Hey friends!

We arrived safely in Scotland on Tuesday morning at around 7:30am to find our friends, Stuart and Graeme, waiting for us!  They drove us to where we'll be staying for the month and then Stuart had to go to work but Graeme was able to stick around while we picked up various things we needed to around town as well as acclimating ourselves to the brilliant grey weather and the city.  We saw the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street before heading home to bed.

Wednesday was a first full day at the Mission which started out with meeting Robert and Wee Joe as we headed to the Mission.  We met Linda who took us for a full Scottish breakfast, complete with fried tattie scone and black pudding, mmm-mmm! :)

We all helped out with URBAN, the general afternoon drop-in, and then split up to help our with various activities such as the over 40s men's club (which Jerred loved), the IT class (where Ethan got to use the knowledge he's gained through working at the Apple store), and Life Church (which Katie really enjoyed). 

Last night, we got to help serve the meal to 153 men and I don't know how many women alongside Glasgow City Mission staff and weekly volunteers. Taking around rolls + sausage, juice, teas & coffees, sandwiches & salads, scones, and cakes, it was grand to get to chat with the guys and we look forward to getting to know them better over the coming days and weeks. 

Today has been more of the same with afternoon clubs being URBAN again, young men's club, exploring Xianity, and Next Steps.  Katie also go to go with Linda to visit a few women in rehab and Chad, John & I got to wander the streets looking for people begging to tell about the Mission.  It is grey and drizzling so we didn't find a whole lot of folk, but it was a good time getting accustomed to the city.

Tonight, we're having dinner with Rhoda, and old friend of mine + the former assistant director of the Mission.  Should be a grand time!

Before we left Denver, Susan and Linda has told me that there were quite a few staff changes at the Mission and a lot of the folk I knew from there wouldn't be around this year.  I wasn't sure what being a the Mission would be like without friends like Daniel, Big and Wee James, and Mitch who were such a part of last year's trip, but God is so good and so present in this place!  The Spirit of God rests on the Mission is such a special way and that hasn't left.  It still feels the same: permeated with grace and truth and peace in a way I've never found elsewhere.  It's so good to be back. 

It was so rad open the door to find Robert pulling up yesterday morning, and see Wee Joe just a bit later, and Linda and CarolAnne.  And some of the volunteers are still the same!  It was so good to see Robert, Paul, Maureen, and Jim.  God is here in a wonderful and blessed way and I am excited to see how He moves in and through us while we're here.

Thanks for reading, dear friends!

Ben Mercer