Old Friends and New Ones

So, today is the completion of the first week we are in Scotland. The project that we are working on at Lodging House Mission is almost complete. I think that they thought we were of the lazier breed of Americans, but we are getting it done way before schedule. They have some other things for us to do there, but we should be able to knock those out with no problem.



So, the heading...Well, since we are running a bit ahead of schedule, we figured that we could not go into LHM today, but rather take some time and seek out new avenues for ministry. Sam is going to LHM to have breakfast with some of the friends he's made there, Paul is looking into swing dancing, Nate is trying to find out about the bike culture, and Heidi is going with our friend Lynsey to a children's summer program. Since I (Josh) was the only one here last summer, I made contacts that were in my interest field. But the great thing about the team is that there are so many varied interests. The hope is to further build relationships in Glasgow that would allow us to have a continued ministry here on future trips. Praise God for that.

Today I am also looking into disclosure forms. To be able to work with vulnerable people in Scotland (homeless and youth), you need to complete a background check. Unfortunately, not being UK citizens means that we have no backgrounds. Therefore, we are not supposed to have any contact with vulnerable peoples. We've been able to skirt that a bit, but I am trying to figure out for future trips how we might be able to do that well.

Cheers!

Bowling, On Grass

Today our friends Lindsay, Jenn and Lola took us bowling down at the local bowling green. Here in Scotland, one of the rainiest places this side of the Amazon, they decided that it would be better to bowl outdoors. No wonder the Scotts are a hearty people. The other odd thing about Scottish bowling is that the balls are weighted, but only on one side. This is so that however bad you are at rolling the ball down the green, you can always have something to blame it on. Also, there are no pins in Scottish bowling, just a small white cue ball that you have to try to get close to. At least there is no fear of getting foot fungus, though, because you dont have to rent out shoes. We all met up at approximately five o'clock, and qickly, through the use of rocks, papers and scissors, paired off into teams. Bowling at this particular green was free, and the groundskeeper not only had bowling balls, but tennis racquets and croquet things as well. The top picture was taken by Heidi, who ran out onto the green and had to lay down in front of the balls to get the angle she wanted. I (Paul) am on the far left. Next to me is Ben, who was my team-mate, Lola, Josh, Nate, Jen, Lindsay, Jenna and Sam. The bottom photo shows Sam, demonstrating his flawless technique to a number of admiring young ladies. Watch out though, ladies, he's taken.

Flea Market Exploits

On Sunday we split into two groups for church. Nate, Josh, and Ben went to a church called St. Georges of Scotland-at Tron. Heidi, Jenna, Paul, and I (Sam) went to a newer style church (for Scotland) called Destiny Church. They were holding it back in the center of the city where they had started the church 3 years earlier. It was an ok church. The worship appeared to be what I have seen several times back in the states when churches try to appeal to a hipper crowd. The band all had "hipster" styling of clothes and style. They played there own music and we were informed that they are putting out a cd internationally this July. Kind of strange but they have an obvious love of Jesus. The preaching was ok if not completely biblically sound (we wouldn't call it heresy but we felt he was reaching conclusions that weren't able to be supported completely with scripture). Overall the feeling was one of several churches which I have been to in the states. Their mission statement was to grow a big church as a little church, meaning that they want to reach as many people as possible while still focusing on the individual with personal relationships. sounds hard but God speed to them.

As Paul wrote in an earlier blog Stevie took us to an alley style flea market where I (sam) purchased a bicycle. Today we all went and Heidi, Paul, and Nate also purchased bicycles. They aren't the best but they were cheap have character and will last the month...hopefully. The bikes remind me of the team. We are not completely useful but we work and we are trying...and hopefully we last the month as well. In any event it is great to see the side of the city that Scum is used to dealing with. I hope we get to have more adventures like this on this trip.

"Can you dive into a plants?"

Finding his foot placement with Hykim, Paul is about to dive into the wild world of plant making. At Mosaic there are many different opportunities to invovle the community with the church. This event is a planting event where all botony lovers came togeather, wheather big or small and got their hands in the rich Scotland soil that looked as dark as a night sky. Everyone was able to go home with food in their bellies and flowers or potted seeds in their hands, with hope for growth.



Within Glasgow the many of the underprivilaged and second looked population are the Indian and Pakistani race. Discouraging glances are often seen on the bus or toward this population. Helping with Mosaic has helped reach out to the Lords children that are left out. At the end of the event a small devotional was shared for all to listen: " if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we will be able to move mountains." It is encouraging to see the desire for faith for all that are searching for their place in the spirtual world. Planting seeds here at this event was just one of the Lord's seeds that He wil be able to use for His Glory.

FORK!

This morning Wes and Stewart from Mosaic Church came over to the flat to meet us. Mosaic doesn't offer a traditional church service this weekend. Instead they encourage their members to participate in something Wes calls "missional living" - basically just worshipping God through service. So while Nate, Ben, and Paul helped host a gardening seminar across town, Jenna, Sam and I joined Stewart and became Friends of the River Kelvin. We walk by the Kelvin every day, but this morning we bonded with the river by cleaning up litter with some locals. Jenna perfected her muddy butt slide down the bank, Sam found a car in the water, and I won a new umbrella. All became familiar with Scottish stinging nettle as well. Don't scratch, it only makes it worse!

This is a picture of Fatal (Fat Al), Stevie, me, Andy, Collin, Heidi and Sam sitting in the lunch room during the lunch break. All the old fellas were almost entirely impossible to understand, except for Stevie. He is the one who dubbed Al, "Fatal". He was one of the first people at lodging house that we were all able to really connect with. His sense of humour is endlessly funny and uniquely Scottish. Soon after this picture was taken, he took Sam, Nate and myself to a back alley flea market to look for cheap bikes. On the way, he showed us where a building had collapsed due to a fire the day before, and told us stories about the seedier side of Glasgow. He is definitely someone who we look forward to seeing whenever we go to Lodging House Mission. He is a great example of how we have been welcomed in Scotland. Everybody has been eager to show us around and help us with whatever we might need. Even though I dont understand what they are saying half of the time, I have enjoyed talking to and getting to know the people of Scotland.

This is a picture of nate and myself choreographing a dance routine on stationary bicycles. Because the weather is so rainy, we cant dance on real bikes outside. Plus, they drive on the other side of the road, so we would probably get hit by cars if we tried. Out here in Scotland, you have to go to great lengths to entertain the homeless. Because Glasgow is so cosmopolitan, even the homeless have seen everything. Sock puppets and flannel graphs dont have nearly the effect that they would on American non-christians. Oh well, anything to spread the love of Jesus.