Emmett and Wanda Pillault's trip to Scotland in 2003

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In March and April 2003, Emmett and Wanda Pillault spent 6 weeks ministering at Overtoun House in Scotland. Here are reports from the road:

Tuesday, March 11

Wanda won't be joining Emmett in Scotland for another few days. Here's what Emmett wrote to Wanda from Scotland:

The trip over to Scotland was rather swift. I only had a half-hour layover in Memphis, and only 20 minutes in Amsterdam. And - my bags did not get on my flight! The airport delivered my baggage the next day. It was on a different flight and I had to wait for it. So with borrowed clothes and size 12 boots (which were a little too big) I proceeded to work.

I and a Scottish fellow named John worked on the kitchen floor, putting down the floor. The floor is Congoleum. It is like linoleum except like steel.

Tabitha taped and mudded the kitchen all night, until 1 am. They are now sanding and getting the walls ready for painting. And I am framing sheetrock around doors and windows in the kitchen, also. Tabitha and I are really disappointed that you won't be in time to see her. ("Really, really, really disappointed!" - quote from Tabitha)

Bob and Greg are presently framing the girls' dorm, which is across from the Angel Room. I sang at a service Sunday morning at Bob's church. Sunday evening, I was asked to sing a song at a conference with Derek Brown as speaker (quite good). I was asked to sing another song after the first. I sang "Under the Blood" and "Send me there." While I was singing, the music seemed to get louder than the words, and I was reminded of when God told me that when the music got louder than the words, it was over. I explained this to the crowd and they responded quietly. I got a wonderful response from our Scottish brothers and sisters. Had I known ahead of time, I would have set some CDs somewhere in the room, and made mention of it to the people. I will do better next opportunity.

Well I have to go back to work. I miss you so much. You need to be here. I am praying for you every day, every moment. Be safe, be blessed, make a million dollars, knock on every door. I will try to call you in a couple of days.

Sunday, March 16

Emmett is in Scotland, and Wanda will be leaving tomorrow to join him. She writes:

It is Sunday night, very late. I am trying to finish packing! Boy, am I tired, after being with my wonderful grandchildren all week. My daughter Tina and my son-in-law Tom went to the Grand Canyon for a week. Not much time to clean my house and get things in order here at home before I take off Monday night! Tom is going to take me to the airport, and my son Tommy is going to come with him. I am trying to wash my clothes from the week and make sure I have some nice clothes for church services and enough clothes for work in the castle. We are trusting in God for the rest of the monies to pay for the bills that are left. God is good! My Lincoln Town Car is bogged down in my yard. I am sure it will be fine 'til we get back. It has been raining all week. Everything is so wet here! I guess this is training for Scotland weather! I will try to send e-mail every 2 or 3 days.

Tuesday, March 18

I (Wanda) traveled yesterday and today. I am so tired and have not slept yet since I have left Gulfport last night. Met some wonderful people at the airport from Cedar Lake. I had a fun time ministering in the airplanes. From Gulfport to memphis was too quick - I didn't have time to talk much. From Memphis to Amsterdam, I had almost 9 hours to get to talk about the Lord to a music group. One of them lives in a bus, kind of close to us in Kiln. He is going to come to our home church when he comes off tour in Europe.

From Amsterdam to Scotland I ministered to a Scot! His heart is hearing God call him into ministry. His name is Gary. Please keep him in prayer. I am going to bed now.

Friday, March 21

God is making many miracles to make this trip to Scotland possible. We are still trusting in God to take care of us, and finances are still coming.

Last time, I (Wanda) told you about my flight over. But when I arrived and went through Customs, I did not get one of my suitcases. I spent over an hour trying to find it and asking where I should go to get it back! I was so full of the Holy Spirit, I had such peace. But that evening about 11 pm, the airport delivered my suitcase to the castle.

We are sleeping in a bed this time! PTL!!! We are staying with Bob and Melissa Hill's friend Fiona Cowan, who has an apartment about 10 minutes away from the castle! Emmett has learned how to drive and is getting us around! How wonderful it is that we feel so at home here in Scotland; we know that God has a plan and we are in it!

Emmett worked really hard Wednesday and was so tired! As others were waiting that night for war to begin in Iraq, we are in Scotland, watching for Holy Ghost fire to flame through Scotland. We are fanning the fire! What peace we have that is so awesome! We are praying for peace on our family at home! We ministered at a home fellowship from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. All women! It was a constant work of God - how awesome!

By yesterday, we were settled into our schedule. We wake up at 6 am every morning. We have an hour to bathe and do hair and makeup, then we go to the castle to eat breakfast (Fiona already has coffee ready) and work. Praise the Lord that we are not sleeping on the floor. We have an hour to bath and do hair and makeup! Our workday at the castle begins at 8 am. Today, Wanda scrubbed the tables, and swept and mopped the floors in the Angel Room where we eat. Two council members came by to look over the castle and caught her mopping the floor! Bob and Melissa left early this morning to go to the States to minister at some churches to get some financial help. We are praying for them. Kathy Parker and her sister Joann McClellan came in today.

We did no work today. We took off and played and had a tourist day. We went to a town called Sterling and saw the castle there. We had a relaxing day and played tourist, brought in dinner from KFC, then did a concert. We saw a statue of Mel Gibson in front of a momument today. Thought that was funny. Can't understand that, but we will ask some questions and let you know what that is all about another day!

Wednesday, March 26

So much has happened. Sunday we had a great day. We rested all day. We had a wonderful church service. We sang a special, and Wanda sang praise and worship with Josh and Ester Hill. It was a blessed service. For dinner we had Scotland's KFC. We played dominoes in the evening; some played soccer, some walked, some washed clothes. Fun day.

Monday was a real work day. We wiped down in the kitchen getting ready to clean. Tuesday, we puttied in the girls' dorm, their bathroom, and the men's bathroom too. Today is Wednesday. The girls took the whole day off, and went to minister at a women's home fellowship prayer meeting. It was a blessing. The lady of the house where we ministered - Mary Ann, a single mom - is concerned about her son Paul who is in the war in Iraq. Please keep her in prayer. We picked the men up and for lunch. We went back to the castle, had fish and chips for dinner, then played dominoes again until about 10 pm. Please keep us in prayer!

Monday, March 31

Thursday, Emmett brought the devotion during breakfast. It was wonderful.

Friday was cold. Wanda had a sore throat, and Emmett was still not able to sing too well - his throat has been messed up since March 18.

Wanda met 4 women who walk in a walking group. These girls rank in age from 62 to 75. They climbed all the way to the top of the mountain and back down. They took 5 hours for the trip - of course, they stopped and had tea breaks twice!! Deaner, the lady who came with us to cook for us, opened with a devotion on "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." She spoke on why God chose us to come to Scotland - because we are Faithful, Available, and Teachable - "F.A.T."!

Two Scotish ladies came to help us work! What a blessing. Emmett was singing some songs in the evening, around 6 pm, when we received a phone call from Alystor MacKichan, of St. Mark's Church in Glasgow, part of the Church of Scotland. God has opened demoninational barriers for us! Praise the Lord. We were invited to his church for a special occasion on Saturday. Emmett was given directions to Glasgow, to a spot where the pastor met us and took us all the way in to Drum Chapel, at the church, to a social fundraiser for a new children's hospital. Dress code: tie formal. The ladies of the church had the tables set too pretty - with tea cups and tea cakes. They had a "jumble sale" - what we call a rummage sale at home! We sang some of our songs, and we blessed them by providing some of our CDs for the jumble sale. Wanda got blessed with a wonderful 2-tier plate, for desserts or whatever. We didn't get back until about 3 pm.

We used the new kitchen Saturday evening to cook for the first time. We had the rest of the evening to ourselves, and got some much-needed real rest.

On Sunday, we went early to the Rock Church in Dumbarton just to sing one song. It is a rather large congregation, and they wanted to introduce us to the congregation. We sang "Found Dog," and met some wonderful people. Sunday night, we went to a small church, Well Spring Pentecostal Church. It was a very late night, of course!!!

Today (Monday) is a lazy day! We've only played with the children, the dog, folded some flyers/brochures for the front door, folded some for our trip home, and folded some extras for churches that we are going to here these last two weeks. Called the pastor to tell him we are free again for a concert next Sunday night. Just being a lump today. Not bad sitting in the angel room here in Overtoun House. It is one of the most beautiful rooms in the castle.

We are working hard, trying to get our goals accomplished by April 13. We will be traveling all day on the 14th.

We have some brochures to bring back to the States for people who would like to volunteer to come and help at Overtoun House. Let us know if you are interested, and what skills you have. Please keep us in your prayers.

Saturday, April 5

Tuesday, Emmett went to work in the castle and didn't get back until 7 pm. Wanda stayed home, slept, did laundry, watched some of the war news on TV, watched a few movies, took a long bath, and just rested all day - a very relaxing day. She did make a few hundred copies of flyers and watched a few movies. It rained cats and dogs - even sleet and hail. It was a very cold day.

Wednesday, Wanda went to a women's prayer meeting at 10 am, while Emmett went to a local museum. Emmett said he saw an Elvis statue there. We were back at Overtoun House for lunch at 12:30 pm. We worked with folders all afternoon, then it was off to a couples' prayer meeting at a home. We had a great time in the Lord. The fellowship was not over until 10:30 pm. We saw 2 rabbits that stood almost up to our waists. Wanda thought they were great big dogs!

Thursday, we got up early, had breakfast at Overtoun House, then swept out the basement a little, made the folding table for the laundry, and installed the sink for the laundry room. Deaner's kitchen is almost perfect - we have everything except hot water. We had a wonderful salmon dinner at Glen and Elaine's at the foot of the road from the castle. We stayed up late watching movies.

Friday, another day off. The group slept in late, lounged around, washed clothes, took long baths, and did some shopping - just a relaxed day. Then we went to have dinner at Overtoun House at 6 pm. We were back home by 8:30 pm, and we watched Star Wars: the Next Generation. To think we had to go to Scotland to watch that movie!

This day was ordained by God. How blessed we are to walk with God. Again today, the children came around us outside, and asked Emmett to sing more songs. The children are so attentive. We wish we had more time here. We are just able to talk more and more to the children and the neighbors. God has a plan and we are in it!!!

We are in prayer for a boiler and some radiators for the castle. It is so cold during the first part of the day on the first floor. The boiler is for the nice new kitchen that Deaner has begun to work in. The team does not have a bunch of money for groceries for this trip, but our Jehovah Jirah has supplied all of our needs. For sure, we have not had the miss a meal blues!

Today (Saturday) started very cool in the morning but ended up a beautiful sunshiny day. Emmett worked on the ladies' shower most of the day. We swept the street and the front part of the castle. Deaner made 3 wonderful meals for us today - and of course, we had 2 tea times. We got back to Fiona's at 8:30 pm. Of course, we had to stop outside and sing to the children. We promised the children that we would provide CDs for each child who came to church on the church bus on Sundays.

Please pray for us for tomorrow (Sunday, April 6). We are going to sing again at the Rock Church in the morning service, and we will be ministering on Sunday night in concert at the Church of Scotland. We love you all.

Tuesday, April 8

Sunday morning, we were running late and we rushed off to Overtoun House, where we met a man named Duncan, who brought us to the Rock Church to minister. We went home with Duncan and his wife for lunch, then back to the castle for a birthday party. Wanda cut some folks' hair, then we had to rush again to go do a concert at St. Mark's Church, where we had a great time and were well received. As a gift they gave us an antique sugar bowl and cream pitcher marked "bone china from England"! They are absolutely beautiful. We got back to Fiona's about 10:30 pm. Up next Sunday: a booking at a church called King's Church. And a sightseeing tour on Thursday!

Monday was cold and damp. Emmett finished up the shower in the girls' dorm, then went to the boys' room to finish sanding the ceiling. Wanda was ready to take a nap - so sleepy when the weather is like this with no sunshine! Folks were running errands, so it was quiet.

Emmett is concerned about our bills and checking acount, and Wanda is missing home - you could call this homesick. Wanda called her daughter Tina at work, got Tina's voice mail, and left a message asking Tina to cover our checking account with $50. We pray there will be checks in the mail to cover the bills this month! (Editor's note: Why not go to our support page to find out how to help Emmett and Wanda?)

We had 3 Scottish people come by for lunch - two sisters and one cousin. We had fun with that. Wanda finished cutting brochures, took a ride with some other people who had a doctor's appointment, and got to sit a while in the Angel Room and have a little quiet time. Not a bunch of children today. Emmmett and some of the other men hooked up the new antique-looking lights outside the front door. It was after 8 pm when they finished the lights. We are praying for the boiler and radiators to come.

Back to Fiona's again about 8:30 pm, watched the war update on the news, and ended the day very tired and ready for sleep!

Tuesday - another day for Jesus! We had a wonderful devotion this morning, then to work.... The men got some wood to start a fire. Deaner got lunch started. We worked on the first floor and it was very damp and cold. No heaters here. We are praying for radiators. The fire helped - so nice not to feel so cold with a great flaming fire roaring. Emmett went to clean the recreation room in the basement.

We all try to help keep an eye on Kim, the house dog. When the basement door is open to the outside, Kim runs outside. Bob and Melissa are affraid Kim will chase the sheep and their baby lambs.

The two lamps outside look so nice - they make the area around the front door look great. We had a wonderful lunch. We found our jobs that needed to be done after lunch and went right back to work. Wanda swept the front door area to get trash away from there, then did some dusting, then swept out the tea room as much as possible. Emmett worked on the new kitchen door so it will stay closed when Deaner is cooking. Deaner wanted to go for a walk, so Wanda walked for a while. We walked past the small waterfall to the new lambs.

George the plumber came - we have a new boiler! God worked it out for a brand new one! PTL!!! Now we are waiting on George to have time to hook it up. It is not as easy as that. The walls in the castle are almost 3 feet deep. A boiler is what we call a hot water heater at home. Whatever we do, we have to keep the castle in its natural state as much as possible. So when George drills through the outside wall, he has to make the hole as small as possible, so the pipes won't show to much. This is not easy.

After a great fire all day, we had a great dinner. Rachel wanted to hear Emmett sing some songs, so we sang several songs. As we were leaving, we found out that there is a women's prayer meeting in the morning, and they wanted us to go and do some praise and worship. Then, when we got home, we found out about a couples' prayer meeting tomorrow night in Drumchapel. So we will have a full day tomorrow. We are so excited we will have a day of being tourist on Thursday. Becky and Frank are going to take some of the team around Glasgow to see things that will not cost a lot of money. The only thing we will have to pay for is our tea time break - what we call lunch.

Thank you for your prayers and support. God richly bless!

Tuesday, April 15

Wednesday, we didn't hear the alarm clock. This happened two days in a row. We must have been really tired. We didn't feel it but our ears must have been too tired to hear the clock!

Linda gave a wonderful devotion on agape love. It was a very cold morning, but Wanda took Kim, the house dog, for a walk. Wanda said "squirrel" and Kim's hair raised up and she went hunting. She is a good squirrel dog!

We left at 9:30 am to go to a women's fellowship. We ministered around Proverbs 10:22 - "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" (KJV) - but we did not get in a word edgewise; the Holy Spirit did the whole thing!

Emmett spent time ministering to another brother. There is so much to do in the house. But souls are more important in the name of Jesus!

We just had a sandwich at lunch, then we rushed to get dressed to paint the girls' dorm. We painted the first coat, then it was dinner time. We went to a fellowship in the evening, where the Holy Spirit moved in and we had an awesome time. We all shared our testimony. The seed was planted in one man. God will do the rest.

Thursday was a free day, and John and Becky took us on a tour through Glasgow. First we went to the University of Glasgow - to the Visitor Center, Hunterian Museum, Bute Hall, Concert Hall. We saw so much. Then it was off to the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum. Emmett sang to everyone! (There was a statue of Elvis there. That was what started everything.) Next we went to the Museum of Transport. All kinds of vehicles - fire cars, police cars, lesiure cars, trams, and buses. We could have taken all day to do just this museum. But we rushed through it too! A really good lunch followed at the People's Palace, a museum built to commemorate World War II. Finally, Glasgow Cathedral: Emmett began to sing How Great Thou Art, playing it on the piano there, and the custodian was so happy that he gave Emmett a gift! Fellowship in the evening. It was late when we got back to Fiona's house from Overtoun house. We had to wait in traffic for a while beccause of a 3-car accident. One car had to be cut open by the jaws of life.

Friday, we started with a visit to a mall in Glasgow. We walked around, and got a couple of postcards, but Wanda says that Emmett was too close to her for her to even get him a birthday card, so he didn't get one!

Back to the castle for a quick sandwich, changed, and began to paint the men's shower room and the ladies' bedroom and shower. The people from Bob and Melissa's church and their children danced for us in the evening. The children were wonderful. They made us cry. We have dirty laundry and we are so tired. Just not enough time in a day.

Saturday, we worked hard all day busting out the rest of the wall in the girls' dorm. Bob and Melissa presented us with a coffee cup and an ink pen.

Sunday, we were at the church service for noon. We had a wonderful time in the Lord, and said a sad farewell to all our new friends. Very hard to leave this time. We had a great lunch at 3 pm at Overtoun House, then off to King's Church for the evening service. The power of God moved, we sang a couple of songs, the pastor had a word and ministered. The church was such an awesome church. Full of the Holy Ghost. The power of God moved and Emmett went up and sang another couple of songs. The pastor ministered about the Holy Spirit, so Emmett sang a song about the Holy Spirit. We did not get to bed until about 1 am.

Monday, we were up and dressed and at the castle for 7 am, and on the way to the airport by 8:30 am. We flew out at 11 am. We shopped around at Amsterdam airport and got our son Tommy a little gift. We left Amsterdam about 1 pm for Memphis. Emmett ministered the entire trip to a couple from Scotland, Wanda ministered to a grandmother and grandson from Denmark. Seeds were planted!
8 or 9 hours to Memphis is a lot of time. We met a lot of people on the airplane. We met a couple who are pastors of a church, who travel to Romania at least once a month to an orphanage they have built. Please keep that mission in your prayers. Emmett got their card. We are praying God will let us be a part of that. We met another lady who is a part of a ministry in Africa, who wants us to come and be a part of her ministry. We felt so close to some of the people on that long flight. We hated to part, when Customs parted us. We know one day we will see some of them again! Then back to Gulfport and on our way home. By 2 am we were in bed at home and sleeping on our own pillows. God is so good.

We are counting the days and praying that someone invites us back to Scotland soon so we will be ready for the trip, on time this time. Thank you all for your prayers and support for this Scotland Trip!

Tuesday, April 22

POSTSCRIPT: Here's an e-mail sent to Wanda by Fiona Copley and her family, with whom Emmett and Wanda stayed while they were in Scotland:

Happy Belated Birthday Brother Em!!!!!!!

Wow! You guys have been busy since you got back - Wanda no wonder you're sick... take a rest girl!!!!!!

That's an amazing testimony about all those kids you ministered to on Wednesday morning! Praise God!

We went to the big house a few days ago... I felt quite sad (I'm usually really happy when we're there) because I knew that you guys were gone back home and I couldn't just pop in and have you sing to me... I mean... us! You really are a wonderful blessing to the Kingdom of God.

We're experiencing a few 'attacks' right now - nothing God can't handle though. Our kids are great and it's lovely to have them still home for the Easter holidays, we can do 'stuff' without worrying about them missing school time.

The Lord bless you both.