The Latest Right Eye Update

Six weeks ago I was facing the possibility of losing the sight in my right eye. The eye was shut-
ting down despite the best efforts of the medical specialists at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Eye
Clinic. The condition of the eye had been steadily deteriorating since last autumn, thus causing
the eye to shrink. The eye looked horrible. The doctor told me that we were running out of op-
tions for the eye. I prepared for living my life with only my left eye. I was told by the doctor that
many people do well with one eye.

But prayer and critical medical care changed the situation of my eye. I asked people to pray for
the healing of my eye. There were those who laid hands on me and anointed me with oil. It was
shortly thereafter that the doctor observed the eye becoming progressively better. Rather than
discussing the eye shutting down, she talked to me about surgery to remove the gel of my inner
eye, replacing it with silicone gas to keep the pressure constant in the eye. She would also re-
move the anchor holding the retina in place. It had been eroding the tissue of the retina, thus
causing loss of pressure. The situation had changed greatly.

I have been scheduled for eye surgery on Monday, the third of June. If everything goes well, I
will be released the next day. However, I will enter the hospital the preceding Thursday morn-
ing in order to begin the process of thickening my blood for surgery. Since my aortic heart valve
was replaced in 2006, I have been taking warfarin to thin my blood. The doctor intends to thick-
en the blood in order to cut down the risk of serious bleeding during the operation. I am receiv-
ing excellent medical care and I marvel at the state of medical technology and knowledge in do-
ing this. As always, I covet your prayers.

Blessings to you and yours,  

Coming Up on the First Year in St Fergus

It is hard for me to believe that I am coming up on the end of my first year here in St Fergus.
I arrived back in Scotland on June 6 of last year. I was eager to get back into full time ministry
after having spent nearly sixteen months waiting for a visa to re-enter Scotland. I enjoyed be-
ing back home in the Longview/Kelso area, but God had called me to pastoral ministry at St
Fergus Parish Church in Scotland. Because I was going to a church in an area of Scotland
that I didn't know, I really didn't know what to expect. But I have been truly blessed by be-
ing here.

I enjoy living here among the people of North-East Scotland. When I arrived, I was immedi-
ately challenged by the Doric Tongue. Although I still have a long way to go in understand-
ing the dialect, I am feeling more comfortable hearing people speak it. I have not been enjoy-
ing the weather of North-East Scotland: rain, rain, and more rain, and very little in the way
of sun. But despite that, I have managed quite well. Agnes, my next door neighbour, often
learns me the Doric as we almost daily meet out back to chat and catch up on the latest news
of people in the village. I have been blessed by frequent helpings of her Scottish broth, fish
cakes, and mince and tatties.

I have been with the good people of St Fergus Parish Church for almost a year. I have be-
come increasingly fond of them as my time goes on with them. I enjoy preaching each Sun-
day at the church and at other churches in the area. I have been listening to the people here
and to the Holy Spirit, seeking to be sensitive to how God has been at work in the lives of
the people. I had intended to lay low for the first two years at the church, but I found that I
was quickly swept up into the congregation and the village straight away. I came through
the first year doing quite well and I am eager to get on with the second year. I enjoy being
here because the Lord has sent me here to pastor God's people at St Fergus Parish Church.

Blessings to you and yours,