Day 3: Scotland

A day of fellowship and hospitality

After lunch with Derek and a walk along Leith Walk, our team spent the evening getting to know members of Hope Church Leith in a much more personal way.

For the ladies, that meant an evening in the home of Christine and Andy, complete with a wonderful home-cooked meal, plenty of laughter, and some heartfelt conversations. Though separated by an ocean, they quickly discovered how much they shared in their joys, struggles, and experiences of God's faithfulness.

One particularly meaningful moment came as Christine and Andy shared how the Lord led them to Edinburgh and into the life of Hope Church Leith as founding members. What began as a call to serve this young church became part of a much larger story of God's providence and care, one they couldn't have anticipated when they first arrived.

As Lisa beautifully put it, "We arrived as guests but left feeling like dear friends."

For the men, the evening began with dinner at the home of Stewart and Janice, whose hospitality extends well beyond our visiting team. They've also opened their home to a seminary student and someone displaced by the war in Ukraine. Their home is a beautiful picture of Christian love expressed through everyday generosity.

From there, the men joined Hope Church Leith's Men's Night, where Derek led a Bible study and conversation about biblical manhood. What stood out wasn't necessarily the discussion, but the trust and openness among the men. There was a willingness to share struggles, encourage one another, and point each other back to Jesus.

Our team was reminded of the kind of community we've experienced through Celebrate Recovery at West End, a place where honesty is met with grace and where people can find encouragement in their walk with Christ.

Perhaps most encouraging were the stories of lives being transformed. Several men shared about their journeys of recovery, including celebrating more than a year of sobriety. What a gift to hear their stories and witness the ways the Lord is faithfully working in their lives!

HOW WE’VE SEEN GOD AT WORK:

• Hospitality that reflects the Gospel. 
  Families are opening their homes and lives, creating opportunities for genuine relationships and encouragement.

• A growing sense of friendship. 
  Our team is moving beyond introductions and beginning to know the people, stories, and heart of Hope Church Leith.

• Lives being transformed. 
  Hearing stories of recovery and renewed faith has given the team a beautiful glimpse of God's work in this community.

• Mutual encouragement. 
  Our team arrived hoping to encourage our Scottish friends, but they're discovering how much the Lord is encouraging them in return.

prayer requests:

• For the Hope Church Leith family: That the Lord would continue to deepen their relationships with one another and their neighbors

• For those walking through recovery: For continued strength, healing, community, and hope in Christ

• For Derek and Catriona: That God would sustain them as they shepherd this congregation and welcome people from many different backgrounds and circumstances

• For our team: That they would listen well, love generously, and recognize the Lord's work in both the extraordinary and ordinary moments

• For the relationships being formed: That these new friendships would continue to grow and become a source of encouragement long after our team returns home