Sorry for the delay in putting these sermons on-line, things have been very busy at present. They are there now!
Sunday Sermon: February 15, 2009
Kiltarlity Free Church, Scotland
Part 5: Ephesians 3:1-13
"The Mystery of Christ"
Sunday Sermon: February 22, 2009
Kiltarlity Free Church, Scotland
Part 6: Ephesians 3:14-21
"Paul's Prayer for Fullness"
Find the Sermon player here: http://sermon.net/andrewmatthews
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Very UNEXPECTED News!!!
We have some very unexpected and surprising news for you...
On Friday, 13th of February we found out that we must return to the U.S.A. permanently on Monday, 2nd of March.
As many of you will know, Andrew is not a US citizen rather a Permanent Resident. He is an Australian citizen as he was born there and lived the first seven years of his life before his family immigrated to Houston, Texas. For the past three years Andrew has been in the process of applying for US citizenship, and on Monday, February the 9th he received the sad news that his application was denied due to the fact that they believe he has been out of the US too much over the past three years. He will have to re-apply again three years after Monday, March 2nd. At present he must return to the US permanently in order to retain his Permanent Resident status. We are asking everyone to be in fervent prayer on Monday, March 2nd (THIS MONDAY) as there is a risk of Andrew being detained at the airport immigration control point. Please pray for safe passage with no complications as we go through immigration. This risk is present because his two year travel document which allowed him to stay out of the country expired while we were waiting (since the Aug 2008 citizenship interview) for the INS to make the final decision about Andrew's citizenship.
Though this news is unexpected, and not at all a part of our plans, we can clearly see the Lord's hand in it. We look forward to seeing why He has done this and what wonderful ministry awaits us in the US. Andrew will continue his PhD studies in America on a part-time basis. At present he has a little less then two years remaining to graduate.
We are very sad to leave our friends and productive ministry here in Kiltarlity/Kirkhill, Scotland. We have been overwhelmed by the love, care, and support that they and other churches in the area that Andrew has ministered to have poured out upon us. They have been a sweet-smelling aroma of Christ to us and to the world looking on this example of the body of Christ in wonderful action. We also are very grateful to all our "Christian family" back in the US who have been holding us up in faithful prayer as we walk through this trial.
PLEASE PRAY FOR US...
PRAYER POINTS
• Please pray MONDAY 1.30PM and onward as this is when we will be going through IMMIGRATION and will be at greatest risk. Pray that we will have favor with "men" and walk through with no complications or questions. (Note: In Houston, Texas a prayer meeting is being organized for all those who are able to attend!!!! Contact: Helen 281-379-4089)
• Please pray for us as we finish all the details of moving internationally over the next few days.
• Please pray as we say our goodbyes to all our friends
• Please pray for health for each of us as it is the cold season and we are all struggling a bit.
• Please pray for our journey: Sunday around 10pm (Scotland time) we will be driving a rental minivan to Edinburgh, three hours journey, to check into our flight at 3.30am Monday morning. We fly to Amsterdam and then on straight to Houston. Please pray for safety, comfort during our journey, children, safety for all our luggage.
• Please pray for the Church here Kiltarlity Free Church to be able to replace us in good time and continue fervently in ministry.
• Please pray for our possessions to travel safely to Houston on the boat, with no added expense.
• Pray for the next chapter in our lives as Andrew seeks for a full-time ministry position in the US.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Gaius' Big Birthday Bash!
Gaius' birthday was a huge success. We had 18 kids plus adults, and Gaius had a wonderful time!
We held the party at the local Kiltarlity village hall. It was a lovely day. We have had quite a bit of snow fall, but the Lord was gracious and held off the snow and kept the roads clear so everyone could make the party.
WELCOME! Happy 3rd Birthday Gaius.
Our friend, Andrew W. brought a huge bouncy castle obstacle course and carnival pop corn machine.
The kids loved it!
We played lots of games - the flour game (requested by the kids), musical chairs, relay races, and a treasure hunt (to find bags of chocolates and candies).
Go on! Dive in face first and get that candy out.
Gaius' birthday cake was a race track. A two layered chocolate cake with raspberry and dark chocolate truffle filling and a vanilla cake with a lemon filling.
Singing Happy Birthday to Gaius!
Make a wish, Gaius. Finally, we get to eat the cake!!
We had a fish piniata (the kids all love these). It broke a bit to soon (not all the kids got to give it a whack). Oh well, everyone got candy!
Andrew telling a story about buried treasure - this is the beginning of the treasure hunt! Treasure was even hidden in the bouncy castle course.
After the treasure hunt Gaius opened his presents, and everyone got bags of popcorn and finished the party out with more bouncy castle fun!
We held the party at the local Kiltarlity village hall. It was a lovely day. We have had quite a bit of snow fall, but the Lord was gracious and held off the snow and kept the roads clear so everyone could make the party.
WELCOME! Happy 3rd Birthday Gaius.
Our friend, Andrew W. brought a huge bouncy castle obstacle course and carnival pop corn machine.
The kids loved it!
We played lots of games - the flour game (requested by the kids), musical chairs, relay races, and a treasure hunt (to find bags of chocolates and candies).
Go on! Dive in face first and get that candy out.
Gaius' birthday cake was a race track. A two layered chocolate cake with raspberry and dark chocolate truffle filling and a vanilla cake with a lemon filling.
Singing Happy Birthday to Gaius!
Make a wish, Gaius. Finally, we get to eat the cake!!
We had a fish piniata (the kids all love these). It broke a bit to soon (not all the kids got to give it a whack). Oh well, everyone got candy!
Andrew telling a story about buried treasure - this is the beginning of the treasure hunt! Treasure was even hidden in the bouncy castle course.
After the treasure hunt Gaius opened his presents, and everyone got bags of popcorn and finished the party out with more bouncy castle fun!
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Six Inches of Snow
We woke up this morning to six inches of snow...it snowed all night long! What fun!! This is the most snow we have seen since living in Inverness.
Andrew trying to build a snow man. Though between the dog and Gaius, who both persisted on diving into the mound of snow and knocking it over, he gave up and...
Shoveled snow and threw it up in the air at both dog and boy.
This is Max jumping into the air to catch a snow ball...this was really cool. He loved it, though half the time he would crunch straight through it occasionally he would get one with out breaking it.
Andrew trying to build a snow man. Though between the dog and Gaius, who both persisted on diving into the mound of snow and knocking it over, he gave up and...
Shoveled snow and threw it up in the air at both dog and boy.
This is Max jumping into the air to catch a snow ball...this was really cool. He loved it, though half the time he would crunch straight through it occasionally he would get one with out breaking it.
Happy 3rd Birthday GAIUS!!!
I no longer have a two year old little boy:(
On February 3, 2006 in Houston Texas, three years ago, Gaius came into the world! He is a blessing from the Lord, a beautiful little blessing!
We are having his big birthday party "bash" on Saturday...photos to follow. But we could not help but celebrate on the day of his birth. Here are a few photos from the "family" party--he had a blast!
I will tell the story of the evening through photos...
We finished the last touches and surprises while he was locked in his room. This is him coming out to see his birthday boy chair, all his presents, and the table.
He was so excited!
He opened up his presents from family...including Grammie and Papa, and Aunt Netty and Co, Great Grandma, coming all the way from America for him. Very exciting!
We had pizza, broccoli, and apple juice - a winner with both the kids! Oh, and we can't forget the birthday cake.
Gaius opening up his presents...
Great Grandma sent him "cool" sun glasses - he loved them. He loved all his gifts from his family.
Silly string was fun and silly. We attacked Daddy too!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Gaius!!!!
Gaius using the "big" knife to cut the cake. Well, once at least, then Mommy quickly took the knife!
Blowing out the candles was fun...
I must confess I did something that I have never done before..buy a cake!!! I will be making a huge cake for Saturday and this cake seemed to fit the bill perfectly for a little family party.
Not as yummy as Mommy's cakes (or so Andrew said) but still really yummy!
Everyone had a blast!
On February 3, 2006 in Houston Texas, three years ago, Gaius came into the world! He is a blessing from the Lord, a beautiful little blessing!
We are having his big birthday party "bash" on Saturday...photos to follow. But we could not help but celebrate on the day of his birth. Here are a few photos from the "family" party--he had a blast!
I will tell the story of the evening through photos...
We finished the last touches and surprises while he was locked in his room. This is him coming out to see his birthday boy chair, all his presents, and the table.
He was so excited!
He opened up his presents from family...including Grammie and Papa, and Aunt Netty and Co, Great Grandma, coming all the way from America for him. Very exciting!
We had pizza, broccoli, and apple juice - a winner with both the kids! Oh, and we can't forget the birthday cake.
Gaius opening up his presents...
Great Grandma sent him "cool" sun glasses - he loved them. He loved all his gifts from his family.
Silly string was fun and silly. We attacked Daddy too!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Gaius!!!!
Gaius using the "big" knife to cut the cake. Well, once at least, then Mommy quickly took the knife!
Blowing out the candles was fun...
I must confess I did something that I have never done before..buy a cake!!! I will be making a huge cake for Saturday and this cake seemed to fit the bill perfectly for a little family party.
Not as yummy as Mommy's cakes (or so Andrew said) but still really yummy!
Everyone had a blast!
Happy 3rd Birthday Gaius
I no longer have a two year old little boy!!!! He is three. Febuary 3rd 2006 - my darling boy!
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Sunday Sermon: February 1, 2009
We are excited to have two sermons today, morning and evening.
Morning: Kiltarlity Free Church, Scotland
Part 4: Ephesians 2:1-10 "Dead and Alive"
"This passage is one of the classic Christian texts of the gospel which describes our Salvation as being all a gift of God's grace. Because He made us alive when we were once dead in our sin."--Andrew
Evening: Madras Street Free Church, Inverness Scotland
Psalm 31
"David was a man who experianced many trials and learned how to pray through them. In Psalm 31 we feel David's anguish, we learn as he argues for help before God, and finds assurance in who God is and His promises."--Andrew
Find the Sermon player here: http://sermon.net/andrewmatthews
Morning: Kiltarlity Free Church, Scotland
Part 4: Ephesians 2:1-10 "Dead and Alive"
"This passage is one of the classic Christian texts of the gospel which describes our Salvation as being all a gift of God's grace. Because He made us alive when we were once dead in our sin."--Andrew
Evening: Madras Street Free Church, Inverness Scotland
Psalm 31
"David was a man who experianced many trials and learned how to pray through them. In Psalm 31 we feel David's anguish, we learn as he argues for help before God, and finds assurance in who God is and His promises."--Andrew
Find the Sermon player here: http://sermon.net/andrewmatthews
The Simple Made Difficult
When you live in a foreign country sometimes things one might think "should" be relatively easy become quite difficult indeed. Case in point...Taking a photo!
My passport is a temporary "emergency" passpost and I need to get a new one. This requires simply downloading the application from the Internet and filling it out, but wait there is one more thing...a passport photo. FYI if you want to know why I have an "emergency" passport look back at the post explaining our "Unexpected Trip to Houston!" in the archives on the right.
So we went into the city of Inverness with three tasks...1)Light bulbs for the car head lights 2)My Passport photo 3)Post it in the mail.
Light bulb was pretty quick and easy but the passport photo became the never ending search, only to discover there was nowhere in the entire city of Inverness to get a US passport photo. Four hours later and about 50 digital photos taken and rejected we finally had the winner and printed it out at Boots (like Walgreens)!!!
We had to take a break and get a drink and some chicken to give us strength to reinvigorate our smiles to finish our "work" as we kept telling Gaius.
All my boys were happy after they filled their tummies.
Gaius trying to find a way to entertain himself in Boots while we tried to get a digital photo to US specs.
The winning photo by the end of the day - my hair was flat and we were all fed up, so it does not look that great but it meets US specs. Good thing I only have to use this passport for ten years!!!
The boys reward at the end of a long day were, a ride on the bus, a little ball, and time to play in the toy store.
All's well that ends well!
My passport is a temporary "emergency" passpost and I need to get a new one. This requires simply downloading the application from the Internet and filling it out, but wait there is one more thing...a passport photo. FYI if you want to know why I have an "emergency" passport look back at the post explaining our "Unexpected Trip to Houston!" in the archives on the right.
So we went into the city of Inverness with three tasks...1)Light bulbs for the car head lights 2)My Passport photo 3)Post it in the mail.
Light bulb was pretty quick and easy but the passport photo became the never ending search, only to discover there was nowhere in the entire city of Inverness to get a US passport photo. Four hours later and about 50 digital photos taken and rejected we finally had the winner and printed it out at Boots (like Walgreens)!!!
We had to take a break and get a drink and some chicken to give us strength to reinvigorate our smiles to finish our "work" as we kept telling Gaius. 
All my boys were happy after they filled their tummies.
Gaius trying to find a way to entertain himself in Boots while we tried to get a digital photo to US specs.
The winning photo by the end of the day - my hair was flat and we were all fed up, so it does not look that great but it meets US specs. Good thing I only have to use this passport for ten years!!!
The boys reward at the end of a long day were, a ride on the bus, a little ball, and time to play in the toy store.
All's well that ends well!
Just Because I Can!!
This photo is just because he is so cute! Well, I must admit I am a bit biased.
My little baby boy is not going to be a two year old for much longer...only 2 more days! He loves "Bat Man" though he wears a "Super Man" outfit and runs around saying, "I Bat Man!" Oh, well.
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