First week on my new job
I started this week with General Dyamics Robotics Systems as a systems engineer. Half of the first day was completing forms and admin-required training. The week was busy getting up to speed on the basics (proposals, specs, etc.) of the Unmanned Surface Vehicle project. Thousands of pages to go through (literally). Still very much exciting and enjoyable so far.
Her Majesty the Queen turned 80 when I was there! God Save the Queen (and the rest of us sinners)!
(Photo courtesy: the Lord Snowdon/Camera Press)
TRAVELOGUE SCOTLAND (pictures to follow over the next few weeks)
(Steve also has a little bit about it on his blog.)
Throughout my time, there I stayed at Steve's flat in Glasgow, Scotland. Steve, whom I met in college, is a missionary with Nieu Communites (NC), which is a global mission (Scotland, South Africa, and 1 other place) AND local church planting ministry (RE Hope Church, RHC, in Glasgow). Steve is 1 of 3 missionaries I support. He is a Deacon equivalent at RHC and leads the Youth Ministry at RHC. In addition to seeing local historical sites, I participated with Steve in the regular NC events and ministry aspects and volunteered at Glasgow City Mission (GCM) to get to know Steve's missionary experience (and where my $$$ are going) more. On the Lord's Day, we worshipped at 2 churches: a church of my choice in the morning (Partick Free Church (Continuing) (PFCC)) and at Steve's church home in the evening (RHC).
I also met Tim (the local NC Director), Wade (RHC Elder and NC missionary), Josh (NC missionary), Mike (NC missionary), Daniel (a University student and new Christian through NC), Tony (a Northern Irish NC intern), Brian (RHC Elder/Minister), Jason (NC missionary), Scotty (RHC worship leader), Elaine (University student and NC volunteer), Alastair (PFCC member), Murdo (school teacher and PFCC member), Rev. MacLeod (PFCC pastor/minister), Rev. Alastair (retired FCC minister), Burt (FCC ministry student and PFCC visitor), Shelby (GCM volunteer), Billy (GCM volunteer), Stevie and his wife (GCM staff), Gary (an university student and RHC attender), David (an engineering student and RHC attender), and a few others whose names I can't recall. (I am not very good with names; so, I am surprised that I remembered most of the names.)
I was on my own a little bit during the trip since Steve had ministry things to attend to a few hours on 2 days. (Thanks to Steve's great help; I was able to go solo during those times!) The Glaswegian (the local name for Glasgow people) youth usually send each other text messages through cell phones instead of calling on their cells since texting is significantly cheaper than calling. Another thing, to watch television legally, a person is obligated to pay a TV tax (about $200/year), most of which goes to support the BBC. Also, on top of the rent for a flat, a person has to pay local council tax (about $250/month).
Prayer Request: I do ask your prayer for the NC, RHC, GCM, and PFCC as Scotland has forsaken God since the Reformation in Scotland in the 1500's and 1600's. We see that manifestations of that today. Glasgow is a spiritually destitute city with liberal churches and non-Christians that have persecuted NC, GCM, PFCC, and RHC (and other faithful conservative churches) through heckling, slanderous namecalling, rock throwing, and other things. Please pray that God would use the few faithful churches in Scotland to turn the hearts of the wicked to Him for salvation and thereby continue to claim a people for Himself and that those faithful churches would love God and love neighbor in both word and deed.
18/Apr/06, Tues (En route)
Flight to O'Hare (American Eagle Embraer 145 jet)
Light Supper at O'Hare (Chicken Salad Sandwich with a Cinnabon)
Flight to London Heathrow; sat on taxiway for 45 minutes due to weather and traffic (American Airlines Boeing 777-200)
(ORD-LHR Route: E over Michigan, NE over Northern New York, Maine, and Newfoundland; the Atlantic Crossing; Over S coast of Ireland and Western England)
Sleep for 1-2 hours
19/Apr/06, Wed (En route, Glasgow)
Sunrise at 4:30am local (6:30 UK time; 1:30 EDT)
Arrived London Heathrow 40 minutes late
Rush through LHR to make my Glasgow flight (arr. 5 minutes before gate closure)
Flight to Glasgow Scotland (British Airways Boeing 757-200)
Arrive Glasgow Scotland a few minutes early (my luggage left at LHR)
Tea at Steve's
Glasgow Walkabout: Museum of Transport, Glasgow University campus
Supper at Steve's (fell asleep while waiting for supper...unintentionally)
Relaxation and reading at Steve's
Arrival of luggage at 20:30 local
20/Apr/06, Thurs (Glasgow)
Breakfast at Steve's (shreaded wheat cereal, apple/banana, orange/apple juice, occasional red currants or blood oranges)
Tour ("Sightseeing Glasgow" bus)
Glasgow Cathedral, St. Mungo's Tomb, and John Knox Monument in adjacent Necropolis (Mungo - patron saint of Glasgow and brought the Gospel to Glasgow)
Museum of Religious Art and Life (warning: inaccurately represents Christianity)
Provand's Lordship (oldest house in Glasgow)
Lunch at "Pret a Manger" sandwich shop (leftovers are donated to GCM)
Buchanan Street Pedestrian Shopping District
Tea at Starbucks (sitting in on Bible-time meeting between Steve and Josh)
Supper at Steve's
Game Night at Starbucks (Nieu Communities Ministry event)
21/Apr/06, Fri (Glasgow)
Breakfast & Hanging out at Nieu Communities Director's house
Finish Bus Tour
Glasgow University Great Bell Tower
(Skipped lunch due to full breakfast)
Tall Ship Glenlee at Glasgow Harbour (the last sailing merchant vessel of Scotland; recovered from the Spanish Navy and restored)
"Man Night" at Mike's flat (Nieu Communities Men's Night of playing "Knights of Catan" board game; sometimes they do more spiritual things)
22/Apr/06, Sat (Glasgow countryside, Stirling)
Scenic Drive through the countryside and hills to Stirling
National Wallace Monument and trail (commemorates William Wallace, the subject of the movie "Braveheart")
Lunch at Corrieri's Cafe (Italian)
Bannockburn Museum and King Robert I (the Bruce) Memorial (site of another major battle for Scottish independence)
Nearby Bridge of Allan walkabout: old river mill, an old spa turned into a restaurant, Patterson Clock, Provost Lamp, etc.
Supper at the Filling Station (American)
23/Apr/06, Sun (Glasgow worship on the Lord's Day)
Morning Worship at Partick Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) (Sermon: "The Blood that Saves" from Leviticus 17)
Luncheon at Rev. MacLeod's house (Partick's pastor, a young gentleman with 4 children; all of them can speak fluent Scottish Gaelic)
Evening Worship at Regarding Hope Church (Steve's non-denom church home, Sermon: Faith & Assurance from Hebrews 11)
Food and Fellowship at Regarding Hope Church
Late Evening Snack at Steve's
24/Apr/06, Mon (Edinburgh)
Breakfast at Steve's
Morning train to from Glasgow Queen St. Stn to Edinburgh Waverley Stn. (Economy Class)
1st Bus Tour ("Edinburgh Tour" bus)
Magdalen Chapel (unfortunately closed despite sign saying otherwise, site of Scottish Reformation Society, Covenanter preparation of burial, and Free Church Continuing constitution)
Greyfriar's Church: Exhibit, Covenanter Tomb & Monument, Covenanter Prison, Signing Place of the National Covenant of Scotland, John Gray's tomb, Greyfriar Bobby (Gray's dog)
Covenanter Marker and Memorial at West Bow & Grassmarket (where Covenanters and other Christians were hanged for their belief in Christ and the Gospel)
The Royal Mile (on the city's main hill between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace)
St. Giles Kirk (where John Knox preached and 2 Covenanters are buried)
Lunch at Chocolate Soup (soup, sandwich, and chocolate concoction shop)
John Knox's House (unfortunately closed for renovation)
Holyroodhouse Palace (the Queen's offiical residence in Scotland; no tour due to renovation)
Scottish Parliament Tour
2nd Bus Tour ("MacTour" antique bus)
The Mound (a small hill formed by exacavating the basements of the newer part of town with New College, U of Edinburgh, and Free Church (Residual) offices at the top)
Scottish Supper at "Greyfriar's Bobby" (Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties with a side of chips in case I didn't like the Haggis; Haggis tastes like spicy hamburger steak; I liked the supper)
Edinburgh Castle Esplinade (the castle is atop the main hill of Edinburgh and the Royal Mile)
Evening train return to Glasgow (Economy Class)
Supper/Snack at Steve's
25/Apr/06, Tue (Glasgow- Edinburgh Solo - Glasgow; Steve's ministry meetings in Glasgow)
Breakfast at Steve's
Prayer at Josh's & Wade's flat (Nieu Communities Men's prayer weekly prayer time)
Morning train to Edinburgh (First Class)
3rd bus tour ("Majestic Tour" bus)
Newer (Georgian) part of Edinburgh
Royal Yacht HMY Britannia
Lunch at Chocolate Soup again
Scotch Whisky Hertiage Centre Museum & Tasting (whisky overview and history with a tasting of Graham's Whisky at the beginning and another 4 whiskies at the end)
Supper at Viva Mexico (Mexican)
Evening Train return to Glasgow (First Class)
"LAN Night" at Glasgow's Microplay computer centre (Nieu Communities fortnightly event every other week where they play games especially "Battlefield 2" on computers linked together on the same network)
Late evening snack at Steve's (a local favourite: warm chocolate-topped and caramel-topped cake with vanilla ice cream)
26/Apr/06, Wed (Glasgow)
Preliminary packing of luggage
Breakfast at Steve's
NC Prayer Walk at St. Enoch Square (weekly NC ministry event)
Fish & Chips at Blue Lagoon with Josh and Wade (the BEST fish and chips that I have ever had, just enough salt and vinegar) while Steve met with Brian
River Clyde and St. Andrew's Suspension Foot Bridge with Josh during Steve's meeting
Glasgow Green: Doulton Fountain, People's Palace
Argyll St. and Buchanan St. Shopping District
Virgin Records Store
Supper at Steve's
Glasgow City Mission (weekly ministry event that cares practically AND spiritually for the homeless and destitute through food, clothing, and Christian teaching; most of them were very friendly except one who was anti-American)
Nightcap of Club Orange soda (non-alcoholic)
27/Apr/06, Thur (Glasgow; Return Home)
Breakfast at Steve's
Ride to Glasgow Airport
Full Scottish Breakfast at Airport (fried egg, black pudding, 2 types of sausage, English bacon, potato pancake, red beans, toast; all washed down with Tea)
Flight to Dublin Airport (Aer Lingus Airbus 320 "St. Fergal")
Shopping and 2 pints of Stout (Beamish and Guinness) at Dublin Airport (I was NOT going to leave Ireland without having a pint of Guinness!)
Clearing of US Customs at DUB
Flight to O'Hare Airport; Lunch and Snack on plane (Aer Lingus Airbus 330-300 "St. Colmcille")
(DUB-ORD Route: NE coast of Ireland; Atlantic Crossing; Labrador Canada; Lake Huron; Grand Rapids, MI; SW over Lake Michigan)
(Aside: It is fitting that I coincidentally flew on a plane named for St. Columba/Colmcille as he brought the Gospel to Scotland.)
Light Supper at Chili's Too at O'Hare Airport (Chicken Noodle Soup with Dinner Salad)
Flight to Washington Dulles; Nap on plane (American Eagle EMB 145 jet)
I've had a great time in the UK (Scotland to be more specific on where in the UK). Seeing historical sites and Covenanter sites. Great fellowship with my missionary friend Stephen, my new friend Josh, and other Christians here. I don't want to go back to the USA, but I have to. I'll post pictures as I get them.
Today, I will be going to this land for a week to visit a missionary friend in Glasgow and to visit historical and Covenanter (Covenanted Presbyterian) sites around, in, and between Glasgow and Edinburgh:
Note: it is the 1606 Union Jack WITHOUT St. Patricks Cross. It is the same flag that I display in my home. I'm not about to fly the 1801/current Union Jack with the Irish/St. Pat's Cross lest it would give the impression that I condone the UK's 900y occupation of Eire. I won't give the UK that satisfaction. 
A Covenanter Flag:
Another Covenanter Flag:
Covenanter Memorial:
A lion and spiritual giant of the Lord (John Knox) pointing to the Scriptures:
John Knox's house:
Note: The following shows the Covenanters in Public Worship. They met in the open on private land instead of their regular church building to escape the persecution from the Catholics and Anglicans. At the time, the State deemed (unScripturally) these Public Worship gatherings illegal and a capital offense to attend them. (Not to mention the Killing Times where many Covenanters suffered cruel martyrdom at the hands of the British Anglicans and Catholics for their belief in Christ and His Gospel. They loved Christ more than their lives!)
Knox preaching:
Flight Simulator Log (4/Mar/06 - 10/Apr/06)
(Leg, Duration, Aircraft, Altitude, Speed, Registry)
Regions flown: MD, VA, FL, IL, Eastern Caribbean, Ireland, UK, Northern South America
BGI-SVD, 1.2 h, DHC 2-300, FL 070, 140 kts, PJ-DHZ (TCA Flt. 4302B)
SVD-GND, 0.8 h, DHC 2-300, FL 060, 140 kts, PJ-DHZ (TC 4302B)
GND-BGI, 1.3 h, DHC 2-300, FL 070, 140 kts, PJ-DHZ (TC 4302B)
BGI-SVD, 1.0 h, DHC 6-300, FL 070, 182 kts, PJ-DHZ (TC 4302B)
SVD-GND, 0.7 h, DHC 6-300, FL 060, 182 kts, PJ-DHZ (TC 4302B)
GND-BGI, 1.0 h, DHC 6-300, FL 070, 182 kts, PJ-DHZ (TC 4302B)
JAX-MIA, 1.4 h, ATR 72-500, FL 160, 276 kts, N342AT (American Airlines 4958)
BGI-TAB, 1.0 h, DHC 6-300, FL 070, 182 kts, PJ-DHZ (TC 4303B)
TAB-POS, 0.6 h, DHC 6-300, FL 060, 182 kts, PJ-DHZ (TC 4303B)
POS-BGI, 1.2 h, DHC 6-300, FL 100, 182 kts, PJ-DHZ (TC 4303B)
ORD-LHR, 6.4 h, Boeing 747-400, FL 330, M 0.85, NCVILE (British Airways 296)
LHR-GLA, 1.1 h, Boeing 757-200, FL 270, M 0.8, G-CPEO (BA 1476)
IAD-DUB, 5.7 h, Boeing 777-300, FL 330, M 0.85, N074WR
IAD-DUB, 5.9 h, Airbus 330-200, FL 330, M 0.83, EI-DAA
EDI-LHR, 1.1 h, Airbus 320, FL 270, M 0.8, G-BUSF (BA 1439)
LHR-ORD, 7.9 h, Boeing 777-200ER, FL 340-410, M 0.85, G-YMMO (BA 299)
BOG-IQT, 1.6 h, British Aerospace 146, FL 290, M 0.7, N142US (TC C0333)
IQT-BOG, 1.7 h, BAe 146, FL 290, FL 290, M 0.7, G-BOAW (TC C0333)
GAI-DMW, 0.4 h, Cessna 182 Skylane, FL 035, 150 kts, N9COF
GAI-DMW, 0.3 h, Cessna 182 Skylane, FL 035, 140 kts, N9COF
IATA Airport Codes:
BGI = Grantley Adams Intl., Bridgetown, Barbados
BOG = El Dorado Intl., Bogota, Colombia
DMW = Carroll Co. Regl. (Poage Field), Westminster, MD
DUB = Dublin Intl., Dublin, Ireland
EDI = Edinburg Turnhouse Intl., Edinburgh, UK
GAI = Montgomery Co. Airpark, Gaithersburg, MD
GLA = Glasgow Intl., Glasgow, UK
GND = Point Salines Intl., St. Georges Grenada
IAD = Washington Dulles Intl., Dulles, VA
IQT = Col. Francisco Vignetta Intl., Iquitos, Peru
JAX = Jacksonville Intl., Jacksonville, FL
LHR = London Heathrow Intl., London, UK
MIA = Miami Intl., Miami, FL
ORD = Chicago O'Hare, Chicago, IL
POS = Piarco Intl., Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad & Tobago
SVD = E T Joshua Arnos Valle Airport, Arnos Valle, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
TAB = Crown Point Airport, Scarborough/Crown Point, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago
My First Communion in quite a while
Today, I partook of the Lord's Supper at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the church I'm visiting on the Lord's Day afternoons. The first time in at least a year. What a joy it was to remember and receive Christ and commune with fellow Reformed Christians and especially Christ!
(For 2 years now, on Scriptural principle and conviction, I have declined to take the Lord's Supper at any church that has Open Communion or Latitudinarian Communion or any church that is a false, heretical church. The teaching of Covenant Life Church, my member church, is officially Closed Communion, but its practice is Latitudinarian.)
Open Communion = anyone in the world may approach the Lord's Table
Latitudinarian Communion = any sincere Christian may approach the Lord's Table
Session-controlled Communion = any sincere Christian may approach the Lord's Table after meeting with and being examined by the Elders/Pastors (i.e, the Session)
Closed Communion = only sincere Christian members of that local church may approach the Lord's Table after being examined by the Session (or in a large church, delegated representatives of the Session)
(My position is Closed Communion, and I am tolerant to Session-controlled Communion.)
Just to let any readers know that Marshall Reel has posted some updates (incl. video clips) on Anapra's show last Friday evening at Towson State University.
SOME FLIGHT SIMULATOR PICTURES FROM RECENT FLIGHTS
TCA 4030B-1 (TDM cargo) skirting Tobago (SE Caribbean) in a DeHavilland DHC-6 at 10000 feet, departed Port of Spain, Trinidad (POS) and destined for BGI (Barbados)
BA 1476 over England in a Boeing 757-200 at 27000 feet (FL270), departed London Heathrow (9:45am), destined for Glasgow, Scotland (ETA 11:00am, actual 10:54am)
BA 299 from London Heathrow (dep 4:05pm) to Chicago O'Hare (ETA 6:30pm, actual 6:09pm) in a Boeing 777-200ER
Over England climbing through 22000 feet (FL220) around 4:20 pm local
Over the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean at 34000 feet (FL340)
Over the Western North Atlantic Ocean at 40000 feet (FL400)
Over Eastern Canada at 41000 feet (FL410)
Descending through 22000 feet (FL220) over Lake Michigan (with Western Michigan / Eastern lakeshore in view)
Overflying Chicago at 3600 feet (FL036) in the late afternoon (5:45 pm local)
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