This is a quick little update of where I am right now with work and very much a plea for prayer!
Whilst most of you do know but just a re-cap; I'm currently working with Scripture Union Scotland at Lendrick Muir on a year contract basis. Having started working for them part time at Easter-time 08, I accepted the post of Catering Assistant/House Team Assistant in July and started full time in September. I've worked for the organisation now for over a year and have now confirmed my date of leaving as the 22nd August. Which leaves me with just about 3 months left to finish up and organise where I'm off to next!
For over 4 months my role very much stayed the same; working in the kitchens mostly and doing a little of the housework. However after this they then integrated House Team + Catering; meaning that a large team was created to do all that work together. It has been a really challenging year; with so many ups and downs. However God has been present all the time - and I have never been left to cope alone in any situation.
The expectation as I arrived at LM in the first month was the sheer feeling of being far more insignificant than the other staff. Hospitality is a job that people generally say "monkey's can do" and yet it is a job that is completely necessary. God has consistently challenged my heart and over the last year I have really learnt to be humble and to be glad to do any job that comes my way!
God has then very much challenged me not only to have a willing heart, but also to work with a happy one too! I realise that whilst my heart can be filled with humility and I will be happy to pick up a toilet brush and scrub away, that God also requires that my heart would outwardly be pleased in the job that I do. As I've explained to many people before, I don't absolutely love hoovering, scrubbing and everything else that the job entails, but having the opportunity to serve Christ at LM is a real privilege. If I work with a joyful heart and keep a smile on my face in all of the jobs that I do, then I can encourage others at the same time.
So the year has been one of searching my heart, learning to serve God with the right mind, encouraging others working with me and also getting into the working-life too. I know moving on from school a year early wasn't what I expected, nor wanted; but how good God has been! He had it all timed out and I've never made a better choice than to accept the job at LM.
What's next? Well, I'm hoping uni! I have an interview on the 25th for Edinburgh Napier - Please pray for this interview; I've been offered accommodation there and it seems like where God wants me! However, prayer is so needed! I also gained an unconditional for Aberdeen, but it just isn't the right course at all. The Napier course is Photography and Film - 4 year course! I guess it would also be true to say that I don't even know if God wants me at Uni, I believe He has prepared my heart for missions and I really pray He uses me over the next years of my life. I'm waiting for opportunities to arise! However, again, prayer is so crucial.
1. Please Give thanks for all that God has done in me this year. Give thanks for all that SU Scotland is doing - and for the other folks I worked with this year.
2. Pray for the next few months as I figure out where God wants me and all that that means! Pray I will be wise and discerning and that in all the decisions I make, they will be godly. Pray that I can see clearly God's path for me.
3. Pray for this next 3 months as I finish at LM, pray that it would be a really good time of moving forward in faith and learning more.
Thank you so much for anyone who has been praying for me over the year, you guys are brill! Thanks for those who have encouraged me, challenged me and helped me through some of the most challenging times.
Lastly, on the 22nd Aug, (my last day), SU also celebrates their annual Big Celebration. That basically means celebrating all that God has done in SU Scotland's work over the year; giving thanks for the many camps, school groups and everything else that goes on! It will also say goodbye to staff leaving, and welcome to the newcomers! Hundreds come along and join in with some of the fun activities they put on for the day! I'd love for you guys to come for even part of the day and have some fun with us at LM! :D
Just contact me if you'd like more information on the day!
Thank you again if you take even some time to pray for me and the next few months/years ahead! Appreciate it more than anything.
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."
In His Abundant Love
Eli xo
