Scotland Update 7/6

Wow, I can’t believe that we have already been in Scotland for one whole week. Where has the time gone? I guess it is true that time flies when you are having fun! Scotland is very beautiful, both for its stunning scenery and for its bold, strong people. That is certainly true in the gritty neighborhood of Drumchapel which is found on the outskirts of Glasgow. While Drumchapel has gotten slightly better over the years, it still remains one the poorest and most broken neighborhoods of Scotland. Though there are many needs of the community, it is evident that the greatest need here is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! He is mighty to save!

This past week was filled with an exciting Kid’s Club (VBS) that our students led for the local Drumchapel children, ages 5-12. Children who attended our club participated in worship, skits, crafts, games and Bible stories. Our theme verse for the week was Ephesians 6:15, “Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the good news of peace with God.”

In addition to our afternoon Kids Club, we performed nightly outreaches and our students boldly shared the gospel with many different people at Drumchapel Park. Some of the local youth stayed around to talk more and get to know our students while others walked away and made fun of us with their peers. Regardless of how our message was received, we reminded our students every day what they had previously learned at training camp, “Successful witnessing is taking the initiative to share Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God.”

Besides our outreaches in the park we were able build deep relationships and encourage the Scottish Christian youth in the church, who were few in number. By the end of the week our new friends even hosted a special night for our students by blessing us with all kinds of Scottish foods and treats! They even taught us how to dance in traditional Scottish style!!

On Sunday we finished up our time in Drumchapel with our team leading the worship service. Our message focused on unity in the body of Christ and many of our students participated by singing, sharing testimonies and expounding on the scriptures. The Holy Spirit moved throughout the service and one of the Scottish youth named Jordon sought out the pastor after the service and asked if he could surrender his life to Christ! It was a powerful way to end our time in Drumchapel.

Please pray for Jordon as he establishes his new faith in Christ. Please also pray for the few Scottish Christian teens who are struggling to hold on to their faith and pray for the children who attended our kids club. We know of at least three children who gave their lives to Christ!

It has been such a blessing to share our lives and the gospel with the wonderful people of Drumchapel. It has truly been an amazing start to our time in Scotland! Next stop, Victoria Evangelical Church in Govanhill, on the south-side of Glasgow!

For the Scotland Family,

Matt Halseth

PS. The team arrived safely to our next ministry site in Govanhill. Today we start a busy week filled with more afternoon kid’s clubs, park outreach and evening youth clubs. Please pray!

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Originally Published July 6, 2015