adventure in the UK p3b

Quarff, St. Ninian´s Isle, & Lerwick

the Tombolo, St. Ninian's Isle

Wednesday was quite a busy day. I did not go with the team this time. I spent a bit of time at the Lerwick museum before going with Andrew and Sarah Harmsworth. This couple were the first contact given to me by a friend, who has also been to Shetland last year. The Harmsworths live in Wester Quarff, not so far from where I was staying. They took me to St. Ninian's Isle, which is located at a Tombolo. It was called such because there's a strip of sand beach lying in between and connecting two islands. (for more info, look into wikipedia). Whilst walking around the ruins of the chapel, I could not help but remember the time when I was holding a map and I'd always place my hand over the Northern part of Europe. I dreamt of stepping on these lands, walking on the Scottish ground, and so I had to pinch myself several times if this was real.

In the evening, we had a gathering at a church in Lerwick,where the team from Scotland shared what they've been seeing whilst going around the inhabited islands. I was given an opportunity to share the impressions I got in just the first few days I've been there. We had a great time of sharing, worshipping God and praying for one another.

Healing, Nesting

Charlie & Hilary

The night before, I asked Frank Miller if he could call Charlie Johnson, whose wife was diagnosed with cancer. I felt that I should go and pray with them. In the morning, I woke up with a word in mind – WATER. So I thought, what am I supposed to do with it? After a few minutes, I got a text message from Frank that he left a bottle of spring water (loch) he took from the highest hill in Sheltand – Ronas Hill. It was the place he felt God told him to be baptised. On my way to the Johnsons', I had a strong conviction to wash their feet and anoint with extra virgin olive oil. I did not understand at first but I knew I just had to obey.

I was told that it was their very first time to have someone wash their feet. For me, it was an honour to be able to do that to those feet that walked the islands and served God and the people around them. When I was holding Hilary's hands in prayer, I felt something warm from the tip of my head, flowing to our hands. I knew it was God's Holy Presence. I shared to her what I felt the Lord was saying, “that He comes like a fire to consume that which devours the flesh.” She understood what it meant. I also believe God is gradually healing her even if there'd be times when her body would cry out pain, as if it was getting worse. But you see, to go through a furnace like gold is not fun, because all impurities have to go away. However, when the gold panner sees his reflection in the gold, that's when it becomes pure. I felt so blessed when we left them.

Nesting

 After that, Andrew took me to an island called Nesting. It was such a wonderful place. It started to get cloudy and rainy when were on our way there. Then I had song stuck in my head, it's called Hope's Anthem. I repeatedly sang a phrase - “let hope arise” - and then when we were almost there, we could see a streak of blue sky just above the horizon. I knew then that I'd sing that song when we were at the edge of the island, facing the other islands. I've never seen that many Shetland ponies too! I had to go near them and oh if the owner was around, I could have begged him if I could ride on one of them. :)

Unst

with Rhoda

I heard a story about this place. This guy was praying and waiting on God and then he saw a huge billboard with a sign that says, UNSTOPPABLE. He pondered upon it came up with a thought, “Unst is on the TOP and HE is ABLE.” This really encouraged me because my friend told me to go to the most northern island of Shetland to visit a lady called Rhoda, whom God called to live there and pray for the country, including the northern countries. I thought it was not easy to go up there but I found it exciting to go from bus to boat, from one island to another. We then contacted Rhoda and with the limited time she had (her daughters were visiting her at the same time that's why). She came to meet me at the port and drove me to a spot – a bus stop. This bus stop is no ordinary, and I must say it was impressive. Then she took to a few more places while we chat and pray and chat some more.

with Lauris

 There was another lady called Lauris, who came to Unst with her kids and we spent almost the whole evening talking. We stayed at her friend's chalet overlooking the sea.

with Nanna

Early next day, she took me to the pier and showed me a very creative instrument made of an old row boat. When I got Lerwick, I met up with Nanna, a Finn married to a Scottish, and have been living there for almost 10 years. We went for coffee, talked and prayed, and blessed me so much before she drove me to where I was staying. Oh, I almost forgot to say that we met 2 Filipino ladies at a supermarket. The work for cruise ship that docked in Lerwick.