 Bridges. I sat yesterday on the shore beneath the huge road and rail bridges that span the Firth of Forth. I marvelled at what these trusty bridges achieve daily in carrying many people across this huge wide impassable river. I thought about each of our lives and our part in helping carry people from one place to another. A big part of our lives in YWAM involves helping people get from a difficult place or an uncertain place to a more secure place – sometimes over seemingly impossible territory.
Hospitality. We are finding that part of our work here in the Borders involves hosting people who come to stay with us. We have recently had a steady stream of visitors and guests, with several more to come. We continue to meet more of our neighbours in this part of Scotland and we are excited at the opportunities for ministry.
 Celtic Way Training Course. One of the training courses run by YWAM in Scotland is the Celtic Way Discipleship Training School. A highlight of this course is the St Cuthbert's Way walk. This is a 62-mile (100 km) walk through attractive and highly varied countryside between the Scottish Borders town of Melrose and Lindisfarne (Holy Island) off the coast of Northumberland. The walk is named after a 7th century saint. Cuthbert was a native of the Borders who spent his life in the service of the church. This walk passes very close to our home and we are able to play host to the YWAM groups as they pass by. We provided a very welcome hot meal for the weary travellers and a much needed bed for an ailing member of the team. During the walk the students receive teaching about the history of Christianity in Scotland and are challenged by the sacrifices and Godly lifestyle of both Aidan and Cuthbert.
50th year of YWAM. This year we are giving thanks for the past 50 years of ywam. The occasion is being marked all over the world with thanksgiving gatherings, many of which are being attended by Loren & Darlene Cunningham, founders of ywam. YWAM’s motto remains “To Know God and make Him Known”. You can read more here: www.ywam50.com. Many of us will be attending the celebrations at Harpenden 19 th to 21 st September.
Frenzy. Frenzy is the UK's largest single day Christian music festival held in Edinburgh each year, with about 5000 people and some of the biggest names in Christian music! Since 2008, YWAM has helped organize volunteer work for the event, and this year we had about 35 volunteers to help with logistics like the running of the campsite and other practicalities.
New training courses. YWAM Seamill have this year pioneered two new courses. One is the School of the Word and Spirit – a six week course intended to blend the richness of the Scriptures with the dynamic of the Holy Spirit. This course is running right now and all the reports say that it is a great success. Earlier this year the first week long School of the Heart ran at Seamill. It has a focus on freedom and includes teaching on living in freedom, comfort for the hurting, choosing life, and the Father's love as the foundation. It is a joint project between ywam and another Scottish Christian organisation. A second one runs in November.
Shine is YWAM Scotland's annual Summer mission that gives teams and individuals from all over the world the chance to reach out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Shine makes a difference through dance, drama, evangelism, prayer, music, face painting or even balloon modelling! We look forward to all that Shine will involve this year in August.
Family. We are delighted at the arrival of little Theo born to Simon and Zoë on Simon’s birthday in May. Theo and Zoë are well and Josh is very glad to have a little brother to play with.
With our love and appreciation for your prayers and friendship.
|
