Soul Touch

Have a Wonderful Christmas!

To all our dearest, most precious friends and family. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. Lorna and I are far away- Sydney Australia to be exact- but tonight as we wrap the few gifts we have for each other our thoughts are with you all more than ever. It’s Christmas eve…with a difference. There is no tinsel in sight and the shops are surprisingly (and refeshingly) quiet. We’ve spent a lot of our time here at church, for several reasons. Firstly the stunning spirit filled worship and teaching; secondly beautiful Caroline (Lorna’s sister) and many of her friends are students at Hillsong College and so they are completely involved in everything and lastly we are here to serve. Although Australia is by no means a developing country (however they haven’t developed enough to know that mullets went out in the eighties!) people here, like everywhere in the world, have needs and poverty and injustice does exsist. So over the past few weeks we’ve absolutely loved being involved in the ministry of the street teams, led by Camokazi (Caroline’s nick name ala Soul Touch!). We’ve been wrapping pressies, generously donated by members of the congregation. It’s one of the many outreach community care projects that Hillsong bless their neighbours with every year. It’s similar to the Shoe box appeal that we all get excited about at this time of year at home. I am picturing you all now stuffing goodies into carefully wrapped boxes for children less fortunate than yourselves, goodies which have been hand picked and bought with love! The concept is is similar in that the gifts are given out to children and families who are in need. However the practicality of it all is something we discovered to be very surreal. Instead of sleep socks and cosy slippers being packed into stockings we carefully wrapped beach cricket sets and volleyballs as we sat toasting in the sun outside on the church lawn. I know “outside” may be a foreign concept to you all at the moment. You will (or should) be curled up on couches watching star spangled episodes of Dancing with the Stars and X Factor, oh how we miss it!

…but not that much. More than turkey, snow and our favourite shows we miss you, each individually, personally and an incredible amount! Christmas is a celebration, a time for family and for most a time of reflection and so despite the physical ditance between us you are still the ones in our thoughts and prayers. We pray this Christmas you will be abudantly blessed and God will continue to enable you to bless others as you have blessed and enriched our lives! We love you all so dearly and being away from you simply reminds us of how fortunate we are to have all of you in our lives.

Enjoy every second of Chirstmas! We will be in touch before the new year to let you know more about our adventures so far and the ones we are looking forward to in 2008!
Love and many, many blessings to you all!
Erica and Lorna xxx

“Together We Are Better!”

In Africa (sorry to drag you all back there. Don’t worry you didn’t imagine all of our escapades since leaving that place. As Lorna has pointed out we are infact in Oz although there have been no sightings of the Wizard as yet. A lot of time has passed and a lot of miles have been flown since then but since arriving here in the Oz it’s made me think heaps about the friends we’ve left and the things we saw there.

In Uganda we spent time with the King Alfred team on a building site constructing a boarding house at Butagya Primary School. (Scroll back there’s lots more info about it earlier.) Although some of us tried to boss on site there was only one real boss: John. John was a Ugandan with a chubby tummy, a huge smile and a lot of responsibility. It was John’s job to oversee all of the work on the site. He had to ensure each brick was put perfectly in place in order to support the ones being placed on top.
Now at the time I thought John was a ultra pernickety. To me the building of the boarding house was a matter of urgency for two reasons. Firstly the children needed somewhere to sleep and secondly our time there was limited. As I looked around the school (which we had now turned into a building site) and assessed the situation it looked like we needed to work fast.

At least forty school girls, between the ages of 5-14, were now scattered amongst the human chain that had been formed to transport the bricks from one end of the site to the other. Dressed in sunshine yellow dresses which matched their smiles, the girls giggled and laughed at the mazoongos (turning pink beneath the hot African sun) who were struggling to keep up passing the hundred ton bricks (they told us they were made of mud but I think they lied!) to the children who effortlessly tossed them onto the site to be used. Some carried them on their heads, cushioned with leaves to protect their scalps. The mazonngos even had a go but the less said about that the better eh Pastie!? The girls in line were currently sleeping in their classroom, huddled together like animals but with poorer sanitation.

My eyes could only see the immediate situation. These beautiful girls needed a boarding house (somewhere to sleep) and fast. So you can imagine my frustration and confusion when John (site manager) insisted on checking each individual brick put in place and then proceeded to adjust any that were placed incorrectly or were “rubbished” as he would say. John was an expert bricky and an awesome teacher. He was even patient with me when I couldn’t get the hang of the tools (I know now that string is an extremely important tool in every brickies toolkit). This string thing had a weight on the end and I am told it measured something. I was also told the name of it, which I’ve momentarily forgotten but know doubt my brothers will remind me of it once they’ve read this. Anyway, it was used to make sure the bricks were straight, which most of mine weren’t

For a week John and the team laid the bricks….slowly. They used the process of laying one, checking it with the special string and so on…and on …and on! And so we left that site with the boarding house unfinished. It did leave me slightly dissatisfied as I would’ve loved to see the girls in it and the roof on but I was content with John’s promise that the job “would get done”. Looking back I’m so glad John was there. I’m thankful that he corrected my bricks and that the men finishing the build know how to use the string thing correctly. You see I know that when that building is complete it will be magnificent. It will be a beautiful home for the girls and they don’t deserve anything less than magnificent. So imagine that is one small group of dedicated people building a boarding house for school children- imagine the church (think global, think massive!) rebuilding the temple for Christ coming. (Nehemiah 6)

Since arriving here at Hillsong Church Australia we’ve been receiving amazing (although challenging) teaching and we’ve met some beautiful (ridiculously stunning) men and women who love God. People who believe they are like the bricks. No not square and made of mud (although I’m sure some smart theologian could come up with a sermon out of that n prove me wrong what with the murry clay n all that!) but they believe they are people placed perfectly where God wants them to be.
More so they believe that the brick that follows- the next generation of believers- will be seriously effected by whether or not they are in line. I know you guys back in Scotland are imagining the same thing. I know that you are fighting hard to get into line with God and to position yourself in a great place so that you can bless future generations. So I want to thank you first of all for your example and your vision, that you are trusting God and believing his promises (Isaiah 43: 5-7, Jeremiah 29:11-14)) but also to challenge you. Remember we are not the foundations: we are part of the build.

For centuries Christains have been spreading the gospel to all nations so we can trust that we have some amazing foundations. Some of the greatest people who ever lived have laid them- the most obvious and strongest rock ever Jesus- and that’s just the start. Since his death (and resurection) his disciples have been building: Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Billy Graham to name a few and that’s only who my wee brain knows about.

I want to encourage you that wherever you are in the wall make sure your contribution counts cos it will most definately effect those that follow. It is up to you whether or not it effects them in a positive way or a negative one. What’s more it doesn’t matter if you are not the cornerstone, someone taking extra weight and responsibilty, (although well done if you are) without you and your contribution the cornerstones would fall too.

That’s a huge lesson I’m learning here: “Together we are better!” (Brian Houston)
The church (and I’m talking globally) is one team and like the bricks we can all support each other. If you look around the church and you’re squirming in the position you’re in maybe you need to think about repositioning yourself. If you see everyone else and wish you were where they are or doing the job they are doing, or worse still you don’t want their job but you don’t want them to be blessed by it either well I suggest you find a John. Find someone who will help you get in line (or how to use the tools we’ve got on our site- trust me the bibles a whole lot easier to use than the string thing ‘n’ it makes more sense, well to me at least!) Like John they will be patient and take time with you. Remember they are overseeing the job- they don’t want you to fall cos that only holds up progress. We want a church that is constantly progressing! We have no time for “regressors”! (Ephesians 5:16)

If you feel, wait a minute I’m not even a brick yet. I’m still in the mould ‘n’ I’m not sure I’ll be able to fit. Remeber the one who made you, made you perfectly just how you’re supposed to be. He made you to be part of the build. (Phillippians 1:6)

In Africa materials are expensive so they waste NOTHING. A couple of time a few of the mazoongos (not naming any names) would spoil a brick, dropping it from the cushion on their heads. Others were damaged when the human chain started laughing hysterically! Nobody cast them aside. Never once did John say “Oh well that one’s damaged we can’t use it.” No! He simply sanded off the rough edges and made it fit. He even went to the trouble of adding a lil extra mud to a couple and reshaping them so they could be used. Most often these “damaged” bricks were used as the cornerstones cos he said they were the strongest. How much more does God love it when he can reshape us and use us to make something magnificant!? (Math 18: 10-14)

When we first arrived at Hillsong we were immediately challenged by a vision they have here. They call it The I heart Revolution: (www.iheartrevolution.com)

“Imagine a global church and the impact it could have on the world!”

I thank God that you guys are imagining a global church and together we are witnessing how it is changing the world. Although we are not the foundations we are part of the build and we’re progressing. We are building on what’s gone before and preparing something better for the future.

God is building a global church and we need each other. If we unite we are stronger. The world is watching and like me on the building site they are becoming impatient. They can see (and feel) the immediate needs. They want an answer like the girls wanted somewhere to sleep. I believe we have the answer- Jesus!

Are you committed to the build?

Aussie Barbie? Na pass me the waterproof poncho please!

G’day! Howz it ga’in dudes?! Yes o yes we have arrived down under! That whole ‘ we at the bottom of the earth’ thing makes me feel dizzy when i think about it too much. The weather out here is scortchio…na im joking, its actually been rain storms everyday since we arrived, which is actually making it feel a little more like Christmas for us!

We met up with my sister Caroline on arrival at the airport, its been 5 months since i seen her so the skies reverberated with high squeals and laughter when she found us lying on the benches sleeping our tierd little heads since we had decided not to go to sleep on the plane but do an 8 hour movie marathon. Can you believe that they show ‘The Neverending Story’?! AND ‘High School Musical’?! Im not ashamed of my film taste at all..cough cough! But we turned Malaysian Airways into broadway as we watched ‘Hairspray’ and ‘High School Musical 2′! Yeah we got an encore, but our dancing had to calm down as the pilot thought the plane was going through turbulance.

So we have been in Oz for just over a week now and our days consist of, church, church, church, a day in the city and more church but when your local church is Hillsongs you start to cry when the services are over! To be honest with you guys, when Caroline was taking us to our first service which was last Saturday night i was nervus…yes i admit…i was nervus about going to church! I had seen Hillsong on TV and it looked massive, everybody uber confident and i just felt like it was my first day in school.

The first thing that i noticed about the church is that it was so welcoming for first time visitors. Outside the church they have proper coffee wagons, table and chairs and a burger stall where you can meet church members or just chill out before for what will undoubtably be a powerful sermon. When i entered into the main church it actually looked more inviting and homely than what i had imagined it to be, yes there is an overall congregation of 10,000 people per sermon - 4 sermons a day, but there was a seat for everyone and we weren’t stuck right at the back at the fire exist doors but we comfortably founds seats 4 rows from the front, where we pearched on our seats eager for the worship to start! They have massive wall screens that boom on powerful versus in the bible that prepare your heart, mind and soul for hearing God.

So im standing there all hyped up, and then……( everybody get your air guitars ready) Hillsong United come on stage and bring you further into God’s presence with their powerful worship! The legend that is Darlene Zschech was leading it also, i felt so blessed to be there. I looked around and saw that most of the congregation are youths. This church had done it, this church had made God more attractive than the world for young people and it was awesome.

We have plans made up for Christmas, we are going to Annette’s Mum ( the lady that owns the house that Caroline is staying at) is taking us in for Christmas dinner and then we have been invited to Terry Scott’s who is one of the worship lecturers at Hillsong College for a gathering! It looks all good!

Hope to update you with more later!

Lorna xx

Thaierd!

Imagine a piano played so sensitively that the notes create a melody gentle enough to still a crying child (and silence the Soul Touchers). Imagine a voice, which once sounded foreign in both tone and language, now singing to you a song your ears understand. Under the melody a gentle humming starts and although it is a language you have not studied each word meditates on your heart.

Hard to imagine I know. Infact perhaps it is impossible to recreate the atmosphere of the prayer meeting we attended the first evening we arrived at Fah Muang Thai Church, the church we are visiting now. Situated in the outskirts of Bangkok this little house is home to us and has been for the past week. It is home also to a congregation of about fifty Thai people, although they do not sleep on the Sunday School Floor alongside us.

Conducted entirely in Thai one might think it would be impossible to participate however my experience is quite the contrary. And so with eyes closed I listened. For a moment I stopped straining to hear, to join in or to understand I just sat quietly (even more impossible to imagine now I know).

Over the past few days it has become more and more obvious that we have been called here for a reason. We have learned so much from the hospitality of the people here; their kindness knows no bounds. They show what it is to love in a very practical way. Nothing is an inconvenience to them and so morning, noon and night we are well looked after (and fed!)

Since picking us up off the “Venga Bus” (Thai buses are a whole other story but basically they are colourful -I’m talking pink floral designs on the outside, green Thai Silk curtains and red velvet seats on the inside, full of backpackers and can be very comfortable, or so we’re told. Unless however, you have the unfortunate experience of sitting at the very back, awkwardly perched between red velvet seats unable to get into a position in which you can sleep and to make things worse the hyperactive Israeli gentlemen sharing the red velvet sofa with you talks incessantly for every second of every minute of every hour you are on the bus. Yes all 14 of them! Of course if you chose to visit Thailand I can not guarantee that you will have this privilege, they may charge you extra for the ticket but I would certainly suggest you enquire about it…or not!) the members of the congregation here have done everything in thier power to make us feel at home. And we do!

Before I go any further actually I should introduce a new wee addition to our team. She’s limited edition and so for three weeks and three weeks only we’ve had (and are still having) the most amazing time with Laura (aka Drumzo, Laura Drummond). I’m sure she’ll have her own interpretation of events but hey she doesn’t have her own website so here goes!

Back to the church. Apart from being one of the friendliest communities I’ve ever been in the congregation here at Fah Muang Thai are living examples of how God does not only exist inside the church building and so neither should his people. The fact the building itself is a rented house (and therefore can not accommodate a huge congregation) does not limit the huge impact that this small congregation is having on the Thai community (and now the Soul Touchers plus Laura). Fah Muang Thai church goes out into schools, colleges and other churches teaching. Not only the gospel but it is a training centre for teachers. Today we visited one of the many communities they minister to: The Christian Foundation for the Blind with Multiple Disabilities. Meeting with these children really was like a little taste of heaven. To see them smile and to hear them laugh made my heart ache, in a good way. To watch two of my closest friends embrace, play and communicate with children who could not see (and in some cases neither hear) them and to see their beaming smiles just filled me with joy in abundance.

Now close your eyes and go back to the prayer meeting ‘cause there’s some things I still have to share with you. Some of you are starting to feel comfortable at the mere thought of a prayer meeting never mind one with soft music and people actually praying; bare with me for a second. Others of you will be imagining it quite well having experienced similar meetings either at home or abroad. And then there will be those of you who did actually shut your eyes for a wee second (dummies!) and then remembered you couldn’t read the screen like that. There’s always one.

Go back to imagining that Lorna and I were quiet (I know that will be meditation to your ears) and there is music playing. Sometimes we are not required to talk, to do anything or to be upfront. God requires us to simply listen and enjoy his presence. On Sunday we sang the verse “Be still for the presence of the Lord is moving in this place”. Some people were so shocked that God was there that they actually cried. So often we sing these words but when God actually shows up it terrifies us. I took this time to reflect and ask God the reason for the events that have occurred so far in Thailand. Trust me there’s been a few.

Last week we were in paradise (here in Thailand they call it Phi Phi Don, it’s a small island in the south very close to the beaches where they shot the film “The Beach” with Leonado DiCaprio). Our day’s activities consisted of swimming in crystal clear blue waters, lazing on white sands, eating fruits freshly picked from the surrounding trees and listening to Bob Marley. In our defense we we’re recovering from the fiasco in which I ended up in hospital in India but yes I know we’re bloomin’ fortunate! The weirdest thing was that despite the idyllic surroundings I could not relax; I’ve actually never felt more uncomfortable. Yes, I had my two best buds with me who made me laugh till my belly ached. We ate nice food, talked about men and even sang along to Chesney Hawks (who I mistakingly thought was the same person as Keith Chegwin for some reason. Has anyone else ever made that mistake?) in full voice. It was about as good as girly time gets but still I felt numb, sick and lost. “Maybe I just need to get back on track with the mission and I’ll feel more settled. Once we get to the orphanage I’ll feel fine.” I convinced myself. What I’ve learned since is that I got that totally wrong. I needed to get back on track with God.

Some people are completely disillusioned, living with the idea that Christians are all in the light. Infact many of these disillusioned people call themselves Christians (I include myself in every dumb mistake ever made, said or thought by any Christian) After all surely we are no longer in darkness if we have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour: “I am the way the truth and the light”. On that Island I saw very little light and a whole lot of darkness; people searching, some more desperately than others, for something or someone to make them happy. Don’t get me wrong I am glad that God exposed me to both.

A dear friend and inspiring christain challenged me once. He told me: “the world is dark”. Well that’s kinda obvious we can see that; there are not very nice people and bad things happen all the time. And: “then there is light” he continued. “Those living and walking the way God intended us to live.” He described things assosiated with the darkness. Things such as secular music with offensive lyrics, clubs and alcohol. When he spoke to me I could see where he was coming from, almost. “But he is African,” I told myself “and they have a different culture”. WRONG. He is Christian and they have a different culture. Or at least we should have. On that island I experienced all of the things he associated with darkness.

Often, in lame attempts to fit in or when struggling not to be seen as “Jesus Freaks” we try to have one foot in the dark and the other in the light. I allowed the world to pull me one way, to think it was ok to have a cocktail, or to listen to bob Marley for a while. Thankfully God was holding my other hand and his love always overcomes evil. Now I really don’t want to create the impression we were the walking wounded, hanging out with the Rastas on the beach till the wee small hours. Not by any means. I’m not here to give you a lecture on alcoholism (I really am not qualified for that). You can drink whatever and whenever you like whilst listening to whatever music you like, I merely chose those as examples. But whilst doing these things you should consider how these things affect your relationship with God? Do they strengthen it? If the answer is no then get rid of them!

There were times on that island when I even convinced myself it was ok to fit in. “But I want to be able to communicate with the world”. Surely I have to be like them in some ways.” I questioned myself. “How can I minister to people if they don’t relate to me”. Jesus managed just fine and after all is he not our example. He ministered to the tax collector, murderers and prostitutes but he didn’t become like any of them so that they could relate to him!

When Lorna wrote about Israel she wrote about the armor of God. Ephesians 6 verse 11- 18. Well I believe this time here in Fah Muang Thai is preparing us with the armor we need for the rest of our mission. We are surrounded by Christians who are showing us how to love others. We have the bible of course and we should really know this already being missionaries and all but sometimes God gives everyone a wee helping hand (and personally I needed it). God never tests us beyond what we can cope with, this I know. He has a time for everything a time to work and a time to rest, this I know. And so I am not suggesting that we hibernate within the safe cocoon created by this wonderful Christian community for the rest of our lives, or even trip. That is not at all what God wants. He requires us to be salt and light: “Let your light shine before men, that they will see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.” (Mathew 5 16) That is all we desire to be. Unfortunately you can not shine that light if you are living in the darkness. If there are things in your life that are holding you back, giving you that numb uncomfortable lost feeling, the feeling I had only last week, guaranteed they do not come from God. He came to give you life in abundance not a horrible lost feeling. The bad news is for all you peeps who are already believers is that now is the time to give those “dark” things up. Stop kidding yourselves that you can have one foot in each camp, you will always feel torn.

So we are at the last stage of our Thailand experience. It has been three of the most exhausting weeks of my life. The place we went to rest turned out to be a total challenge and mission field and now the place we came to work is providing us with rest (despite the fact we’re sleeping on the Sunday school floor- I’m told the hard wood is as good as any Thai massage). God certainly does work in mysterious ways…his wonders to perform!

It’s those wonders that keep us going! And so on the 29th we’re off again. This time to Hillsongs Church Australia! We will be so sad to leave the friends (family) we have made here but like you guys at home they will be on this journey with us: on the blog and in our prayers.
Love you long time Erica x

Get in Touch Soul Touch

Hi peeps,
Just to let you know that it’s now even easier to contact Soul Touch. We were a lil bit slow off the mark (well it only took us 5months to set up) but we now have our own email!

soul_touch @ yahoo.com

Original as ever as you can see! Looking forward to hearing from you all soon! Sending you all our love and blessings from the land that is Thai.
Erica and Lorna xxx

Back in business (well in Thailand actaully)!

Last night I sat for about two hours trying to describe what life has been like for Lorna and I over the past few weeks. I attempted to describe the pain in my booty when the nurse in India mistakenly thought it was a pin cushion; how by day and by night my bed in hospital was literally guarded by angels (Rob, Lorna, Raj and Phil- well from a distance) who sang, prayed and looked after me until they eventually released me (no it wasn’t a metal institution I was in but the hospital did drive us all a bit doolally). I think I even took on the relentless task of describing my symptoms incase any of you medics out there could diagnose the unknown fever I contracted; contrary to what I was told in India I refuse to believe there is such a thing as “chickentitus”. To be honest what I was writing probably wasn’t all that funny but in short it was a summary of events. So you can imagine my frustration this morning when, in an attempt to escape the soaring hot sun toasting the holiday makers outside, I came in only to find that they’ve “leeset the comp-pooters sowee”!

Let’s just say this particular soul toucher’s pink skin (I forgot to tell you mum I got a wee bity sun burnt but nothing to worry about.) went a brighter shade of pink…but only for a sec! “Leeseting” the “comp-pooter” has actually been a godsend.

First and foremost it’s saved you all reading the gorey details of my “chickentitus” (for those of you who don’t know about my hospital saga I was ill in India but I’m all better now thanks to Lorna, Robert, Phil, Raj, Vani, Captain Thacker ‘n’ a whole host of other angels who looked after me and prayed for me during that horrible time). It also reminded me that there is no need to focus on the tedious details of my illness or the fact we were deported on our first arrival to India; although these events seem to have boosted the profile of Soul Touch somewhat. It would appear that everybody loves a drama! Well you’ve come to the right place because God has well and truly created to Drama Queens n the best thing about it is that he’s in the business of sending them around the world “right about now”!

The truth is India was a whole lot more than Visa offices and dull hospital wards. India was a place of discovery. We spent time discovering lots about ourselves; our capabilities (and disabilities). About the world of religion and how when Jesus said we would be persecuted for our faith he really did mean it. The first morning we arrived we read a psalm in church (Raj perhaps you could enlighten me I can’t remember the exact verse but I think it was Psalm 14) It spoke about how men have turned away from God. They worship false God and idols. It was at this point that we first discovered the strength and courage of Raj, Vani, Sebastian, Caption Thacker and all the others who are so determined to live for Jesus despite the fact they are literally surrounded by men who do worship idols. They offer people hope in a place where today people are still sacrificing children and idolizing cows.

Whilst visiting a local hospital in the jungle area of Dindigal we discovered what to do when placed a room of one hundred female nursing staff in the final stages of their training. No we didn’t run out! We did what we did best. We talked…and talked…and talked. About the most exciting topic we could think of…yes you guessed it: the gospel! Really it is amazing how God sustains you and gives you the recourses you need even in the most surreal an unexpected situations.

Dindigal was also a place of discovery for another two (much more inspirational) women whom we had the privileged of meeting. When we were told we were being sent to the jungle Lorna and I prayed. Well that’s not entirely true the first thing we did was scream (yes we’ve not changed that much) then we packed (all the essentials: bug spray, bug spray, more bug spray and mosquito repellant). Then we prayed. As you know we have been to some of the most remote and desperate places in the world yet it has not been fully revealed to us exactly why we are being sent to them and we pray daily (hourly, minutely) about what God wants us to do with the information we are gathering, the stories we are hearing and the desperate situations we are witnessing. We know that on our own there is very little we can do but we are trusting that this blog is powerful (yeah you know it is or you wouldn’t keep reading it. Not because of what we are writing or who we are but because of what God is doing) and that with your involvement and God’s guidance we can change things for these children.

So let me tell you a little bit about what we discovered. The children come from the jungle and live in tribes, amongst the animals. When we interviewed them they told us of how they are “friends” with the animals and there is no need to fear them. Their parents have grown to trust the women and are eager to send more of their children however at the moment there is no room and they cannot financially afford to look after anymore than the eighty they already have. The best bit of the day for me was listening to the children talk about their futures. How they want to become doctors; teachers; missionaries. They can imagine a future now they no longer suffer the disease they were susceptible to in the jungle, or at least they have access to medical are and an education.

Do you know I’m actually struggling to even articulate how exciting it was for us to be there. First of all to be in such a beautiful place and secondly to express the gratitude we felt towards all those who continue daily to love these children, serve them and care for them.

This is something I scribbled in my journal on the way down the mountain! I think it says exactly what I discovered that particular day!

I saw Jesus today.
I’ve been searching, asking to see his face.
I met him in the mountains
His awesomeness filled the place.
He suspended a cloud, hung it gracefully over the sun.
His face reflected in the water
Reminding me of the victory he’s won.

I tried to capture it in a photo; pen a verse
Desperate for you to see it too
But nothing can contain the wonder of what he’s done for me and you.
God is at work in India he’s called you to be part
To listen to the children’s stories
Of how they’re living in the dark.

Between braches they rest their sleepy heads and the leaves are their nutrition.
Yes we’re talking in the 21st century.
God knows you’re in a position
To help or at least to continue the work that God’s already begun
He loves these children too
For him he sent his son.

He took us to the children there.
He has heard their prayers!
In the darkness of their hiding places
He’s shown them that he cares.
That people all around the world will hear that they exist
He’s sending messengers to tell their story
Making sure they are not missed.

“Show me God what we can do”
I pondered for a while
And there I saw the answer
Written in her smile.

He is written on their faces
In the testimonies they give,
As they whisper revealing to this stranger
about where they used to live.

Of how their hair grew long
Teeth plaqued; their bodies unclean
For these were forgotten children
The world had never seen.

Until our sisters braved to go there, sent by God above
To give them hope and a future to show them (practically) God’s love.
They ventured in to territory unknown to civilization
They carried no spear to protect them,
Only the revelation:
That God has a plan for each and every child
He listens when we cry
So maybe we can’t change the world but I now that we can try.
That God’s raising a generation
Of people who will acknowledge him.
Every tongue in every nation.
Will confess he is Goodness. He is love. He is King.

That without him we live in darkness
Like wild animals we continue to roam
He’s called the children from the jungle.
Listen he’s calling you home.

Ask to see his face
To be a part, to make a difference.
You no longer need to read this or watch only form a distance.
Get involved is what I’m trying to say
I should have penned that at the start
So we’ll continue to pray that you
In this discovery you will always be a part.

So know we’re in Thailand. Recovering! Not only from my hospital trip but also from everything we have been discovering over the past five months. It’s been amazing. We hope you are enjoying it too although our suntans are bound to be slightly better than yours!

We love you all…and then some! The Soul Touchers in Thailand

5 Bo’nessians, 1 Fifer and Thailand

Good day and how is your sea view looking this morning?!
Today i am so happy because with everyday that passes i can see that Erica’s strength is getting better, praise God!
So i don’t think anyone could really have prepared me with the company of half of Bo’ness! You guys are more exciting than an episode of River City. I now know that there was 5 primary schools, i hear that Kinnean ( or something like that) is the best primary school (don’t pie the messanger!) and that there was one lucky High School, (Bo’ness Academy?) that you all attended. The family that live in No.32 have got a new dog, all dogs in Bo’ness seem to be Boxers for some reason. And to be honest all i could hear is ’shes my cousin’ or ‘he’s my cousin too’ etc…
And as i swim at the pool, inhaling and exhaling the beauty of Thailand if i squeeze my eyes, so i can just see a little water, and hear Erica, Laura, Ritchie, Tommy and Kev speak i can almost imagine that i am in Bo’ness looking at the River Forth ( not Bo’ness Loch that i used to call it). Obviously with the heat here i have to imagine that i am standing next to a bonfire aswell.
Its so amazing having everyone here and i haven’t stopped laughing since the gang arrived! I am a big fan of Bo’ness and i feel like i know you all so much more and i can’t wait to put faces to the names!
I want to thank you all for your continuing prayers, they have helped us so much. We can’t wait until Soul Touch is back in full recovery after India and ready to run again.
Take Care
Big God Hugs
Lorna xxxx

Arrived in Thailand

[NOTE: Some of you may know that Erica wasn't so well for a little while in India, but she has recovered well and this recent e-mail to the church office encourages us that she and Lorna are continuing their epic trip undaunted...]

Dear All,Its Erica here!

I’m out of hospital and just wanted to thank you all so much for your prayers! They are powerful and they are being answered daily! I am getting stronger each day! The seizures have all stopped and my skin is not nearly as itchy! SO thank you and love you all in abundance! We are now in Thailand and Laura (Drummond) was here waiting for us at the airport! It is so nice to have my (other) best bud here with us and she’ll be getting her soul touched no doubt!!! We did have so many plans here in Thailand, working with SU but we are just taking each day as it comes as I’m still building my strength. Lastly we were so excited to see the Soul Touch link that is on the standonline web page. 

Love you all n then some,

ERICA XXX

Live link with St. Andrews.

Here is a short clip of the live link with Bo’ness and Chennai on Sunday the 28th of October.

Click here.

Worldly Wise…Not!

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding”
Proverbs 3: 13

Two young ladies sat relaxing in the cobbled square of Old Jaffa (Israel) Having just completed the coastal walk from the centre of Tel Aviv to the historic city gates the girls enjoyed their ice coffees and remarked on their beautiful surroundings.
Lorna: The architecture here reminds me of Italy or Rome?
Erica: But you’ve never been to Italy Lorna.
Lorna: No I’ve never been to Rome either.

Later that evening, having returned from their days adventure (and hike) they dined by the sea. Looking up, expecting to see some familiar constellations Erica remarked on how dark the sky looked. It was lit up only by one beaming light. Lorna: What’s that over there?
Erica: It’s a star. It’s the Star of David; you know like the one on their flag ‘n’ it’s hovering over Bethlehem.
Lorna: Are you sure that’s the star?
Erica: Yeah sure. It’s the brightest star; that’s how the wise men knew how to follow it. Suddenly the diamond in the sky turned red and started to move.
Lorna: Look Bethlehem’s moving!

Accents can often complicate things and so many times we misunderstand or misinterpret what people say. Whilst being driven to the next school, where they were going to teach, the girls absorbed some of their cultural surroundings. Being of an inquisitive nature Lorna enquired about the huge animals that were now parallel to the car, dwarfing it’s exterior.
Lorna: Oh my goodness what are they? I’ve never seen animals with horns as big as that before” Lorna screeched, pointing excitedly to the beasts.
“Dat is a Pull a Cart,” The girls were told.
“Ah a pulacart” Lorna repeated what the Indian gentleman had said, or at least what she thought he had said. “A Pulacart! I’ve never heard of that animal before.”
“It’s a bull,” said Erica
“Yes dit is a bull. It is pulling dee cart.”
The girls giggles realising that the “pulacart” he was referring to was the vehicle not the animal.

“Entertain dem!” Was the instruction we were given by the pastor and so the Soul Touchers humbly obliged. So having finished their hundredth rendition of “Making a Melody” Erica and Lorna conferred about what game to play next.
“What game will we do next?” Lorna muttered through grinning teeth, still humming the melody song and straining to dance, despite every limb aching from a day of singing and dancing with enthusiastic Indian children.
“I think my trousers have ripped!” Erica paniced.
“What game?” Lorna repeated, thinking she had never heard of that particular one.
“My trousers! I think there’s a wee tear in the crotch but its ok finish the song I don’t think you can see it,” Erica replied turning discreetly for Lorna to check the damaged garment.
“Eh, Erica I can see your bum.” Lorna nervously hovered behind, trying to protect her friend’s modesty.
“Where?” Erica asked inspecting her trousers. But Lorna’s hand pointed to a completely different area: the backside, the seem of which was disintegrating as Erica moved. Gesturing to one of the many Indian women in the church Erica asked for a needle ‘n’ thread. The woman immediately removed the trousers and proceeded to wrap the, now hysterical, Erica in a sari! Lorna got one too but she didn’t have to burst her pants to get one!