God's Plans
We had a wonderful time in Scotland overall. We love the Scots and have often said we are adopted Scots although in fact I like to think am Scottish. After all my Gran was a Scot from Stirling and I have relatives there to this day and many of my Mother's ways seem a bit Scottish to me. (My Great Grandmother was Irish.)
When Stafford had a bad heart attack and we needed to return home, Scotland was our first port of call and we fully intended to settle in "our beloved Scotland" but Yeshua had other plans. His plan was the last thing we wanted to do, to return to Lincolnshire. (However, this could be told another time).
In 1987, flat on my face in prayer I sought the Lord for what to do next with my life. As I cried out to Him there were wonderful pictures moving through my mind, of bright, colourful, happy, dancing people in a desert, and I felt deep yearnings inside, wanting so much to be with them. Although convinced the vision came from God I had no idea who the people were or where, and had no idea how to 'make it happen'. I looked for ways to bring the vision about but the only thing that happened was two weeks later I rented a flat in "the Drum" in Glasgow (Scotland).
During the next five years the Lord took me through many things, not least, three different addresses in Scotland and two places of employment. Yeshua involved me in ministry with young people in the church and older people in my work. Not once did I approach anything like a desert, neither spiritual nor earthly, yet would often think of that picture and ponder over it.
Eventually, when Stafford and I were on our honeymoon, we asked God to do with us whatever He wanted. We agreed together with Him, that we would go anywhere, do anything, just as long as it was with Him. Upon returning home, we approached the Minister of our local congregation who offered to contact Church of Scotland World Mission on our behalf. Very soon we received a letter from them, placing us in Egypt (subject to various interviews and procedures).
This process took about a year before we finally arrived in Cairo. It was then that I was reminded of my vision five and a half years before, and was to be reminded many times, as the Egyptians we were sent to work with were beautiful, happy, colourful people, living by the desert who were always ready to express their joy in dance.
Although there were times when the vision faded and I was tempted to think I had got it wrong, in actual fact the time in Egypt would not have been possible if it had not been for wonderful Scots giving us sound counsel with Godly wisdom and being faithful in prayer. Many of them are still dear to our hearts and we have made very deep and lasting friendships. Also, it was, I believe, thanks to the many fervent prayers that we remained in Cairo as long as we did.
When God gives you a vision, don't head straight for it without seeking the next step from the Lord. "Unless the Lord builds the house, the labourers labour in vain." Psalm 127
Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
12 "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
NASU
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