‘Words need translation, love does not’

Lynne McNeil reports on a pioneering Scripture Union camp led by a former Moderator and his wife, which reached out to Ukrainian families seeking refuge in Scotland.

A FORMER Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and his wife have led a pioneering Scripture Union holiday for 36 Ukrainian people who have sought refuge in Scotland.

The six-day event at Alltnacriche, near Aviemore, ran from July 31 to August 5 and brought together a group of 20 children aged from 5 to 17, with 16 adult family members, as part of Scripture Union Scotland’s ‘Ministry to the Margins’.

The Very Rev Colin Sinclair and his wife Ruth, supported by a small team of volunteers, using translation and by staff from Scripture Union Scotland and David Moodie from Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, welcomed families from the Borders to Inverness for a week of friendship and support.

Ruth explained: “They were a temporary community/family of displaced and wounded souls, carrying daily ongoing trauma from home – and from their lives here. There was very little shared language without translation, yet a bond of love formed which spoke volumes. There was joy and laughter, amidst tears and raw pain. We met brave and wonderful mums and grans and families, (or dad on brief family visit), separated from husbands, fathers, sons and loved ones. They were here, (with all its challenges), ‘for the children’, yet longing to go ‘home’.”

“ By reaching 36 people we may not have changed the world, but it meant, I believe, the world to them.

The group took part in a range of activities (including walking, cycling and zip wires), utilising all that the centre had to offer, with a short time of reflection together each morning and evening.

During one walk Colin described the gentle appreciation of the time together.

“As we walked through the countryside they marvelled at the hills and the heather, and loved the loch where we ended up. An osprey flying overhead from its nest near Loch Insh was greeted with joy and there was a quiet contentment at nature’s beauty and new friendships formed over the week. It was all very special; (sadly only interrupted by fighter jets overhead, when there was momentary palpable fear).”

The last evening was particularly moving, according to Colin.

“After our evening meal we had some fun, teaching and learning some Scottish and Ukrainian dancing on the lawn. For the first time during the week lots of midges ensured no-one stood still!”

“Later we walked down to the far end of the site where we shared a campfire together. The Ukrainian women spontaneously sang to us and so we few Scots responded in kind. Back and forth we went, until they all led us in the moving singing of the Ukrainian national anthem. We finished by singing Auld Lang Syne together, and saying a blessing for an unknown future.”

Ruth added: “It is so clear how unsatisfactory the living conditions in Scotland of some of our guests are, and their stories would make you cry. But there was no bitterness, only appreciation, which moved and humbled us.

“We stood in silence watching the dying fire. Then, walking up back to the house, we passed the music room where some of the teenage Ukrainians were playing guitar, drums and keyboard and they in turn sang to us. It was a very special final evening at this pioneer SU holiday reaching out to those on the margins, in this case to Ukrainian refugees.

“A mother stopped me to tell me she had never seen her children so happy since they had left Ukraine. For the first time since they came to Scotland they had found friends, Ukrainian friends. It was great watching the youngsters run around, play games together or simply sit in a circle and chat with one another.

“So many things that we take for granted have been taken from them.”

Colin added: “For a few short days our guests could, in part, shut out the reality of both Ukraine and their experience as refugees. Both adults and children enjoyed fun, laughter and new challenges set in the beauty of the highlands and the peace of our surroundings.

“By reaching 36 people we may not have changed the world, but it meant, I believe, the world to them. Team and guests were equally changed by the experience and behind that, love and prayers made a huge difference.”

Highlighting the importance of the week Ruth said: “Words need translation but love does not.” ¤

SU Scotland are committed to working with children and young people at the margins. To explore this area of ministry further, contact their Ministry at the Margins Lead Tim. Raynes@suscotland.org.uk