Friday, February 29, 2008

Blow Out Blessing!?!

We were driving from Boca Raton, Florida up the coast to Saint Augustine, our next stop on the map. Steven was driving his usual 75 mph when we felt a bumping commotion on the right front side of the car. All at once the right front tire separated and a "rubber alligator" (what we call rubber tire tread lying on the road) came flying out from our car! We were in shock and yet praising the Lord that Steven was able to steer the bumping, jumping and jostling car over to the shoulder of the road.

Just a few miles earlier we had discussed being hungry, but had passed the last available exit because it didn't have very many restaurants. The Lord sovereignly knew that we needed to get off at this particular exit that we now sat close to. As Steven inspected the damage we were amazed that the tire still had air in it, it was simply missing the tread. We were able to limp off, on the steel belt only, to the next exit where we found (can you believe it) a Wal-Mart on the left within five minutes from the interstate with a car service station!!! Isn't God good!!!!

Also, today just happened to be one of the few days in three weeks that we were not rushed to get to our next stop. We were singing, as our grandson Wyatt does at the top of his little lungs: "PRAISE THE LORD, PRAISE THE LORD"!!!!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

On The Back Home Stretch

We are almost at the end of our long leg of itenerating and feel very blessed. We are thrilled to have met many new brothers and sisters in Christ along the way. We have felt very loved on and have been encouraged much. As always, not only has God taken care of us but blessed us with "sugar plums".... delightful new friends. The weather in Florida is very warm; Spring has defnitely arrived. Our borrowed car has done well with no problems. Please do PRAISE the Lord with us for His ever abundant, sustaining grace.

More Mission Conference Ideas:

We enjoyed meeting the Global Outreach Team (GO Team) and having dinner with them upon arrival.

Have you ever considered dinner around the world? Nine booths with international food which of course included hot dogs. Life groups took responsibility for one booth. Tickets were purchased in advance and at the door. Tickets had to be purchased to get food (like the fair and giving tickets for a ride). Each missionary spoke briefly. It was a really fun event.

We had a sweet time of meeting with the Pastor who was the main speaker. His devotion was a great encouragement. Afterwards the was a huge selection of used Christian books for us to take home. Many of us don't have access to Christian books while on the field.

I felt like a Princess at the Women's Luncheon which honored all the women missionaries. It was held at a country club and tickets were sold for this event as well. It was so pretty and my eyes feasted upon the beauty of it all. Corsages were bought for the missionary women which was a real treat. The host of each missionary interviewed her, and then we received a beautiful Vera Bradley purse which contained note cards, pens, bubble bath, perfume, eye shadow and brushes....and more. We all felt so doted upon, as queens for the day.

Steven went one morning to swim with the Manatees after a men's breakfast. The guest speaker shared at the breakfast and tickets were sold to this event as well. It was Steven's birthday, so what a special day for him. He loved it!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Where is My Home?

When I (Deborah) arrived in the States I experienced reverse culture shock in many different areas. Nothing, absolutely nothing is the same between the two cultures. One of the areas where I felt the most shock was all the change as we arrived "home". Clinton did not feel like my home, but surprisingly the Philippines did feel like home, which that in itself was an unusual shock to my heart. The question in my mind was "where is my home"? Our son, Chad, lovingly and gently reminded me that my home is in Heaven (that seminary education coming in handy) and my heart began to slowly settle down.

When we first went to the Philippines, we felt God urging us to sell our home, and following the nudge of the Holy Spirit, it sold in 10 days! Ha! But as we have travelled, I have sometimes wondered if we will ever be able to afford a home, whenever God sees fit, our labor being finished in the Philippines, for our return to the States. I am more easily prone to fear than to trust God at times, and ever so gently God reminded me that He had this "home thing" all under His control and watchful, caring eye. So, I released it to His loving hands once again. Then during our trip to Texas God provided a gorgeous, new, recently contstructed house for us to stay in for our four day visit there. The owners were out of town and gracious enough to lend it to us. It was such a special time for me as I simply began to "pretend" it was my home. I had some delightful times of fellowship with God in a small sitting area in the master bedroom that seemed to be crafted just for me. The neighborhood was a beautiful place for me to walk and I felt so romanced by my God. And yes, He even surprised me by bringing four, red, male cardinals, each one catching my breath as He continues to shower His love and mercy on me. There was also a quilting room with a neat work table. I knew it was just for me as I slid right into that chair and thumbed through a quilting book. What a treat, since I too love to quilt. Yet, the icing on the cake was the whirlpool tub!!! I for sure thought I had died and gone to Heaven! There are no bathtubs in the Philippines, as tubs are not built into the majority of houses there. He spoils me, I know! :)

God is so gentle and merciful with me and amazes me with special unexpected gifts of His daily grace. He is so intimate as well, as He continually shows me how He knows each and every detailed desire of my heart, and the ways that He Himself will satisfy my every longing.

Why, oh why do I fear so often when God continues to take such gracious, extravagant, and wonderful care of me?!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Mission Conference Ideas

At your Mission Conference Kick Off Dinner serve local cuisine, i.e. Texas barbeque.

At one Church we met the Officers, their wives and families for dessert. It was a sweet time of fellowship and we were able to inquire how we could pray and partner with this Church and their Officers.

One Church distributed Prayer Guides. It contained a message from the Pastor, the Church's Vision, a page on Faith Promises a page on each of their missionaries, which included a picture, prayer requests and contact information. It also has the Conference Schedule, 2008 Missions Budget and a place for notes. It was kinda neat to see my (Deborahs) picture on the front with some boys from ABP3.

The host family had dinner at their home and invited 6 couples and allowed us to share what God is doing in the Philippines.

When we arrived at one host family's home their was a precious basket with goodies for Valentines Day. What a treat!

At one Church the female missionaries were able to join an already established Thursday morning Bible study and share information about their ministries. It was another sweet time of fellowship and prayer.

And I am sure many of you have ladies luncheons but one Church had Mother/Daughter Ladies brunch. I have never thought of that.

And one Church included as their guest the RUF campus Ministers from Mississippi State. Don't forget those who are making a viable contribution to our covenant kids.

We will Post more as we travel and feel free to email us with questions at stevenfscott@gmail.com (a new email address for him).

Travel Itinerary

Scotts Travel Itinerary

Depart 2/15/08
for Thomson Memorial church in Centerville, MS

Depart 2/16/08 after lunch
for Westminster Pres in Fort Walton Beach and we would like to be there for dinner

Depart 2/18/08
for Christ Community in Thomasville, Georgia

Depart 2/21/08
for Seven Rivers Presbyterian in Lecanto, FL

Depart 2/25/08
for West Boca Presbyterian in Boca Raton Florida

Depart 2/27/08
for Pinewood Presbyterian in Middleburg, FL

Depart 3/1/08
for Christ Pres in Olive Branch, MS
Depart 3/3/08 evening
for home
Depart 3/6/08
for Chestnut Mt. Pres in Chestnut MT, GA

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR US!!!!!!!!!!!!!