Always be ready...

As I began my second week here in Glasgow, I was invited to host a missionary travelling around Glasgow for the week. I though this would be a good thing to settle me in and get accustomed to living here.
Toward the end of the week my guest and I had a chance to talk through our very differing experiences. later that day, the window cleaner made an appearance at the window of the kitchen where I was washing up after breakfast. with the window locked ajar, I jovially announced 'I need to pay you don't I?'
Suddenly, this very direct, quick-round conversation began where we exchanged sentences; I told him why I had newly arrived and that I am an evangelist, he asked me what that is and in the time it takes to clean a window all I could offer in response was-
'it's good news!'
I was not prepared for someone who does not have any concept of what an evangelist might be. At a loss for words and in a small window of time (pun incidental), I failed to offer any news or anything good.

Disappointed with myself I turned to another room and informed my American guest that my nation as a people is one that increasingly has little or no concept of what an evangelist is. Whether it is the case for this chap or not, I know that there is an increasing lack of knowledge of or exposure to the Gospel of Jesus. My concern to portray the faith well should not mean I do not offer it at all but on this occasion, the man went away with no news, good or bad, -nothing.

With this in mind I am keen to prepare. When people come to me perplexed as to what my modus operandi is, I will be ready for them.

Neighbourships

Last month my neighbour moved out. Just weeks before me. It was bittersweet because the 6 years we spent with a wall one-brick-thick between us often gave unpleasant insight into their life with their partner. Without going into detail, my neighbour used alcohol to medicate an overwhelming existence of grief and anger. Two separate nights prompted me to phone the police in the first year of being thrown alongside this couple; by life or by God perhaps. We didn't get off to a good start and I regularly considered the safety and welfare of these broken people; breaking each other in a perpetual torment of a relationship that seemed completely undesirable to me.

6 weeks ago he was sat on the bonnet of his car, stretched out like upon a sun-lounger of some European holiday resort, can in hand, pondering life.

'Go on then! Try your story on me!'

It had to be at the end of a long car journey that he wanted to hear what I had to say about God. We spent a fair while on the street, him on his car, me on the pavement, awkwardly conversing about his past, family and woes. Parting to our respective homes I was relieved to have survived a back breaking hug as he confessed his love for me and I admitted I loved him too. Time has allowed the wounds of 5 years earlier. In a way, love is a word to describe our relationship but I was relieved to part ways and end the conversation in peace.

Two further sessions of heart to hearts and apologetics followed as he invited himself into my living-room for more.

**please God how do I get out of this tangle?- You are going to have to hold the fort because I have no way of saving myself from escalation prompted by controversial conversation.**

The night ended with Paul, my God-send of a housemate having returned and joined us for an hour or so discouraging our friend from falling asleep on the sofa, head in Paul's lap- bevied. What a night!

Probably the most intimate conversation of the whole of our neighbour-ship and just days before we all leave. God only knows when these once in a lifetime chances occur.

...


To my great sadness, once again, my comfort and own business-minding is disrupted as our Neighbours in my new domicile, I am told, are prone to verbal conflict late at night... so I pray.

God's presence along the way

After half a year of anticipation, two months of sorting and several weeks of goodbyes I have finally moved to Glasgow. For several years the Light Project Network has sought to branch out and extend the work of the Light Project further by developing the training we offer in new locations. In September, together with Whiteinch Church of Scotland we launch Light Project Glasgow. It’s early August, less than 24 hours after I arrive in this new city, and I am reminded of my steps into Christianity.

Some years ago I took a summer job with a leafletting company in Dundee. I was preparing to move abroad and my sister invited me to live with her in Scotland; it was the summer I decided to follow Jesus. Moving back to Scotland for the first time in 9 years I remember the streets I walked, the communities I passed through and I remember a growing sense of belonging as God began to minister to years of living without Him. He was giving me a growing awareness of the importance of the decision I made. The towns I leafletted around Dundee experienced poverty I had never known, deprivation I had never seen. I also believe I was beginning to recognise what the wider importance of this gospel, as in what it could mean for them.

 

Being brought back to those memories made me quite emotional as I felt the Lord with me, impressing the importance of the message we, as people of the way, live and carry.

My role here, as I understand it so far, is to release and encourage people who have a heart to share their faith in their communities; in the way God is leading them. The people of Glasgow have their own way of worshipping God. Who am I to transpose my interpretation onto anyone here? I am looking forward to getting to know the people of God in Glasgow and asking ‘why not?’ with them as they dream of acquainting others to the deepest need of us all: a relationship with the living God.

I have several ideas about what form Light Project Glasgow might take. Part of my role will be to demonstrate Jesus to an area in Whiteinch. I will be completely dependent on the doors God opens for me; the people I meet along the way. There is no established community group I can join or obvious way to meet people so I believe the best way to advance will be to try to be myself as much as possible and offer friendship to people as I pray in the area. I won’t be lying about why I am there as I believe openness is the best course for being met with a positive or real response. I don’t need to impress people for Jesus nor do I need to apologise for him. In addition to this I am also very interested to learn more about how the Lord is discipling the recovery community here; an area of mission and evangelism close to my heart.

In essence I anticipate that Light Project Glasgow will be raw, transparent and honest. The harsh truth of our lives on earth cannot be avoided and I believe that to set out to respond to the needs, pain and brokenness people suffer with integrity is the only place we can begin.