**Originally written on the plane home from the U.K.**
Well folks…I’m headed for America. I can’t believe my time in Scotland is finished. It has been such a blessing to be here and to be part of this community. I feel as though I’ve learned so much in such a short period of time. The Lord has definitely been doing some amazing things in my heart that I am just beginning to be able to define.
At the beginning of my thought process of coming back to Scotland, I had only planned to stay a month. However, as I was praying and working through the idea of returning, I really felt I needed to stay longer. So these last three weeks were the ones I’ve really been trying to glean all I could from the Lord, to understand His purposes in keeping me here in Scotland longer.
The first week of that three-week period was Create Change. As I’m sure you can remember from my last post, Create Change was incredible. I so enjoyed being able to connect with the young people in Paisley. So I guess I expected something epic over the last week and half, but as usual God’s plans are greater and thoughts are higher.
The past week and half has taught me more about what it means to be a servant than really any other experience in my life. But more than just what it means to be a servant, but also what it means to do all things onto the Lord and that when we love others serving them comes with joy not frustration or expectation.
Starting last Monday, most of the staff of Stanley has been away for one reason or another. There were really only two or three of us who were not part of the DTS at Stanley House. The DTS (Discipleship Training School) is in lecture or some other part of their training almost all day, everyday so they really were in need of someone to cook for them. So I got to spend a lot of time in kitchen.
It was wonderful. Being on the meal plan the last four years of college, I never had much time to cook, so it was amazing to get to learn so much. I also have never baked so many things from scratch in my life from cookies, to bread, to muffins, etc.
I really have come to love the DTS students, and I discovered there really is so much joy that comes from serving those you love. It also gave me a lot of time with the Lord to process and to work through the things He’s been placing in me.
One of those things is the Lord’s heart for community. I believe the Lord really delights in communities like the one at Stanley House.
It may seem kind of crazy that over twenty people single, married, or married with families can all live together in harmony in one house, but I’ve seen it happen first hand, and it’s beautiful. It’s amazing to see the way that people who have incredibly different backgrounds and seemingly little in common besides their love for Jesus could grow so close and work together so seamlessly. Of course, there can be moments of strain or misunderstanding, but the grace and forgiveness so quickly extended was amazing to bear witness to. I truly believe Jesus wants us all to live in such community. Obviously, for many it will look very different but praying, eating, sharing, and just being with one another is so important and so critical to our journey with the Lord.
Another thing I believe the Lord has begun to plant within me is a deep love for those that are struggling, poor, or unloved. I got a chance to go to another drop-in like Tea and Toast last Tuesday at the Episcopal Church in Paisley. Sitting there talking with these people whose lives and struggles were so different from my own—I felt so alive.
This drop-in served lunch, and there was something really significant about sharing lunch with them. I met an older gentleman named John. He probably is one of coolest guys I’ve ever met. He’s an ex-mathematics (he told me he didn’t like when Americans shortened it to math) professor/ blues rocker. John also is a history buff who proceeded to give me an amazing American history lesson. I was slightly embarrassed; I only knew half the things he was talking about. John then showed the blues scale on the guitar, and we had a chance to talk about music together. We talked about Ray Charles, B.B. King, Elvis, and Chuck Berry. It is definitely one the best memories that I have from my time in Scotland.
That morning I also met a girl name Clare. She was 18 but had been homeless since she was sixteen. She had been living in a group home but was being kicked out. She was really upset about it all and was very worried about where she was going to stay. Fortunately, some of the other volunteers had some connections in Paisley and were going to try and help her get into a different home. One of the guys and I got to pray for her. Clare told us afterward that no one had ever prayed for her before. I got a chance to talk to her about how much the Lord loved her and that even though she couldn’t see at the moment He truly did have something great for her planned.
Danny was also at the drop-in. I didn’t get to talk to him too much, but he’s doing well. The Lord is moving in his life. It was neat to get to see him talking to other guys about his struggle with addiction and that the Lord was going to help him overcome that addiction.
I went to Tea and Toast for the last time on Monday. Danny had left early so I didn’t get a chance to say good-bye to him, but I did get a chance to talk to Pastor Wesley again. It was sad to say good-bye. I have so enjoyed going and being apart of their Monday mornings. I really felt like I was building relationships with some of the people and it’s difficult when those are forced to a premature end. But it is encouraging to know that there are others who will continue to build relationships with those people and that the Lord will continue to work through those relationships too.
Last Saturday, I also got a chance to go on a hike with the DTS students up Cobbler Hill. It was so great. I have loved being able to go on so many walks and hikes while I have been in Scotland. It is such a beautiful country and really the only way to see it is on foot. Some friends and I decided to go up the shorter way, which also makes you climb straight up the mountain over lots of rocks. It was a pretty intense climb to the top, but the view from the top was worth it.
Seven weeks was amazing, but definitely not long enough. Scotland has become like a second-home to me, and I know I won’t be able stay away from Paisley for too long. I am praying about doing a DTS in Scotland. My interest in a DTS comes not only from loving Paisley, but from a real respect for the things the DTS is doing and experiencing. They are going to spending the next two weeks on outreach in Paisley. I would love to be able to spend six months learning more about the Lord and being able to use that time to really seek the future He has for me. I really want to seek and know what the Lord has planned for my life.
After living in Paisley for the summer and working as missionary, it really is a life I could see myself living. Doing missions is definitely the type of life I could see myself doing long term. I feel like my heart continues to grow and expand for the UK and specifically Scotland. The more I meet people here and live here, the more it just seems to fit. In a broader sense, I really love and respect YWAM (Youth with a Mission) and what it stands for. I want to be apart of the YWAM family so that no matter where the Lord sends me, I would have family there as well.
Thank you so much to those who have supported, prayed, and been with me along this journey this summer. It has been amazing, encouraging, and life changing. I know that the Lord has good plans and that if I continue to seek Him, He will guide me on the path He has for me. So for now, I am signing off and hopefully one day soon, I will be able to use this blog again.
I move to Augusta in a week. I am excited about these next nine months and all that I will learn during my internship. I have really enjoyed keeping a blog this summer so who knows…there maybe an Augusta blog in the near future. Thanks again for reading!
Blessings,
Tricia