Well I am rested and have survived returning to work after being gone for 2 weeks. So now is a great time to post a little more about our Scotland trip. On the last update we were finishing up painting and preparing for the Gala Fair in the park. The Fair was amazing! I think we gave out more than a 100 hot dogs and 150 sodas! It was a long and busy day but well worth it. We were able to be relaxed and spend time with the people in the community that we had become very attached to. I felt like my heart was being ripped out having to start saying good bye to these beautiful people. I was speaking to a couple from Centre Pointe that day about having trouble leaving and Kent said that unless you felt like your heart was being torn out of your chest when you left you had not done what you set out to do on a mission trip. Wow! I didn't think it would be that hard to say good bye. Many planned to attend church the next day but as I often see in the US people don't actually come so I was saying good bye in case I did not see them in the am. Little did I know that most of them would be attending the next day-more on that later.....
We rec'd cards from the children and one from one of the parents as well, Yvonne. I can't wait to share pictures from that amazing day!
Later Saturday evening after we had time to rest a while we had our mission team banquet at an authentic Spanish restaurant. Not too bad! I was concerned b/c as most of you know....I am a very picky eater! We ate family style so there were lots of dishes to chose from and you all would be proud, I tried everything and even enjoyed Calamari for the first time! It was a good relaxed evening where we all shared from our week and shared more with one another about our lives as we prepared to part ways.
area came to church! Now most of these adults/children have never entered a church. They came in for the worship music at the beginning of service and then we all viewed a video from our week in the park. After that Miss Dixie led the children in two songs that she had worked with them on. For the second part of the service Centre Sunday morning was hectic and awesome all at once! At least 14 people from the Cable's WyndPointe had a special kids program in place and many of the parents went to it as well. I was disappointed to see 4 of the moms head out to smoke soon after the program started but I had to realize that it is going to take time for them to be comfortable there. Some of the kids were a handful but the mission team helped to keep them from being too disruptive. After church Centre Pointe reserved Pizza Hut so we had lunch with everyone and then said tearful good byes again! Many of the people from Cable's Wynd plan to return this Sunday so please continue to pray for them! I see in the eyes of these people changes taking place and I am so thankful for that! As I get pictures uploaded I plan to pull out a few special ones dear to my heart and tell you their stories. Centre Pointe plans to continue working in the Cable's Wynd community on several levels so continue to pray please!
Sunday afternoon we had free to do as we pleased. 4 of us decided to hike to the top of Calton Hill and the view was amazing! We spent the rest of the day walking around the city and packing for our trip home the next day.
This mission trip has had a profound effect on my life. I learned that I could do things I would never have thought I could do! I worked harder than I have ever worked and loved it! I grew much closer to Jesus as I saw Him working things out in that park right before my eyes! I would challenge anyone who has not been on a mission trip to "just do it!" Don't be afraid! Great things will happen in your life and in other peoples lives if you will just step out of your comfort zone. I am so thankful that I did!
