Charities – Matthew McKinnon's Blog

The Harvest is past, the Summer’s ended – 2025

It’s lovely to sit in the morning quietness and watch the sunbeams start to creep across the garden. To see the birds activity, and often to watch the resident squirrel do his morning inspection! Today being the 31st of August, this was the last morning of Summer in 2025 here in Scotland.

Tomorrow we enter Autumn, and ‘dead on cue’ the forecast is for rain and strong winds, so we can expect a ‘windfall’ of apples from our apple tree.

Tonight I’ve been looking back on this year’s summer and enjoying photos of places, flowers and the greenhouse etc. I hope you enjoy them. Firstly, the trip we made recently to the beautiful Isle of Bute on the Clyde Coast, which I promised in my last blog.

Now some other summer photos!

So the harvest is past, the summer ended ……….

I started my blog by saying ‘It’s lovely to sit in the morning quietness ….’ and it was there I had the thought for this blog’s heading. Many moons ago as a teenager I had sat in a church service and heard the preacher speak on a verse from Jeremiah 8:20. the full quotation was ‘The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” Jeremiah the Prophet of God who wrote them, warned his people to repent of their sins, but his message went unheeded, He therefore lived through a time of war, when the nation was attacked, and many were killed and many others taken captive. They had looked to others for help, but it had not come. His plaintive cry was “Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people”. This was written in the seventh century BC.

I guess at times we all feel like weeping for people around the world who suffer in so many different and tragic ways. The statistics are mind blowing. Last year (2024) – 233,000 people are estimated to have been killed in armed conflicts. One Christian organisation that report on Christian persecution says 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted world-wide – 4,476 were murdered last year, 7,679 Churches and properties were attacked and 4,744 Christians imprisoned. Tearfund one of the UK’s leading charities, in their Autumn report speaks of an unprecedented increase in crisis. When we worked in Africa with this organisation, it was not uncommon for those around the table to say ‘If only we could stop the arms race for one year, thnk of what could be done with the money saved’.

So whilst people all around the world, men and women, boys and girls cry out to be saved, from war, famine. drought, persecution, abuse and poverty, Governments continue to increase military defence expenditure. In 2023/24 the UK budgeted £53 .9 billion and then budgeted £56.9 billion for 24/25 with a promised 2.2 billion uplift for 25/26. Worldwide in 2024 the figure is estimated to be US$2.718 trillion! That is $2,718,000.000,000 Wow!

Do you get the feeling that something is wrong with humankind? I’m reminded of the famous quote of G. K. Chesterton the author, philosopher and Christian apologist of the last century who responded to a newspaper article on this subject. He said, “Dear Sir. What’s wrong with the world? I am”. Yours G. K. Chesterton.

The preacher of my youth wasn’t slow to remind us that when we point the finger at others, four fingers point back at ourselves. For we are all far from perfect. Yes we are all children of Adam, and we might not say ‘Scotland first’, but act like it’s ‘me first’. You see it on social media regularly, ‘if someone annoys you, or doesn’t like you, the advice is ‘dump them’.

The Christian gospel is so counter cultural. We read in the book of Romans ‘… God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) and again, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”. So the message is clear we ALL need to be saved from the consequences of our sins, and the only Saviour is Jesus Christ God’s Son.

Yes, like the leaders of our world past and present, we too will give an account. We don’t all automatially go to heaven, but are in danger of eternal separation from God (which the Bible calls hell) unless we turn from our sin and receive the free offer of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Summer is past, time is moving on .. would you like to be sure that you will be in heaven? then act now … for it is written:

For he (God) says,
“In the time of my favour I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.

Always happy to hear from you. I hope this short reflection will lead you to commit your life to Jesus Christ if you have not already done so.

Wishing you God’s blessing wherever you are – Matthew

Special Anniversaries for two outstanding 0rganizations

What first comes to mind when you think of Africa? As children we probably thought LIONS, and we were told of all kinds of wild animals and exotic creatures that lived there, but especially the lion that we called ”the King of the Jungle’! Never did I ever dream that one day I would live and work there, and see for myself some of these amazing wonders of God’s creation. Here’s a wee selection

But the main reason for my wife and I being in Africa was not to see the wildlife, but to work with Tearfund, a large UK Christian Relief and Development agency, working in city slums and also in remote areas, not only in Africa but around the world.

Working with Tearfund out of Nairobi in Kenya introduced us to many other organisations, and many different people groups, and today I would like to introduce you to one special organisation and one Trust working with a special peoples’ group, if you are not already acquainted with them.

Mission Aviation Fellowship – 80 Years of impact in Africa. MAF is not a new organisation, but still ‘new’ to many who have yet to hear of this charity flying to the world’s remotest communities! I had heard reports about MAF through our Church, but in Africa I got to experience their work at first hand. Not only did we personally fly with them, but my wife was often at the airport with messages, parcels and equipment that needed to be transported to colleagues working in some very remote places, or picking up or dropping off Tearfund passengers. If you are unfamiliar with their work I suggest you check out their website: maf-uk.org. You can also subscribe to their quarterly free magazine, which is always a great read. Here is a selection of some old photos illustrating the variety of their work.

**MAF hanger – Wilson Airport – Nairobi, Kenya**

‘Scottie” a Cessna Caravan – funded by Scottish Supporters – Commissioning at Prestwick Airport 2003

The Rendille – 40 Years transforming lives through literacy and Faith . Back in the early 1980’s the Rendille Language had not yet been put down on paper. The Rendille were nomadic people moving around the desert/wilderness of Northern Kenya with their camels, cattle and goats. Their ‘igloo’ type houses could readily be dismantled and bundled on to their camels as they searched for fresh vegetation and water. But not only an amazing people but an amazing couple. Nick and Lynn Swanepoel arrived from South Africa to live among the people, to decipher their language and to write it down. Then came the literacy classes, and the rest is history as they say! As Tearfund’s Manager for East African affairs it was a privilege to visit this programme over a number of years. Here are some pictures of these early days.

All the above photos were taken a long time ago, but what is happening among the Rendille today? Well the advancement over the last 40 years can only be described as phenomenal, so we give God thanks for all that has been achieved.. The vision of early pioneers to bring literacy to the Rendille, and to translate the Scriptures into their mother tongue has resulted in a well educated people up to secondary school standard, and many now with a `College certificate or a University Degree. Here are a few more highlights:-

The work of the Africal Inland Church has been greatly blessed with countless changed lives, new vision and new life in abundance within the community.
The New Testament in the Rendille language has been printed and distributed with great rejoicing, and work is well under way on other books of the Bible.
The establishment of the Tirrim Trust – www.tirrim.org has brought 5 new schools to the area, providing excellent facilities and a high standard of education as mentioned above. Today there are camps and special weekends for the young people and a bus to transport them around.
New literacy classes still provide reading and writing skills to many adults, new classes are still opening up in isolated areas.
Well drilling and the building of new water tanks continues as necessary

Too many things to tell here, check out the website above for yourself, and be inspired! Here are some recent photographs.

Who would have thought that two young airmen heading off to Africa in an old Wooden Miles Gemini plane in 1945 could lead 80 years on, to the amazing organisation that Mission Aviation Fellowship is today? Now flying 115 light aircraft in 31 different countries of the world, and flying in and out of 1,500 airstrips?

Or who would have dreamed that a young couple heading off to the wilds of northern Kenya to live amongst a nomadic tribe they did not know, whose lanuage they had yet to learn, write down and teach others to read and write, would lead to the amazing transformation amongst the Rendile people which we see today?

Both these stories have one thread in common – both the airmen and Bible translators recognised a need that they themselves could not meet, but they brought that need to God in prayer, and then moved forward in faith trusting the words of Jesus who said ‘Go …. and I will be with you always’ How amazing to see God’s guiding hand in both these stories, and now we stand back in awe and say ‘How great is our God’. Praise God also for the many men and women who have followed in their footsteps as they too have heard the voice of God speak into their hearts.

So what about you and me? Do we have a calling or an issue that we recognise we cannot solve in our own? We’ve tried this and that but nothing seems to work out. Bringing it to Jesus to seek His guidance and help is a well proved and tested approach, which I personally try to live by, – see Proverbs 3:5,6. If not yet a Christian we need to consider our sin problem which separates us from a loving God. The Bible speaks clearly about the impossibility of us solving this for ourselves, but then tells of God’s love in sending Jesus to be our Saviour and friend. Jesus took our sin to the cross, and suffered and died in our place. Now He invites us to come to Him, confess our sin, and invite Him into our lives to be our Lord and Saviour. Still time to come! Yesterday I was reading in the Bible Matthew 9:18-26 another two great stories with a remarkable ending. It tells of people who came to Jesus asking for help, and finishes with eye watering results! Do have a read!

Best wishes from Scotland, thanks for subscribing. Always glad to hear from you.

Matthew

June in Scotland: Snow, Sun, and Christian Events | 2024

Our picnic spot in the Trossachs – June 2024

June is the start of summer here in Scotland, so we should expect warm sunny weather, but in fact during the early days of June we had snow falling in the Cairngorm mountains and temperatures dropping to -10c! On the 20/21st of the month we enjoy the longest day of the year! Here in Glasgow the sun rose at 4.31am and set at 22.06pm – giving 17hrs 35 minutes of daylight. Nautical twilight continued until 3.29am when Civil twilight begins, so it never gets completely dark. I really enjoy these long summer days.

I’ll not talk about Scotland’s football team and their sad exit from the Euros, or the announcement of a General Election on 4th July as the TV and Internet have comprehensive coverage of these big and at times controversial events. You can also click on the internet at Scotlandwelcomesyou.com/June to get a flavour of things taking place around Scotland. Many charities organise events, everything from mountain climbing, cycling, walking plus fun events for all age groups. Other outdoor events are organised by our friends for food, fellowship and chat in spite of the unpredictable weather. Below are some photos of events attended by us and others.

The weekend commencing Saturday 31May/2 June was a big weekend in Ayrshire for the Christian Community as the ‘Keswick Ayrshire’ convention took place in Kilmarnock. This attracted large crowds of Christians from across the denominations, and many Christian charities who highlighted their activities in Scotland and around the world. The main speaker was the Rev Tommy Macneil from the Isle of Lewis, click on the link to hear him speak, it’s well worth the listen. https://youtu.be/hnMuB7_kUAY?si=4y2QkG1jVr724LiB

The other big Christian events in Glasgow, which I mentioned in my May blog were the visit of Franklin Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation to the OVO Hydro, and Praise Gathering in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. It was a joy and blessing to be at both of these events. They gave new meaning to the old Glasgow motto ‘Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of your Word and the praising of your Name’. Here are some pics.

It was a great evening with the presentation well suited to this generation, but the message was the same as his father preached in the Kelvin Hall for 6 weeks away back in 1955! I sang in the choir then, and in the picture below I see myself and family and friends from our own choir who were committed to sing with many many others.

The Leadership of ‘Praise Gathering’ which has been going on now for more than thirty years, kindly moved their event from the evening to the afternoon on Saturday 22nd so as not to clash with the BGEA ‘God Loves You Tour’ evening event. It’s always encouraging to hear the 400 strong choir, drawn from Churches across the denominations, singing God’s Praise in the heart of Glasgow, accompanied by a Youth Choir and an invited guest all the way from New York! Log on to http://www.praisegathering.org.uk to enjoy the choir.

Praise Gathering
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

The month may have started cold, but it finished strongly and warmly with the good news of Jesus being preached at both these events by Franklin Graham and Rev. Kenny Borthwick. Franklin read from Luke’s Gospel chapter 18:35-43 The story of a blind beggar sitting by the roadside, probably something he did everyday – sigh! Read the story for yourself I’m sure you will be filled with pathos for this blind man. Then something extraordinary happens, first he hears the commotion and learns that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, and he calls out to Him ‘Jesus thou Son of David have mercy on me’. The people around him tell him to be quiet, but he calls all the more ‘Jesus thou Son of David have mercy on me‘. Amidst all that commotion and noise Jesus heard that poor man’s cry, He stops, and says call him! He asks him the question ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The man answers ‘Lord that I might receive my sight’! And Jesus granted his request and restored his sight!

Don’t we too feel at times blind to the meaning and purpose of life? Have you ever asked yourself the question ‘Is there not more to life than this’? Going about in our daily routines, sometimes bored, sometimes tired, but even at times when we feel we have everything, have achieved our goals, does not that same question still pop up ‘Is there not more to life than this’? Well this same Jesus who loved you unto death on a cross, dying for your sins and mine, and who was raised to life, promises ‘Life in all its fulness’ to all who call on Him. Jesus is passing by, so whilst there is still time we can call out to him ‘Jesus thou Son of David have mercy on me‘! I did many years ago and can testify that fulness of life is to be found in Jesus Christ.

It’s election week here in the UK, so some big choices to be made, but none more important than the choice to call out to Jesus and receive the gift of eternal life, and life in all its fulness!

Matthew

PS: next time I hope to tell you a bit more about that trip to the Trossachs and also give you an update on the garden.

Parks and Walks close to Home! Home?

**Glasgow Botanical Gardens – Kibble’s Palace**

This month I had lots of things happening in my life, so we tended to stay close to home. The weather was mostly dry, but still very cold, but we visited a number of parks for some excercise and had a special visit to the Botanical Gardens. Usually we come here later in the year when all the Spring flowers are on display, but we enjoyed this winter visit none-the-less.

The Gardens have a long history going back more than 200 years, and currently have a collection of over 9,000 different plants, with most growing in the temperate and tropical greenhouses. Entrance is free, and its lovely to go there out of the cold in the winter. Just inside the entrance to the park there is a mobile kitchen selling a variety of hot and cold food and drinks at a reasonable price. Parking meters are on the streets surrounding the park, and we have always managed to park on Great Western Road just a few hundred yards from the park entrance.

The Orchid House

We always like to start in the ‘orchid house’, which has a large variety of plants some in glass cases, others in the central and side stalls, and some hanging from the ceiling. There is also a tropical pond here. The smell of the plants in the warm humid atmosphere is something to be enjoyed.

The Cactus House

The next glasshouse couldn’t be more different with its Cactus and arid loving plants. This always brings back memories of times spent working and travelling abroad

The Tropics and Jungle House

Now we did feel as if we were in the tropics as we viewed the beautiful selection of ferns, palms and other large tropical plants. I even spotted some sugar cane, which played a major role in my working life.

The Begonia House

Then to the ‘Begonia House’ where we enjoyed the display of this amazing plant in all its varieties. I enjoy growing them in the garden as they seem to keep flowering all summer.

Kibble’s Palace

Then we went to the beautiful ‘Kibble’s Palace’ and sat in the quietness with a cup of tea and a sandwich from the mobile kitchen, and soaked in the atmosphere of the place. Here you are surrounded by amazing plants, and sculptures, mostly with a Biblical theme. We are indebted to the men and women who work behind the scenes to make this facility available to us.

A few other places and parks where we walked in February.

Reflections: When I review my photographs for the months of February and early March, I realise how blessed we are having so many beautiful places to visit so close to home, and in fact so blessed to have a home where we can find warmth and shelter, food and water, and have neighbours, family and friends around us.

This weekend Gary Lineker’s tweet has again brought to the fore the pliight of countless thousands of migrants and refugees, many ordinary people like us, who are desperately seeking just such a place to call ‘home’. Meantime governments in the wealthy nations search for ways to control the influx, so as to be able to choose who can gain entry, and how they can contribute to the economy and pay towards healthcare and social services. The figures are staggering! According to the UN 89.3 million people worldwide are displaced – 27.1 million refugees (about half under the age of 18) – 53.2 million internally displaced – 4.6 million asylum seekers. 1 in every 88 people in the world have been forced to flee. All this as a result of wars, civil unrest and violence. Since then, we have also had the earthquakes in Turkey, where an estimated 1.5 million were made homeless.

Meantime the nations of the world continue to increase their military expenditure by billions of dollars. Does that help the problem or exasperate it? Figures from the internet for 2023 are staggering. The top ten nations for military expenditure are shown here.

Country	Military Expenditure $ in billions
The United States	778
China	252
India	72.8
Russia	61.7
United Kingdom	59.2
Saudi Arabia	57.5 (estimated)
Germay	52.8
France	52.7
Japan	49.1
South Korea	45.7
Total	1,481. billion
Add all the other nations military expenditure and we are talking about an annual expenditure approaching $2 trillion.

Military Expenditure 2023

I can certainly recommend Tearfund, and if you would like to give to help the displaced of the world you can log-on here: https://www.tearfund.org/get-involved/donate

For many I guess these are just some rather sad but necessary statistics, but this weekend I was reminded of one visit I made to a camp for displaced peope in Sudan, when I worked with Tearfund in Africa. Seeing children dying of malnutrition, and watching a mother’s tears as she tells how she lost two of her children on her journey to the camp, are scenes one never forgets. I’m sure many of you have heard such stories first hand.

With fellow workers we sometimes talked and dreamed of the possibilities, if military budgets around the world could be suspended for just one year, and funds re directed instead to the needs of the poor and destitute, to provide food, water, shelter, education, healthcare …. but sadly that’s still just a dream!

But in the midst of that vista of gloom and darkness we were surprised one night when a group of young people came to visit us at our tented camp. We were sitting around an open fire in the field and they had come to sing to us. They sang with such joy and enthusiasm, and the theme of their song? well, actually they were singing about their hope and trust in Jesus! That was back in the nineties, and Africa’s development has come a long way since then. However, it is still true today, that in all of life’s circumstances having a personal faith and trust in Jesus as your Saviour and friend is a life transforming experience, which can give you peace and hope no matter what life throws at you.

I’ll finish with Psalm 84, which we were reading with our church friends last night. The psalmist speaks of his longing to be in the presence of God and in His house, and finishes by saying ‘blessed is the one who trusts in you‘. Here it is presented by the Dornoch Free Church Praise band, from the North East of Scotland. Enjoy.

PS: The first plug plants are in the greenhouse, so praying the temperature will soon start to rise. Have a great Spring!

Matthew

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