Scotland Newsletter - Matt in the UK

07-08 UK - Matt
Originally uploaded by YAGM

September in Scotland
Vol. 2

Hello from Scotland. It's been a month now that I have been in Scotland and so far so good. No they don't all wear kilts and no they are not all Scottish!
Actually I have met just as many English, and Irish people over here as I have Scottish. I have also met people from Germany, South Africa, Mongolia, China, South Korea, Slovakia, Poland, Sweden, Canada, and who knows where else the people I have met have been from. It's been amazing and I am starting to get a bigger picture of what the world looks like!
For the most part everybody has welcomed me with open arms and I am getting tired of answering the question "how are you doing? Settling in okay I hope" The people over here are very nice and have a way of making you feel right at home. Or as much as I could anyway. It is very apparent that I am an American though, and if it's not, as soon as I open my mouth it is. I have come across some interesting stereotypes about American's and am happy to share with them that I don't own a gun, or live in a mansion, or know every moviestar in hollywood. (Though me and Arnold are buddies)
The possibilities for ministry over here are enormous (just like anywhere in the world) and I'm excited to be learning about ministry in a whole new setting.

Highlights!
1. Settled into a new home with my host family. They are wonderful and just as crazy as I am.
2. Walked around Stirling Scotland, got to know the city, castle, parks, people, university, and church I am working in.
3. Went away to Moffat Scotland for a weekend away with almost 30 kids and some adult volunteers. Got to know the kids better and got my first Scottish COLD.
4. Gave my first Sermon outside of the USA!
5. Visited the BIG neighboring cities of Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
6. Went to Sheffield England for a conference with TFG "Time for God"
7. Built and am building new relationships with some amazing people.

QUESTIONS
What are you doing?
Working as an intern for Stirling Baptist Church. I work alongside Rosey, and Ruth. Rosey is the youth director and Ruth is another volunteer. We handle all the youth activities as well as young adult ministries in the church. I will also get to help out with the evening worship services on Sunday nights by preaching and leading worship, but not every week.
What is it like over here?
Imagine America and then take away all the big cars, make all the buildings out of stone and brick and make them all old, have everybody speaking English but in many different accents from all over the world, make all the homes much smaller but very usable, add in a few sheep everywhere and hairy cows and you're just starting to get a feel for the difference. There are many others but these are just a few that give you a picture of what it's like. To sum it up, it's beautiful!
What has been the hardest part?
The hardest part has been developing new relationships and getting involved in a community that I don't know. Getting used to a new way of life was hard but it is amazing how the things you thought you needed to survive you realize that most of them were just a luxury. Though I'm hardly roughing it!

For up to date ramblings and pictures of what I'm up to please visit my blog www.followinghisdust.blogspot.com