Prestoncrest Missions

39 Wishart Drive
Broomridge, Stirling FK7 7TR
Scotland, U.K.
Tel: 011-44-1786-816259
Email: mitchvick@btinternet.com

Happy New Year!

A new year has begun, and we have so very much to be thankful for. The Lord’s church in Stirling is looking forward to a great year in God’s service, and we appreciate your interest in that work so very much!

Congregation News

The church here in Stirling has had an excellent December and recently welcomed Mike and Joan Stephen into our fellowship. Mike and Joan have been “isolated brethren” for a number of years in a small community on Scotland’s west coast. He is a semi-retired dental surgeon and she is a retired teacher, and they have now moved into our area to be near family. In other news, John Renwick has now completed his 27th chemo session and continues to do well in his fight against cancer. We also welcomed back Craig Ferrie and Elizabeth Tippers after trips abroad. During December the church enjoyed a prayer breakfast at the home of Tristan and Leslie Block, a “soup and sandwich” fellowship meal after our Sunday morning worship, a trip to Edinburgh’s winter festival, and a congregational fellowship in our home. We also followed a fairly long-standing tradition and welcomed the New Year together in the home of Dick and Anne Carter. We look forward to more fellowship occasions for the church in the weeks ahead. On a sad note, we are mourning the loss of a long time friend of the Stirling congregation, Susan Wallace, who lost her battle with cancer on New Year’s Eve.

FriendSpeak in Stirling

Although our Sunday FriendSpeak sessions are on hold until the university resumes in February, Tristan and Leslie Block continue to work with several girls who wished to keep going during the break. On most Sundays we have been thrilled to see May, Jie, and Carrie attending our Sunday searchers class and worship services. Our last Sunday FriendSpeak session in December was a group session with all the readers and workers, singing (and explaining) some of the Christmas songs people often sing and complete with some Christmas “goodies.” “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” were especially popular. We hope to resume our regular Sunday sessions in early February, though we are saddened that May will soon be returning to China.

Plans to Resume Youth Club

Tristan and Leslie have also been working with David and Emma McCready to plan the resumption of our Youth Club in early 2008, probably February if all goes well. Tristan and Leslie, along with Michael Griffiths, also spent a day preparing and delivering some small “care packages” to about 40 homeless and disadvantaged people in Stirling.

Family News

The past weeks have been good ones for Isobel and me. We very much enjoyed having our daughter Hannah home for the holidays, and it was also a good time to catch up with Robin, Chrissy, Laura and Clay in the States. All are doing well and had a good holiday season, Robin and Chrissy in West Virginia and North Carolina, and Laura and Clay in Texas. Hannah is now back in Arkansas and beginning a new session of classes. My mother continues to have her ups and downs and is presently battling a couple of infections which are making life more difficult for her.

As we go into this New Year we ask you to please keep us in your prayers. The months ahead will be very full and demanding, but we also believe that it will be a great time for the Lord’s church in Scotland. Thank you for all your help and encouragement to us.

Yours in the Lord’s service,
Mitch and Isobel Vick