The journey began as all do, long before we boarded the plane to fly across the Atlantic. In some ways it was a continuation of the first trip to Scotland almost five years earlier and every one since; a journey born in the Spirit initially through a vision I had been given of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the UK. But that is another story for another time. In other ways this was a trip unlike any before, and I’m not certain if I will ever be able to adequately describe and retell of the precious and transforming encounters we had in and with the Lord.

This post will be from a more practical perspective; a testimony to the Lords faithfulness to perform that which He has promised He would do. I pray it will be an encouragement to others who are being stirred to step out in faith to do something the Lord has placed in their heart.
For once again He has shown that He is ever and always faithful!
Praise the holy and wonderful name of Jesus, Name above all names!

For several months we had been impressed to return to Scotland to minister and pray, the latter becoming an increasing focus for me as time passed. As it turned out this was certainly my primary purpose for being there. For Richard evangelism, bringing the good news to the lost is always his heart, his motivation and focus.
What matters most is being led by the Holy Spirit, responding to Gods will as it is revealed and flowing with that.

When it comes to faith and the things of the Spirit of God I am perhaps a bit simple and naïve. It puzzles me sometimes that the life the Lord has called us to is such an oddity to other Christians, but have come to accept this. We simply have to be obedient regardless of what others think.
So when the Lord calls us to do something I readily expect He has already made provision for it and will make a way.
Outward circumstances do not supercede the will of the Lord, nor should they be the basis upon which we make our decisions. We need to hear from God at all times and trust Him, for truly “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.
But I also know He does not do things on our terms; and His are often quite different than ours!

As I shared previously, we were willing to walk, hitchhike, sleep under the stars or whatever it took to go where He directed, and do as He bid. However I was in faith praying for transportation! After Richard departed, someone brought over enough money to rent a car for two weeks, enabling us to get where we needed and made events possible that otherwise would not have happened. It was an encouragement and blessing!
During the three days prior to departure the amount we had for the trip (which by human reasoning wasn’t nearly enough to begin with) more than doubled, coming in bit by bit and as is usually the case, from unexpected sources. During our sojourn the Lord continued to provide along the way.
He is just so amazing and good and so worthy of our praise!!!

Understand that for months there were many days and nights of earnest prayer seeking confirmation before we left, as I have the fear of God about doing something presumptuously. There were times I felt intense opposition for the enemy to our going.
Believe me, if God isn’t in it, I certainly don’t want to do it! Yet the answer remained yes, we were to go; with many confirmations and visions given of things that would come to pass.

So when He says to go, our response as believers should be to go! Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! His ability to do the miraculous, and to provide has never changed; nor has His mandate to go into all of the world and preach the gospel.

And speaking of opposition from the enemy and the victory we have to overcome in Christ Jesus…
prior to going a health concern of several years came to the point the Dr. wanted me hospitalized, and absolutely did not approve of our leaving. There was such a strong witness from the Holy Spirit that I could choose to trust Jesus for my healing, that grace and faith was given to proceed.

As I pondered this last night such thankfulness flooded my soul and I knew I had to share this, for I’ve been completely healed. When I pause to consider this I am overwhelmed with awe and gratitude. I mention this solely because the Lord deserves to be honored and praised for His faithfulness, He really truly does!
Thank you Jesus, thank you!!!

Richard arrived in Glasgow early Thursday morning and was picked up by friends with whom we had previously lived. He spent the first two days working around their property helping out until I arrived late the next day. Within two hours upon arriving we were taken to a fellowship where we had previously ministered for an anointed time of worship and prayer.

The following day we met with Phil for a blessed time of fellowship together where we placed everything on the altar, knowing the Lord would work things out according to His will regarding the where and when of our meeting together while in Scotland.

The following three days were filled with church, the day at Whithorn and Ninians cave; street evangelism and personal ministry appointments with friends of our hosts.
Early Wednesday morning we picked up a car and headed to the Isle of Cumbrae to visit and pray with our dear friend Ruth Sterling, one of the many “hidden” people the Lords has in Scotland.

That evening we headed back for a meeting in Paisley where Phil was preaching. We got a little lost and arrived 30 minutes late only to find the church door locked! But the Lord was in this, for it gave us an opportunity to talk and pray with a young man for about half an hour before someone finally let us in, at which time he joined us for the remainder of the service.The Lord Jesus ministered graciously to him through Phil, with a prophetic prayer of blessing over his life. We are in faith that his heart was touched by the Lord, and continue to pray for his salvation.
The Lord is so faithful to be working at all times in and through everything, even getting lost and being late!

The following morning we picked up Phil and headed to Inverness, stopping along the way as the Lord directed where we had an important and divine encounter with the Lord. Such joy overcame me as I witnessed the Lords faithfulness, I couldn’t help but laugh with delight in Jesus awesome presence, love and grace.

Later that afternoon we stopped at Culloden battlefield, where the final defeat of the Jacobites brought about the end of the Highland way of life, as laws were enacted outlawing the wearing of tartans, playing bagpipes, eventually culminating in the highland clearances.
The Lord spoke, giving revelation and understanding of how events of the past can continue to affect nations and people today. We stood there or knelt as the Spirit moved, listened and prayed.

And so our first week ended with a significant day where we mourned Scotland past, the darkness of which lingers yet today, yet looked to the future with the eternal hope and joy found in our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, our God and our King.
For He who is Faithful and True is ever so worthy to be honored and praised!
Bless His holy Name above all names, the wonderful