Well you may recall that I mentioned a few weeks ago that the Bogle Band had started gigging again after having a few years off,or as they say in the business “resting”.

Well here is a short video of the trip we made “doon the watter” and the music in the background is the Bogle Band playing the song “Brave Hearts” live. If you like what your hearing you can hear us playing again this Saturday at St Andrew’s Bo’ness. We’re playing at the “There Must Be More Festival” There’s a barbecue in the church garden at 6.30pm and the concerts starts at 7.30 in the church.

We’re also delighted that Vangel will be performimg with us. The whole weekend Festival is trying to encourage more people to think outside the box and discover their potential. On Friday Night a number of young peole who were in India visiting our partners there will be giving their feedback on their trip. I think its going to be a great night. On Sunday I’m looking forward to having a joint Praise Band, made up between St Andrew’s and the Apostolics in Bo’ness leading us in a gread night of praise and worship. So if you want something more than you’ve got ! See you Sunday Night.

Meanwhile pray for an old rocker who seems to be turning a bit folky with age, pray that he’ll remember his words on Saturday or have good inspiration to write better words.

I came across a fellow blogger while on holiday in Orkney. Andrew Jones is quite a well known writer especially on the topic of the Emerging Church . He was telling me that he set Jonny Baker up with his first blog

Anyway I looked up the Skinny Kiwi and found he was writing this week about an article that appeared in the Washington Post about churches in America rethinking their short term mission projects. One church spent over $30,000 in airfares to build a $2,000 dollar house. No doubt the economics need to be looked at, but what was missing from all of these American programmes was the recognition that the mission is not just the house building but it is the journey and the mix of people who go on the journey. The journey itself is mission. We always need to allow space fro the seeker and the doubter to journey with us on mission.

However used in the right way, going on a short mission trip can change the outlook and purpose of many a person. When it comes to the Vine Trust just think how many people who started out on the journey to Peru with no faith are now discovering that God can be encountered in the face of the poor. Just think how the work party trips to Peru has influenced someone like Erica. Today she and Lorna ( Known in the blogging community as Soultouch ), are in the forefront of the new missionary movement. Using technology to help bring about change by allowing ordinary people to have a voice.

I think it is really exciting when we begin to think what we have achieved to date. However there is a much bigger prize awaiting those who are prepared to think “out of the box ” when it comes to engaging with the Spirit of God. Have a look at our present worldwithoutwalls web page its only the beginning but already we have over 130 movies up with around 30 partnerships all telling their stories. Before the end of the year I hope that we will be engaged in a couple of projects that will take WWW to another level. And you know what when something is missing you go looking for it. You don’t give up. So ell me what do you think ? What’s missing from short term mission?

Its hard not to be reminded of the imprint past generations have left on the earth, when visiting Orkney. The islands are full of ancient historical sites. Today we visited the Rings of Brodgar. Here is an ancient place where men and women in the ancient mists of time sought to find God. This reaching out to God shows a humility and an intelligence that somehow has by passed many in our self absorbed world. We have now progressed so far that we are even more moral than God. Well, I sometimes feel that, when I hear some of the “politically correct speak” that comes from all kinds of sources in our society. We have grown out of the humility that stands in awe of the God of Creation. The prevailing view in the Western World today is, we have the right, the power, and the moral understanding to create our own world, and make our own moral laws. I often wonder what the outcome will be for future generations.

What will be the marks that we will leave behind, and how will these impact on future lives? Since so much of what we produce is ephemeral what will we leave that is lasting and good ? When it comes to media will they have the computers to read what we write? What will be the lasting legacy? Will it be huge coffins filled with nuclear waste? Will it be a world devoid of rain forests?

Here in Orkney we can see some of the marks that Neolithic man has left. Stones still standing reminding us of their search for God. Yet today archeologists are still discovering more and more about these very sophisticated people. As I walked around the site at Skara Brae and also Broch of Gurness, I was reminded of what I’ve seen in the past when visiting Machu Picchu.

I know the buildings are not exactly the same but there is something that echoes a similarity, at least in my mind.The Inca people centuries later were still trying to find a connection with God through stones and the sun. However it is also a reminder to us that we too are leaving a mark as we pass through this amazing world. Have a look at some of the pictures that I’ve left on the gallery this evening for those of you who have time to view them. GALLERY

I’ve spent the last few days in Orkney. Its quite a place, amazing sea views. There is nothing quite like a walk along the cliffs. Orkney has a wonderful shoreline. As you walk you become aware of the amazing power of the sea. It is this sea power that can change a coastline.

We visited a place called Skarabrae. It is on the southern shore of the Bay o’ Skaill, in the West Mainland parish of Sandwick. It is here that the Neolithic village of Skara Brae was discovered in the mid 19th century. Today, it is one of Orkney’s most-visited ancient sites. It was certainly busy when we viewed it yesterday. I believe it has achieved world heritage status. It is truly worth visiting

In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney. The notorious Orkney winds and extremely high tides stripped the grass from a large mound known then as Skerrabra.

What was revealed was in fact the outline of a number of stone buildings. The discovery intrigued the local laird, William Watt of Skaill, so he embarked on an excavation of the site. The Lairds house is close by and today you can visit the house and wander around the rooms. Its a facinating place that was built in the 17th century as a home for Bishop Graham.

Anyway back to the story. By 1868, after the remains of four ancient houses had been unearthed, work at Skerrabra was abandoned until 1925, when another storm damaged some of the previously-excavated structures. A sea-wall was built to preserve these remains, but during the construction work more ancient structures were discovered. Today it is well and truly secured and worth a visit. Makes you think though. Here is a civilization that dates before Abraham its over 5000 years old. As you ask questions you find they too were looking for answers seeking after God. Anway I hope you enjoy the pictures. They’re meant to get you to think - to begin to put life into a proper perspective. People have been before us and will be after us. We too have to make our contribution. Looking out from where we are

Let me tell you about my day yesterday. We were up bright and early because we had a lot of things that we wanted the group to experience.

Peru is certainly a land of contrasts. The previous morning we had all witnessed the majestic splendour of the high snow-capped mountain known as Hauscran as we flew back from Hauraz in the small plane.

Today we travelled to Peurto Belen and witnessed what must be one of the saddest places on earth. What a contrast between the beauty of natural world and the sheer ugliness of a contaminated environment. I’ve been trying to work out which is the worst: the sheer hell of living in a place like the Atacama desert where over a million people try to scratch out a living on the parched dusty dry land where there is very little water and work is scarce; or to live in Belen surrounded by contaminated water that is dangerous to drink.

For me it’s an academic question.For the people living in these places there is no choice, it is equally academic. However it impinges on their dignity as a human being. Surely in this world no one should live like this? Yet millions who live in the world’s shanty towns do.

Clean water is a major factor in bringing about a changed environment in both these places. It is important that we as a Trust don’t forget about the underlying causes of much of the poverty and disease.

We made our way to the medical centre in Belen erected by a generous donation from Lloyds TSB Foundation Scotland. Here in this clinic up to 40 or 50 people are treated daily. The centre seeks to work on close harmony with the other two governor sponsored clinics.

Belen is a shanty town built on the sewer that flows out of the city of Iquitos. It has two parts to it Upper Belen and Lower Belen. Our clinic is in the heart of lower Belen. At this time of the year the water rises in the lower part of the settlement. The people move around on little dugout canoes. It all looks very picturesque until you look closer and realise the water all around the houses is untreated sewage. About 66,000 people live in this community 26,000 of them are children. The death rate is high. You don’t see many older people, life expectancy is not very high.

It is from this shanty town built on a sewer that Union Biblica in partnership with the Vine Trust run a free health care service seeking to help over 100,000 people in this part of Amazonia.

Today as we visit there is a medical team from various parts of the UK who have arrived to help augment the work that is being pioneered by a group of dedicated Peruvian medics. This team under the leadership of Vanessa Bone (a Peruvian who is married to Martin Bone who hails from the UK) is seeking to develop realistic strategies to help improve the health of those who live in this area.

After visiting the centre it was back on the canoes again and we headed to the market to get an opportunity to see how many earn a living. Have a look at these pictures. The woman making the turtle soup was using the shell of the turtle as the pot to boil the soup. Another woman was eating a bowl of soup with the claw of the turtle on the plate to add flavour — I think!

I took this picture of the policeman who escorted us through the market. I guess he was seeking to do a bit of crime prevention. It was on to the bus for a visit to the Casa los Tigres. This is a centre which seeks to feed and educate children and thus prevent them from being put on the streets by a mother. We heard a few stories which I will relate on the blog over the next few weeks.

From the Casa Los Tigres we headed off to pick up a wooden thatched boat go make our journey to Puerto Allegria to meet up with the 30 children who have now made this jungle oasis home.

Once again take note of the contrasts. Here in this peaceful settle 30 little boys have been given a shelter a home and parents to look after them.

As I come to the end of this my sixth trip to Peru I am amazed at the work that has been accomplished. There is still much more to be done but what has been achieved acts as an incentive to us all that we can achieve even greater things if we continue to live and grow in the Vine.

Finally we arrived in Iquitos tonight. Here we are in the Jungle after an eventful day of flying. Huascran is the highest mountain in the Peruvian Andes and earlier this morning I was able to take this picture from the small twin engine air craft flying at 26,000 feet.

It is absolutely breath taking. The psalmist was right when be said, the heavens declare the glory of the Lord

Reflecting on the visit to Kusi it is such a contrast to the heat of the jungle. A number of the party felt the results of the high altitude,but on returning to sea level they all seem to be on the mend.

Today was one of those travel days. When we arrived back from Kusi it was around 11.15am we had to wait around the airport for the flight to Iquitos which was not due to leave until 4.15pm.

This was an interesting flight we encountered turbulence which was a bit scary. But hey  we’ve survived to tell the story. The  guy sitting next to me started to make the sign of the cross the woman sitting next to Paul Clark started popping pills. She told him she was on a short visit to Iquitos but she had decided to make Iquitos her home. She said she’d never go up in a plane ever again. I think it was the scarest moment of my flying experience

This evening I was nearly robbed but for my quick thinking and speedy hand. A wee lad in blue jumper banged into Willie and then into me. I knew what he was up to I grabbed him and took my wallet our of his hand. An instant slower and he’d have been away.   I think he was absolutely shocked that I got it back. It is absolutely right what they  tell you about the street. You’ve got to keep your wits about you in the jungle. Stephen I{m sure you´d have been proud of me. Not so old as you may think.  Tomorrow will be an interesting experience as we move on to the river boats.

Today was a very special day in the life of Cupar Old Parish Church. Left, is their minister Ken Jeffrey opening up the latest Girasoles home in Ica Peru.

People say to me "why do you go to Peru, would you not be better just giving the money?". My reply to that question is that it is important that people go in order to encounter the injustice and the poverty. It is often only from such encounters that people are moved to do something. As you know the main reason for this blog is to encourage all who read to make a difference in the world. Just take a look at the grinding poverty that we encountered yesterday. Whether caused by natural disaster or not there are places in this country of Peru where sadness pervades the atmophere. The settlement we visited to hand out water was one such place. You get the feeling that the people here are trapped. You can’t help thinking, what is their future? As we continued to give out water in this desert place we passed a cemetery. Here was a stark reminder to us that people live and die in this desert without perhaps moving a few miles from where they were born.

Today at the opening of the home it was fantastic it proved beyond a doubt that individuals can make a difference. Ken Jeffery and the people in his church could have legitimately said they had too much on their plate, as they prepared to build a new extention. Instead they gifted one hundred thousand pounds to build a home for abandoned boys. Today saw the fruition of the vision begin to impact on street children. Some of these of had been orphaned by the August 2008 earthquake and the tsunami that followed.

However what really touched me was the performance of the Girasoles. Have a look at the picture below. The Girasoles for those who don’t know means Sunflowers. To be called a sunflower is an open compliment. The boys are delighted to have such a name.

Of course the exciting thing is that these children some of whom had no bed to go to now not only have a bed but also a loving family of which to be part.

Its Saturday afternoon and the trip to India has to take a back seat for the moment as I catch up with all the various stands of parish life. However the picture that I’ve posted is a constant reminder of the reason why we get involved with this overseas work. We live in a world of plenty and the majority of the people in the world live off less than a dollar a day. Street children don’t just exist in Peru, they are found all over, in all the major cities in the world. Here are two young barefooted children doing a bit of window shopping in Chennai, their having a look at the trainers. If corse the whole thing is shocking when we realise that literally thousands of children all over the world are being used in `”sweatshop factories to produce these fashion items for the west. Have a look at this web page nothing changes and nothing seems to get done even by the people who have the slogan “Just do it! click here Here is a video that is designed to make us all think about the brands we buy

The phone rang earlier this morning and my sister tells me she is running a fundraiser in her home for india next Friday. She’s actually quite incredible. Over the past few years she has literally raised thousands of pounds for charity from her home. She is such an example to us all, you don’t need a big house, you need a big heart. Tonight Martha and I are off to the Gospel Mission in Falkirk to talk about the work of the Vine Trust. It will be like old times. I believe we’ve even got a Branches stall. When we first started the Trust over 20 years ago we used to go on deputation work and it was always a worthwhile effort. These days somehow time limits the number of speaking engagements that can be taken on. Thankfully though the trust has a few people now trained up in this area.

It’s just turned 1.00pm and in the next 30 minutes Willie and I will be heading for the Airport. Thanks for the info James about the flights. We’ve been told that the Air France flight took off this morning a couple of hours late, however it won’t effect us because I believe the strike is now over. The city links seemingly have not been affected. So we should arrive home as planned.

I was so good to receive your comments over the past week and I felt that many of you were uplifting us in your prayers and for this I’m truly thankful. I’m also glad that Lorna and Erica’s parents got so much out of the live link between Bo’ness and Chennai. I’m just amazed at the two girls they have great determination and their faith has been growing fast during their world without walls travels.

Let me tell you something really quite interesting. Those of you who read the blog regularly will notice a few posts ago I mentioned Arthur Blessitt. Well just for shear fun I googled his e-mail and sent off a greeting to him. Lo and behold a reply came back. Guess what he too is coming to India. The only difference is as I fly out he is flying in. So we won’t meet. However, I’ve asked Raj to make contact. You never know what devine appointments God sets iTalker up to arrange. I’ll keep you posted. If Raj is reading the blog he might keep us all posted.

Tomorrow if I have time I write a bit about a fantastic project we visited this afternoon. It is a project seeking to rescue young girls from the sex trafficing trade. It is a poast well worth reading. There is alkso anoter posting which will be coming up about a visit we made to the tribal areas, and I’ll be introducing you to a tribe that still seem to live in the prehistoric age. So keep your eyes peeled for the next few posting.

Its the Monsoon season. Today the place looks like a miserable rainy Glasgow Sunday at the Barras. I woke up this morning no feeling too good. I think the Chinese I had last night didn’t agree with me. Captain Thacker arrived on time at 7.30am to take us to Mount Zion Church. This is the church that John attends. Some of you will remember meeting John when he visited us for the World Without Walls training programme last year. The roads where unpassable so we had to wait a couple of hours before attemptingthe journey. It was good to see Pastor Sabastian again and to take part in the service. However I wasn’t feeling up to te mark and we returned to the YWCA instread of continuing on to vist the leprosy Colony. The rest of the day I’ve spent sleeping and getting ready for the trip back home. I ust confessd I enjoyed listening to the new Radiohead album this afternoon. I also download some pictures which you might find interesting. Here  are so  pictures of uor trip to the Moonar, this region is quite spectacular.