Home...

Hello All. We are home (and some have been since a week ago), however, I'm just getting a second to update this thing. I don't have more than a second but at the small chance someone will check this again, I wanted to thank you all on behalf of the team, for praying for us. Daily, hourly, weekly, etc. I know that the reason God moved is because of prayer. I hope you are blessed knowing you share a portion of the investment that was made in these lives. God really and truly took these students (and adults!) into the deep water with Him. We look forward to seeing the fruit in every student. If our camp or any of the students come to mind, please lift them up before the Father. The school year is tough for them and many students do not have the strong support of a youth group. I'm confident that God will provide for all of their needs.

Again, thank you for everything. We are changed because of it.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth (and Bill) :)

Saturday in Edinburgh

We spent today in Edinburgh. We had really nice weather, which was welcomed by all as the last week of camp had a steady rain and had been cold. Tomorrow morning we are going to church in Stewarton (the Potter's House). Tom Fraley will be speaking for the church and Justin will be leading worship. Once we are finished we'll spend the afternoon on the coast in West Kilbride. We'll conclude our Scotland adventure with a Celidh (Scottish dancing) at a local YWAM (Youth With a Mission) base tomorrow night. 

Please pray for the team as we head home to Atlanta on Monday! We are really exhausted but looking forward to enjoying our last full day in Scotland. 

Camp is over. I'll post more about Thursday later on. Even though the team is very tired, we have to keep going and pack up all the remaining supplies, etc. Tonight we head to Stewarton where we will be having our coming home service for the youth. Please pray as many campers will be bringing their parents/family with them. A lot of them do not go to church.

Thanks for your prayers as we need strength to finish strong. Tonight and Sunday we will have lots of ministry opportunities. We are excited as we know God will use us outside of camp as well.

God is good!

Wednesday Camp

Your prayers are availing much and God is doing amazing things among us. A few campers who were prayed for last night, received physical healing! Honestly, so many things are going on that God is doing, it is very hard to summarize it in a blog. I wish I could, but you'll just have to hear the stories and testimonies when we get home.

Tonight is our last service at camp with the students.  One of the campers told us, "Last year, I thought it was better than camp the year before. I thought I couldn't go any deeper with the Lord. This year, I've realized I can go deeper with the Lord and this year is better!" Wow. 

Please pray that work God does is SEALED in them. Like it says in Song of Songs 8:6-7, "Place me like a seal over your heart. Like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death and it's jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away."  

Tuesday Camp

God really moved during the service last night and around midnight last night, we had to decide if we were going to end the service or keep worshipping. 

We moved all the chairs from the room and created and open space. As the worship started back students began to dance. It was incredible to see the students singing and dancing to: "I am royalty, I have a destiny, I have been set free, I'm gonna shape history." 

Keep praying. God is shaking this group. Here are some pictures to show you a little bit of how much fun it's been!

Monday Camp

Monday camp was full of energy and it was a good day for everyone. We are seeing God move not just in the service but in every area of camp. One of our classes we have for the students is "Inner Beauty" for girls. Even on the first day, it is evident God is moving to restore, heal and bring truth to these students. 

Dinner was a bit hilarious. A male counselor (who will remain nameless) initiated a series of calamitous events when he caused a plate full of food to crash to the floor. Chocolate cake was placed out for the students which then created a mad rush to the serving table, leading to numerous coalitions and chocolate cake on the floor. Also the "snake game" is going full force during our dinner times. the "snake game", if you didn't know already, is where students (and let's be honest some adults) make a game of placing food (we're finding lettuce is ideal) on somebody's shoulder without them noticing. I have no idea why, but the students think it is the best game. I tend to agree.

For some of these kids, this is their very first time hearing about Jesus. Please pray for them. Also, there have been a few people under the weather and a roommate flare up. So, we continue to need your prayer! Thanks for standing with us. 

First day!

Camp began yesterday and we had a great start to camp! We ended up getting 1 more camper, bringing our camp total to 35 students. We had a Hoe Down last night and the worship area was a sea of plaid shirts and cowboy hats. Last night's worship service was amazing. Our team and some of the Scottish counselors had a time in the worship area to pray and ask the Lord to come. We prayed and worshipped for about 20 minutes before we let the students in. Worship was amazing and felt like the Lord was really close to us. Tom Fraley brought the message and it was right on track with campers who felt like they had drifted away from the Lord during the last year. Also, he spoke about Salvation and although no one came to the front to receive prayer, we believe the Lord was softening hearts last night.

Many of our students came with friends and are nonbelievers. Please pray they would respond to the call of Jesus on their hearts. Also, we have a lot of younger students (13 and younger) - please pray that they would be impacted and encounter God wherever they are in their walk with Him.

Also, before we left, our team had a word given to us about the Lord healing the brokenhearted. Even last night, Tom spoke to the group of students about the Lord wanting to be the friend to the lonely and the disappointed. He told them that God knew about the pressures they face in school, what it's like at home with their parents and families... and for some this week, this is going to be a time where they feel accepted for this first time.  

We know God is close to the brokenhearted and there are a lot of brokenhearted students here. 

We FEEL the prayers, for real. Thank you. Please continue praying. Our team is doing good, just a little bit tired (which is to be expected). I hope to post some pictures later of the Hoe Down!

Evening Service

The campers are here! Our services can be viewed through the RiverStone Summer Camp TV. Go to www.riverstonesummercamp.tv. 

Our service tonight will begin sometime tonight between 8:30-9:00. That is 3:30 Atlanta time for all you folks at home.

Day in Glasgow and prayer for Chapman family

Hey All,

We had a nice day in Glasgow. We visited the Kelvingrove Museum and it was almost overwhelming how grand it was. The one hour we had to see the museum was hardly enough to take more than a taste. 

We spent the rest of the day walking around the city and it was cold almost the entire time.  Laura and I were almost attacked by birds during lunch, but we survived. Here's some of the group at lunch:

And, finally dinner. Based on the picture below, you'd probably never guess we were in Scotland. 

Harry took us to an Indian restaurant and it was real good.

On a more serious and very unfortunate note, one of our team members, Lori Chapman, received a phone call today during our time in Glasgow saying her niece had been killed in a car accident the day before.  Please pray for Lori and her sister, Lisa, as they deal with this very tragic event.  Undoubtedly, Lori and the rest of the family are in shock.  She is flying home tomorrow to be with her sister and her family.  We love Lori and want to pray for peace as she travels home.

Also, our campers arrive tomorrow. We'll have a very full day tomorrow and lots to finish getting ready. We had a sweet time tonight praying with some of our fellow Scottish counselors and are even more expectant that the Lord has something amazing for these students!

We love you all so much and can feel your prayers!

Our day in the airport...

...because we know you folks like pictures!

      

We're here!

Hi Folks. 

We are here, safe and sound.  We had no trouble getting through customs and all of our luggage/bins made it too. We've been setting up for camp so we don't fall asleep.  

We're tired but pressing through. God is so good.

I would post some pictures of our day in the airport but it takes an eternity to try and load them. I'll try to figure out how to fix that problem.

Our weather report is temps in the mid-50s and heavy overcast. I'm laughing as I write this because this is typical for Scotland weather.  I just felt like leaving you with a little detail about our day today.

I'll write back when we've had more sleep!

Close...

We officially leave tomorrow morning! It's a little hard to believe we are about to embark on this adventure God has been preparing for the last several months!


I want to thank the Lord that EVERY team member has received their UK Visa!


Currently, our biggest prayer needs are:
-For safety as we travel
-that all the bins and our luggage will get to Scotland
-that God would unite the RiverStone team and the Scottish team
-the Jesus would glorify Himself in every aspect of our trip, from start to finish

I cannot tell you how THANKFUL and BLESSED we each feel to have you praying! You are the backbone of this team and we are honored to have you stand with us. We'll blog once we have landed in Scotland and give updates as much as possible! Remember, camp will begin Sunday and our services will be live and you can access them through our blog.

We are expectant and excited.

Gratefully,

Elizabeth Smith and Bill Pinto (team leaders)

Pre-trip Prayer

Dear Friends & Family,

Thank you for praying for our Scotland team! We count on your prayers and could not be more thankful to have your support. We leave Atlanta on Thursday, July 16 and arrive home on Monday, July 27 and will need your prayer ever single day.

Our theme is "Deep Water" taken from Psalm 42:7. We are asking the Lord to release His glory, His love and passion over this camp. Please pray with us as we believe God will do amazing things at camp!

-Every team member to get their UK Visa back in time before we leave
-Favor and grace as we transport 18 tubs through security, customs, etc.
-There are many unchurched kids that will be coming. Please pray they would experience and know the love of Jesus!
-For the Christian kids coming back, that they would go DEEP with the Lord!
-For our camp speakers: Tom Fraley and Tom Tanner and for our worship leader: Justin Boggs
-That the glory of the Lord would dwell at camp
-That revival would be birthed in this camp. We have felt the last few years that the Lord would use the youth in Scotland to release revival. We know this is a "big" prayer, but we are believing God for big things.

Please check back as we will update regularly on our trip and you will be able to view our worship services live!

Gratefully,
Elizabeth (one of the team leaders)