Soul Touch

New Blog

This is the moment we´ve all been waiting for. Soul Touch finally has a blog we can upload photos onto.

http://soultouch.blogspot.com

It has only taken us nine months to work it out but better late than never. We have another five months of work to do! Love you all and hope you enjoy following our journey as much as we love living it.

Erica and Lorna x

Bolivia

Thursday, March 13, 2008
Bolivia is Baltic
Just to let everyone know we´ve arrived in Bolivia safe and sound! Arriving in La Paz in the wee small hours of Monday morning the Soul Touchers huddled together for body heat. Our first port of call was a clothes shop…to buy warm jackets. Despite reports of political unrest we still managed to buy them for about $10 each so we´re on budget! Later we met the team in Oruro, where we will be working with our WWW partners who minister in the local University, Prison, Christain Union and drug rehabilitation centre. Our stop in Oruro was short but sweet. We enjoyed meeting the team over some pizza then after a short bus journey (only about 9 hours) we arrived in Sucre, where we will be staying for the next four weeks studying Spanish and getting involved with the activities of the CU here. Sucre is beautiful but baltic; it´s a home from home! We´ll be in touch! Erica and Lorna xxx

Posted by Soul Touch at 12:21 AM
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Leaving Brazil but staying connected

“You have to plan this strategically!” A precious pearl of advice given to us recently by our friend and in many ways mentor Pedro Bousoño. Despite what you may be thinking Pedro wasn’t talking about out trip nor planning our route from his home in Sao Paulo to our next destination, Bolivia, or even how we were getting to the airport. Pedro was simply referring to the buffet we were about to devour before we set off. Admittedly Strategic Planning is not a concept that either Lorna or I relish however, despite what many of you may think, it is something we do…from time to time.

OK so there is evidence to the contrary: a small matter of deportation (out of India) and an unfortunate incident with bleach have been the consequence of lack of planning and “strategic-mess” on our part. We acknowledge our weaknesses and recognise his strength (Thank you God) in those times. But lets (please give us the benefit of the doubt) consider the fourteen countries we have been to in the past nine months and the other seven we are in pursuit of in the days and months ahead. The reason I juxtapose our rather blonde moments with the latter is not so you acknowledge what we have done but so you might appreciate what he has accomplished despite of what we have not.

“Pedro is amazing! Pedro and Analiá are a wonderful couple. You will love Pedro and Analià, they are so committed to the church.” (I´m assuming we´re all on global by now.) These were just some of the comments made by their friends (and fans) at San Andrés, Argentina. Comments that in truth excited us to meet the legendary couple (I previously described them as “ordinary”; I’ve since learned they are ordinary legends!) but that also slightly intimidated us at the thought of sharing our vision with them, given their knowledge and experience in youth ministry.

Of course as we shared with them, exchanging stories of their involvement with youth, not only in Argentina but Brazil and Spain too; listening to their personal testimonies and answers to an interrogation into how they met, how many siblings they each have and how many children they are planning on having – never let it be said that the Soul Touchers are too personal – we discovered they were anything but intimidating. Rather they were hugely welcoming, wise and as everybody said completely and wonderfully committed to the Kingdom. And so in the space of a week these two ordinary legends connected us with people- thus making them legendary.

Hardly a prolific task you may think but one that is imperative in bettering our church and ushering in the Kingdom:

Connection (relationships and partnerships) is not union. Connection is better. Connection keeps differences and appreciates their value. Connection does not shrink distances but uses distance to counterbalance parochialism (parochial attitudes). Connection seeks complementary partnerships and long term support… Connection is the way to completion. What we gain from others will increase what we have. What we give to others will elevate who we are. What we do with other will increase our impact. But how we connect with others will complete us.
(Church Distributed, Dr Joel C. Hunter, 2007)
Not an entirely new way of thinking: appreciating difference, maintaining cultural sensitivity and recognising the necessity of each connector’s contribution in order to make the whole complete is what Paul taught. (1 Cor 12- The body) However, what Hunter seeks to remind us of in his book (thank you a million times Annette!) is not only the value of relationships but the necessity for them:

We are not just individual inventors of solutions anymore; the unpredictable benefit of our service together is the most important part of the solution to any world problem. It doesn’t just solve the problem; it prevents many new ones from arising because we have become interdependent.”
(Church Distributed, Dr Joel C. Hunter, 2007)
For those of you have been following our blog you may remember that a few weeks ago I quoted someone saying to me that I would never change the world. Isn’t it more exciting then to realise that I was never intended to but that we were.

For many the word “interdependence” or dependency of any sort is a frightening thought. This fear is not given from God. God gives us a spirit of confidence to depend on him (Prov 3:5) and of “timidity, power, of love and self discipline.” (2 Tim 1:7). Pride is something that is taught by the world, humility is something that is demanded of us by God: (James 4:6-10 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”… “Humble yourselves before God and he will lift you up.” Mathew 18: 4 “Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven”) As parts of the body we must humbly accept support from the other parts whilst recognising our responsibility to partner them in their need.

Before I set off on this trip I read: “It is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick. But go and learn what this means.” (Math 9: 12) I never imagined that in going I would discover it was referring to me; to us: parts of the body who have become wounded by years of tradition, conflict caused by denominational rivalry and bigotry. I’m painting a somewhat bleak picture I know- I intend to focus on the health we have within our church (Scotland and Europe) in due course. It is simply that this week and indeed in Argentina we have learned a great deal about the importance of humility in order to strengthen one another and to be able to depend on one another, as God intended us to.

We are so blessed that we come from a church (Scotland) that not only recognises the need to partner but also seeks opportunity to do so. We want you to know that your obedience to the call for connection and your excitement for partnership is shared by many and seen by God:

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others may be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much and he who gathered little did not have too little.”

Slowly but surely Lorna and I are learning, gaining a global perspective for what this means for the church (world wide). In each of the places we have visited there have been needs as well as identifiable areas we can see clearly where we can contribute, physically, financially and spiritually. We have also been blessed to see the abundant ways in which we can, and are, gaining spiritually. Last week we visited a small church in the centre of one of the many favelas (slums), which wash the banks of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Having walked the short distance (a hop skip and a jump) from Igreja Baptista Morumbi Church (a larger more affluent church where later we would be speak to one of the pastors and mission co-ordinates, Marcos Amado- an amazing man!) we were asked to share something with the small congregation. Trying to remain un-phased by the intense heat (despite having almost 2000 more congregants Igreja Baptista Morumbi Church is surprisingly cooler than the humble favela church.

Both however as equally as welcoming and connected in ways to numerous to recount!) and a woman who was noticeably very ill being prayed for in the corner, we talked. As we were talking, sharing a small presentation about our trip and leaving them with the message that we are all part of the same family (Eph 1:5) I got the stark impression that the twenty young (almost all of the congregation were under 25) people infront of me did not fully understand what I was saying. Reciting Corinthians 12 whilst flinging my arms and legs about, desperately trying to convey how important they really are to the kingdom and to us (the church worldwide) I could not help but think that they saw things slightly differently from me. Me, someone who comes from a house with a bathroom and one that is not shared with neighbours or the extended community. Someone who eats well (evidently) and has been educated (unfortunately not always as evident). Little did they know that the cry form my heart was that they would know their significance and that they would see how much God needs them.

And so I left slightly dissatisfied until I was reminded that God sees them. He sees their efforts and he knows their needs. What´s more he is planning the connections, not us. I was not at all surprised then some thirty minutes later (you do not want to know the details of the missing 30 minutes but rest assured it involved action songs!) to be sitting in a room with Marcos discussing the way Igreja Baptista Morumbi Church co-ordinates their missions programme, preparing (in every way possible this thing is like NASA!) missionaries before they are sent out onto the battlefield, sorry I mean mission-field. The programme definitely involved strategic planning. Needless to say Pedro and Marcos are friends.

The meeting made us thankful for so many things: the fact that there are people who actually enjoy planning and being strategic; to see there are people being prepared as we speak (well, as you read) to go out and meet some of the many needs we have seen and described over the past nine months (one of the things that can be quite daunting on this trip is the amount of work that needs to be done). We shared with Marcos how much we’d enjoyed meeting the youth group there, either through kind invitations to share at small house groups or because of the presentation we were able to give at their youth meeting on Saturday night (gatecrashing Saturday night youth meetings is becoming a habit the Soul Touchers love!). Our meetings with these young people, both in Brazil and at San Andrés in Argentina, has given us a glimpse of the many workers are getting ready for the harvest. At one of the small groups in Brazil the young people (16-28yrs so we’re officially youth!) shared their thoughts on the message about Faith and Deeds in James. ( James 2: 14- 26). (A bit more than a coincidence don’t you think, that they chose this particular passage on the day two random Scottish girls stopped in to share with them the needs we’ve witnessed over the past nine months.)

They, like the youth in Argentina and those we were blessed to meet in Australia and New Zealand surprisingly share the same compassion. Despite being oceans apart it would seem that God is stirring something in the hearts of all nations: a responsibility to respond. To rise up and to be the salt and light he requires us to be.

What excited us more than the missions programme and even the amazing response form the young people however were the names of friends that cropped up as we shared about our trip and the work of their church. People they know that we knew. Organisations involved that we two are connected with. Congregations from the other side of the world that we have met that they two have relationships with. We even joked that were we to draw a family tree with the churches being connected at this time no book or computer programme could contains it. And so although we have learned that strategic planning is essential, in some instances, to develop the standard of excellency required of us by God and expected of us by the world, there are some things we just cannot plan but despite our efforts, big or small, they will surely come to pass:

Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.
Habakkuk 1:5
We are truly amazed and blessed to see what we have seen and we want you to know how grateful we are that you (as parts of the church) are connecting with us.

Together we are Better
Love in abundance Erica x

Posted by Soul Touch at 11:17 PM
Thursday, March 6, 2008

Igreja Baptista Tastic

It’s 12.35pm, and I just woke up 30 mins ago. Erica has tied on her sprinting shoes for a bit of ´Soul Touch Body Workout’(full details on the workout DVD will be coming to you soon) but I have barely made it to the next room. Oi, suck back in the ¨LAZY!¨ you were just about to shout out and let me explain the reason why last night has made me turn today into a ‘duvet day’ and almost turned out to be another Hoddit and Doddit fiasco.

Are you sitting comfortably? Good, lets begin.

Yesterday started out well. It really did. Analiá, Pilar (Analiá’s cutest baba!) Erica and I made it to ­­­Igreja Baptista Morumbi Church and we were welcomed by our gorgeous translator of the day, Christina (nicknamed ‘Chrish’ ) who has the ringliest ringlets you have ever seen, no hair tongs needed, her hair is a natural masterpiece.
Ballet classes for kids from the local community was first on the agenda and we found ourselves in a room with 10 of the sweetest marshmallow dancing girls in town. Tempted to join in for a first time experience of ballet I held back in fear of the other girls showing me up. And the fact that their tutu might only fit around my ankle.

After an hour, of Swan Lake with 5 year olds, Erica and I pirouetted our way into a fine luncheon some other children were having, causing our usual chaos. We had a question and answer time for the children to see who these strange looking girls were. I would just like to say now a big ‘sorry’ for devastating a wee boy when admitting neither of us knew how to play the bagpipes. We rocked the little lunchtime club with the Flintstone´s rendition of ¨God´s love is the best love¨ and left the little bairn´s in peace.

In the afternoon we visted the ´Favela´s’ also known as the ‘Slums’. We were kindly invited to two families homes where we heard stories of how life is there; how children as young as eleven were used to smuggle drugs and how they fear for their children´s future.

As we manipulated our way around thousands of houses, constructed using carboard and steel, each boxed up one upon the other we filmed 21st century children writing on chalk and slate. What made the reality of what we were seeing much worse was that the children living there weren´t oblivious to what other people have; they live side by side with their neighbours. Sao Paulo is a city where the dividing line between luxury and poverty is literally made of the cardboard wall from the
side of the favela.

Making our way back home we were invited out by two stunnin’ chicas of Igreja for a very Sao Pauloinein night to the….Steak House! Yeah! We dug into a fine dish of ribs and fries, with our diet coke refill glasses in hand we chatted and exchanged thoughts on youth movements within our churches. We told stories of different missions that we all had been on and shared visions and desires that God had placed in our hearts. The night ended with a brownie ice creamy dessert thing, two kisses on the cheek and a farewell until Sunday!

Physically and emotionally exhausted by an amazing, yet challenging day Erica and I were ready for bed! I was all up for aeroplanin’ straight onto the mattress however there was a wee delay. Making it up to the 8th floor, Erica placed the key into the door and turned twice…the door wouldn`t open. After several attempts of doing exactly the same action I took over expecting to enter effortlessly. But nope the key was definately not opening the door! Not wanting to wake up Analiá or little baby Pilar, we went down to the security guards and asked if they could help us. So all of us ended up outside Analiá’s door. The security guard, equipped with tool kit managed to totally break the handle off the already distressed door, failing still to open it. Analiá had fallen into a deep sleep after an exhausting day with not only beautiful Pilár but the Soul Touchers too and so managed to sleep through phone calls to the house and persistent ringing of the flat bell! So in great Soul Touch style, Erica and I laughed at the fact that we were going to have to sleep in the lobby that night.

Hold on…..there is a happy ending! Analiá (finally) woke up and we were ecstatic to see her ready to take us to our comfy bed!

Oh yes… so you see, my ‘duvet day’ is well deserved.

It’s going to be another busy day tomorrow, so my duvet and I are going back to bed….Buenos noches!

Disco Ball Vision

¨God has a disco ball vision of the world!¨ A hilariously quirky and realistically profound statement made by Anette (Gulick) as we sat sharing té, eating torta and exchanging stories at she and Tim´s, her husbands, apartment on our last night in Argentina.

This disco ball image has spun (couldn’t´t resist!) in my head all day today; as we said our final Adios to friends in Argentina; as we flew to Brazil and now more than ever, while having dinner with Pedro and Analia in Sao Paulo. Pedro shares some of his insight and passion for youth ministry here in Sao Paulo. Although we will never be able to encompass God´s multifaceted, holistic view of the world I believe that more and more he is enabling us and connecting us so that we can at least share in a fraction of the revolution that is taking place – in truth I think that its just as well as it´s about as much as we (or at least I) can handle at anyone time.

As he talks, sharing about his involvement in youth ministry and leadership training ( I say this in the broad sense of the definition in that any ministry that involves nurturing the faith of young people is a form of leadership training, as they are the leaders of tomorrow.) his words project a little light onto this disco ball image in my head, illuminating another tiny glass square in the globe shaped Mosaic.

He is sharing about his experiences in Argentina – where he and his family ( he has the most beautiful wife and baby daughter Pilar who, at 8 months old, is the only noise to interject her daddies captivating narrative, demanding his and everybody else´s attention) have come from. Her baby talk does not detract from the intensity of the story – if anything it is a innocent reminder of how real this revolution is. You see Pedro and Analía are ordinary (not in the mundane boring sense of the world – far from it, they are young, stunning and overly generous) but rather I mean they are a young couple who work hard and have a young family. However, the generosity Analiá showed us when Soul Touch landed on her door step and now hearing of their commitment to the youth and to the church (worldwide) shows how God is using them extraordinarily.

Pedro´s story skips from country to country almost as much as Soul Touch does. He describes youth, youth pastors and youth initiatives: materials used and the people involved in sharing the gospel with young people in Europe and South America. Although geographically the area he talks about is huge they become surprisingly small as he effortlessly describes how they are all connected through people within the church (stay global!).

As we chat we share stories of friends we share in Argentina and he concludes, putting Pilar to bed, ¨You´ve been given a gift from God¨. He´s referring to our journey around the world; the opportunity and privilege we have to see God at work throughout the nations. He is exactly right. W e´ve been given a gift – something we never ever want to take for granted; something we can enjoy. But as he says it I´m reminded of how freely I received this gift (¨Freely you have received, freely give.¨ Mathew 10:8) and as a consequence of this statement I´m challenged: what can I give?

Because of this gift Lorna and I have had the opportunity to see more of the squares on the disco ball than most. I´m assuming you grasped the image by now. A disco ball is made up of thousands – maybe hundreds depending on the size of the party – of little glass squares, like a Mosaic. When the disco lights shine they reflect off the glass and it is so bright everyone at the party sees it.

Now imagine the disco ball is the world. God has a holistic view of it. When he shines (pours favour upon) on a person or a church community we reflect his glory for people to see. Until now only the people near that particular light have seen it (¨Let your light shine before men, that they may see of your good works and praise your father in heaven.¨ Mathew 5:6). We believe now is the time that God has chosen for the nations to share in the good works and whats more we have the means to do it; the Internet and travel have never been so accessible.

Secondly, the disco ball is made up of tiny squares that reflect the light – it isn´t a giant piece of glass. Similarly the church its fragmented into little bits. However, like any Mosaic – each piece fits together – they are joined and without one the picture is incomplete. On a disco ball if the light shines and the glass square is missing nothing reflects back, only darkness glares.
Similarly with the church – each part is connected regardless of denomination, language spoken or even distance between them. If one part is missing God cannot reflect off of us and so no light is seen.

Just as Paul describes (1 Cor 12) the church is a body made of many parts. If one part is not working properly the whole body is effected (1Cor 12:12-31). I assume he used this analogy simply because disco balls had not been invented. Paul stresses the point that: ¨the eye cannot say to the hand, Ï don´t need you!¨(verse 21) In fact he goes as far as to illustrate the importance of each member and how God intentionally ¨combined¨ them to be of equal importance despite their different purposes (v 27-31). In short they rely on each other; they need each other.

Just like the girl who created the disco ball ( I imagine it was a she and a total diva!) made it so that the whole room would be lit up and the dance floor would be a blaze of reflecting lights for all of the people to enjoy the party together! So God intended us (the church) to be connected – though fragmented physically because of oceans, mountains and even Sunday morning traffic – spiritually we must get together (1Cor 1:2) in order that his power is reflected (1Cor 2:4)

Each place we visit we see God reflecting off little pieces of the church. More exciting than the light however is seeing the way in which these little lights are all connected. And so my hearts prayer is for two things:
Firstly that we´d always work together to support the parts not yet shinning, supporting with a spirit of gentleness and valuing one an-others participation in seeing this thing ( the bride, the temple) completed.
And secondly that we- Lorna and I- would be able to share this gift with you as freely as we have received it.

Lastly we must thank all of those at San Andrés and now here in Sau Paulo for allowing us to physically see how you are shinning so brightly for God. We´re connected to you, which means we need you in moments our lights begin to fade but also because God sometimes just needs you to know how awesomely you´re reflecting his good works!

Love in abundance Erica

San Andres

Sitting in the quiet waiting area, comfortably admiring the tattered spines of old books, arranged artistically on a bookshelf above the open fire (unlit), Lorna and I admire a painting hung neatly on a crisp white wall. Within the delicate frame, two tartan shawls lie deliberately folded upon large brown leather cases marked ¨Scottish settlers´. Beside which a couple of pairs of old walking boots stand at ease although the creases across the toes suggest they have travelled far.

As we scan the painting more closely guided by Tito – a youth pastor (one of the many volunteers committed to ministering to the group of youth here which easily swells 100 young people between the ages of 15-26) our attention is brought to two ponchos hanging above, two beautifully depicted books. One is labelled Holy Bible and the other Santa Biblica. What this painting conveys and what Tito so articulately explains is the collaboration of two cultures, united becoming one church.

Here is San Andres Iglesia – St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Argentina. A Church where we have had the privilege of worshipping and sharing fellowship over the past week or so. Situated in Olivos, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes outside the centre of Buenos Aires where we are staying (or one under-ground, one train and a short walk if your travelling Soul Touch style). Founded by Scottish settlers San Andres is now occupied by a community of Argentines, many of whom have Scottish (or English) descent.

Now I daren´t go into the history of either culture or how the church has become what it is – a group of people who boast Gods goodness; a place of worship and sound teaching where family´and community merge into one. I daren´t, mainly because I fear insulting Tito and the others who have taken time to explain in detail the rich ancestry of San Andres and, at times, the tradition¨ ¨surrounding it. However I will say that the collaboration of those two cultures, Argentine and Scottish as so beautifully detailed by the artist whose painting we enjoyed, this church is homely yet completely foreign.

Homely, not only in the sense that the St Andrews cross is to be found upon the door but homely because of the welcome we have received. Unlike the wonderful dancers we´ve been entertained by on arrival to India or the floods of children we´ve embraced on arrival in Uganda San Andres is home because it´s a lot more like our church: Forward thinking yet sensitive to tradition. Changing and meeting the needs of their community yet uncompromising in their roots which are of course the gospel the the tartan clan by whom it was brought. Some may argue that the roots are Scottish and as a Scot I´d love to take credit for that however as a Christian I recognise that they were simply the vessel through which God chose to carry the word.

Lorna and I have joked however that unlike the Scots the gospel never made its way back home again. Maybe the holy spirit was left over here and we need to retrieve it.
Of course this was said in jest. We know many of you are ¨holding the fort over there¨and running the race with extreme determination. However we also know that within the church at home there is a longing. A longing to see an awakening. To see some umph put back into things. That doesn´t necessary mean a change of tradition. It doesn´t even mean a lot of loud noise or the introduction of raising hands. Nor does it mean we need to change the building or times of service. It requires something much more frightening that stripping out pews. The change that has to occur in order to see “umph” or revival is within our hearts.

On entering San Andres, which by the way has moved from the original church building to the school hall (also founded by Scots and is called San Andres school) to accommodate the growing congregation, there is a sign which reads, Gracias por traer a la Iglesia a este lugar.¨ Translated this means: thank you for bringing the church into this place. Interestingly for a church who recognises and embraces its roots they are not so concentrated on protecting them that they fail to allow freedom for the branches to grow. And the exciting part for us to see is that the branches of this church bear fruit. So where do the branches reach to?

Into the community. A tree is not designed to grow into itself. Nor is it necessary to water the roots over and over again – you´ll only drown it. Structures have been set up here that enable the church to partner the school and university with which it was originally associated. I see something of a pattern emerging of what they are doing and what we are doing. We are not reinventing the wheel, nor are we laying new foundations. That´s all been done before. (1 Cor 3: 11) We´re simply reconnecting. Trying to unite the people. Recognising that together we are really better.

Another reason I describe here as “homely” is because I recognise a lot of the same needs. Unlike the other places we´ve been the needs are not immediately obvious (I´m talking about this particular area not Argentina as a whole). Educated, articulate and immaculately dressed, the distractions for the the people here appear similar to those we see at home. For most God is unnecessary as money, family and the world satisfy their needs. This scene is familiar and for us a whole new challenge. Reaching out to people who apparently have no need for God.

Here at San Andres they neither estrange themselves from the world or become öf¨it. Reaching out to some of the most intelligent and privileged children in the country the ministry of San Andres concentrates on meeting these people where they are. They go into the schools and into the universities offering support for initiatives set up, or run if you like, by the educational establishments. They draw alongside, offering support and in doing so have experienced powerful opportunities to share the gospel through friendships. We´ve seen that ministering to these communities requires a level of excellency and professionalism although focus on personal relationship is never compromised. Despite polished floor boards, many meetings and incredibly high standards not one person has failed to welcome us with a kiss. Literally! everyone here kisses you on arrival and adios! So apart from the kisses it´s a lot like home.

Having said all of this for Lorna and I this week has been a real struggle. I think mainly because we fail to see what we can give them. Physically and financially they don´t appear to need our support – spiritually they are wealthy too. And so amidst a lot of prayers, tears, phone calls home and confusion we continue to trust God that we were meant to be here.

We have learned so much. We´ve exchanged ideas with the church and testimonies with some of the young people. We´ve attended worship rehearsals for both the youth band and Sunday worship team and even a leaders meeting , conducted entirely in Spanish. Hence the reason I called this church foreign! We love Spanish and will endeavour to learn. Mainly because we know that the contact (friendship) we have made here goes deeper than the roots of our ancestors or any tradition depicted in a picture. The unity of nations is written in the word: All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble! Isaiah 43: 9

Even more exciting than arriving in Argentina is the news that the Church in Scotland is having a party. OK so their not called it that. I think it´s a ¨conference¨ and that some of our friends from San Andres will be joining you all there. It´s gonna be huge! We know that the conference will be a place for people to share ideas, vision and enjoy being with other believers. We hope that our friends from Argentina will feel at home there not because of tradition or history but because of our shared vision for the future.

The best is yet to come!
Love and blessings in abundance
Erica x

Happy Valentines

14th Feb 08

¨You´re not going to change the world!¨ The familiar voice of one of my biggest fans and greatest critics has stayed in my thoughts and the pages of this journal since the beginning of this trip. Although it has never been my intention to prove them wrong or to even formulate an answer for such a dead statement it has provoked thought, a lot of thought.

Yet despite persecution and negativity this passion for change and vision for justice continues to grow. Unfortunately for me (and poor Lorna who is so apologetic to everyone for the hyperactivity of her fellow Soul Toucher) my excitement for this mission demonstrates itself in squeals (I know that everyone who has heard the dolphin like noise I make when hearing good news, meeting a good friend or even eating ice cream is remembering that squeal and thanking God I´m at the other side of the world right now!). So Anyway I scream and I squeeze my face (an embarrassing hereditary dysfunction). Today is an exciting day although emotional: we are leaving our family and dear friends, Jimmy and Gladys; leaving New Zealand in pursuit of Argentina. So given the events one could anticipate a lot of squealing and face squeezing. However, quietly and discreetly (honest) tears drowned my excitement and with my head buried in my book I read an answer to the statement that has plagued me for so long: ¨You are not going to change the world”.

The book is called Red Moon Rising. In it Pete Grieg and Dave Roberts transcribe the tapestry of events that has changed their lives in the past decade; theirs and all those involved in the 24/7 prayer movement. In short they recognise the importance of prayer and consequently it´s power. Boldly they set up a prayer room in the city of Chichester, England. It is somewhere people can go to pray 24/7. Now using means available to almost everyone in the world today, the worldwide web, they have orchestrated prayer rooms across the globe supporting one another and ministering to each other. Meaning that around the world as I write this and you read it people are praying. (Now I´d seriously encourage you to read the book because I do it little justice but just so as you know I´m not talking monastries or even churches I´m talking about rooms in the centre of cities, under pubs and clubs, between shops and schools, full of people like you and I – normal if you can call us that-! Men and women, young and old making time in their day to spend time with God. This book stresses the importance for us to make time. (Read Philippians 4:6 and Luke 18:7 Nehemiah 1:6)

Skipping back
Recently I replied to Stephen, one of my best friends. Some of you know him as Stephen James Bogle aka rock star from Erngath Road who doesn’t like onions. Although I didn´t really want to discuss any of his questions in the public domain I figure some of you may have the same questions as he did, he just knows me well enough (and he’s brave enough) to ask them! He really asked about knowing your calling from God. This is something I struggled with for a long time…unnecessarily.

For years I was complacent; I knew enough of God or so I thought. Then increasingly my complacency became frustration. I was frustrated at what I saw. I was so tired of seeing all these people having bloomin breakthroughs and hearing from God that I started thinking that a lightening moment was what I needed. I would look at them and think, “well that’s great you were a nightmare and now God has saved you and you’re a different person. But what about the rest of us. What about those of us plodding on, trying to know God everyday! Trying to be better. As soon as I gave up trying to tag onto their journey I really started travelling on my own. Looking back I realise that what I was seeking an experience, not a relationship! An experience requires one moment and relationship require effort, perseverance and communication! Thankfully I know this now: “Come near to God and he will come near to you,” James 4:8. I mentioned that recently I read Red Moon Rising. It is in reading this book that I have become more confident (although trust me I have moments of extreme nervousness too) in the army that God is raising up. An army that, as Pete Grieg illustrates, is marching in its knees. I left Scotland thinking I was in the minority, that very few people my age craved God the way I do. Travelling the world I have seen that we are not. The world, because of media, Internet and prayer is getting smaller and the church is getting bigger.

Back in the airport
Excitedly I race from page to page. Reading testimonies of prayer rooms in Germany, Canada, China and the lives of clubbers being changed in Ibiza. I cry and cry, squeal and squeeze my face. Although apparently invisible my behaviour is being monitored by the gentleman manning the Cellar (a liqueur store in the airport) across from which the Soul Touchers have perched themselves, equipped with books, bibles and ice-coffees, everything we need to survive the four hour delay on our flight. If David (I´ve subsequently learned the name of the man from the Cellar) was to enquire about our choice of reading material he may think it coincidental (yes and slightly weird) that Lorna is engrossed in a book entitled Rebuilding the walls (by Stuart Bell about Ezra and Nehemiah) while I frantically highlight, underline and on occasion read aloud the events of 24/7. I however see it as a consequence of being in this generation. Pete Grieg writes: “Around the world tens of thousands of people are praying for the nations” RMR And therein lies what I´m getting to hett up about!

For months Lorna and I have envisaged a movement, a faceless army going out to serve these nations. Our trip started as a call, a kinda accident and so when I read that the international prayer movement known as 24/7 was started by all accounts in the same way: “with no plan, no budget and no expert¨ (Albert does that sound familiar to the proposal we put to you?) it restored my faith. As did the reassurance that the workers really are being prepared. And so you are right. Ï am not going to change the world¨. I am just one face in a faceless army of people who are tired of the perpetual struggle to know their calling. It is clear: ¨To take the good news of Jesus to every culture, ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven.¨ This is not an artificial call that you have to go away and struggle with. Yes there will be practicalities to consider: how exactly you can contribute. However the answers will remain a mystery until you make time for a serious relationship not just an experience.

Everyday is Carnival
14th Feb 08 Yes again.
Today is groundhog day for us; because of the time difference all of the things we didn´t do in New Zealand on the 14th we´re getting a chance to do now here in Argentina. Primarily write to you!

Sitting beneath a large fan in our dear friends Tim and Carmen´s apartment we enjoy flicking through photographs and filling them in on our trip since we left them in Mozambique. We´re now staying with them (on the top floor) at the heart of Buenos Aires! Lorna and I both concentrating on the Spanish TV channel put on as background noise in an attempt to get us accustomed to the ¨Language of Love¨ having just flown to our final continent, South America!

Although still a long way from Bonny Bo´ness and Dunfy we never feel that far and especially now having met up with the Tollemaches (Tim and Carmen were our translators in Moz). Portuguese speaking, living in Argentina (a Spanish speaking country) Tim and Carmen have no problems now chatting to us in English. Within twenty minutes of arriving we have had our first candidate for English class – Renata Correria, one of Tim’s colleagues from work. Although initially blushing at the prospect of speaking to two “native English speakers” and insisting that her English was poor Renata soon relaxes, intuitively picking up on the Scottish accent.

Our mission was never to introduce South America to Bo´nessian English but we figured that it could catch on having been invited out with Renata and her friends later this week. Although starting slowly, stuttering our way through questions of family and where we are from we soon found ourselves engrossed in stories of voluntary work here in Argentina, Brazil and of course where we have been around the world. Talking to Renata we quickly discovered we had a lot more in common than age, we discovered a passion for serving. A Brazilian Chemical Engineer, also living here in Argentina, Renata tells us of her involvement in voluntary projects and how her company encourage her to serve by giving her paid leave, a strategy that enables employees to partake in social care in their own communities.

As she conversed in perfect English – muttering Portuguese occasionally towards Carmen who reassuringly corrected her – she confirmed what had been in my head the moment I cried in the airport – the world is getting smaller and the church is getting bigger. People now more than ever are willing and wanting to serve!

Lorna and I met in Peru so we both have experienced Latin culture before but as Carmen lead us through the crowded streets of Buenes Aires we soaked up a totally new atmosphere: Latin music blasting from store fronts was accompanied by young dancers entertaining the passer´s by with traditional tango moves. Street artists composing stunning portraits and landscapes of Coredillera De Los Andes (Mountain Range) and Perito Moreno (Glacier) out of spray paint and an array of rusty instruments: knives, nail and scraps of cardboard. The shops a sea of red (not hopeless romantics it´s just valentines day) there is music, beautiful people and Dulce de leche (ice cream) everywhere!

15/2/08
A walk (RUN!!) in the park.
One of the officers lay sleeping in the passenger seat his perfectly polished boots resting on the dash board, face buried beneath his helmet shading his eyes from the afternoon sun. Meanwhile his colleagues are sprawled along the roadside, some setting out barriers and others huddled together commenting on passers by, including the two in hot pink who had just come onto the scene – Soul Touch with their loyal companions (chaperone’s) Tim and Carmen.Ahead of us lies an ornate building “Para de Presidente” (The White House of Argentina – except its pink).

So we took it all in, the new buildings, new faces and the redundant police. The only people more subdued than the sleeping officer were the protesters. Sitting peacefully under tarpaulin they created more posters to add to the array already displayed along the entrance gate to the Government building.

Strangely I didn´t notice any of this at first glance. She had shiny black pigtails held in place by pink feather pom pom bobbles matched by pink checked shorts, even more captivating than her bright outfit was her giggle – caused by her father placing pieces of bread around the youngsters toes, encouraging hundreds of pigeons to surround them.

As my camera zoomed in on the pair (oblivious to the world, the police and the political propaganda surrounding them) a scruffy figure appeared in the frame; then another; then another. Tracing the tiny figures with my lens I moved towards them, almost stumbling into the fountain where they were paddling.

¨Can I take your picture?¨ I asked the first child and he smiled, bearing rows of tiny yellow teeth. The boy quickly gathered his brothers for a photo; then another; then another, striking poses then giggling hysterically at themselves on the shiny screen. It is a familiar scene for me. Children dressed in rags, bare torsos and outstretched hands, begging. Luckily Carmen was at hand and she bought all three ice-creams reminding me of a sermon I heard recently by Tony Compolo (Preacher). Compolo talked about how he felt sickened by girls as young as twelve selling themselves on the streets of Thailand (correct me if that was not the country please). The girls offered to spend the evening with him and so he agreed. He then proceeded to order every kind of ice-cream Sundae he could and bought a host of Disney movies for the girls to watch. It was not the evening the girls were expecting but he himself said that if he could do nothing more at least he could allow the children to be children for just one night. (Compolo has a huge ministry that actively works to break chains of injustice, providing homes for the homeless and care for the needy. However on this occasion he was simply entering the hotel when the girls approached him). Handing out the ice-cream I prayed to God that the children would one day receive all the goodness in their lives that God has intended for them.

Later that same evening Tim (he is a professional Marathon runner!!!!) and Carmen took us to the park where Tim and I would run while Lorna and Carmen walked (Lorna is still recovering from the blisters she got from a glacier trek in NZ- causing her to walk down a mountain in her stocking souls!). Within minutes Tim was way ahead and I proceeded to run at snails pace around the 1mile track, over and over again. It really is a beautiful park, filled with families picnicking until late in the evening. People hire Rollerblades and bicycles; I could have spent the entire evening watching people bouncing off knee pads and each other.

On my final trip round the park, before I became completely exhausted, I decided to stop at a water fountain. Stumbling over to it I greeted a small family next to it, smiling at the smallest child trying to climb up to the water. Instinctively I picked the child up allowing him to get water to drink. As I held the child a severe stench clung to my dehydrated mouth. It was only when his mother and father started to laugh that I realised the child was not getting a drink. He was washing his hair in the fountain. Apologetically I sipped some water and continued running, thanking the family for allowing me to use the fountain. I turned back to see them washing their clothes and laughing, undisturbed by the ignorant runner.

These encounters remind me of the reality here, there and everywhere. They do not detract from the beauty of this place infact it was in these moments that the real beauty of life came through. In the moment of compassion when Carmen bought the children an ice-cream and when I lifted the child helping his mother wash his hair. They are small differences. Tiny infact but never insignificant! Small contributions towards are larger goal are what makes it complete!

Today we´re going to meet with the minister (Hernardo) from St Andrew´s church, the church we are visiting here. We pray we make a contribution to their ministry and that no matter how small or how big that it will be one of significance!

Love you all Erica xx

Hoddit and Doddit’s bogus Adventure continues!

As they sat watching the sunset over Lake Wanaka Hoddit and Doddit reminisced fondly about their adventures in New Zealand:

After waking in the back of the hatchback, in which they’d enjoyed a cosy night sleep under the stars (free of charge!) Doddit commented on the heat, “I’m biling in here. Are we on fire?”
“No not yet but we are in our sleeping bags; there are two of us in a very small vicinity and yes the sun is starting to cook us.
Frantically the two friends, having realised they should have parked in the shade, wrestled out of the cooking cocoons in the boot and hopped into the front seats.

The north island is extremely beautiful and so the two girls had no end of idyllic spots to choose from to enjoy breakfast. After stopping for some plastic appliances, muesli and their daily intake of fruit and veg: half a banana each, they parked up to have breakfast. “Eh we should maybe get off the main road before we eat this,” Hoddit (co pilot) suggested.
“Ok hold my bowl please, ” Doddit replied, passing Hoddit her bowl as she pressed the accelerator. “The cars not moving! The cars not moving. THE CAR IS NOT MOVING!” Doddit shouted elbowing the muesli out of Hoddit’s hands and into her lap. “There’s a red light on. What does that mean?”
Calmly (not) Hoddit assured her pilot that it was ok and to put down the plastic spoon; violence really was not necessary.
“It’s shaped like a battery,” Doddit’s nervous, irrational tone rose over U2’s rhythm guitars blarring out of the stereo. “Our battery it dead. it must be dead. We’re not moving!”
“Ok keep calm.” Hoddit offered a few words of wisdom as she too pondered over the red, battery shaped, light.
Staring blankly at the dashboard the girls quickly caught the attention of an innocent passer by entering his own vehicle on the opposite side of the road. Without hesitation Doddit rolled down the window. “Help! Our battery is dead.” She screamed over Bono!
The kind gentleman swaggered across road in typical Kiwi fashion: relaxed!!! Glancing expertly at the gearstick he droned “Yeah you’re in drive sweet-art You can’t start an automatic in drive you have to put it in PARK!” And with that their knight in shining Billabongs vanished into his 4 x 4. Scooping the muesli off the floor (what’s a little spilt milk between friends) the two girls giggled and promised never to tell anyone about their embarrassing incident.

Later that afternoon as the girls meandered their way over some of New Zealand’s most stunning mountains, neither of them mentioning the mornings escapade, they sang their little hearts out, stopping spontaneously to take snaps. Having manipulated their way round countless bends, numerous corners and over multiple creeks they found themselves isolated on the top of a mountain. Mesmerised by the green valley below, carpeted by some of New Zealand’s largest Mauri trees, they caught glimpses of the beauty on camera. Stopping is something Hoddit and Doddit can cope with; starting however was becoming more of a bother. Cautiously checking the car was in PARK Doddit released the hand break.
“Why are we rolling back?” A hysterical passenger (Hoddit) enquired. Again, “why are we rolling back!?”
“We’re rolling back!” Doddit shouted back at her. “Why are we rolling back?” An (unusual) eerie silence filled the car. There was no noise as the car continued to make it’s own way back down the mountain it had climbed. Immediately checking the battery light was not red and she had moved park into drive Doddit continued in her bemused state. Luckily her co pilot was at hand. “The engine’s not on,” she gasped just in time! And the two went on their merry way rejoicing…

Now in the south Island with a slightly smaller unaccommodating vehicle the two hunted for somewhere to rest their pretty little heads for the night. Eventually they found a sign for cabins under $40 (bout 17 pounds) that slept two! Perfect they thought looking back at the empty road they had travelled and forward to the empty fuel tank. “I think we should stay here for the night.” They agreed.
Courteously taking the cabin key from the receptionist the girls listened intently to her directions around the campsite. With a map and key in hand they quickly found their cabin…or so they thought. Bounding up to the cabin door Doddit squealed with excitement, “I love this cabin. I can’t believe this is out cabin. I can’t believe we got all this for $40 and look there’s even a wee t.v!” Doddit chuckled peering through the french patio door that led to their outside decking area. “This is so lovely, ” she smiled, wondering why they were still standing on the wooden deck.
“Eh… I canny get this key to work,” Hoddit said perplexed, trying aggressively to fit the huge key into the tiny lock. “This looks like my garage key,” she commented.
“That’s great. It’ll maybe fit your garage cos it doesn’t fit this lock.” Doddit replied now trying the same huge key in the same tiny lock.
Puzzled the girls looked around counting the cabins. “Ok, we’re number four and this is definitely number four,” they worked out. Staring at the highlighted map the kind receptionist had given them they counted out the cabins.
“But these are the only cabins here.” Hoddit stated.
“Oh no they’re not,” Doddit slurred pointing to the SHEDS behind them. And so it was so that the girls bunked cosily for the night in their little green shed. Equipped with one socket, one bed and a huge infestation of sand flies Hoddit and Doddit giggled about their “luxury accommodation”, wondering which army camp they had rescued the sheds from and from which car boot sale the 50’s furniture had been salvaged.

So now Hoddit and Doddit are in Wanaka and the sun is almost set but they have time to share one last tale.

Most recently the girls have been enjoying the scenery and sights of the south island. Unlike the north the south is sporadically populated and townships or towns can be few and far between, as the girls quickly discovered. Even more uncommon to spot than a person is a gas station and so as night fell the girls travelled down the west coast looking out anxiously into the ocean for whales, famously seen in this part of the world. Once again the dashboard of their car flashed to their attention. This time the (green) light illuminating the tiny car was more recognisable and shaped like a petrol pump. The car rolled to a halt.
“Maybe we can flag down a lorry to give us petrol.” Doddit’s tiredness causing her delusional episodes, evidently.
“Or…we can phone the AA.” Hoddit replied, cell phone already pinned to her ear. “That’s why we paid insurance.
Within the hour Ron (this time their knight was more subtly dressed in luminous yellow attire sporting reflectors, resembling their very own walking talking traffic cone) was there to help the dafties in distress. Gratefully the girls got back into their mean machine (car) and drove the remainder of their journey into the nearest town…all two metres away! In their defence it was DARK!!

And so the drama continues. We continue to love life, love God and have a whole lot of laughs…usually at the most amusing people we’ve met: ourselves.

K so here’s the test: who’s who? Entries to soul_touch@yahoo.com

Love and blessings in abundance Hoddit and Doddit xxx

Sleepless nights

Sleepless nights are becoming somewhat of a habit for us here in New Zealand. Unlike many travellers in this part of the world ours are not caused by late night partying on sandy beaches into the wee small hours (although we did have a wee party of our own today on a beach we had…all to ourselves; a blog in itself so I’ll leave that story for a rainy day). Last week’s sleep deprivation was caused by another type of party; known to thousands of Kiwi’s (New Zealander’s) as Parachute. It was one the most intense party I’ve ever been to for many reasons:

The festival was held in a place called Mystery Creek, Hamilton, NZ (a town near-I have no idea in which direction- Auckland) and for the remainder of the weekend, where we actually were and why the festival was infact called “Parachute” remained exactly that…a mystery.

For us the party began on Thursday, although the festival was not set to kick off until mid afternoon Friday, when some 35, 000 young people would flood onto the fields prepared for the festival. To define “young” most of them still had hair, of varying different (weird) styles sprayed, dyed and ruined all the colours of the rainbow (for those of you who knew me during my unfortunate spice girl wannabe days no cruel comparisons please-Beevie!). Having said that there were some oldies there…us for a start! (You read that it was Lorna’s birthday and that she is now officially 24, I repeat 24! Happy Birthday Chic!)

That evening Lorna and I quickly learned how to assemble a tent…then another tent…then another tent under the watchful eye and guidance of our mentor Amy! Working under star light- on this occasion hoddit and doddit were unusually ill-prepared forgetting not only our torches and mattresses but brains it would appear- we helped Matt and Amy put up tents. After kindly arranging volunteer positions for us in the Manna bookshop (selling Christian resources) Amy and Matt offered to give us a lift too. (The bookshop was in a village especially assembled or the event. The village itself was incredible, Ferris wheels, bungy ropes, hairdressers and temporary tattoo stalls where some of the things there to entertain people between listening to their favourite artists.)

Amy and Matt (two of the amazing leaders we met on SU camp a few weeks ago) told us a little about their church on the road trip to Hamilton. One of the things both Lorna and I picked up on was the number of youth they seemed to have in their youth group, “Yeah it’s amazing. There’s hundred’s of us.” Matt boasted, failing to mention that for the remainder of that evening we would be erecting the entire youth groups tents ready for them arriving, bright eyed and bushy tailed, Friday morning! Oh how we laughed…not! (Matt we did love it I’m just kidding it’s all about the banter!)

Therein lies the first of many sleepless nights. What followed was a weekend of amazing fun, intense sunshine and beginnings of new friendships…oh that ‘n’ a whole education on Christian music. What I have failed to mention is that the 35,000 people jumping up and down on Saturday night to Switch Foot (An American band seemingly very famous! Note to self never call them Sweet Feet or ask who they are to their faces or to any of their fans!) were there to worship God. Parachute is the biggest Christian music festival in the Southern Hemisphere and we believe it is the beginning of many to follow, maybe one day in Scotland!

Working in the book shop, attending worship lead by the likes of Parachute band, Leigh Nash (Lead singer- Sixpence None the Richer), Hillsong United and listening to sermons by some of our favourite speakers including: Tony Campolo, Reggie Dabbs and Charlotte Scanlon-Gambill were some of the things that we got up to that weekend. In truth we felt ridiculously blessed to be part of it all.

Yet the message the festival has left me with is the cause of yet another sleepless night: tonight. The buzz of seeing so many people, young and old, worshipping God blessed us. Yet the responsibility of knowing that it is just the beginning has stirred me to get out of bed and write to you. One of our favourite bands at the festival were called Israel and The New Bread- if you haven’t heard them make an effort to do so asap. Their rhythm is slightly Latino, their voices full gospel choir (African flavour) and their lyrics completely spirit filled jazz!- What more can I say I’ve never seen myself as a music critic but they sound delicious!

On Sunday night, as worship came to an end being lead by Israel and his band the thousands of voices sang together, “I am not forgotten”. Lorna and I are familiar with this song as we sang it repetitively with the children in Uganda. As we lifted our hands to the sky (Oh yes be afraid be very afraid the place was full of “those types” of Christians) I belted out those words; singing for each child in Africa and all those we have met around the world…”I am not forgotten. I am not forgotten. I am not forgotten”.

Tears of excitement fell as I looked around completely overcome by the lives of young people being changed all over New Zealand. Excitement rose within me: “If they can do it we can,” I thought. They may have more sheep than Scotland and the weather may be (a lot) better but on all accounts we’re pretty much the same: a nation of young people who crave for more: more of God!

Now for those of you who know me I’m a bit of a chanter and I love to belt out a good gospel song but as we sang those lyrics over and over and over they became more weighted. With the excitement and praise came responsibility. All around that stadium people lifted their hands proclaiming Jesus as their saviour. People from all walks of life, with different jobs, different levels of responsibility and at different stages of their journeys (I’m talking spirit…u…al!) and with different hairstyles. Some lifted their hands for the first time and some I’m sure for the hundredth as an act of worship.

As I clung to my sleeping bag in our tent that Sunday night (I’m telling you it may be hot in the day but it’s baltic at night even with a several hoodies and Bob Bonnar’s thermal socks on) I thought about our worship. So many people have referred to us (and all those that lift their hands during worship said “I do”!) as happy clappy Christians. Actually if truth be told it makes no difference if you lift your hands, clap your hands or sit on your hands it is what is in your heart during worship that I’m talking about. So if, metaphorically you life your hands, in other words you say God I want you in my life, I will go where you will lead me I’m talking to you and I include myself in this next statement…

God wants us to be more extravagant in our worship!

Over the course of the weekend we heard many speakers. Using different mediums, varying styles and a lot of individuality they presented one message. Now I’m not well enough known in the “church world” to talk to such peeps so I have no idea whether or not their sermons were orchestrated to compliment each others but I doubt very much if they were given that all of the speakers are super dooper busy, influential people who are literally from different sides of the globe. Their message was conclusive: We are a generation that has the means to worship with more than our songs. We can worship with our lives. I’ve mentioned Bono’s speech before in which he said that this generation will be remembered for what we did, or did not do to help in Africa.

Lorna and I have now come to Kaiteriteri, it’s far north in the South Island. Another indescribably beautiful part of NZ! Today we spent some hours kayaking to several idyllic secluded bays, where I beached (yip like a whale- well dolphin maybe-!The waves were rough- nauseating does little justice to the motion in my head !) and Lorna photographed our beautiful surroundings. As we took our kayak back to dry land we lay sleeping in the sand. It wasn’t long before we were wakened by children (and adults) on jet skies, surf boards, rubber rings. Fit men in speed boats pulling their wives and children screaming from rings tied onto ropes strung from the backs of their motor boats. Sounds like fun eh? Quite an entertaining way to spend a day on the beach I’m sure.

As I watched their fun the song of worship I had offered to God resonated again within me. “I am not forgotten. I am not forgotten. I am not forgotten”. Now it is not for me to make judgement on what people do for leisure activities or spend their money on. I’m sure if they’d offered me a shot on the jet ski I would have hopped on, infact just a couple of weeks ago Lorna and I were tobogganing from a speed boat very similar to the ones on the beach today with our friends in the North Island. What I’m saying is not that God doesn’t want you to have fun but he is crying out for justice. People are crying our for justice.

What has caused this sleepless night is an urgency. Perhaps it is a consequence of where we’ve been in previous months and the thought of where we are going (we leave here on the 14th of Feb for South America) but never the less it is a wake up call. A simple reminder that they are not waiting for Bono to make another great speech. The orphans are not waiting for politicians to change laws and bring about order. They are simply waiting for the church: the people who lift their hands and worship God with their music to start worshipping God with their lives.

Now I’m going to bed. I’m not going to sleep I’m sure but instead read more of my book: Red Moon Rising, one of the greatest books I’ve ever read. It’s not for the faint hearted. It’s passionate and even more straight talking than me. For those who do brave a read you will discover that what I’m saying is nothing new. I’m simply regurgitating what is being said in churches all around the world: this generation needs to rise up. The question is how many sermons do we need to hear, how many blogs do we need to read and how many children do we need to see die before we respond, extravagantly? In his book Pete Greig highlights the urgency and the responsibility of the church but more so he points out that it is not just in Africa. An English author he writes about suicide rates in Britain being at an all time high, anorexia and other self destructing diseases harming millions of young people everyday.

Now the last thing I want to do is cause you a sleepless night. It is never my intention to distress you but only to join you. Focusing on the power of prayer and the instrumental use of technology to facilitate prayer around the world Greig writes about a faceless army. I love that image. Of a church marching forward no one face standing out in the crowd. Everybody with a differnet roll in the army. For a moment at Parachute I stood with a tiny section of that army- a mere 35,000 strong. We were all worshipping but I can’t sleep for excitement; I’m imagining what justice will come about if our lives start to be worship full.

Love you all abundantly. Erica x

Hakka Birthday!

“And I would walk 500 miles, and i would walk 500 more, just to be the man that walked a 1000 miles to fall down at your door! Dannanannananana!’

Ever done “Strip the Willow” in the middle of New Zealand? To the Proclaimers? In the middle of really nice restaurant? Well welcome to my birthday celebrations of last night! I would like to thank Erica’s family so much for givin me the best Kiwi birthday, your Scottish dancing is better than my Hakka! Oh my, the Hakka, have you ever seen it??!

Erica and I went to visit a Mauri Village two days ago, part of the visit was a nice welcoming show that the Mauri’s put on. Nice dancing, even nicer singing, but one of the main Mauri traditions is a dance called the ‘Hakka’. Some of you may have seen the All Blacks rugby team do it before matches to scare the opposition? Yup thats right, the dudes stick their tounges out and pop their eyes out in an act of defiance and intimidation to enemies. They slap their bodies to get the blood flowing and stomp to show their fiercness. Well….me and Erica were in the front row of the wonderful performance. At one point i forgot i was in the show and believed that my wimpy face and Erica’s paparazzi moment had stirred up the warrior action back into these guys, i thought that we had really upset them! Erica was gripping onto me and so excited with sticking her tounge out when the Mauri guys were doing it, i was gripping back onto Erica trying to roll her tounge back into her mouth in fear that we were disrespecting the Mauri’s! It was such a great show and at the end, these marvelous people invited us to take a photo with them, its a good one, and if we had figured out how to put photos on this blog them im sure that you would like it.

I love Erica’s blogs, don’t you? I know, for me, the inspiration and the challanges that come from her posts just make me so hyped about what God can build into my life and where he can take me on my journey! I would like to share with you how God is using past stages of my journey, stages that i never thought would be part of my future and is bringing good out of situations that i just wanted to forget about. You’re on the footpath God has put you on too and i pray through my experience you will find encouragement and comfort knowing that God uses your struggles to be your strength.

I’m going to take you back to summer of 2006. That particular summer i was looking for something different to do. At that point of my life i guess you could call me a ‘jelly Christian’. I call it ‘jelly Christian’ because i was a wobbler, there wasn’t much too my christian life, i would mould to any situation that i was put in and i would melt when the times got too hot.

I decided that i had enough of working in the bank, and was going to bite the bullet and go into the youth working industry that i had always desired to be in ( it is only now that i know that it was God that was pounding that desire to be in my heart!) So in great adventure style i signed up to do Camp America! Camp Wabenaki, New York, was the camp that they placed me in and it was a camp for disadvantaged youth.

Being a Scottish lass fresh out of her small town ways was big enough shock to the system when i arrived in New York but once i was placed on the camp i also realised that i was the only white girl surrounded by the ‘flyest’ streetwise urban kids in New York. It was awesome. But i struggled. I was a haggis in the middle of all these hot dogs and it just didn’t mix, in any way or form! I didn’t know my R ‘n’ B music, i didn’t know how to play ‘B” Ball or know the street words that was flowing everybody. I had to look after 6 young girls that only answered to screaming attitude and after my first week of camp, i was stressed and i had a stye on my eye! I didn’t know at that point that i could turn to God for help and instead, i tried to turn myself into Opra Wimpfrey. Which made me even more stressed. I was out of my depth, out of every zone imaginable, but i was jelly and moulded to the situation i was in.

So, i got through the 3months at camp, at the end of the time at camp i was the whitest black person you would meet! I had a blast in America but not without much struggle. Through my time there i guess i had developed issues about my personality, my attitude towards life and the way i treated people to gain respect. I had accomplished my desire to work with youth but i had diminished my ability to use the gifts and qualities that God had uniquely given to me, leaving me feeling very weak and lethargic. I doubted if working with youth was my desire and i wasn’t sure if i would work with them again – and definately not in a different country!

Shortly after this trip, i gave my life back to God. Recognising my gifts and qualities that he had given me and realising that i couldn’t try and use someones elses gifts or qualities because it just wasn’t me and during our trip, God has put me in many situation where if i didn’t know who i was in him then i wouldn’t know my identity. He has put me on a trip where i have to work with youth from countries all over the world! And through one of the toughest times of my life, i now find peace and conifidence in my ability to work through similar situations because God has turned my struggle into my strength!

You may be in a situation right now that you are feeling out of your depth in, that is making you feel so run down that you are getting stye on your eye! Or is there is maybe a part of you past that still brings on a cold sweat? You might want to put this part of your life under the ground, make it so weak that it has no power but God wants to bring strength to this part of your life to glorify Him. He makes the problem your power. Let your backbreaker be your backbone!

And for today, me and Erica are getting prepared to go to the Parachute music festival! We have our tent and backpack packed. Our singing voices on, or its more yellin’ than singing at festivals right?! We are so excited! We will be sure to let you know how it all goes shortly……….

Much Love, Lornaxx

Indescribable catch up

“You have a lot of catching up to do!” Many a word spoken in jest. These were the words of my Uncle Jimmy, (well second cousin really) a relative I never knew existed until five minutes before we boarded the plane from Sydney to New Zealand on January 3rd. Jimmy and his beautiful family have become more than just relatives we’ve been reunited with; welcoming us into their home they have been our hosts (we’ve kinda gatecrashed their house as only soul touch can) our family, our grandparents, hairdressing advisers (due to a unfortunate accident I had with a bottle of bleach) and our dear friends. Jimmy was referring to the fact that we hadn’t updated our blog since arriving here in NZ and that although it’s a mere fortnight a lot has happened, starting with discovering his, my, our (Soul Touches) wonderful family! Jimmy’s stories about the grandparents I never met, tales and photos of a young Bob Bonnar (my dad) and facts outlining some of our family history have been amazing to listen to. (I’m more determined than ever to discover some of my ancestry having been mistaken for everything and anything except Scottish throughout our trip including: Spanish, Italian, Israeli, Egyptian, Indian, Sri Lankan and the latest Mauri!)

So catch up we must…
Reluctantly we left Oz, experiencing the familiar upset we feel every time we leave a country, worsened greatly by the fact that we were saying goodbye to Caroline (Lorna’s outrageously gorgeous, spirit filled sister), our other soul sis Emily (Young), Hillsong church and the whole host of amazing friends we made there. Filled with anxiety, excitement and the anticipation of what lay ahead in New Zealand we mumbled our way through the airport completely delirious from sleep deprivation. Before you begin to sympathise let me briefly explain why exactly the Soul Touchers became “zombified” over New Year. Hogman-nanny (day) was spent camped out at Sydney Harbour with a picnic under glorious sunshine surrounded by our friends. In the evening we, along with the other thousands of people there, enjoyed watching the indescribable array of fireworks (yes both showings!) blasted over the Opera House and Harbour bridge signifying the New Year. We then sped off to palm beach (will spare you the details of the crazy Mexican Driving aka our new,dear, unintentionally hilariously funny friend David. I don’t remember writing ‘near death experience’ on the itinerary for the new year celebrations but never the less we did it, enjoyed it and survived it so “‘Thank God for Jesus!”) David’s driving did however have it’s benefits; we caught the sunrise on Palm Beach and even some waves before heading up to The Blue Mountains with Lisa and Mel, Samuel and Nina (some of the stunning girlys who blessed our time in Oz) where we marvelled at some of God’s indescribable creation.

Marvelling over beautiful sunsets, roaming mountains, endless ocean and indescribable views is something Lorna and I have become expert in most recently; seriously New Zealand is Scotland… on the rocks! Never one to allow comparisons to be made between our beautiful homeland, Scotland and countries we visit I have succumbed to admitting that the beauty I have witnessed here surpasses any other I have seen in the world- yes Roy even Scotland on the sunny day!

Having said that working with Scripture Union in Mangawhai heads (a campsite situated in the most idyllic coastal area North of Auckland) has probably tainted my judgement. Our mission was Scripture Union summer camp; our destination was Mangawhai Heads; our team had boundless energy, talent and even dressed up as pirates! The result of this combo was The Best Camp Ever!

On arriving in New Zealand Lorna and I were bombarded with leaflets about bungee jumping (which we did in Uganda… that was so last year!), surfing, sand dune surfing and all sorts of insane extreme sports. Written on most of these leaflets , and the words on most backpackers mouths, was “The real Kiwi Experience”. Little do they know that the “extreme” packages they are offering to these 20-30 year old tourists are indeed tame in comparison to the challenges undertaken by the 30, 11-16 year old, children we were leading at camp last week. Kayaking over the estuary, climbing a sand dune (which we did before plummeting face first back down it on a boogie board), surfing a wave, playing volleyball on the beach, undertaking the flying fox and water slide challenge and even managing to clean up for cabin inspection were some of the activities the kiwi kids enjoyed… and all that before lunch! The kids boundless energy and the leaders dedication was a privilege to watch and a blessing to be part of. Each day started and finished with the ultimate high adventure. An experience I didn’t see advertised in any of the backpackers guides. It came free of charge and was, and is, available to all those who turned up. It’ s called encountering God and, as the children and I witnessed, it surpasses any thrill of any extreme sport!

Sharing with these children, trying to answer their questions about faith and witnessing them journeying with God has to be the ultimate high of our Kiwi experience! It was ‘far out” as they say! Hearing their eagerness to know God more and to serve him better completely saddens and excites me. It excites me to know that they are going to be soul touching, travelling around the world and serving in ways more significant than we can even imagine. It saddens me however to know that there are still so many people still searching; still flicking through Adventure guides trying to find another high. People clinging on to relationships that are “good”, “fine” and never knowing a relationship with God, the “far out” one that is there for them if they just turn up.

The reality of peoples reluctance to turn up hit me when we left camp. On our journey home (which by the way was detoured because of a spontaneous and extremely exciting road trip which I’ll tell you about later) someone said to me, “I don’t really need God in my life ’cause my life is sweet and I don’t want to have to give that up”. That’s great if your satisfied with “sweet”.

The truth is God does not want you to give up your life so you are miserable he wants to give up your life so that he can take you to the next level. Sometimes we have to give up the good to get the “sweet”, then give up the “sweet” to get to the “far out”. Then give up all of those things to get to where God wants us to be. I don’t have vocabulary adequate for that level, it’s truly indescribable. I know this because I’m living it, or trying to and I’m not even half way there.

I can’t remember if I’ve told you guys before but when I was in Peru last year I read a book called, “If you want to walk on water you ‘ve got to get our of the boat”. It’s based on the story of the disciple Peter walking on water with Jesus. Peter was in the boat. He was with his friends (the other disciples) and he was safe. Then Jesus called on him, challenged him really, to walk on the water. Now Peter was someone who knew Jesus well and he’d seen Jesus perform miracles yet he was still reluctant to get out of the boat; walking on water with Jesus required trust. Peter had to be confident that Jesus would make it possible (I assume everyone knows that walking on water, apart form on this occasion is impossible). Eventually Peter got out of the boat and he walked on water with Jesus. Happy ending eh…or not. it wasn’t completely smooth for Peter. He took his eyes of Jesus for a second (his confidence faltered) and he began to sink beneath the waves. In that moment Jesus reached out his hand and rescued Peter.

I want you to imagine your life is your boat. You think it’s safer than walking with Jesus but in actual fact by convincing yourself of that your denying yourself the experience of walking on the waves. I remember for years I sat in my boat (not literally) surrounded by things that made me feel safe, things that were “sweet”. “Sweet” relationships, a “sweet” job, basically things that made me comfortable. I didn’t want to give them up incase I failed, incase I fell flat on my face really. Then I discovered that God “isn’t in the business of making fools of people” (my angel sister reminded me of this as I sat in my boat) and that indeed “all good gifts come from him”.

For me camp was amazing because I got to share with the kids their journey. Some are so bold it’s frightening. They are way out on the waves trusting in God and all he has planned for them. Others were going through moments that they needed Jesus to rescue them but what was amazing was that none of them were in their boats. This summer they stepped out by going to camp; by doing so they stepped up!

Finishing camp is usually a bit of a depressant. You immediately forget about the mozeees (mosquitos) round the camp fire remembering only the toasted marshmallows and testimonies. You miss the shower song at 7am (Thanks Bella), forgetting the 14 (at my last count) spiders singing along with you while you bathed. Most of all you miss the delicious hourly camp food. This time however Lorna and I did not experience the post camp lull. Instead we set off on our road trip (courtesy of Shane and Crystal Gauld who generously gave us their daughter Lizzy’s car…thanks Lizzy!) Our bags and mattresses safely packed up in the boot we set of with transport and accommodation!

I won’t bore you (or rather depress you) with the details of our adventure, sleeping under the stars in Russell, swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands or quad biking along the 90 mile beach, lets just say we had and are having an amazing time.

Right now we’re enjoying some more time with the family! Next week we’re off to Taupo to swim in the largest lake in the southern hemisphere. And after that we’re going to work at Parachute www.parachutemusic.com/festival/2008/ No not sky diving, the largest Christian music festival of 2008! We’re loving every second!

I am so glad I got out of the boat! I’d rather live my life walking on the waves, allowing Jesus to recue me when I stumble than sitting in the boat wondering! Would you?

Love you all!
blessings in abundance Erica xx

Reflecting 2007…bring on 2008!

To our precious friends and family,

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and recover sufficiently in time to start the festivities again for New Year! Before we enter into 2008 we’d like to share with you some of the projects that we, because of your faith, generosity and support, have been able to accomplish in the 2007. Thank you for your continued love and gentle guidance on our mission so far.

Soul Touch, known to many adorable African children as Auntie Erica and Auntie Lorna and to friends as Hoddit and Dottit, is the name of our project. We have been traveling now for six months and are almost at the half way point of our round the world trip. So far we have survived Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Israel, Egypt, India (deportation out of India to Sri Lanka), back to India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Now at Hillsong church Australia we are being challenged, encouraged and questioned about our trip. Starting with the name!

Why Soul Touch? Well for those of you who know nothing about our mission (shame on you read our blog- www.worldwithoutwalls.net) let us explain briefly what we are doing and why the name is much more than a title; it’s become our way of life. Our aim is to significantly touch people lives by contributing practically to the work of either their charity and/or church, creating opportunities for them to experience Christ’s love in action.

In each place we visit we work alongside the local community and church helping with a huge variety of tasks including: teaching, acting, singing, painting, brick making, bricklaying, talking and most importantly listening. As Ambassadors for World Without Walls, a ministry birthed out of St Andrew’s church Bo’ness Scotland we are striving to capture, on film, the stories of the people we meet. Stories of children rescued from the streets of Uganda now educated and looking forward to the future. Of children who once thought they were invisible, forgotten by the world and by God; living in the jungle of India alongside wild animals, now expressing wishes of going to university, becoming doctors, missionaries and “bus drivers”. Stories like Rita Nkemba’s. A Ugandan women who set up an orphanage in Kampala, the countries capital and who has dedicated her life to looking after the some two-hundred abandoned children now in her care. The stories we have heard and captured on film will then be used to bring awareness to the worldwide church about the needs of the people it’s serving. We aim to strengthen relationships with WWW partners aswell as expanding its partnership network; identifying projects that you can be involved in supporting.

Brooke Fraser (Singer/songwriter) sings in her song Albertine: “Now that I have seen, now that I have heard I am responsible.” We believe it is the responsibility of the church to change the injustice that exists all over the world. We appreciate that not everyone can visit these places; that’s why we’re capturing it on film! The films show that amongst all the poverty and amidst, what appears to be, the most desperate situations there is hope.

We saw hope in the little ghost town of Pebane, Mozambique where we started our trip. There we joined a team (Team Moz, led by Jennifer and Alasdair Tollemache) from Stirling Baptist Church. For the past three years this Scottish church has been partnering a local hospital in Pebane, providing medical facilities for them. This year the aim was to supply the hospital with a much needed surgical unit. Disease is rapidly spread there because there is simply no sanitation and, before the teams visit, no running water. A 42 foot container, filled with medical equipment (most of which was surplus in the UK but still in excellent condition) was shipped from Scotland to Mozambique. Within a week it was converted into a fully furnished, working operating theatre which is now used to serve the local community. Team Moz continue to raise funds and dedicate their time and prayers to their partners in Moz. It was a challenging yet encouraging way to begin our journey for lots of reasons; it certainly acclimatised us to work on the mission field: working in the heat, gathering water from a well to shower, using a rather less conventional toilet than we are used to and living, breathing, eating and sleeping side by side! (http://themoznet.blogspot.com/)

We saw hope in the camp we visited in Gulu, a place in Northern Uganda which for the past 21 years has been in civil war led by terrorist Joseph Kony. Kony, in his attempt to overthrow the government, has captured and enslaved thousands of children turning them into “child soldiers”. These children are forced to pledge allegiance to his army demonstrating their loyalty by murdering their own siblings and/or cutting of the limbs, ears, noses and lips of their parents. Yet even there we saw hope of Christ, demonstrated by KPC (Kampala Pentecostal Church). KPC, lead by pastors Marylin and Gary Skinner, recently opened in Gulu. They are dedicated to breaking the chains of injustice and saving the lives of the people there.

And of course as many of you all have witnessed the hope that exists in Peru because of the partnership and faith of The Vine Trust, Scotland and SU Peru. You have seen street boys rescued and placed in homes and most recently a second medical ship cross the Amazon joining its sister-ship there to provide medical care for some of the worlds poorest people, living on river. This is the place where the mission really began; the place Lorna and I met and the place we first witnessed how powerful and constructive small groups of people can be when they work together (www.vinetrust.org).

We hope that you will see a pattern emerging here; a pattern we have witnessed. In each place we have visited there is need yet there is also a response to that need. All over the world seeds have been sown; small groups of Christians are living out the gospel in real, practical and powerful ways. We trust that you will join us in continuing to support some or all of these projects. Start by following our journey. Log onto our blog: www.worldwithoutwalls.net (go to the Soul Touch link). We pray that you will be as inspired by these teams of ordinary people doing extraordinary things as we are.

Finally we want to wish you a wonderful, prosperous and very blessed new year. We are looking forward to all that God has planned. The next stage of our journey takes us to New Zealand where we volunteer for Scripture Union on a children’s summer camp, teaching them water sports (you might want to pray for that one!) We then head to South America: Argentina; Brazil; Bolivia; Peru; Guatemala and finally Mexico. We know that hearing the stories of these people will change our lives and we pray their lives will be enriched by our by our responses to them.

Love and hugs in abundance Erica and Lorna
Soul Touch xx

soul_touch@yahoo.com