Tag Archive for: reunited

Haste Ye Back

Over the past few days, our home has been full with visitors.
Last Wednesday and Thursday, we had the absolute joy of hosting seven of our returned missionaries from the Belgium Netherlands Mission.
Adam, Alex, Logan, Landon, Luk, Sam and Trent, came to visit not just as guests but as part of our mission family.
On Wednesday, we walked the paths of Dunfermline, fed squirrels in the park, met the peacocks (thank you Tina and Alex), and learned a lot about Andrew Carnegie.
But the real joy wasn’t just in what we saw, it was more about just being together again.
On Thursday, we explored Edinburgh.
We climbed Arthur’s Seat, walked the Royal Mile, visited St. Giles Cathedral, and learned about the Order of the Thistle.
We laughed over lunch, soaked in the sights from the Castle, wandered through the Grassmarket, and ended the day the way any proper visit should: with fish and chips and a deep-fried Mars bar!
But here’s the thing that’s been on my mind most since they left: missionary service might have an official end date, but the bonds created will never end.
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20

Service

As we walked side by side through cobbled streets, it hit me, that our friendships were built on faith, service, and sacrifice.
They were forged in the quiet moments of testimony, in praying together, in days sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving others.
They left for home on Friday, to their studies, summer jobs and families, yet I want to witness that the spirit they carried as missionaries still shines through.
Their name tags may be gone, but who they became as missionaries hasn’t faded.

Connections

Having them here reminded me that the impact of missionary work isn’t just about the service they rendered in Belgium and the Netherlands, it’s about the deep, lasting connections formed along the way.
As we laughed and reminisced, not as missionaries with schedules, but simply as members of our extended family, we rediscovered a deeper, powerful connection.
One rooted in shared purpose, made richer by our unhurried time, of just being together.
Their footsteps echo with us now, not just in the places we visited, but in our hearts.
And for that, Monic and I are so grateful.
Who in your life has left spiritual footprints you still feel today?

lost Luggage

Returning from London Kings Cross last Friday, the train pulled into my stop at Inverkeithing.
I arose from my seat and went to collect my luggage.
I’d deposited it nearly 5 hours earlier, in the luggage rack, but sadly, it was gone!
I searched all of the overhead rack space in the carriage, but no joy either.
A passenger, sitting in front of the rack said, “there was a bit of an altercation at Haymarket, maybe they’ve taken your luggage by mistake!”… Ouch… ☹
And that was it, I had to alight the train quickly, before it departed for its next stop.
I always take the plane to London and this was my first time on a return trip on the train in years.
Ticketing issues made the trip down difficult and now on the return my luggage was gone, my experience was disappointing.

Now What?

Then I met “Warren” the platform train “despatcher.”
In a friendly and polite manner, “Come in…” he said.
What followed were many telephone calls, notetaking, online form filling with London North Eastern Railway (LNER), British Transport Police BTP (was it stolen?) and a reassurance from him that all would be okay in the end.
His departing comment was, “I’ll call Aberdeen in a couple of hours, it’ll probably be there.”
Warren was more enthusiastic than me. At that stage, I wasn’t quite so certain of a positive outcome.
Later that evening, we spoke and happily I was informed, it was indeed in Aberdeen.
“They can either send it down, or you can collect it…” said Warren.
The quickest way was to drive to Aberdeen (200 miles/5 hours/£35 fuel round trip) on Saturday morning.

Saturday

Arising early, off I went.
The Scotrail staff in Aberdeen were equally eager to help and pleasant too.
The downside was I picked up a parking ticket as I was convinced it was a pay on exit, as I couldn’t see
any pay + display signs when I entered the railway station car park. I’d never been there before. That’ll cost me at least another £60, if I pay within 2 weeks. Should I appeal, I was still anxious after all?
Returning to Inverkeithing on Saturday afternoon, I met up with Warren again and thanked him for his efforts for going the extra mile. “Enjoy your chocolates…” I added.
He had restored my faith in ScotRail, and I acknowledged that there are still good helpful people.
He told me that he too was grateful and that I had restored his faith in people too. He said that I was one of the very few who had treated him respectfully and with dignity, instead of being shouted at or lambasted for the loss of luggage.
Customer Service is the backbone of any good company, and in Warren, Scotrail certainly have one of the best. Look out for him on Platform 1 at Inverkeithing next time.
Thank you, Warren, and thank you Scotrail for taking care of my luggage for me.
What is your experience with lost luggage?