-Day 5-
Our morning started out with breakfast at the hotel, and then off to our first school visit - Knightswood Primary! All of our kids were dressed in their khaki pants and black 412 Praise shirts - so we could easily spot them amongst the other children at the school! Some of the children were waiting for us in the Assembly Hall when we drove up to the school- smiling, anxious faces! Sooo cute! Our youth were excited to start the day and their interaction with the children!
Our youth were split into 6 groups and they went into various classrooms to meet with the Primary students. Three groups shared for 30 minutes while the rest of us set up the Assembly Hall for the concert. Then the groups transitioned and so on and so on...
While in the classrooms our youth shared about themselves and then allowed for a question-answer time. And then the games began.....craziness and fun!!!! We played "Drop the Handkerchief" and "Duck, Duck, Goose" and sang "Wheels on the Bus" and "If You're Happy and You Know It" - a great time was had by all!!!
Being a teacher myself, I was able to visit with a few of the staff and share about my experiences in the education field and told them that I could relate about having special guests in the school and the heightened state of energy! But they were happy to have a little "break" and let us share with their students!
The lunch was provided by the staff of the school and they served us "buffet/pot-luck" style in a couple of the classrooms and the teachers lounge! You can not believe the amount of food that was on those tables! And such interesting choices! I have tried so many new things - and you will be happy to know that your kids are trying new things as well! Just be ready to be asked to look up recipes for "Millionaire's Shortbread" and "Caribbean Chicken" and one of my favs - yummy - shortbread! We are so thankful for the teachers and staff of Knightswood Primary for sacrificing their time and preparing our lunch - it was greatly appreciated and soooo delicious!
Our concert at the school took place right after lunch and they packed about 500 kids in the Assembly Hall to participate! Our youth performed beautifully and the student/teacher audience was very receptive!
We continued our classroom visits in the afternoon and then we went back to the hotel for a quick change into our formals! Now by this time you would think that we would have had enough to eat, but we set off for Yoker Evangelical Church for dinner! Wow! The church members provided us with a spread like you would not believe!!!
We had lasagna and pizza, all sorts of interesting salads and breads and desserts...ooooo....the desserts! I had a "tablet" tonight for my dessert - let me explain...it's pretty much sugar and butter formed into a little cube or "tablet" - yummers! It just melts in your mouth and "sticks to the thighs!" Ugh!
The dinner was LOVELY (my new Scotland word!) We just thank the ladies (and gents) of Yoker Evangelical sooo much for their sacrifice of time and energy in preparation of a wonderful meal!
Off to the evening concert! After we filled our bellies - we spent some time on the bus in preparation for our evening concert - our opportunity to share with the students of Knightswood Primary and their community! Our prayer was for open hearts in the audience and that we would share the love we have for the Lord in the words we sang, the smiles on our faces and in our worship! I am so proud of the HONEST worship that these youth lay out on the stage when they sing these songs! Wow! You would be so proud of the way that they sound but more so in the expressions and the genuine heart they have for the Lord and for His people! What an evening! Thank you Pastor Guss for sharing this evening - "we all have a God shaped hole, a void, that only He can fill!" What a great message for a lost world!
The evening ended with "tear down" - everyone pitched in and we took down the stage, instruments, screen, projector, risers, etc. in what just might be...record time - a whopping 30 minutes! Unbelievable! Thank you Lord! A 20 minute bus ride home and off to bed!!!
This day was a wonderful introduction to our school projects! We look forward to the next four days as we will continue to minister to the students and community here in Glasgow, Scotland!
We ask for prayers for continued health and safety and energy! I think the youth realized just how tiring this week is going to be! They expend a BUNCH of energy in the classrooms with the students - sharing and loving on them! But the Lord is sooo good and faithful - I know He will provide all that we need!
In His Love - "from way across the pond" -
Jenny Blue-Sorey
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HANNAH!!! wow i really hope its your birthday cause if not this is really awkward. and im not sure if youll get this on your birthday or just right after it but ohwell. hello everyone too. ive been praying for all of yall every night and praying that God would bless your time in scotland. and by reading your posts and blog i can tell that he is blessing you and he is blessing everyone that gets to meet you. may he also continue to do so.
~Rebekah Egle
P.S. we had to find a McDonalds with wi-fi, and then buy internet service to send this. :)
GOD BLESS
hello friends! i hope ur having a good time, from ur posts it sounds like u r. i have been praying for u all. sounds like God is being glorified in all that ur doing. i miss u all see u soon.
love rachel egle
Wow - what a great day! It seems like you all not only got fed physically, but YOU fed others spiritually! That's so great, everyone! Please know that we pray for you daily and cannot wait to hear about tomorrow's ministry opportunity.
Blessings,
Kellye Gautier
PS: Natalie, you straightened your hair! We love you, punkin, and Timothy says he's missing you LOTS!
WOW what a exciting day! Sharing the love of Jesus Christ, you all keep it up we are so proud. Laynette Riley P.S.we miss you and love you Raven,mom&dad
So awesome that you all got to worship, play games, etc with the young ones. You know even game playing time can make a large impact on that child's life and win them to Christ one day. I am sure we all have a special person we remember that has impacted our life by a simple act of kindness they had shown, maybe a caring word, or possibly just a sweet smile. Another verse I cherish is from Isiah Chap. 55 vs 11- "So shall My word that goes forth from my mouth, It shall NOT return to me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
He, the Holy One, has sent you all there to do his works and they are certainly being done!!! Have another great day tomorrow with the school kids!! God Bless each and everyone of you.
Each of you are experiencing so much at such a young age.. It is breathtaking to see the energy and involvement you each exude. It is truely amazing the encouragement and impression you lay on so many people...and you're our youth of today and leaders for tomorrow.. Thank You to each of you for the time and heart you have given for this mission.. Keep safe and God Bless.
Love You Miss Raven.. Stephanie, Joseph and Bailee Riley :0)
Happy Birthday, Hannah M! I and hope that you all have a wonderful time sharing the gospel with other people!
-Sarah Jordan Montgomery
P.S. Miss Anne and I are thinking about all the youth and adults in Scotland and praying for you guys!
My prayer for you today is from Psalms 105:1-2, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!
We love and miss you, Whitney! Mom and Dad
Gracie says "I really love you and I miss you and it is really hard to wait 5 more days for you to come home and I have a suprise for you when you get home" Love, Gracie
To all of you - SHOW UP BIG for Jesus Christ. Your video was amazing. Karen and I wish you many opportunities to share your faith in all you do. Darren & Karen Horton (03/24/2009)
Cara I hope you are feeling better and participating! I am so sorry you are sick! We have been praying for you, 412 Youth/adults and Scotland People experience with Jesus through all of you! We are so excited for you all! Love, In His Grip, Randy and Christy Cox
What an amazing group! May God continue to Bless and Keep you Safe throughout the rest of your journey! I am so proud of you Raven!
Scarlett McPherson
wow!!! WHAT A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. gOD IS AMAZING. I MISS MY CHURCH YOUTH FAMILY AND ESPECIALLY sTEPHANIE AND aARYN. nEVE BEEN THIS FAR AWAY FROM MY GIRLS FOR SO LONG AND IN OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WORLD. bUT, gOD IS EVERYWHERE AND I KNOW HE IS WITH US ALL. LET GO AND LET GOD!! wYLEY AND aUBREY
Hey Gang!Just wanted you to know that I am praying for each and every one of you! The videos are so amazing and people are calling daily to say what an amazing group you are! Keep doing all that you are for the Glory Of our Lord and Savior! Lauren we miss and love you soo much!You are such an amazing example to your family and friends. Sweet Pea your brothers are missing you like crazy and send their love with lots of hugs and kisses!
Lucy Ethel misses you!
Stay safe and i canoot wait for you all to get home. Brother Ken i am holding down the Fort like never before!!!
Blessings,
Tammy a.k.a. "Ethel"
Greetings from Carrollton, Texas! It goes without saying that we are praying for you. Have a great time praising the Lord with all your heart.
(Natalie Gautier's Papaw) aka J. Howard Reynolds
PS: Don't drink any Scotch!
Dear Missionaries:
You are doing a great job at telling people about Jesus, and I think almost everyone will ask Jesus into their hearts.
Timothy Gautier (Natalie's little Brother)
PS: Natalie, I love you!
Students,
Hey everyone - this is going to sound somewhat odd, but it took me a while to figure out how to post a stinking comment. Then finally i read the "Post a comment" thing at the bottom, and i realized that i am a significantly large dufus. WOW, and here i am taking my first Doctoral class. ANyway, i am was happy to see that everything is going well with all of you. It looks like you all are having a great time, but more importantly connecting with other people there and demonstrating the love of Christ through your lives. I am so proud of all you and i hope that today you are strengthend and encouraged knowing that there are many praying for all of you.
I knew it wouldn't take long for you all to start breaking it down scottish style. I know you all might be baptist, but i know you're not afraid to let loose and bust a jig. I loved the pic of josh and the old lady, and i know jenny sorey wasn't holding back - and loved the pics of the asbils.
Thanks to Dave, Chad, and Ken for taking the pics and shooting video so that we all can keep up with you guys every day.
Last Sunday in big church I did the welcome and told everyone that you all had eaten haggis. Everyone started laughing. We immediately prayed for you all after that - what made it even more interesting is that we sang "Behold the Lamb of God" afterwards. HA HA - just kidding. Anyway i miss all you guys, and constantly think of you and your work. Make the most of the rest of your week and continue to be intentional about sharing your personal stories of relationships with Christ. Maegan and I love you guys, and please somebody get a pic with a local playing bagpipes, perferrably not the one that Julie tried to get.
Hutch
Hello Again Everyone:
Such a blessing it is each day to read what's been going on with you all and look at all the pictures! You all continue to be, of course, in our thoughts and prayers daily. We are excited to be a part of such a wonderful trip. A special shout out to Dave and Chad (and of course, Jerry) for putting all the pics and videos out for us to enjoy! Dave - you'll be glad to know last Sunday went really well - PTL!
We are looking forward to seeing your tired and smiling faces Saturday night. It will be midnight for us, and 5 am for you! HA.
Special hugs for my Natalie from the entire family! See you soon sweetheart, and thanks for the phone call. So great to hear your voice!
Love,
Kellye Gautier
Dear Missionaries:
The Lord is using you to tell other people about Jesus Christ. Without Him, of course, this would not be possible. So I just thank the Lord for everything He's helped you with so far.
Keep doing a good job!
Love,
Timothy Gautier (Natalie's lil bro.)
PS: Hugs and kisses to Natalie. I miss you.