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Hebrides Islands, Inner and Outer

2004

It is with great joy and thrill beyond words that I write. We are seeing the mighty power of God in so many ways. These are glory days. I have never been happier in my life.

Denise my wife, baby Sophia and I had a glorious time carrying the cross in the Outer and Inner Hebrides Islands off the coast of Northwestern Scotland. The weather was cold, windy and wet but the response was warm and welcoming. Many cars and work vans stopped with people eager to know why I was carrying the cross. Day after day I prayed with people as they sat in their cars and welcomed Jesus into their lives. We were welcomed into homes and businesses. Often in the restaurants people would stop to speak to Sophia and we would have a great witness.

From my diary:

“We are having a wonderful time carrying the cross in the Hebrides Islands. Today my wife Denise along with our baby daughter Sophia Isabella were carrying the cross at the historic and word famous Callanish Stones in Lewis Island. I carried the cross around the stones and then stood the cross in the center. They go back 5,000 years.”

Later:
“It was cold and windy and a bit rainy. Someone said to me there, ‘Oh, the weather has turned bad today’. I said “No, this is the weather God made for today and I have learned to thank God for every day no matter what the weather.'”

Later:
“Yesterday I got ready to carry the cross from the hotel where we spent the night. I could see it was rainy and windy but just got dressed for the road in my wet weather clothes. Little did I know what was before me. Denise and Sophia were to drive out and find me later.

As I walked out of the parking lot and turned to go down the highway I was hit by strong winds. Now I have carried the cross around the world so I have walked in the wind and rain before but this was something else. Soon the wind became so strong it was difficult to move forward and the rain as it hit my face burned the skin. It was just about freezing cold. The walk became more difficult by the step! Soon I came to a causeway over the water. The water was crashing into the stones and spraying me with even more water. I was almost lifted off my feet as the cross was like a sail in the wind. Like a drunken man I staggered side to side trying to stay on the walkway beside the road. Then the walkway ended. The paved road became single lane with passing places to park. No way could I stay alongside the road without getting blown into the passing cars. I felt it right to turn back to keep from getting hit by a car and hurting myself or someone else. It was a battle! The wind was stronger and stronger. At long last I returned to the hotel having gone a total of about two miles.

Denise was getting Sophia ready to leave when I arrived back exhausted!
She said she saw on TV that there were gale force winds in our area.
Last night we saw on TV that the winds were up to 70 mph! Almost
a Florida hurricane!”

Now what is the point of this story?

This morning I carried the cross out of the same hotel in calm weather.
The storm had passed and that water did not even have a ripple of a
wave. I took off my coat and enjoyed the very wonderful weather and
cross walk. Many people stopped their cars to talk and we were on the
front page of “The Hebridean” newspaper.

My point is on that stormy day…hang on! It may be cold and wet and windy
and impossible to move forward but…today the storm has passed and it is
beautiful and calm and wonderful.

Don’t let the storms of life stop you. Oh, yes you may need to wait a day or week or even a month but in God’s time and will, things will change and you can enjoy and smile.

God bless you. Just thought I would let you know a bit of life on the road. Oh, and by the way. I enjoyed the stormy walk so much. It was glorious to feel the wind and cold and wet! I was shouting and laughing as I staggered along. I loved it! I praised the Lord Jesus all the time.

Hebrides6Later:
Well, glory can you believe it! Arthur Blessitt — 64 years old!

Wow, I feel like a child. (My wife Denise says I act like one too) ha! Just had my birthday this past week. How blessed I am.

On my birthday October 27th I opened the several cards that Denise had brought from friends and family. Then we were on the road with me carrying the cross in the cold, wet and rain. It was glorious. Oh, I loved it. Carried the cross to the port and took a ferry to the Isle of Skye. We met some wonderful people and had good witness and prayer. How glorious to see the power of the Holy Spirit. Denise and I had a great time talking with two men about Jesus.

We got a room, and then Denise and Sophia took me out to get me a birthday gift. Sophia got me an armband cord to tie on my wrist and Denise gave me a tiny flashlight/watch that I can carry in my pocket. Then we spent the evening together.

We met many wonderful people on the islands and pray God bless them richly.

On this trip we also carried the cross and preached in Coldchester, England.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt
Luke 18:1