I traveled to Glasgow yesterday, via EasyJet, to spend the day, with Roy and Richard, with our Scottish teams. What a great bunch of people, that I have not really had the chance to chat with before.

The day starting with Ed, who oversees developments in Scotland, embarrassing me by marking my first visit to Scotland by presenting me some gifts: a Scottish flag mouse mat to remember them by, a Scottish key ring, a Rod Stewart cap (which has certain beretta similarities!) and a fantastic haggis which will be eaten very soon. I felt well and suitably welcomed.

The teams in Scotland are working in varied ways and it was excellent to catch up with them. I met Hazel, who is the new director of NE Scotland YFC. Her story, told by one of her team is amazing. She worked with Soul Survivor in Watford and felt called to go and live in Aberdeen to reach young people. To cut a long story short, she made the massive faith step and moved not knowing what she might do, found out NEYFC were looking for a part time director and the rest is history.

Stories like this really excite me – it’s hard to argue with the direction from God in circumstances like this.

We were in Scotland really to talk about mission, particularly evangelism and how we as the national body can help them in their local contexts. I think some pretty exciting stuff might come from the day.

The flights were superb – it’s been such a long time since I have flown. The views in the morning as we flew over the Lake District were stunning. I had a window seat and was able to marvel at God’s creation and use it to worship him on my way to Glasgow. The view seemed to me to just make it so obvious that this wonderful planet of ours just had to have a creator, a blue print behind it all.

My first trip to Scotland was far too short – I can honestly say I loved the place, the atmosphere was great amongst the teams and I hope it won’t be another 40 years before my second visit!