Prestoncrest Missions

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

Beautiful Scotland!

Today is a beautiful day in Stirling. Just a few short weeks ago Scotland was still getting occasional snow showers. Today the weather is in the 70’s, the trees and flowers are in full bloom, and the sun is shining. It is a day to make us especially thankful for all God’s wonderful care for His children.

Stirling Church News

The past weeks have had their “ups and downs” for us. Our work continues to make progress, with some excellent Bible studies on a personal and group level with Pauline McGachy (Isobel and me), Jie Luo (Tristan and Leslie), and of course our regular mid-week classes. Despite a number of families being out of town at various times, which is normal for April and May, we have had excellent attendance in worship for most weeks. FriendSpeak has also gone well, and we continue to have enquiries from possible new readers. However, we also have been saddened by the news that one couple has left us after some spiritual struggles, and that has been a sore personal loss. We also learned that Bro. Craig Ferrie is moving to Glasgow for work reasons, and he will be missed especially in our youth outreach. John Renwick is now at home and making slow but steady progress as he recovers from surgery on his colon and liver. The surgery went very well, and he goes this week for further check-ups and a progress report in Glasgow.

Youth Club Frustration

Another setback over the past weeks was the news that, because of construction at the local primary school, our youth club for neighborhood children has had to be suspended indefinitely. This has been frustrating for us, because the youth club was going very well. So far we have not been able to find a suitable alternative venue. The plans for our congregational Youth Day in June are going ahead, and Tristan, Leslie, David, and Emma continue to work with our own group of young people to put plans together for this event.

Kirkcaldy “Social”

There have been several opportunities for inter-congregational fellowship over the past weeks. Several of us from Stirling were able to participate in the Kirkcaldy social afternoon in late April. Scottish “socials” generally involve an afternoon of singing, preaching, fellowship, and food (not necessarily in that order) and it was an enjoyable time for Christians all over the country to connect again with each other. Tristan and Leslie were also able to take several of our young adults to a weekend retreat organised by the Dundee congregation.

British Bible School Classes

For the past three Monday evenings I have been teaching a class on Thessalonians as part of the British Bible School extension program. In an effort to make the British Bible School more accessible and compliant to the needs of the church in this country, a trial program of classes which will offer BBS credit has been started here in Scotland, with the first classes taught by Jon Galloway and myself. At present we have between 5 and 12 students per week from 5 congregations, with two students actually taking the classes for BBS credit. I will be teaching a total of 8 three hour sessions in the Cumbernauld church building.

Personal Notes

All is going pretty well for us personally, though the days stay extremely busy. As usual, Isobel’s work at the hospital keeps her very challenged. We are beginning to look forward to late June and July, when Robin and Chrissy will be with us for about 5 weeks. Their work at Sunset is very challenging but goes well, and they are now in their last session of year one. One major purpose of their trip this summer is to look at options for a possible return to Scotland when they finish Sunset next year. Laura and Clay are well in Seagoville and are enjoying being a part of the Landmark church of Christ in Kaufman. Hannah has now finished her regular academic work in the Physician Assistant program at Harding and is now starting a year of “on the job” placements. It has been an especially demanding time for her.

Brethren, we ask you to keep our work in your prayers, especially in the weeks ahead. Thank you for all you do for us.

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