The Highlands, Ft. William, and Abernathy

Last night we arrived at Abernathy Ardgour, Adventure Leadership Training in the hills of Ft. William where Stephen works, after four hours on the bus, a short ferry ride, and a drive up the mountain. The traveling was not tiring, however, simply long, and the drive up through the Highlands of west Scotland was amazing. The landscape and geography were incredible; I don't even know how to properly describe them. Where's a portable Prof. Van Dommelen when you need him? The low, rolling hills and craggy cliffs, meadows and tundra-like heather covered plains combine to make one of the most wild looking places I have ever seen. Indeed, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork... Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!" (Psalms 19:1, 96:11-12).

Here at the school, the students are about to undergo a week-long assesment of their outdoor skills which is a very stressful pass or fail period in their year-long training. Thankfully, they have Melissa's and my sterling example to look to. Just joking...though we haven't done a bad job in coping with the various ills of camping, namely the wet weather, as well as the wind. Last night, we put Melissa's poncho on top of the tent, since it nearly covers it, though now our tent has a hood. I think it blew off a few times during the night, though not entirely, since it was fastened at the corners with home-made ties constructed from our trusty roll of versatile black duct tape.

Being on this trip has thus far reminded me greatly of my time fishing, for several reasons, but largely for the fact that 'roughing it' teaches one to rely wholly on God for even the 'simple' things, and also to develop a deep appreciation for those simple things, and to regard them as far more significant than they are normally regarded to be. For instance, learning to 'pray without ceasing' for the day to day unknowns of whether we will be in a hostel or in a camp site and whether or not we will catch the right bus, and how we shall plan each day out, really makes each and every moment of the day recognizable as a providential instance in which to give thanks and praise to the Lord for His unending goodness.

I believe we will be taking a 'stroll' tonight with Stephen to explore a bit around the foothills and then tomorrow will continue on our journey.