The pay off for getting round most of the primaries in one week last week is that I managed to book assemblies. Not quite as much as last week, but a fair amount of travelling getting round the schools. So today spent most of the day in schools, from Loch Duich to Plockton Primary (and catching up with one of our ministers in between) before finishing in the High School. Good to catch up with lots of folk at lunch after last week's work experience and also great to see on of the new S1s (on the taster week from the primaries) come along. Not much of a talk this week but an opportunity to be getting the guys thinking about a potential Bible reading group for next term.
I spent the afternoon with some of the RME Higher students revising with Rab for the exam on Monday. I hope they do really well — they do seem to know their stuff, though hilarity seems to ensure in Rab's tutorials. He likes to blame me but there aren't many RE teachers who are able to be explaining about key philosophical or religious characters whiulst making the mental link to Inspector Clouseau in his head.
Home  by late afternoon to give me a bit if prep time for tonights Bible time with the Friday Night group. A good turn out as we reflected together on what we believe, how we are assured of what we believe and the importance of the Bible to our lives.
All good; I think I have a whole weekend off now!

The Good Samaritan is not just a story

Great week last week with Robin on his work experience, though it did mean I was kept going all day, every day, with some evening work as well, plus some time on Saturday. Hard work this work experience! Still, we managed to get round 9 of the 11 P7 groups to deliver their 'It's Your Move' books and have a chat and pray about next year. We managed to cover 337 miles and visit 11 schools; not bad and although I wouldn't normally do them all so close together, really useful to get them done. I also managed to secure a few more assemblies that I've been missing, largely due to the email problems. Robin did a great job of writing and delivering an assembly for Broadford Primary, as well as preparing some thoughts for Friday Night @ Dave & Ruth's and having some useful input to the COOL planning meeting last Monday. As well as spending a full day preparing a video for the holiday clubs, I think he got quite a varied experience.



So, back to the road on my own today, and back to Glenelg and then Applecross. Assemblies all went fine but I hadn't banked on tourists on motorcycles thinking it would be a good idea to drive Britain's highest road — the Bealach na Ba to Applecross — on the windiest day of the year so far. Don't ask me why the car in front of me thought sitting and watching was the best option, but I couldn't just relax as I watched the four Belgians struggle to get their four large (and heavy!) bikes out of the verge and upright again. But with gusts around 70mph today, getting from the car to the bikers was an effort in itself. Only got blown off my feet two or three times, by which time I was soaked so nothing more to lose. Many thanks to Dai the Postie who also stopped to help, and having turned the four bikes round, we all decided the safest course of action was to leave the bikes and head back to Applecross for the night.



Road cleared again for those comfy in their cars to drive passed, Dai and I headed the 5 miles back to the Inn where they found accommodation, and I'm sure some friendly locals who'll take them back up to retrieve their bikes tomorrow.



So thanks to the weather-bound Belgians for a welcome pint of Guinness, a nice cup of coffee and a wee gift which should just about cover COOL's travel expense to the school today. All turned out well and I think I can just about feel my fingers again...

Good Friday

A successful day in Glenelg with Colin and Barbara going over the teaching fir this year's holiday club and preparing an outline for the video. Now all we need to do is shoot it and edit it. Watch this space. Took up most of the day but good to see the Friday Night group after quite a few weeks. A short study tonight on keeping priorities straight, especially during the exam period, from the prophet Haggai.
Great to hear Sarah has got her placement with Viz-a-Viz ministries all next year. Ella's now off to work with a church in Ipswich for her week's work experience and I'm looking forward to having Robin with me for his work experience. Lots of P7 visits next week!


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Only by prayer

With the General Assemblies of two national denominations nearly upon us, we are entering a time of potential significant change and a new era if Christianity in Scotland. Met with several of the ministers this morning to share and pray together. Nevertheless, positive times locally as we continue to sense God's hand opening up various avenues of ministry, despite concerns nationally.
A couple of school assemblies today followed by holiday club planning ready for the team meeting for Strath & Lochalsh this evening. Well, thanks to the two other people who turned up; I only hope that the repeat scheduled for next week more convenient. All part of the ups and downs...


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An annual occasion

Once a year an event happens that has a profound impact on my work... for several days: the Staff v Sixth form football match!
An good start to the day as I presented the full details for the Peru work party in 2012. Fifteen booking forms were taken so I'm hoping that from those we can put together a great team. Lots I'd fundraising ahead!




The afternoon match seemed rather under manned this year, which resulted in the local church's youth worker to have to play the while match, or at least be on the field. Didn't perform too badly when my legs actually moved and a 3-3 score line led to the penalty shoot out. Thanks to the five teachers on the pitch who stepped up to the spot, and the match was eventually awarded to the S6 team (not quite sure what reflection on the score that was, but hey, a BBQ was calling).




Perhaps not the best preparation for a weekend at Alltnacriche with 30 kids, but me and the whole family were ready to leave by 4.45pm and arrived just before the kids. This weekend helping out with Colin Carmichael at the Highland Primary weekend.



My responsibilities, other than general staffing, were the Saturday wide game (we eventually arrived at a set of rules that made it last longer than 1 minute per round) and the Saturday Bible teaching on Mark 10:17-30. Good discussion tonight; primary kids have lots of questions!



All going well so far and good that Joshua has been able to join and enjoy all the activities. Keziah meanwhile keeps Ruth and I busy at every opportunity!


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Technological revolution

1. Acknowledge the problem
2. Initiate a solution
3. Make intermediary arrangements

So a few hours later and several phone calls, and all but one of my P7 visits have been booked, and most for the week of work experience when Robin in S3 will be with me. Result.
A small 60 Second Club due to exams now under way, but also managed to get a meeting booked for those interested in Peru for 2012. Lots ticked off the to do list and almost ready with the next newsletter. Feels good to be productive.



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Still at home

So, does the technology conspire against us, make us dumber, or did I simply forget?! Turns out I should have been 200 miles away today, but despite having received the program, the event doesn't appear to have made it to, or at least been retained in, my diary. So here I am still at home with time to catch up on emails and other admin after the holiday weekend. Website, some video work and some planning done on the office. Now I need to try to sort out why no schools seem to be receiving emails. Its not quite Terminator, but deep down, I think it's conspiring against us...


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