It has been one of those days where you think you think you will never see the end. You know, you wake up 2 hours before the sun has even thought about peeping over the horizon, sit in traffic for about an hour to get where you are going, then run errands all day only to find that each errand you run will have its own special obstacle to overcome. By the end of the day, which is now 7:30 pm because of waking up so early, you can’t think straight, everything makes you giggle, and you finally give up, lay down, and talk to God, thanking Him for helping you make it through the day and asking for His blessings and guidance upon the day to come.
It’s days like these that I truly see God at work – the days where Satan tries so hard to twist and turn things to where everyone’s spirit is down, we are exhausted, and it’s easy for everyone to begin taking out personal frustrations on one another. Note that I said “Satan tries.” He has been trying to throw an obstacle into every situation we have encountered today, yet we have overcome them. It’s so refreshing to come together as leaders after a trying day and just pray, give it all to God, and ask for grace and guidance and the wisdom to handle the situations at hand. It gets even better at the end of the day when you are able to sit down with your girls (ages 10, 10, and 13) and listen to them pray to God for the leaders of the choir, their own hearts, and the hearts of those we are to encounter this weekend. They pray so honestly and are so humble. It’s prayers like these that keep me going after a long day. Their words and thoughts reflect so much of what is truly inside their hearts. Sometimes I have wondered if the kids really trust in God and lean on Him for everything. When I hear them pray I know the answer to these questions are yes without a doubt. They display such a pure and perfect example of what having a childlike faith is supposed to look like. This makes me think about how much the children of the choir have overcome and yet they still praise God and call Him worthy. They are so trusting and lean on God more than Americans could possibly imagine. I am really starting to realize that if these kids can praise God with all of their hearts after going through death, hunger, sickness, homelessness, and so many other obstacles in their lives – how much easier then should it be for me to completely trust in God and rely on Him for my everything.
Today we had very large problem with our new bus, it got stuck after having to do a sudden stop on a large hill. It was teetering and blocking traffic so the wrecker came to fix it; however, the wrecker accidentally dropped the bus do to its weight and the engine frame was bent along with a cracked and bent bumper. I don’t say all of this to complain, please don’t receive it in that way. I say it to 1. Inform you and 2. Ask for your prayers. We had thought our bus troubles were behind us but I know that Satan wanted to take advantage of the fact that this is the busiest weekend of the entire tour and our patience and time are definitely running thin. Please just pray that the bus will be fixed in a timely manor (by this Sunday morning) and that wisdom and guidance will be given to those in charge of handling this whole situation.
To fill you in on the last week or so, the girls and I have stayed in several host homes that have truly been a blessing to us. We have enjoyed four-wheeler riding, marshmallow roasting, trampoline jumping, North Georgia fair rides, tons of ice cream, leaf rubbing, many yummy meals, shopping (on my day off), having our clothes washed, swinging on the playground, playing basketball, really sports in general, and getting to know people and their individual stories. It’s been a blast so far and I have learned so much from each of the host homes. We have done three concerts (not including YSLA) and have two tomorrow and one Saturday. The concerts have been great so far. I have now been moved to running the sound system during concerts. This is exciting but very nerve racking for now. I’m ready to get in a routine with it so that I’m not so nervous about forgetting to play the next song or turn down a microphone and the iPod during the next video. I really am enjoying learning a new skill though, it is very exciting! The kids are starting to get back into a routine and everyone has arrived from Kenya now. For the first week we did not have 3 of the 4 Kenyan adults and one of the kids. Now everyone has arrived, even baby Talie who is 2 (the daughter of the choir leaders). It finally feels like one big family of 35 :) ! I love it!!!!!!
This weekend is jam packed with worship. Friday morning (Oct 9) we will be singing at Catalyst and then traveling to Newnan for a concert at the Arts Center. Saturday we will be leading worship at the Third Day/Jars of Clay concert in Alpharetta (yes, I’m pumped!!) and then Sunday morning we’ll be at Newspring in Anderson, SC to lead worship! So exciting but definitely need your prayers for smooth sailing and safe travels. I must go to bed now I have to wake up at 4 am to get an early start on the day! Thank you all for your support and prayers. You all mean so much to me.
Naukupenda! (Word of the day, means, “I love you”.)
Allison :)
