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.
