Settling In

Oklahoma's farewell sunrise

Greetings from Bonny Scotland!

It feels so surreal saying that. I applied to Mission Corps over a year ago and raised support for six whole months. And now, I’m finally here!

 

I’m still amazed by the humbling journey that was “support raising”. Thanks again to the tremendous group of churches, friends, and family back home who've prayed for and sent me here. As you can see though, I've also been blessed by an incredibly welcoming team here in Scotland!

My stellar welcoming crew met me at 7AM with smiles,
black coffee and this fabulous banner.

The community at Erskine Church of the Nazarene (ECN) is a rare but beautiful thing in the UK. A new friend who is also a new Christian told me, “I just love that I’m free to come here and openly ask questions about faith and celebrate what Jesus is doing in my life and not feel [socially] ashamed.” I've loved becoming a part of that too!

My first evening in Scotland, I attended an Alpha meeting at a local restaurant where people asked questions and sought answers about the Christian faith in a neutral environment. It’s clear that people are searching for meaning and love and acceptance and all the things that Jesus is. We're so excited as people choose, almost every week, to put their faith in Christ while continuing to ask questions. Praise God!

It has been fun getting to know the teenagers and young adults around Erksine. On Thursdays at lunch, the ECN youth staff go to the high school to connect with students. We then host a lunch group and evening Engage time at the church on Fridays. We try to get to know students—chat about their week and play ping pong—but ultimately, let them know through actions and words that we’re on their side through whatever craziness life throws at them.

On my second day in Scotland, I went to Friday lunch club mainly to observe and help where I could. I went up to a girl I'd met the evening before to say hello. Her friends jumped as if I’d just screamed at them through a bull horn. In general, Brits are reserved, so I’m learning to take cues from everyone else and just laugh at my American-ness.

Over and over, I’m reminded that I’m in a culture that’s different from the one I left. It’s like wearing only one contact lens. Things are 
the same in some ways but just different enough to be disorienting. Time is different, and everything is closer. Yet people seem to keep their distance. Accents, sometimes even languages, can change within just a few miles. However, one of the most striking differences for me, girl from the Bible Belt, has been the post-Christian-ness of things. It's all a part of my new reality. I'm learning to be quiet more, to accept that I don't really know, that my impressions of things aren't exactly accurate. But I'm loving and appreciating every bit of it.

One of my absolute favourite things about Scotland is that so much is planned around drinking hot beverages. And cake. Finishing a meal, catching up with friends, relaxing after a long work day, etc. all require a “cuppa”. Sunday morning service begins and ends with coffee or tea and biscuits (cookies). The chance to be a small part of all of that is one of the many reasons why I’m so excited to be a part of Blend.  

The first latte I've ever made!

Blend is incredible! Coming into the shop feels like coming home. You’re no longer a number but a part of a community. It’s a community of discovery—from the smallest accents and details in the décor to the sofas and chairs inviting you to get to know your neighbour. The staff bends over backwards to make your experience there the absolute best. Blend really is less about the coffee and more about the experience. It’s an experience that encourages customers to create other experiences, to crave more of what Blend offers, if that makes sense. It wasn't until I spent time there that I began to understand that. God is using this incredible business to truly transform people’s lives.

Speaking of transformational communities, I got to tour the Jubilee House! I can't wait to share the before and after pictures of this place and all that God is going to do with it. We’re beginning to look into funding for the renovations and establishing a core team. Please continue to pray with me for this as we listen to God’s leading and work to move things along.

This has been a good month for me. I hope it's been good for you too where ever you may be reading this from. God is good no matter where I am or what I'm doing. I'm learning to lean even more into His grace and strength, particularly as I adjust to a new culture and a new job. It can be overwhelming at times. There is so much of this life to soak up, though, and I feel so incredibly grateful to get to witness God's Kingdom coming here and now!

Grace & Peace,

Catie

PS: Below are a few pictures from our staff retreat up in the Highlands a few weeks ago. We camped in a yurt, danced a ceilidh dance around a fire, laughed a lot, planned and dreamed about the future, and were just overwhelmed by the beauty around us.

Camping in this yurt was one of the coolest things ever.

This Highland cow picture is for you, Dad.

Our gorgeous prayer walk