Ayrshire, Turkey, and Africa, oh my!

So a huge turn of events occured this week that means our whole rest of the DTS is going to look much different then we thought. Originally we were all breaking into three groups for the last three months: one group staying in Scotland, one group going to Africa (myself), and one group going to Turkey (Georgia). However, we were having trouble hammering out plans for various reasons, and the staff were confused as to why things weren't coming together. During one of their staff meetings last week they had what we here at Seamill call a "Whoosh" moment (one of those moments where you realize what God is trying to tell you and suddenly things make sense), specifically in the form of an image they were all getting of a tri bladed ceiling fan. After more thinking, talking, and praying, the staff realized that we should be doing the entirety of our DTS in unity. So all 19 of us will be going to all three locations one after another. We're all going to be working in Scotland for December, then we're heading to Turkey for a month, then Morocco for the final month before we head back to Scotland. I am overjoyed about this, because although I was excited to spend three months in Africa, and certain that God was going to do big things, I was broken hearted at the thought of fracturing our group.  The entire time we've been here we always talk about how God is speaking to us about unity, family, and helping one another along, so I'm excited that he meant for the entire six months and not just the beginning. On a less deep note, we will get to spend Christmas together here in Scotland! 

We're spending next week in Motherwell, partnering with a church there to do some ministry tying in with "Guy Fawkes Day". On November 5th they celebrate a man who failed to blow up the parliament building (V for Vendetta, anyone?). People celebrate by having a bonfire and throwing a replica of Guy Fawkes into the fire. That's...different. Some of us will be staying on the floor of the church, while some of us get to stay at host family homes. Georgia has been building up in her head the fantasy of what these family's homes will be like, so unless she is adopted by Daddy Warbucks this week I suspect she might be let down. She's very excited for the jacuzzi and ice cream parlour that's probably going to be in the house she's staying at. My ideal situation would be a family of chefs that want to try out the recipes they're thinking of including in their next bestselling cookbook.

If you're reading this, the coach is proud of you!

So we have really gotten into the swing of things here in Scotland. I still miss Calgary dearly, but I definitely feel happy and comfortable here. It will be odd to go home and not be constantly surrounded by people. The other day my room mates were out really late and I actually had trouble sleeping because the room was spooky without them.

So I have shared some funny stories but honestly this has been the most emotionally and spiritually stretching experience of my life, and it's only been two weeks. I can't imagine how I'll feel in five months. During the week we have lectures and work duties, and then various activities during the evenings so it's seriously go, go, go from the minute we get up. We also have "Coach Powers" three times a week before breakfast, which is this audio workout we all do together. He's this old man who says obnoxious things like: "The coach is proud of you!", and "You're doing awesome!" Shut up coach, you can't see us.

The first week was just general orientation and introduction lectures to get us all on the same page, and week two was "Overview of the bible". We had a guest speaker who came in to prep us to help volunteer at a conference in Glasgow next weekend, and he actually turned out to be the most challenging and interesting speakers, in my opinion. His teaching was about how Heaven is not just some far off place we go when we die, but that Jesus intended us to bring Heaven to earth by living out his teachings. This idea has challenged me in every area of my life, even down to when I'm doing my work duties and realize that emotions like boredom and lazyness are not Heaven minded. Keeping this mindset has brought me alot of joy as well as a more optimistic attitude about...everything.

We know our outreach locations, if you'd like to know specifically I can tell you over skype. I can say that we're going to need prayers that God would open doors to get us into the country in question as it's going to be very difficult to deal with the authorities.

Practically Gordon Ramsay by this point.

I finally managed to upload one photo of my current home, the Seamill Centre. Savour this moment because photo number two might never come as we have the worst internet connections you could possibly have.

We were assigned our "practical ministry" teams this week, which is code for chores. Georgia is in hospitality and I am working in the kitchen. I find it interesting because I was also assigned to kitchen prep when I worked at Rockridge Canyon last summer, so this is the second time I've ended up there without seeking it or feeling qualified in any way. (I rarely cook at home, and when I do it's just a stir fry because you can just throw things in a pan randomly and no matter how incompetent you are it will turn out fine.)

It is very different then working at Rockridge where I was only allowed to touch the fruits and vegetables. Day two on the job the chef was out of town so my two co workers and myself made the entire meal ourselves! I made the cornbread, which wasn't all that good but I followed the recipe exactly, so blame Mr. YWAM for picking a crappy recipe. One guy Jeffrey, is very southern and was sitting beside me at dinner and complaining loudly about how it was nothing like "real" cornbread, and I would turn to glare at him and he would make loud "mmmm" noises and give me the thumbs up. Apparently in the South they think people can't hear you talking right beside them as long as you're not talking directly to them. It's so much fun and a very easy work environment. Kendra, one of the girls who works with me is one of the most maniacally nice people I have ever met so she practically punches me out of the way to take the undesirable jobs.

I'm learning everyday and God is doing so much good right now in the Centre and in Scotland, however I still need to sort out my thoughts so I will share about the lectures another day. Please send mail, it's so, so welcome. The address is in my first post.

Moral of the story: Sweet tea is not at all the same as iced tea.

Every second in Scotland is a photographer's dream, and I do have some pictures coming I promise...however it seriously takes a good thirty minutes to upload one picture, and I just don't have the time or patience today and I wanted to share some updates.

Our DTS has 19 students; 4 boys and 15 girls. So far we're actually getting along really well. Georgia and I have bonded with another Albertan, who thinks we all share some common small town, farming community background. I'm always trying to make friends so I haven't yet had the heart to lay it on him that we know very little about hockey, cowboy hats, the word "eh", or line dancing...he has attempted to converse with us about all these subjects. He was reading a bit of my blog over my shoulder so maybe this will break the news to him. Anyways, I have become quite well versed in the language of different cultures; for instance, when someone in Britain wants to "pool" or "trap" with you, the answer should always be no unless you are in a commited relationship with them and want to take it to the next level. When I revealed that "sweet tea" sounds suspiciously like iced tea, the fellow from Tennessee nearly had an aneurism, and still won't let the discussion drop. Apparently they're as different as two things can be...who knew? Also, you can tell quite a bit about a British school boy by the height of his hair. Apparently the further back the hat sits on his head the "harder" or tougher he is. Man...doesn't that just sound too cool? I've always said I'd date a  man who wears his hat as high as possible.