Scotland Update No. 2 - Wireless Is Back Up -- Stay Tuned!

We'll be updating the blog soon now that we have wireless working again and look for an update on live broadcasting as well for tonight's message.

Scotland Update No. 3 -- Beginning to Unlock Our Roar

I am happy to report that we have the wireless working at Lapwing Lodge. So I am going to try to catch you up what's been happening the last few days at camp. Things got started off well on Sunday night with Annie's opening talk on "What Is My Roar?" She explained that before we can figure out what our roars are, we have to understand what a roar is. We know that it comes from within; it takes work; it takes a willingness to open up; not everyone can do it; and it has a purpose! A roar is a proclamation. An announcement. It says "I am here!" "I have power!" "I have purpose!" "I have something to say that affects you!" Annie really set the stage for the rest of the week, and we're excited about what the Lord has in store for the students this week.

On Sunday night, we broke the students up into their small groups to play a scavenger hunt to get to know each other, the camp, and the American and Scottish camp staff. I took this shot at the Lapwing pond while I was waiting for the groups to cycle through during the scavenger hunt. The sun doesn't set here until almost 10:30 pm this time of year, which makes for some great shots at sunset.

On Monday morning, Matt challenged the students to live a life of boldness and then we began to explore what that means in our small groups. After lunch, we submitted the students to some tortuous games. The funniest one to me was the alka-seltzer/Sprite game where the students had to put a tab in their mouths and swig some Sprite and hold it in! The last one to blow -- so to speak -- wins! The array of "losing" players was priceless and hilarious. (Look for some great shots of that game in one of our upcoming picture posts.)

Yellow Team Leaders

Their mothers must be so proud.

Erin is the first to attempt to bridge the gap between the cheerleaders and the marching band!

Daniel is lucky that Lois wanted to win the game more than she wanted to dump that jug of water on his head!

The Blue team is focused!

The Yellow Team is giving the Blue Team all it can handle.

On Monday night, Annie's message ("Jesus + Peter") walked us through the life of Peter. The highs and lows. Most of all how his life roared! Even though he was not perfect by any means. At the end of the night, several students took the first step towards unlocking their roars by committing their lives to Christ while others asked for more passionate walks with the Lord.

To say the least, the Holy Spirit is present here, and the week is off to a great start! We are privileged to be taking part in this and so excited to see how the Lord moves the rest of the week.

Scotland Update No.1 -- No wireless access but we're doing well

we are here. but we have no wifi access at lapwing lodge so the updates are coming to you via my blackberry which for some reason won't capitalize anything. so bear with the e.e. cummings blog update!

all of our luggage and bins of supplies arrived safe and sound. we set up camp on friday and ventured to paisley to exchange money and take a look at the town once famous for its cotton mills and the paisley pattern of fabric.

after a good night's sleep on friday, we headed out early saturday morning for a boat trip on loch katrine in the trossachs region about an hour north of glasgow. the ride provided a great taste of scottish weather. half way up the loch was pleasant and we enjoyed the view from the upper deck. then the skies opened and we descended below deck shielded from the wind and rain. after we turned around the rain stopped again and we could return above deck. following a picnic lunch in the quaint town of callandar, we headed to the city centre of glasgow for some shopping along the "style mile."

after helping the local economy, we enjoyed a nice dinner at cafe salma - a favorite restaurant of our loyal driver harry pearson. a nice indian restaurant, half the team enjoyed fish n chips or pizza, while the other half went with real indian quisine.

after dinner, we returned to lapwing for a night of worship with the scottish team from potter's house in preparation for camp. the group heard a few good words on opening prison doors, freedom, and the students being burning embers of revival in their families, schools and nation.

this morning, we are wrapping up set-up, praying over the rooms and camp, and waiting for the students to arrive starting at 3:00 this afternoon.

please pray for annie downs who is our camp speaker this week. her first talk is tonight, and we'll be doing a scavenger hunt afterwards to help the students start to get to know each other. we have 37 students signed up, including 3 latecomers in the last couple of days it is our largest turn-out in the 5 years of camp.

with the wifi issues, we are not going to be able to broadcast camp. there is a chance the wifi will get fixed at some point in the week, so we'll keep you posted.

please share this post with those who may be interested but aren't on facebook or who don't have the blog link.

we have some pictures of our activities, but we'll have to provide those later -- wifi-permitting.

Our friends visit the US of A!

For about a year now, we have been anticipating the visit of four Scottish friends' visit to America! Last week Jordan, Angelica, Daniel & Marianne arrived in the Atlanta airport. They will be staying for a few weeks and returning to Scotland the day before our team leaves.

We have enjoyed their visit thus far and have loved the fact that their being here has brought together past team members :).

Here are some pictures of our adventures thus far:

Tubing in Helen, GA
Hiking up to Anna Ruby Falls: Elizabeth, Angelica & Jessica
Hunter, Daniel, Walker, Ian, Jordan, Angelica, Jessica, Laura & Elizabeth

Angelica & Jordan
After church at RiverStone, we walked around the Marietta Square. We posed in front of StoneBridge church in honor of Bill!

Our friendships in Scotland have proven to be deep and we are thankful the friendship extends beyond a week long camp.

Yard Sale!

Our Scotland mission team kicked off our first fundraiser event in late April with a church-wide yard sale. Our team decided to sell baked goods and offer facepainting. Nothing like a hot, long day to help team members bond and get to know each other better. Enjoy the pictures!

Our baked goods...and 1980s style sign.

Molly and Kayla meet a new friend!

Molly enjoying the sun.
Toree's facepainting skills are on display.

Bekah is amazed at Toree's mad skills!

Kayla shows that facepaint isn't just for kids.