Street Pastors

Over the last two weekends, the Street Pastors had their first taste of being in the city centre late at night and early morning. Ingrid and I were out on different Fridays-Ingrid had the luxury of being driven in a police car!! No cars available last Friday though. Having reported to and warmly welcomed at Burnett Road police HQ, 10 of us, accompanied by two policemen, set out on foot and walked for three hours along the streets, lanes and alleys of Inverness City centre. We were introduced to all the bouncers standing in the doorways of the pubs, clubs and even some takeaways. They had already been informed of our role on the streets and they were all most encouraging. We were invited in to the RAGS DISCO on Academy Street. It was fine! Baron Taylors Street and Lane was something else. On the whole the city was very quiet-some pubs closed at 12.30 because there were so few customers. The police told us that everybody was saving their money and energy for Christmas and New Year, but I rather think that God was breaking us in gently. This first taste was part of our training with the police and the main purpose was to show us the cameras and the no-go areas.
Looking down on the river from the castle I thought " What a beautiful city". Stepping into the backyard of Love2Love, the entrance to which is from the top of the Raining Stairs, I thought, " Yes, Lord, You are here in the midst of it ALL"
"But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him."
Oh, and by the way the owner of Mojos has offered us coffee and sandwiches at any time. We shall definitely take him up on that one. I came home buzzing and couldn't sleep thinking what a wonderful opportunity , albeit a scary challenge, to bring the Kingdom of God to the streets of our city. We shall be starting in earnest in the New Year. Please pray for the Inverness Street Pastors--there are 25 of us--a very mixed bunch, but united in purpose.
Doda