people here in Scotland who have visited Uganda and continue to make things better for the kids.
You will be connecting with Dwelling Places orphanage in a number of ways. Using video editing, the blog, letter writing and other imaginative means, that you invent, you will communicate with children at the other side of the world.
This is the start of an exciting partnership! Be prepared to make a change: to be the change! Open your ears and eyes and think too about what we here in Scotland can learn from the children there.
We are all so looking forward to following your journey. Make sure you keep us up to date with everything you’ve learned, any news you get from Uganda and anything we can do to help you make a huge difference!
Love, thanks and heaps of blessings!
Soul Touch x
Over the next few days you have the opportunity, and the time, to contribute something positive, meaningful and enriching to the lives of abandoned children, living in Uganda. You have the opportunity to ask questions to key people who dedicate their lives to rescuing and caring for these children. You can also link up with people here in Scotland who have visited Uganda and continue to make things better for the kids.
You will be connecting with Dwelling Places orphanage in a number of ways. Using video editing, the blog, letter writing and other imaginative means, that you invent, you will communicate with children at the other side of the world.
This is the start of an exciting partnership! Be prepared to make a change: to be the change! Open your ears and eyes and think too about what we here in Scotland can learn from the children there.
We are all so looking forward to following your journey. Make sure you keep us up to date with everything you’ve learned, any news you get from Uganda and anything we can do to help you make a huge difference!
Love, thanks and heaps of blessings!
Soul Touch x
Saturday, April 18, 2009
RE-BUILDERS
"Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." Isaiah 58: 12
Have you ever experienced blessings so rich, so extravagant, so overwhelming, so breathtaking that they left you speechless? Well this week I experienced just that. I know some of you are struggling to imagine what exactly me "speechless" would sound like (apart from quiet) and others, who know me a little better, are already covering your ears in fearful anticipation that such excitement may result in the only outburst of noise I am capable of making at such a time: an excruciatingly painful high pitched squeal! First let me try to explain why all the excitement.
I was in Uganda! You may remember Miss Main and I were there in August of 2007. At the time we wrote (and wrote and wrote) about how are lives were enriched by the infectious joy and faith of the children in Dwelling Places; how our understanding of compassion was increased by the demonstration of gentleness and extravagant love poured out by "Mama" Rita Nkemba and all of her staff and how our cheeks were made sore from the laughter we shared with the Weegies (Glaswegians) we met up with.
Officially Dwelling Places is an organisation dedicated to removing children from the streets, rebuilding broken families and restoring broken individuals with the love of Jesus Christ. They do so by "rehabilitating and reconciling street children with their families." Unofficially it is church! Dwelling places is Isaiah 58 personified and witnessing the exuberance and commitment with which they are "rebuilding the walls" was catalyst for my screams and the reason for the overflow of thankfulness spilling, in painfully high pitched tones, from my heart.
During the summer of '07 we and the Weegies were part of a team training some of the children to perform a musical called Peace Child. Although the show was a huge success and the children performed so professionally the rehearsals, I have to admit, were anything but peaceful: choruses were sung over and over (and over and over again); drama workshops were conducted, dance moves were perfected and costumes were fitted. Amidst the beautiful chaos that was Peace Child we got to know the children and staff there in Uganda. Everyday was an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what God was doing in their young lives; children who were orphaned, abandoned and/or vulnerable were being restored: given food, a place to sleep and education. So I assumed that the scripture from Isaiah, the foundation upon which DP was built, was being made flesh. We were witnessing it in action everyday. However that was only the beginning of my journey to understand rebuilding.
Although I myself know very little about architecture -other than that I occasionally admire the intricacy of ornate decoration sculpted on a the high ceiling of an age old building or comment on the practicality and cleanliness of a innovative, fresh design of a new one- I happen to have friends a lot more creative than I and so understand something of the care and professionalism that is practised when designing or constructing a building. Recently, through conversations with my amazing friend, Sajey B (Sarah Jane), I'm beginning to understand a little more about the differences between the old and new. It appears that the restoration of an old building is so much more time consuming and demands much more intimate involvement than simply constructing something completely new. Time is taken to consider and research the original architects intentions and their imaginings for the character of that building. Thought is given to recognising and preserving what is good and the best, most professional methods are used to repair damage and deterioration caused by the passage of time, wear and neglect. Time is taken to source materials that replicate original ones used so as not to detract or devalue its form. Sarah Jane explains that often more costs are incurred because materials are so unique and precious that they become more expensive and she explains that time taken to restore something so old within new guidelines and conditions...and without the original architect is often much longer.
And so back to my screams: caused by a new appreciation of the restoration that is taking place. Unlike last time I wasn't part of a team teaching music, although I did have the joy of being accompanied by Weegies (and John). I mentioned that DP is a place of rehabilitation. This means that although it is an orphanage and will be home to some orphaned children until they become adults and can live independently, for many DP is a resting place. A place where the children can dwell with their parents are supported (by DP) to manage to look after them. The level of support given differs with every child and individual family. Some stay only months in the safety and care of DP while their parents attend adult literacy classes or vocational training, enabling them to find employment in order to be reconciled with their children. Others live for years while support is given to parents to prepare to be reconciled with their child or children living in the DP home. This Easter I had the joy to be able to visit some of the children, whom I had previously taught in Peace Child, in their homes. Most of the homes were in the slums which cradle the busy city of Kampala. Others took hours (on the back of a boda- motorbike) to locate, situated in small villages amongst the peacefulness of matoke plantations and Jack fruit holdings I was reunited with the children.
What a gift from God to see these children so happy back in the heartbeat of their families! However, amidst tears of thankfulness, screams of "Auntie, Auntie you came back! Auntie meet my brother...and sister...and brother...and sister...and cousin...and cousin (all, more often than not, living in the same one bed-roomed aluminium construction) was my appreciation of the rebuild taking place. In witnessing the staff of DP encouraging parents: delivering support, school fees, Easter eggs, a hug and appreciated words of advice I witnessed real restoration.
With the care and compassion of skilled craftsmen the staff and volunteers set about restoring. Taking time to listen: the initial step is to understand in order to initiate intimacy; carefully considering feelings and preserving beauty in order to repair and build up. Taking time to draw alongside (or huddle with a parent on the dusty floor of a mud hut); no one rushed the process (admittedly not rushing is part of Ugandan culture) but more than that time was taken so as not to cause more damage, laying foundations that will last and can be built upon. I watched, and followed, as Rhona (a radiant member of DP staff) lead us "Muzungos" through Catwe (a slum), greeting family members, extended family members and even passers by in a community she's become involved in through her relationship and commitment to serving the street children. I realised that as she practised true fasting (Is 58: 6-11), as she reached out to serve the least of these (Math 25) and as I joined her, we were the ones being restored. Yes the process is so much more time consuming but like Sarah Jane's, Rhona's elation was so much more than that of someone who had thrown up something as a quick fix solution or new design. Seeing someone restored and reaching the potential they were designed with is something worth screaming about! Their architect is God and the intimacy and intricacy he designed each child with, you with, is one full of character and beauty (Ps 139), never to be destroyed but to be repaired and made more radiant by the support and help of others.
What Lorna and I have witnessed since returning home is that as we share the testimonies of the children at Dwelling Places and the hundreds of others we had the privilege of meeting, we are restored. When we reach out it is then that we find our joy...in the Lord!
And so I am thankful. Thankful for what I witnessed in Uganda. I'm blessed by what I experienced today and I'm excited about what God will do with tomorrow. I'm going to St Andrew's Church, Bo'ness. A congregation whose architect is God! A congregation who are reaching out and as we do we are being restored. It takes time, intimacy, care, relationship, compassion to serve and a humility to accept the help of others. The help of people close by and the love of those far away.
And so you'll be pleased to know I'm finally speechless. Lost in wonder and excited anticipation of what the building will look like when it is fully restored. By building I mean the church Christ calls us to be. A church that recognises that where there is brokenness God intends there to be healing. Where there is damage God calls us to carefully, gently start to repair. Not in a slap dash, anything will do fashion, but with skill and attention to detail. I believe we have been through the season of preparation. The season where on a building the scaffolding is put up and the materials are stripped clean in order to start a new thing. Behind that scaffolding cracks in the walls are sealed and the building is made new. When it is finally revealed it is always magnificent. Passers by comment on the newness, the beauty and what a good job has been done putting it all back together; to it's original state. When we are made new, all put back together; when the church of Jesus Christ is revealed (even parts of it at a time) it is so radiant the passers by stop and stare; they are drawn to it. It is in that magnificent place the the real Dwelling Place of Christ will be...
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Latest Soul Touch News...
We love you gorgeous girlys! Ps 34:5 ' Those who look to him are radiant their faces are never covered with shame.' You both sparkle and shine with a radiance that reflects the beauty of our Father...we know you'll light up the lives of every person that you meet around the world! We are soooo proud of you! E n L x
We could attempt to be philosophical, theological, psychological, intellectual or even poetical but really the awesomeness of what God has been doing, and is doing, in the world of Soul Touch is far too breathtakingly indescribable that we're not even going to try...
for a change we're going to let others talk! And so what follows are the hearts two precious, beautifully anointed, completely divinely chosen girlys of God. Laura and Jennifer (Jen as we know her).
They are the new (and improved) Soul Touchers! Laura and Jen will be the first (we trust of many) pairs that are going to be going out and serving. Leaving in January and following the same route we took around the world the girls will live life, pray and serve alongside many of our partnership churches and dearest friends around the world. The heart of Soul Touch is give others the opportunity to worship: to be worshipful in the way we are living our lives. We believe that we are part of a generation that want to go and be Jesus' hands and feet; we want to serve and to love.
So girlys we want you to know: we love you. It is such a privilege to witness what God is doing in your lives. We are so encouraged to hear you constantly giving him the glory and we pray extravagant blessings over you. You girlys are the change and we know that as you go others will follow Christ who goes before you!
And to everyone else who is part of Soul Touch (if you are reading this now you are officially a SoulToucher), thank you! Thank you for your support thus far. Soul Touch started with prayer and it will be our prayers that will sustain us and move us forward. So lets all unitedly commit to praying for Jen and Laura. Pray from them as they prepare to leave in January and also for all the host churches who are going to, not only bless the girls, but who are going to be blessed by the love of Christ that exudes out of them!
With overflowing thankfulness and expectation that the BEST IS YET TO COME,
Erica and Lorna xxx
Wow! I don’t know where to start! I am soooooooo excited that Jenn and I are the next ‘Soul Touchers’. Lorna and Erica have been such an inspiration to so many people; I am so excited that Jesus wants us to follow their footsteps around the world!
I feel so humbled that God is blessing me in this way, what an honour to serve such an awesome God! He has been so faithful to me over the years and I am so thankful that he is letting me serve Him and His children all over the world.
This afternoon I met with Jenn, Lorna and Erica to plan our route. We had such a blessed time together; I am even excited about our planning meetings.
Thank all of you for your encouragement so far, I have such peace about Soul Touch. I totally trust God and know it will all come together.
Please continue to pray that God will use Jenn and I to serve and honour Him as we prepare for our journey.
Laura xXx
“Seek your happiness in the Lord and He will give you your heart’s desire.” Psalms 37: 4
No kidding!!! So, after years of searching for someone or something to fill the emptiness inside me, and various attempts to ease the constant overwhelming ache I have in my heart for all those who have so little yet smile for what they do have, I finally (reluctantly) gave up my fight to be happy independent, and gave it all back to God. I opened my over-protected heart and finally got over myself and my ridiculous pride and prayed. Stubborn and impatient as always, I “reasoned with God”. Basically I promised Him my heart but only on the condition He looked after it, gave me support in my journey with Him and was faithful and dependable (which by the way guys is an extremely scary thing for girls to admit they need) and I waited…
...But not for long, the very next day I was alone in St Andrews church gathering my things together to slip out quietly when I was attacked by two extremely chirpy and bubbly (keep in mind it was a Sunday morning and I hadn’t even smelt coffee yet!) girls who I believe you all know as the “original soul touchers”. That’s right… I was jumped at church by Erica and Lorna! And thank God I was. The next few months were basically a whirl wind (as is the case with most newly flourished relationships – I mean with God not the girls) of meeting amazing people, having more and more prayers answered in front of me and so many amazing blessings put into my life than I can’t begin to explain.
At New Year I was receiving the usual “happy new year” texts whilst feeling extremely sorry for myself stuck on the sofa ill for the night, when Spider (an amazing NCLC dude) text me “Happy New Year, God’s gonna blow this one out of the water for you”. I remember reading it and thinking it was nice but, as cool as Spider is, he’s not God so I shrugged it off as a nice text and a hopeful thought.
Three months on and I’m completely bowled over by how faithful God is to prayers, and the extent to which He not only blows thing out of the water, He gives you no warning and generally sends explosions of blessings just when your not looking! After my many prayers to be challenged with an opportunity to really have impact on people’s lives and serve God by serving those who have real needs, I was given the opportunity of opportunities: Laura T and I are officially the next to follow the soul touch journey!
I cannot begin to express my thankfulness for how faithful God is other than, yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! I am so aware of how undeserving I am of this opportunity and how blessed I am to even have God welcome me home to Him, and so the idea of God giving me the desires of my heart before I could even put them into words turns me into a gooey-eyed, love sick teenager. I really pray I can show some of this thankfulness by doing the only thing I can and leaning further into the warm, cosy hug of our Father and entirely following His lead everyday, dancing and laughing with Him and growing in Him.
I can’t wait for the tears, the laughter, the inevitable tummy aches, the amazing people I know we are going to meet, the boundaries Laura and I will push, and of course, singing along to Laura’s guitar at the end of a long day (that’s right Laura, I’m going to work that musical talent of yours for my own pleasure!). We will miss people here, but the support we have behind us is amazing and the friendships we will make I know will be worth every second. Anyway, our personal tour guide created the place and us, so what can go wrong? Watch out world…here we come!!
Hugs and blessings from an eternally thankful heart,
Jenn
xxxxx
We could attempt to be philosophical, theological, psychological, intellectual or even poetical but really the awesomeness of what God has been doing, and is doing, in the world of Soul Touch is far too breathtakingly indescribable that we're not even going to try...
for a change we're going to let others talk! And so what follows are the hearts two precious, beautifully anointed, completely divinely chosen girlys of God. Laura and Jennifer (Jen as we know her).
They are the new (and improved) Soul Touchers! Laura and Jen will be the first (we trust of many) pairs that are going to be going out and serving. Leaving in January and following the same route we took around the world the girls will live life, pray and serve alongside many of our partnership churches and dearest friends around the world. The heart of Soul Touch is give others the opportunity to worship: to be worshipful in the way we are living our lives. We believe that we are part of a generation that want to go and be Jesus' hands and feet; we want to serve and to love.
So girlys we want you to know: we love you. It is such a privilege to witness what God is doing in your lives. We are so encouraged to hear you constantly giving him the glory and we pray extravagant blessings over you. You girlys are the change and we know that as you go others will follow Christ who goes before you!
And to everyone else who is part of Soul Touch (if you are reading this now you are officially a SoulToucher), thank you! Thank you for your support thus far. Soul Touch started with prayer and it will be our prayers that will sustain us and move us forward. So lets all unitedly commit to praying for Jen and Laura. Pray from them as they prepare to leave in January and also for all the host churches who are going to, not only bless the girls, but who are going to be blessed by the love of Christ that exudes out of them!
With overflowing thankfulness and expectation that the BEST IS YET TO COME,
Erica and Lorna xxx
Wow! I don’t know where to start! I am soooooooo excited that Jenn and I are the next ‘Soul Touchers’. Lorna and Erica have been such an inspiration to so many people; I am so excited that Jesus wants us to follow their footsteps around the world!
I feel so humbled that God is blessing me in this way, what an honour to serve such an awesome God! He has been so faithful to me over the years and I am so thankful that he is letting me serve Him and His children all over the world.
This afternoon I met with Jenn, Lorna and Erica to plan our route. We had such a blessed time together; I am even excited about our planning meetings.
Thank all of you for your encouragement so far, I have such peace about Soul Touch. I totally trust God and know it will all come together.
Please continue to pray that God will use Jenn and I to serve and honour Him as we prepare for our journey.
Laura xXx
“Seek your happiness in the Lord and He will give you your heart’s desire.” Psalms 37: 4
No kidding!!! So, after years of searching for someone or something to fill the emptiness inside me, and various attempts to ease the constant overwhelming ache I have in my heart for all those who have so little yet smile for what they do have, I finally (reluctantly) gave up my fight to be happy independent, and gave it all back to God. I opened my over-protected heart and finally got over myself and my ridiculous pride and prayed. Stubborn and impatient as always, I “reasoned with God”. Basically I promised Him my heart but only on the condition He looked after it, gave me support in my journey with Him and was faithful and dependable (which by the way guys is an extremely scary thing for girls to admit they need) and I waited…
...But not for long, the very next day I was alone in St Andrews church gathering my things together to slip out quietly when I was attacked by two extremely chirpy and bubbly (keep in mind it was a Sunday morning and I hadn’t even smelt coffee yet!) girls who I believe you all know as the “original soul touchers”. That’s right… I was jumped at church by Erica and Lorna! And thank God I was. The next few months were basically a whirl wind (as is the case with most newly flourished relationships – I mean with God not the girls) of meeting amazing people, having more and more prayers answered in front of me and so many amazing blessings put into my life than I can’t begin to explain.
At New Year I was receiving the usual “happy new year” texts whilst feeling extremely sorry for myself stuck on the sofa ill for the night, when Spider (an amazing NCLC dude) text me “Happy New Year, God’s gonna blow this one out of the water for you”. I remember reading it and thinking it was nice but, as cool as Spider is, he’s not God so I shrugged it off as a nice text and a hopeful thought.
Three months on and I’m completely bowled over by how faithful God is to prayers, and the extent to which He not only blows thing out of the water, He gives you no warning and generally sends explosions of blessings just when your not looking! After my many prayers to be challenged with an opportunity to really have impact on people’s lives and serve God by serving those who have real needs, I was given the opportunity of opportunities: Laura T and I are officially the next to follow the soul touch journey!
I cannot begin to express my thankfulness for how faithful God is other than, yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! I am so aware of how undeserving I am of this opportunity and how blessed I am to even have God welcome me home to Him, and so the idea of God giving me the desires of my heart before I could even put them into words turns me into a gooey-eyed, love sick teenager. I really pray I can show some of this thankfulness by doing the only thing I can and leaning further into the warm, cosy hug of our Father and entirely following His lead everyday, dancing and laughing with Him and growing in Him.
I can’t wait for the tears, the laughter, the inevitable tummy aches, the amazing people I know we are going to meet, the boundaries Laura and I will push, and of course, singing along to Laura’s guitar at the end of a long day (that’s right Laura, I’m going to work that musical talent of yours for my own pleasure!). We will miss people here, but the support we have behind us is amazing and the friendships we will make I know will be worth every second. Anyway, our personal tour guide created the place and us, so what can go wrong? Watch out world…here we come!!
Hugs and blessings from an eternally thankful heart,
Jenn
xxxxx
Monday, March 9, 2009
Thank You!
Dearest friends and family, supporters of Soul Touch,
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).
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).
Friday, October 3, 2008
Mates in the States
This latter part of our journey has been extremely exciting and it continues to amaze us, amuse us and make our lil hearts happy on the insides. Partly because we are meeting new people but also because we have been reunited with so many friends, all of whom we've met along the way. In truth I thought there was a slight possibility that Lorna or I may have encountered a little bit of a "culture shock" upon entering the United States, given that the some 19 countries we've visited over the last 16 months have all differed very much from the lifestyle that exists here.
Each country has been equally as interesting to be a part of; each new culture invigorating to absorb and every church educational to be immersed in; not one replicating the other. Of course there have been similarities, for example the duration of the Inca empire spanned over 100 years dominating vast amounts of land in South America and evidently the culture that exists today in Bolivia and Peru is a consequence of the Inca ancestry. Creativity, artistry and strength resonate through the architecture, art and the way people live. Similarly we found the means and resources available to people living in both Kenya and Uganda to be quite similar. That didn't detract however from the striking individuality that was found in each. Means such as rice and beans are grown in both parts of Africa however the combination of these two ingredients tastes completely different depending on who is cooking and how they are being cooked. The relevance of herbs and spices in this case has more significance than just taste; their role not only infused the flavor of the meal but injected individuality and culture to the place. Furthermore culture within these countries differs between landscapes, cities and towns; dug out canoes are commonly used methods of transport in Iquitos, a city built on the banks of the Amazon river in Peru. However in Cuzco where the landscape, climate and indigenous languages differ so therefore does the transport. Canoes are completely redundant in such beautiful mountainous regions and so horses, donkeys and cattle trucks are used to transport produce such as the maze and guinea pigs eaten there. Music too is something that becomes "typical" yet for us has remained constantly powerful and worshipful throughout the nations. From Africa, to Asia, India, throughout Australia (where the an anointing to heal and minister to the ends of the earth with their lyrics is immense), New Zealand, South and Central America and here also in the United States voices are singing. All in different keys, using different languages, to the beat of different drums. Yet in harmony. The difference is culture; the anthem of unity: praise.
Music, food, language and clothing have all been defining factors of cultural identity. The colours, tastes and sounds of each have been what has made this journey truly fun. Lorna and I have felt more than blessed to have been able to experience (and love) so many different countries. However, there is little dispute over the fact that they are all very different from the culture we have come to love here in America. A culture that we both had experienced having visited on separate ventures in previous years. And so I anticipated the possibility of "culture shock". 'Would my stomach cope with large quantities of peanut butter and jelly having overdosed on tortilla wraps and frijoles in Guatemala and Mexico? Would I ever become desensitised to the offensive word they (obliviously) use for bum bags or to the fact that people in the 21st century still actually wear those? How would I feel when faced with the reality of economic wealth having seen extreme lack in other parts of the world?' These, truthfully, were things I considered.
Thankfully all fears were laid to rest when we found ourselves in the home of Ruth and Alastair Dunsmore in New Port Richie, Florida. Scots at heart Ruth and Alasdair have been living in America for the past 11 or so years with (some of) their beautiful family. Having adopted or rather adapted to certain Americanisms, they still boast their original Gourock twang as well as selfless, completely generous Scottish hospitality. We are so thankful to them for lessening the shock that we endured when we entered the States. Since then we have continued to love our time here. Being with people who really appreciate that the lifestyle of convenience (drive through food, drive through movies, drive through banks) that exists here is not actually shared by people in two thirds of the worlds population, including some living in America, has made the transition easy and enjoyable. And so as well as visiting churches we have enjoyed so many other things. As many of you will have heard by now (I'm assuming you heard the screams) Lorna and I visited Busch Gardens (a huge theme park with roller coasters and animals. The animals don't participate in the roller coaster activities but they are in the park) and Disney World.
The ultimate high however wasn't meeting Mary Poppins nor dining with Pooh and friends in actual fact sharing fellowship with fellow church distributers at Northland Church was what was truly amazing. There we met people from all over the world who are committed to using their wealth, multicultural heritage and the privilege of education to join with others. We have spoken previously about the vision that Northland has; a vision that we love and share: to exist as a church out with the physical building known as church. They recognise the importance of fellowship seeing it as an opportunity to share with others, teach others and equip others in preparation so that they can be living testimonies of their faith in the world. They use technology with such standards of excellence that they communicate effectively with this generation of people skilled in computer literacy. Their non compromising love for God and his people shows in the way that they engage with the community, locally and globally. We love them, have learned from them however we also were made to feel that we can contribute to their ministry.
And so I felt reassured that having survived Disney World the rest of the United States would be tame. However that was before we headed north to North Carolina for another roller coaster ride with Mama Marsha. There we were to continue to experience the overwhelming generosity that we've been blessed by so often on this journey. Let me introduce Mama Marsha. Respectfully known as Marsha Rantala but to many of us as Mama simply because she loves like one: generously, without condition and despite rebellion against.
Having spent time in Peru with Marsha the Soul Touchers were aware that she has boundless energy, however I think we'd forgotten just how much! A week of pampering, praying and generally loving life was what we experienced in North Carolina. Protein shakes scheduled at 7am will be forever a Soul Touch highlight as will the memory of Marsha's exercise regime (torture!). In all seriousness though as always God blessed us where we were and we will be eternally grateful for the nurturing ministry of Ardent faith and Morning Star as well as our friends in North Carolina. Those of you who were there know how much we love you and appreciate your friendship! Thank you! 
Exhausted yet? No me neither...but almost. We then moved onto meet the team from Nebraska. For those of you who have never had the privilege of visiting the state, which sits literally at the heart of the US lets get the record straight...Nebraska is not a city or a town, nor is it near Alaska...it's amazing; we love Lincon. Lincon is the name of the city we were based in, visiting our friends at Redeemer Church.
Some of you may remember these folks from the time we spent with them deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle, in Puerto Alegria. As well as having fun living in the Mustard House, speaking at the Reformed University Fellowship meeting and catching up with friends we did make time to don our old clothes and paint a few walls in memory of the good times in Peru.
Random antics such as catching mice, camping in the middle of nowhere and baking bread became a bit of a common occurrence during our stay in Nebraska.
Lincon is the only other place in the world where I have seen any festivities that come close to resembling the Bo'ness fair. They do it in honor of the Huskers football match; bizarre is an understatement! Basically everyone puts on red shirts then congregates in the city centre, some sporting giant hats made to look like corn (if you are confused right now it's because the actual occasion itself didn't make much sense). Food is shared (think football not Communion although it is almost entirely civilised) and they watch the University football team getting beat...on this occasion!
Finally we are in Philadelphia with Sarah Beth Caldwell, a friend and sister in Christ whom we met in Australia. Even her name is a song, Sarah Beth is not only an amazing worship leader, her life is worship full! We continue to be amazed by the Kingdom connections that God is making and feel utterly blessed that we are able to see so many awesome people not once but twice on this trip. And so we continue on for another 10 days.
We will keep you up to date with the journey even after we return to Scotland. Oh please don't think that it's finished. This is all preparation...I'm sure "The best is yet to come!"
Love to all in abundance Soul Touch.
Each country has been equally as interesting to be a part of; each new culture invigorating to absorb and every church educational to be immersed in; not one replicating the other. Of course there have been similarities, for example the duration of the Inca empire spanned over 100 years dominating vast amounts of land in South America and evidently the culture that exists today in Bolivia and Peru is a consequence of the Inca ancestry. Creativity, artistry and strength resonate through the architecture, art and the way people live. Similarly we found the means and resources available to people living in both Kenya and Uganda to be quite similar. That didn't detract however from the striking individuality that was found in each. Means such as rice and beans are grown in both parts of Africa however the combination of these two ingredients tastes completely different depending on who is cooking and how they are being cooked. The relevance of herbs and spices in this case has more significance than just taste; their role not only infused the flavor of the meal but injected individuality and culture to the place. Furthermore culture within these countries differs between landscapes, cities and towns; dug out canoes are commonly used methods of transport in Iquitos, a city built on the banks of the Amazon river in Peru. However in Cuzco where the landscape, climate and indigenous languages differ so therefore does the transport. Canoes are completely redundant in such beautiful mountainous regions and so horses, donkeys and cattle trucks are used to transport produce such as the maze and guinea pigs eaten there. Music too is something that becomes "typical" yet for us has remained constantly powerful and worshipful throughout the nations. From Africa, to Asia, India, throughout Australia (where the an anointing to heal and minister to the ends of the earth with their lyrics is immense), New Zealand, South and Central America and here also in the United States voices are singing. All in different keys, using different languages, to the beat of different drums. Yet in harmony. The difference is culture; the anthem of unity: praise.
Music, food, language and clothing have all been defining factors of cultural identity. The colours, tastes and sounds of each have been what has made this journey truly fun. Lorna and I have felt more than blessed to have been able to experience (and love) so many different countries. However, there is little dispute over the fact that they are all very different from the culture we have come to love here in America. A culture that we both had experienced having visited on separate ventures in previous years. And so I anticipated the possibility of "culture shock". 'Would my stomach cope with large quantities of peanut butter and jelly having overdosed on tortilla wraps and frijoles in Guatemala and Mexico? Would I ever become desensitised to the offensive word they (obliviously) use for bum bags or to the fact that people in the 21st century still actually wear those? How would I feel when faced with the reality of economic wealth having seen extreme lack in other parts of the world?' These, truthfully, were things I considered.
Thankfully all fears were laid to rest when we found ourselves in the home of Ruth and Alastair Dunsmore in New Port Richie, Florida. Scots at heart Ruth and Alasdair have been living in America for the past 11 or so years with (some of) their beautiful family. Having adopted or rather adapted to certain Americanisms, they still boast their original Gourock twang as well as selfless, completely generous Scottish hospitality. We are so thankful to them for lessening the shock that we endured when we entered the States. Since then we have continued to love our time here. Being with people who really appreciate that the lifestyle of convenience (drive through food, drive through movies, drive through banks) that exists here is not actually shared by people in two thirds of the worlds population, including some living in America, has made the transition easy and enjoyable. And so as well as visiting churches we have enjoyed so many other things. As many of you will have heard by now (I'm assuming you heard the screams) Lorna and I visited Busch Gardens (a huge theme park with roller coasters and animals. The animals don't participate in the roller coaster activities but they are in the park) and Disney World.
The ultimate high however wasn't meeting Mary Poppins nor dining with Pooh and friends in actual fact sharing fellowship with fellow church distributers at Northland Church was what was truly amazing. There we met people from all over the world who are committed to using their wealth, multicultural heritage and the privilege of education to join with others. We have spoken previously about the vision that Northland has; a vision that we love and share: to exist as a church out with the physical building known as church. They recognise the importance of fellowship seeing it as an opportunity to share with others, teach others and equip others in preparation so that they can be living testimonies of their faith in the world. They use technology with such standards of excellence that they communicate effectively with this generation of people skilled in computer literacy. Their non compromising love for God and his people shows in the way that they engage with the community, locally and globally. We love them, have learned from them however we also were made to feel that we can contribute to their ministry. And so I felt reassured that having survived Disney World the rest of the United States would be tame. However that was before we headed north to North Carolina for another roller coaster ride with Mama Marsha. There we were to continue to experience the overwhelming generosity that we've been blessed by so often on this journey. Let me introduce Mama Marsha. Respectfully known as Marsha Rantala but to many of us as Mama simply because she loves like one: generously, without condition and despite rebellion against.
Having spent time in Peru with Marsha the Soul Touchers were aware that she has boundless energy, however I think we'd forgotten just how much! A week of pampering, praying and generally loving life was what we experienced in North Carolina. Protein shakes scheduled at 7am will be forever a Soul Touch highlight as will the memory of Marsha's exercise regime (torture!). In all seriousness though as always God blessed us where we were and we will be eternally grateful for the nurturing ministry of Ardent faith and Morning Star as well as our friends in North Carolina. Those of you who were there know how much we love you and appreciate your friendship! Thank you! 
Exhausted yet? No me neither...but almost. We then moved onto meet the team from Nebraska. For those of you who have never had the privilege of visiting the state, which sits literally at the heart of the US lets get the record straight...Nebraska is not a city or a town, nor is it near Alaska...it's amazing; we love Lincon. Lincon is the name of the city we were based in, visiting our friends at Redeemer Church.
Some of you may remember these folks from the time we spent with them deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle, in Puerto Alegria. As well as having fun living in the Mustard House, speaking at the Reformed University Fellowship meeting and catching up with friends we did make time to don our old clothes and paint a few walls in memory of the good times in Peru.
Random antics such as catching mice, camping in the middle of nowhere and baking bread became a bit of a common occurrence during our stay in Nebraska.
Lincon is the only other place in the world where I have seen any festivities that come close to resembling the Bo'ness fair. They do it in honor of the Huskers football match; bizarre is an understatement! Basically everyone puts on red shirts then congregates in the city centre, some sporting giant hats made to look like corn (if you are confused right now it's because the actual occasion itself didn't make much sense). Food is shared (think football not Communion although it is almost entirely civilised) and they watch the University football team getting beat...on this occasion!
Finally we are in Philadelphia with Sarah Beth Caldwell, a friend and sister in Christ whom we met in Australia. Even her name is a song, Sarah Beth is not only an amazing worship leader, her life is worship full! We continue to be amazed by the Kingdom connections that God is making and feel utterly blessed that we are able to see so many awesome people not once but twice on this trip. And so we continue on for another 10 days.
We will keep you up to date with the journey even after we return to Scotland. Oh please don't think that it's finished. This is all preparation...I'm sure "The best is yet to come!"
Love to all in abundance Soul Touch.
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