Mission Almost Accomplished!

Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of blogging recently. Been so so busy with the team from Scotland being here. There are 16 of them and the programme is full. Morning until night stuff! I am presently trying to find time to phone my mum and dad in between the busyness!

We are having a great time. So many things are happening on so many levels. Schools, Feeding programmes, medical missions, Electrical work, Bible School teaching, hospital ministry, leadership seminars, etc.etc. We also had a short visit from our ex-director Mike Dixon and his friend Dr. Graham Rideal. We packed so much into 24 hrs! Graham is excellent at saxophone and we were able to go around every prison cell to minister to the inmates. They loved it! Graham was playing some pretty cool stuff ... but almost played 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Please Release me!" MMMmm ....


When they first arrived, in true Steve Ritchie fashion, a typhoon arrived - Typhoon Helen. Problem was that for two days the schools were all off, which affected our feeding programmes and school ministry. Never mind, as Mary's mum told me once, necessity is the mother of invention!

After those first few days, the weather became even hotter than usual. I mean ... super hot! Yesterday, my air con and fans were on all day and my house was still 32 degrees! Outside in the shade, it read 42 degrees. Melting. Even the Filipinos are complaining. These poor Scots ... Anyway, if you want to catch up on what the team are doing, then go to their blog. They are trying to do one every day by different members of the team. So check it out. The web address is: www.qrfseftonmission.blogspot.com

The team leave on Sunday and will fly on Tuesday. Matthew and I are going to a Cornerstone Leaders Summit in Malaysia on Monday. Please pray for us as we go there. Pray that we will be blessed, but also be a blessing. Pray too for Mary as she tries to minister and also look after the kids whilst dad is away.

Pray too for the Visa applications of four of our Pastors whom I am planning to bring to the UK with me in September - Winston, Marlou, James Aquino & August. If they are accepted, all I have to do is find finances for two of their flights! But I cannot move on until we have the Visas. They have been to the interviews and are awaiting news of their application. They should know this week. Please pray they are successful as I really want to bring them to UK for exposure, relationship building and just to help me!

Will blog soon ...

Here's Lookin' at You kid

Yesterday we celebrated the 6th Birthday of my beautiful daughter Lydia. She has been talking about her birthday for months ... so it was wonderful when the great day arrived! We thank the Lord for our children every day. They are our most precious greatest gift and our greatest treasures.

She was so happy. She got up bright and early with a huge smile on her face. She opened her presents from her family and friends. She was so blessed ... she got a PINK little digital camera which she loves from one granny and granda. her other granny and granda had given her lots of things for her new room. Mummy and daddy gave her a small CD player because she is in the Cornerstone dance group now and Kirsty our spy found out that they don't have a CD player to practice with! So now they have and Lydia is over the moon!

Off she went to school to meet her classmates. At 9:30, mum and dad went down to give out the cake and juice at break time. The cake went everywhere ...the kids' faces were covered with blue icing! So funny. After school, it was change of clothes and off to the Children's Home to celebrate with them! Another lovely 'Disney Princess' Cake for all the children and staff. Mmmmm..... thus birthday deal is great!

At 5:30pm we were off again ... for Lydia to take all her best friends to McDonalds for her party. All the dance Group was there, kids from Sefton Village and other wee people. Of course, lots of big people were there too. The kids had a great party ... and every one of them were given balloons, tons of toys...and of course McDonalds grub! So good. And of course ... cake ... her third one (given by the big chicken!)

Biggest surprise was still to come! I went to pay the bill and the staff told me that the party was free! They said that they saw that I was always the one blessing others ... so today it was my family's time to be blessed! What a day!

Last thing ... all the kids came back to our house. I put up the big screen and projector and we all watched the Bee movie. Popcorn provided. All the kids loved it - none of them have ever been to a cinema -so this was the best thing ever!

They all went home so happy, full and thankful. Lydia was tucked up in bed - next to all her new stuff - a contented and happy wee girl. And mummy & daddy were so happy that the day had gone so well. We went to bed ... shattered!

At 5:15am this morning, a little boy ran through to our bedroom and shouted "Wake up, wake up ... It's my birthday today!" I thought I was having a nightmare! "Another two weeks son, another two weeks ..."

Give us strength Lord!

Build the Ship while at Sea

These last few weeks have been hard for many people here in the Philippines. Typhoon 'Frank' hit the southern part of the nation hard and many hundreds lost their lives. The storm came on so quickly and many were caught unaware. Around 22 sea vessels sank on that terrible night. The worst disaster was the capsizing of one of the Philippines' largest passenger liner, the Princess of the Stars'.

What a tragic story. Around 800 people boarded the ship fully expecting to arrive in Cebu the next day. There was a storm signal number 1 given at the place they were departing from ... very normal in the Philippines. Signal 1 is rain and slight wind. They got clearance from the coastguard and away they sailed. Typhoon Frank was far away in the South East and was heading north. They should not be troubled by the storm.

As they headed south, Typhoon Frank completely changed direction and went East. It was headed straight for the ferry. The Captain tried to sail for a safe haven but the typhoon hit them first. Within 15 minutes the ship capsized. At this time, only 30-40 people are known to have survived ... over 700 are still missing, presumed dead. So many bodies have been washed up on shore but there are 20 other vessels that sank that night. Tragedy.

I am beginning to realise that 'without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God." I can try many ways to please God but if there is no element of faith invollved, they are nothing. I am learning how to fully trust God even though everything else around me shouts out the opposite. Faith ... Failing All I Trust Him. It is so easy to have safety nets around my life .. but do I really trust God ... completely?

Mary was reading me a quote the other day. It was about the beginnings of the Salvation Army and William Booth's son Bramwell uses an interesting quote - "We had to build the ship while we were at sea!" He was stating that the Salvation Army developed as they worked and ministered. They followed a progressive vision whilst they were setting up a movement that would touch millions.

I think that Sefton Village is a bit like that! looking back, to 8 years ago and even to more recent times, we have had to build the boat while we are at sea. We did not sit down and plan everything when we came in 2000 ... we have had to listen constantly. We have had to think and pray on our feet. As we are sailing, we have had to listen to the Lord for direction and guidance. Very often, in the midst of the storm, we have heard a 'still small voice' that has changed everything.

It's not east to build whist at sea. There are many storms! In the last month we have had so,me very serious issues to address and it seems as if the enemy is trying to undermine and destroy the plans of God. Sometimes it is easy to make a hasty decision when we see the icebergs ahead. Sometimes human logic prevails over simple faith. And sometimes we have got it wrong.

first few years here I led consistently in various settings. I was made praise and worship director for was happening at that point - we were developing For example, when I came to the Philippines one of my giftings and things I loved to do was lead worship. In Scotland I regularly led worship and in thethethe AoG in this area. But in 2003 I felt God say, step back and train up these young guys to lead the worship. So muchthe Bible School, building the Fire Centre etc. So I did. I trained up some people at Sefton to take on the worship.

That was 5 years ago. At the beginning of last year I felt the Lord say to me that He never wanted me to step back, He wanted me to step to the side and minister WITH these young guys. Looking back, in the midst of the storms, I laid down my guitar and mis-heard God's voice. We now have some great worship leaders at Cornerstone ... but I was left with a feeling of 'I've missed it ... no way back now."

But there is! I really decided to invest in a new guitar and start to strum away again. I said, "Lord, I am not going to force my way back into leading worship (like some old out of date blues singer!) ... Someone needs to ask me." Well, last week in our leaders meeting the Cornerstone guys said that the Pastors should be the back up singers and that Pastor Mark should lead the worship! Gulp!


So we had a so called practice on Friday and last Sunday morning I led the worship and all the 13 Pastors were my back uppers (as they call them in the Philippines!) You know, I loved it. I felt as though I had come home. I felt as if this was part of my life puzzle that was a missing piece! I felt that same anointing again and most importantly I felt the presence of God. I don't know where it goes from here, coz I'm building my boat whilst I am at sea.

Many Christians never leave the harbour. Many talk about the journey, dream about the destination, are fearful of impending storms and are not prepared to leave comfort behind. They never reach the open seas. They never fulfil potential. They never have the joy of arriving or the thrill of overcoming. They never really trust the 'pilot'.

A few months ago, I received a very unexpected email from a Pastor who used to teach me at Bible School. His name is George Ridley and I hadn't heard of him for years. He informed me of the amazing work he is involved in and said that he had just stumbled across my blog. At the end of his message he wrote something that really challenged me. And I pray it will challenge you also:

"Be encouraged and keep the dreams alive!
Some talk about GOING, others think about GOING but you WENT.
Good on you ... cos it's the start that stops most people."

Don't dither in the shallows, pretending to be building a nice vessel for another day. Ask the Lord for direction. Ask Him for a dream. Launch out! He is with you. He loves faith. He loves trust. He loves adventure. Even if you have to build your life and ministry on the sea ... don't worry ... He who began a good work in you WILL be faithful to complete it! Don't let the starting stop you!

Be encouraged. Be challenged. Be changed. Be ready for adventure!

Selah ...

SBTC ... Alive and Kicking!

I am so excited about what God is doing - right now - in and through our Bible School. This September, SBTC is 10 years old! It was started before we arrived but I thank the Lord that what is happening now at SBTC has been accomplished by a step by step progressive vision. We have been in a process - from an 8 month basic Church Planting course into a two year School of Ministry.

The last two years have been tough, I must admit. The sudden death of Pastor Abe really knocked us all .. particularly me! And when I came back in 2007 things were just not the same without my friend and co-worker around. I found it hard to put my heart back into the Bible School. We set up a temporary dean - Pastor James Bastian. We all took extra responsibilities to get us through but James is the guy I need to thank the Lord for. How he help everything together -along with his ministry at Cornerstone AND being the Administrator AND starting a family - is beyond me. But he did!

Last year, my co-director Pastor Angel and I identified a Pastor to be our new Dean of students. He was from Pastor Angel's church originally but had left to go to Bible School years ago. He married a lovely lady called Joy and they were ministering in the AoG's biggest Bible School in the Philippines - Bethel Bible School in Manila. Pastor Lorenz was the Dean of students and joy ran their Nursery School as well as being the Dean of Women! When we approached them, they said they would pray about it. But they could not come last year due to responsibilities and commitments.

To cut a long story short, I went down to visit them in Manila and preached in their Bible School. Unbeknown to me, the things that I said in my message were exactly the words that Lorenz had challenged God about that week. Gos is amazing. If He wants to tell you something ... you had better be ready! So they handed in their resignation and followed the call. They arrived here in the first week of May.

They are our new neighbours and they have two great kids - Rohama (4) and Aaron (2). They have made a huge difference to SBTC and are using all their skills and giftings to bring new ideas to our Bible School. best thing is ... they are so passionate about what God has called them to do. It is infectious! I have rekindled the love for these students and for the amazing vision of our Bible School. I am so excited! Joy is also working part-time in teh afternoons at the Nursery School and is really helping Mary.

We started enrollment at the end of May and I am delighted to tell you that we have 24 first year full time students and 13 full time second year students! So we have 37 full time students at SBTC and around 5 or 6 that are day students. There is a new buzz around the place! Can you spot me in the top picture?

I am especially delighted to tell you that we have eight full-time students from our Cornerstone Churches (see pic below)! Wow! They are the next generation of church planters and leaders that have come through our church. We are beginning to see some fruit of our labour at Cornerstone!

There are many Leaders in the AoG District here that really want us to reach out and do extension seminars in various places. Please pray for this new possibility. It opens up doors for us to train even more people fro the ministry from around Northern Luzon.

Pray also for our transport situation. We have a large Jeepney van, but it is very unsafe and I am really worried about it. We have so many students now that we need either another multi cab plus get our one fixed or we need to trade in the old banger and use any money towards buying two multi cabs. I am praying we can do this by September when the students start to go out on evangelism and church networking. We have been challenged to plant a church directly from our Bible School, so pray we can do it! In the AoG here now, you cannot apply for credentials unless you have planted a church!

Please pray for us at SBTC. The first few weeks can be difficult for the new students and we have found that many of them feel under so much pressure to go home. Pray for the Salazar family as they adjust to life at Sefton Village. Pray for that God would continue to give us a progressive vision that we will be able to understand and follow.

Catch you later ...

Mark

Happy Fathers Day!

Today is Fathers Day! The time-honoured tradition where the family will take a day to encourage, bless and thank the father of the home.

Today was really nice. Lydia came through at 5am and whispered, "Happy Fathers Day ... can I get a Yakult" all in one breath. Today, for the first time, wee Josiah came with his daddy on a preaching engagement. We dropped mummy and Lydia off at Cornerstone Santiago (because Lydia goes to Kids Church there and loves it so much she doe not want to miss it!) and Josiah, me and Pepito (Josiah's bestest friend in the Philippines and my unofficial adopted son!) headed for Cornerstone Ramon.

Well, surprise surprise. Josiah behaved great! He didn't cry for his mum once and seemed to enjoy the occasion. At the end of the service there was a 'Fathers Day' time where the kids or wives of the fathers said something really nice and then handed us a mug. Well, when my turn came, wee Josiah grabbed the mike and said, "Happy Fathers Day daddy, I love you!" I was taken aback and even more shocked when he started to sing! No, it wasn't an emotional paternal love song ... but it was from his wee heart -"One Way, Jesus"! He he. He even went really low and did the "You are the way, the truth and the Life ..." bit and started all over again! What a hoot. The folk loved it! And I was so touched.

I spoke about the Father Heart of God, and here were my points. I know there are 7, but I can assure you they were short!

1. A FATHER WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HIS CHILDREN
2. SOMETIMES NO WORDS ARE NEEDED
3. THERE IS NO DAY OFF - IT'S 24/7!
4. CHILDREN TOTALLY DEPEND ON US … BUT ONLY FOR A SEASON
5. MY CHILDREN KNOW MY VOICE
6. MY DESIRE IS TO BE CLOSE TO MY CHILDREN
7. A FATHERS LOVE IS FOREVER

I thank the Lord so much for my dad and all the he has done for me. You never really understand the sacrifices and pain that your father goes through until you yourself are a father! Even now, my dad is so important to me and I know he he right behind us and what God is doing at Sefton Village. And I thank the Lord so much for that. I pray that I will be as good a dad to my children as my dad has been to me.

I remember speaking to Pastor Jim McGlade ad he said something really interesting. He said that you can only test how good your parenting skills are by how your grandkids turn out! He said that if you have spent time with your kids, brought them up in the ways of God, taught them good morals and trained them in righteousness ... then what you have put into your kids will come out in their kids! So I'm praying that not only will myself, Paul and David bring blessing for my mum and dad ... but OUR kids will also be a blessing to our family, their churches and the society they live in. Interesting ....

Well, we have a tough week ahead. Tomorrow, the new Elementary School will start as well as the new school year for the Nursery School. Also, the Bible School will start our new year. I am also preaching at the launch of our 'Feeding Programme' at Nagassican. Help ma boab! What a day!

But there is a very serious problem we have to deal with tomorrow. I cannot share any details but we would really appreciate your prayers. Right now, it is living on a roller coaster ... so many ups followed by great tests and challenges. I feel that there are great victories ahead ... but we have many battles to face on the way there.

Here are some laughs concerning fathers. Enjoy:

Letter to a Father:

Dear Dad,

$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.

Love,
Your $on

The Reply:

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.

Dad

My Dad thinks he wears the trousers in our house, but it's always Mum who tells him which pair to put on!

After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money." "Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "but why?" "Because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."

A company held a contest for kids with the theme: "The nicest thing My Father Ever Did For Me." One kid answered "He married my mother."

Happy Fathers Day to all you great men out there. Be blessed and bring up your kids in the ways of the Lord.

Hunger

About a year ago Mary did a study with the aunties in the Children’s Home concerning spiritual hunger. She asked them, “Have you ever been hungry?” She was amazed at their response. Every one of them, at some point of their lives, had suffered true hunger. Hunger that meant they were so desperate to eat but there was nothing there; and nowhere to find the food they craved. Mary and I have never been through true hunger. Have you?

Hunger is a relative word. Hungry in UK is not the same as hunger in the Philippines; hunger in the Philippines is not the same as hunger in Mozambique. In the UK, hungry means you had a meal a couple an hours ago and you can’t wait for your next fill in approximately 75 minutes. Hunger in the Philippines means that you are not getting quite so much food (em, rice!) that you would like but you know that somehow somewhere there will be someone who you will eat with very soon. In Mozambique, hunger means desperation and death. There is no hope.

I hear a lot about Todd Bentley and the Lakeland Revival from folk in the UK. I finally managed to get my cable company to put on God TV but the Revival is on from 2-6am! So, I have seen very little of what God is doing there. But I managed to get the last 20 minutes last Friday and Todd was ministering to Pastors and their wives who felt like giving because it was so difficult. Some pastor’s wives were sick with cancer, some were so discouraged, some were worn out. At the end of the rope … but still hungry!

Hungry enough to travel huge distances to taste the healing power of God. Hungry enough to recognize their weaknesses and failures. Hungry enough to stand in front of millions and say, “Lord, I need you.” Hungry enough to realize that no-one can touch us like the Lord. Hungry enough to ignore other people’s opinions. Hungry enough to reach out and touch God.

It was a joy to hear these lovely Pastors and their wives just tell God that they were hungry for a new touch from him. As I watched tears ran down my cheeks. Todd Bentley said something – “Friends, I am hungrier for God than anyone. I am hungry for His presence.” At first I thought, “Mmmmm, that’s a bit arrogant!” And as I thought about my own life and ministry I began to realize that you can go on week after week and month after month without being truly hungry for God. We can do things for Him without really being desperate to be with him. Over the last week I have been really examining my life. Am I really hungry FOR GOD? I have to admit that there is so much going on at Sefton. Plan after plan, meeting after meeting, team after team, pressure after pressure, work after work … ALWAYS something to do and someone to see. Living under pressures of trying to minister, bring up a family, keep up with admin & write newsletters (when the kids are down!!), trying to live (and drive) in another culture, melting in the sweltering heat … etc. etc. We have around 60 staff now and we are responsible not only for them but, in many ways, their families. Sometimes, to be honest, it is really overwhelming. And hunger for God is lost amidst the cares of life and ministry.

This June, I have determined in my heart that I want to experience hunger for God. I know I must sometimes get out of Sefton and spend time alone with the Lord. I want to be desperate. I need to be broken. I desire something fresh. Something new. Who I am and what I am doing is not wrong, but I know I am not in the place I should be. I don’t want to be an advisor; I want to be a demonstrator. I don’t want theory; I want encounter. I don’t want to be an examiner of the river; I want to swim in refreshing water. I don’t want to paddle in the side; I want to go deeper. I don’t want same old same old …. I want anointing for today. I don’t want a heart of stone; I want a heart of flesh. I don’t want to be distant; I want to be close. I don’t want to be lukewarm … I need the fire.

How about you my friend. I don’t know who you are but I do want you to do this. Examine your heart and life. I am nit asking of you are busy for God. You probably are. I am not asking if you are a regular attendee in your church. You probably are. I am not asking if you give faithfully and live as righteously as you can. You probably do. I am asking – are you hungry for His presence? Are you hungry for one touch? Are you hungry enough to let go and let God? Hungry to be broken? Hungry enough to be vulnerable?

Hunger. Do you feel it? Hunger means your body needs more food. Do you long for more of God? Do you know that where you are is not where you should be and your life is not all that it can be? Whoever you are .. God has so much more for you. More dreams, more vision, more passion, more adventures, more revelation. He loves your life more than you do. Are you hungry to hear his words? Are you hungry enough to touch His heart? Are you hungry enough to ignore other people’s opinions? Are you hungry enough to be honest with yourself?

A couple of weeks ago, the Youth in Cornerstone Santiago started a new youth service. Matthew was the speaker and I went along to encourage them. As they began to worship, I looked over and saw an amazing sight. Remember Willy? (left) He is the little boy who comes from Nagassican and prayed desperately for his dad to come home? Well, tears were tripping down his face as he lifted his hands and worshipped the Lord. He wasn't singing the words of the songs like everyone else; in fact he wasn't singing! He was lost in worship. Alone with God in a crowd of young people. I was deeply moved and challenged.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness … for they shall be filled! If you don't feel the hunger you will never be filled or fulfilled.

Hungry?

A Birthday Song from Great Friends!

40-1 Years Old!

Well folks ... I have to admit it ... I am now officially only one year away from the big 4-0! Today was my 39th Birthday! I know, I know ... I don't look or act 39, but the facts are there to see. On 28th May 1969 (last century!!) an extremely young 18 year old young woman called Mary West Ritchie gave birth to a cute wee baby bot weighing just 6lbs! Incredible. And here I am, almost 4 decades later at the other side of the world!

But, hey, if you are into celebrating your birthday with style ... the Philippines is the place to be. There may be not a lot of money going around here, but Filipinos are BIG in love, care and respect. Birthdays are big deals here. In the UK you can almost go a whole day without anyone really bothering too much about your 'big day' but here it is the opposite! A year of life is something to be thankful for and cherished. In a typhoon hit - disaster prone - storm ravaged - country that is short on finance and food - a year is a 12 months survived.

So here was my day today ...

At 6am I was in the living room with the kids when I heard the strumming of the guitar and the noise of people singing. I went out and there were around 30-40 of my friends there - Cornerstone pastors and their families, Cornerstone members, some of the Sefton staff etc. They sang beautifully and had the biggest smiles! They came into the house ... laden with home made banana cakes, puto cakes, hot bread and coke! What a team! We just sat and talked and laughed for an hour. Fantastic.

They went and various friends and staff members popped in with cards and hugs. Sefton Village is becoming a 'huggy' place now after 8 years of trying to turn cold handshakes into warm hugs! Some of the kids from the Children's Home gave me some lovely cards that Lydia had given them. Check this one out from wee Cristina on the left...


But what she wrote inside made up for her glaring error...

At 230pm the cake arrived. Huge! It was made of 55 queen cakes with an iced topping. So instead of cutting a cake and making a mess we just took a cake off and made a mess of our faces! Check out these kids below! So cute.

Later on in the afternoon I managed to take Mary for a wee 'merienda' or snack at a new place in town. We said on the way that we would not talk about Sefton Village or School (which has taken up Mary's attention for a wee while now!) Guess what? In the queue we met a parent from the school who wanted to sit beside us. She is lovely but she had about 101 questions about the school! Never mind ... we tried!

We came home at 530pm and at 6pm the Pastors arrived again with their families and food. Yup, its time to celebrate. I told Lorenz and Joy - our new Deans at SBTC - '"Don't worry, this Sefton family are always eating!" And we did! Around 50 were there - Pastors and their families, young people from the churches ... everyone and their dog (well two dogs to be exact). But it was a great night and it was so kind of them all to cook a meal, bring it here and fellowship with us. It's a big deal here.


So here I am, well fed and even more appreciative of the family I have here at Sefton. I really miss my own family - by the way 'Happy Birthday' to my brother Paul tomorrow! - but God has given us friends and family here that we feel part of and feel loved by. Their love is genuine and their care is sincere ... and for that I am so thankful.

I am thankful for a great wife that I am walking through this life with. I am thankful for two lovely kids that I think the world of and who are happy and healthy. I thank the Lord for great families at home who encourage, support and love us more than anyone knows. I am thankful for friends that are always there or us - even though for 90% of the time we are not part of their day to day worlds. I am thankful for churches that are not only behind our vision but are behind us as a family. I am thankful, most of all, to a wonderful God who has chosen us, saved us and called us to walk in His ways and extend His Kingdom... even in a far away land.

I am thankful. I am amazed. I am blessed. And I am tired!

Tomorrow I am well on the way to 40 .... but I will never forget my first day of my 40th year!

Live your dreams ...

Love ya

Mark

Dinna Worry Aunty Betty ....

Calm doon Aunty Betty ... wir still alive!

My aunty Betty has told my mum and dad over the last few weeks, "Mark & Mary are still in Wick!" She is of course, referring that we haven't updated our blog for, well, a good while! And she's absolutely right! Sorry Aunty Betty, I know you check our blog every night for any news from your handsome nephew in Sefton ... but tonight ... be very shocked and delighted ...we're back!

When we were in UK we were chock a block visiting family, friends, youth groups, kids clubs, churches etc. etc. Before we knew it time was up! And hardly a blog to note. Well, suppose that the only consolation for Aunty Betty, Aunty Helen and all the rest of our devoted readers is that it is far better to see us for real rather than read a blog! That's my excuse and I am sticking to it!

We had a busy but great time in UK. We have a lot of thanks to give to a lot of people for their part in helping us enjoy a good month at home:

Mum & dad ... for putting us up and putting up with us! Thanks for looking after our kids for almost a week and for all your love and care. Was great to see my dad has been converted after many years ... no, don't misunderstand. I mean from a PC to a Mac! Only problem was that our diary was so full that I didn't have enough time to show him the way around his Leopard! Sorry dad!

David & Wilma Flett - for looking after us and letting us rest after a really busy time. For all your lovely hospitality and for driving all the way to Aberdeen to say goodbye. It meant so much to us all.

David & Grace Strachan & family - for all your practical love and support in so many ways. For letting us use your car for a whole month .. even though it meant Grace walking to work and being accosted by a complete stranger!! You guys are the best and your kids are fantastic. Thanks for the mega thick mega delicious hand made steak David .... look out Jamie Oliver! MMmmmm....

My brothers and their families ... so great to see Paul & David going on for God and inspiring their families to live for God. Lydia & Josiah's cousins are brilliant - Nathan, Aaron, Bethany, Daniel and our new wee addition to the Ritchie clan ...David. Wonderful to spend time with you all again and catch up. It was great for me to beat David again at the putting green ... Neil & Gavin were there to witness the great event!

Mary's brother Bruce and his wife Alison - We saw them a number of times and it was so good to see them preparing for being first time parents. We had great times with them. Congratulations are in order ... Alison gave birth to wee Eve last week! Missed her by a few days ... we did try all sorts of ways to speed up the process but to no avail.

Family members - Wow, saw so many in such a short time! Great to see most of my aunties & uncles as well as a lot of my cousins. Had an amazing meal with freshly caught prawns at my cousin Liz's house...thanks John! Especially great to see my cousin Shona and her family. We even saw my cousin George and family. What a guy!

Friends - too many to mention all by name but great to see Kenny & Suzie (I am still the PS2 Tiger Woods champ Kenny!), David & Jenny, Lesley & Stewart, Andrew & Lois, Norman & Gillian, Micheal & Alison (great night guys), Gareth & Shona, of course Vivien (my adopted Scottish daughter), Ben & Val (great time at Findlay's Ben), Derek & Jacinth, Victor & Alison, Steve & Molly, all the Aberdeen Missions team ... and tons and tons of friends from so many churches. We loved seeing you all.

Special thanks to Jennie Milne who often came and whisked Josiah away to her house so her son Seth and Josiah could play together. They are good pals now! I don't know how you do it Jennie ... 9 kids and still room for my two! Supermum of the year I think! You are a blessing .. especially to Mary. Thanks.

Special thanks also to Andy & Rachel David from Torquay who blessed us with a trip down to the west country to be with them for a few days (even though they were going on a 2 week trip to Africa the same day as we left!!) You are mad ... but we love you!

Even though we were not really prepared for sharing in churches, we thank the Lord for opportunities to minister in Torquay, Whitburn, Fraserburgh Elim, Fraserburgh AoG, Kings Church Aberdeen. We loved being with you all and pray that in some way we challenged and encouraged you. We had a great time in various youth & children's clubs - Salvation Army Jam Club in Wick, Powerhouse Kids Club, Calvary Kidz and GLO in Fraserburgh as well as the AoG Youth Cafe night. I also had an amazing time ministering at the Teen Challenge Centre at Sunnybrae ... what a morning! Gordon, Paul, Kenny & team are doing a fantastic work there.

Mmmm ... anyone else I have left out? If I have I apologise.

Well, we are back in sunny and roasting hot Santiago. Since coming home it has been quite difficult in so many ways. The kids took a week to get back to Filipino time ... they were going to sleep around midnight or 1am some nights! They have both been sick with fevers, diarrhea and sickness. Last week we were ultra busy as there was an SBTC Week of Refreshing for all students and ex-students. Last Friday we had a great Graduation Service for the students. Last Saturday we baptised 11 new believers from our Cornerstone Churches. One of them was the dad of Gio, the boy who died. When I asked him, "Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?" He immediately replied with tears in his eyes, "With all my heart." the hand of the Lord is upon Gilbert.

Our Internet was on for one night when we came home and then we had a lightning storm. It completely blew my other computer and destroyed the internet cable. It has taken 10 days to fix! But tonight it returned ...what a relief! Hopfully now I can start to blog and let you catch up with all the Sefton news. So many great things happening here.

A funny story to end with. Lydia was working things out the other night as we prepared them for bed -" Mummy, is Jesus in charge of our family?" Mary replied, "Yes, of course." Lydia continued, "And then, is it Daddy that's the boss?" Mary replied again, "That's right Lydia"

A few seconds later Josiah stands up and said with a stronng teachers voice, "Well, Jesus says that Josiah-has-not-got-to-have-a-bath-tonight! And... he-needs-to-watch-cartoon-network ... OK?"

What could I say after that?

Goodnight Aunty Betty ... sweet dreams i'nicht!

Week in Wick

We are having a great time here in the far north of Scotland - Wick, Caithness. It is brilliant to see Mary's mum & dad again after one and a half years. This is a long time for a granny & granda not to see their grandkids and we know that this is the hardest thing about being so far away on the mission field. It is hard for David & Wilma .. but also hard for us not having grannies and grandas around. But we are back now and we will cherish the moment. We have to appreciate 'the preciousness of the moment.'

As you can see by the pictures, we went to a beach near Wick yesterday. It was so beautiful ... but so cold! The kids loved making sandcastles in the sand an throwing skimmers into the sea! Actually, as Josiah keeps telling me, "It's not sea daddy, it's an ocean!" Mmmm...

Just want to update you on where we are going to be in the next few weeks. We would love to catch up with you on our journey! Here is our plan:

Monday April 7th to Monday April 14th -
Wick with Mary's Mum & Dad
Monday April 14th to Friday April 19th -
Torquay, Devon with Andrew & Rachel David
Friday April 19th to Sunday April 21st -
Central Belt Scotland
Monday April 20th - Tuesday May 6th - Fraserburgh at my Mum & Dad's

SUNDAYS
April 13th - Wick (am & pm)
April 20th - Whitburn (am)
April 27th - Fraserburgh Elim (am) Fraserburgh AoG (pm)
May 5th - Aberdeen AoG (am)

Our mobile phone number in the UK is 07526113456

Will catch up soon with all the news from Sefton. Take care and hope to see you on our travels.

Blessings ....

Take The High Road ...

So much has happened since I last blogged. I am feeling a bit rough - check out what I look like in the cartoon above ha ha! I am writing this blog from the beautifully cold town of Wick ... the hometown of Mary and the Flett clan! Yup, we are home now!

I am determined to write number of blogs this week informing you of the happenings at Sefton Village over the last few weeks. As you know, we had a team from Mattersey here and a week after they went home we hosted another team from Aberdeen AoG. We had a really fruitful time with them ... I will let you know about their trip tomorrow.

We had a nightmare trip home. Two hours in the check in counter and two hours on the tarmac in the plane! AAaagggghhh.... So hard for our two wee ones. We chased our tails all the way across the world and just made it on to the plane at Heathrow. Unfortunately, our trip to Terminal 5 lived up to its reputation! We are still waiting for one case to arrive!

We arrived back in Scotland on Friday ... FREEZIN! Ouch! People had told us it had been 23 degrees ..until Friday! What's going on?! Come on ... let's get some heat in this country! We had a great weekend with my family. So brilliant to meet my new little nephew David - a wee cutie! Great to catch up wit the Ritchie clan again.

On Sunday we went to Elim in morning and our friends Charlie & Chrissie shared about their recent trip to India. It was lovely to catch up with all our friends there. At night we went to Fraserburgh AoG where we met some old friends again. Brilliant day.

We took the road north to Wick yesterday. It is an absolute pleasure to drive on Scottish roads. I love it! So smooth and the scenery is breathtaking. And surprisingly there are no dogs, chickens, tricyles, jeepnies or clapped out buses on the road! Heaven...

It is wonderful for our kids to meet all their grannies, grandas, aunties, uncles and cousins again! It makes the trip worth it.

So I'm off to bed now. I have a really sore right ear but I think I will live! Blog soon ...

Sleep well ...

Easter Unpackaged

Today is Easter Monday! The Lord is alive ... he HAS risen! No more morbid visits to tombs of religious leaders. No more queueing in long queues to see the body of a famous leader in a white coffin. No need for expensive holy pilgrimages to far away places where a 'god' lived or died! Jesus Christ has CONQUERED death, DEFEATED the grave and has the KEYS of life. Wow! This is the most incredible news!

What are my thoughts this Easter? No, not the amazing chocolate eggs that you get in UK (save some for us folks ... pick them up next week! Coming to think about it, my two kids have never seen a huge chocolate egg!) Hint Hint! Not Easter Bunnies or painting and rolling eggs down a hill. I actually have had a little bit of time to reflect a little on Easter. Here are a few thoughts:

THE TRAGEDY OF A DYING SON
To be honest, I don't really fully appreciate or understand this. I love my own two kids and I would do anything for them. I want to be there for them always. I want to provide for them and never reject them in any way. This is my desire and my promise. I cannot comprehend the phrase in Isaiah 53:10, "But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief." (NLT)

But for Jesus ... at the point of His life when He needed His father the most - when suffering indescribable agony of spirit, horrific pain in his body and battles of his mind - His father turned his back on him. His father chose to ignore and refused to help. His father know that He must suffer the agony of seeing His son suffer for a moment in order to save mankind forever. The only way was a way of rejection. This was a time of terrible pain for both father and son. Unbelievable. The eternal destiny of you, me and the whole of mankind could be lost or found in those few hours.

A few weeks ago I watched a father watch his 6 year old son die. I watched a father hold and kiss his unconscious son as he fought for his life. And I watched the agony of the father as he said goodbye. Through those terrible situation Gio's dad has found the real father! The pain of the cross meant that 2000 years later Gio's dad can still find true reconciliation with the father. Gio's dad said to me, "I am now going to live for the Lord. I am going to serve Him always. If ever give up, the life and death of my son is wasted. For I know the death of Gio has drawn me to the Lord." Isaiah also says about the Lord, "When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied."

THE DESPERATION OF A DYING MAN
The thief on the cross looked at Jesus and cried out in desperation, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." We don't know his name, only his crime; a thief. He had been caught stealing something, somewhere from someone. And his punishment - incredible to us 2000 later - was to die a horrific death on a cross. He had endured the mocking, spitting and beatings. He had blood flowing everywhere and pain in every part of his body. He was finding it hard to believe as his lungs filled up, preparing for his last few breaths. For sure, he was fighting for his life and was in the last dark moments of probably a tragic life. He was not famous; would not be remembered for anything he had done; he was an embarrassment to his family and a mere statistic to the Romans; he was a disgrace and laughing stock to the Jews and a failure in the eyes of everyone .. bar none.

Bar one, actually. There was one who loved him and gave him hope. And there He was ... dying next to him. When the thief looked over at Jesus, his spirit realised, "This man IS the Son of the Living God. He IS my only hope." And in true desperation and with every fabric of faith, he cried out his dying request, "Remember me..."

Remember: Jesus was also in absolute torment of soul, body of and spirit. YET, he looked at the condition and faith of this man and chose to forgive him! He chose to remember him. He saw past the sin and saw a sinner who needed a Saviour. He chose to hear the man's cry and respond with the most beautiful words this man had ever heard, "I tell you the truth ... today, you will be with me in paradise." Now, like Simeon, this unnamed robber could face death with hope and confidence. For he had seen the King. He had experienced the love of the Son of God. His sins, though many and very public, were forgiven ...

...and his last painful inhaling breaths on earth were followed immediately by his first wonderful exhaling breaths on heaven! No more pain, no more sickness, no more sin, no more "I'm sorry", no more darkness, no more mistakes, no more stealing, no more tears. Because he cried out in faith the rewards and blessings of heaven were his.

And, no matter who we are, where we have been and what we have done ... we also can look to the Lord and find this hope! He still forgives broken lives.

THE HOPE OF A DYING WORLD
Hope. What a word. Everyone needs hope. You can take away dignity and possessions form a man and he will still have the will to survive and live. But if you take away hope there is absolutely nothing to live for. Without hope our minds warp, our body withers and our spirit begins to break. But if a man has hope he can endure great pain, suffering and times of testing. It's all about hope.

And the great thing about Easter is that now there is hope for the world. Yup, the whole world. Hope for today, tomorrow and eternity. Hope for our children. Hope for our lives. Hope for heaven. Hope that, no whatever pain we go through, there is always a brighter tomorrow.

And my ministry, as well as yours. is to simply share hope. Not hope in a product, a system, a person an idea, ideal or theory; hope in a person who has conquered everything that we fear - sickness, sin, fear of dying and death itself! Our hope is in the one who CANNOT be defeated and CANNOT be overthrown .. all because of a loving father, an obedient son and a defeated enemy.

This is Easter. We have no excuse if we do not live lives full of hope and purpose. Because now the way for God-filled-joy-filled-purpose-filled lives has been opened up because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.

Forget yesterday. Examine your heart and life today. Make changes and plan for a better tomorrow. It's yours ... because of Easter!