The duo arrived in Scotland on Monday after 16 months of visiting churches in 19 countries, from Mozambique to Bolivia, and getting stuck into on-the-ground projects.

Under the banner ''Soul Touch'', Erica (25) and 24-year-old Lorna did everything from building work to serving in soup kitchens.

Many of their destinations were linked with Scottish churches via World Without Walls, that originated from St Andrew's Church in Bo'ness.

Warm hospitality awaited them on their travels, either with pastors' families or members of congregations.

Youth worker Lorna, of Dunfermline, said: "They treated us as daughters."

But they also saw grim situations like children not having enough water or being forced into prostitution.

Former English teacher Erica, of Linlithgow Road, said: "I think the reality of poverty is always shocking, no matter how much you travel. We spent at least 14 of our 16 months in the developing world and saw such need."

Months of pre-planning paid off with the pair assisting visiting work teams and those from local churches.

With a Glasgow crew in Uganda, six weeks were spent working with orphanage children to put on a musical from scratch.

Not only were theatre-goers impressed but it will be a source of self-funding.

"The musical's called Peace Child and they're going round shopping centres and churches to bring in income for the orphanage," said Lorna. And the duo's commitment to those they met will not end now they are home.

Erica said: "We want to facilitate a way for people to visit each site, ministering there or making a practical contribution."

She added: "This will never just become a story we can tell, that we once went round the world."

On Sunday the pair will give a taste of what they were involved in through stories and photos.

All are welcome to the service of praise and thanksgiving, in St Andrew's Church at 6.30pm.