FBC Youth Music Ministry |
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Today was a banner day for us as we were able to navigate heavy traffic...and for the most part, be on time. Boston traffic makes Charlotte look like a rural village here. Whatever you want to do, take normal time for getting there and add at least an hour to your destination time...seriously!!
As for our youth, One of the amazing things we have observed is the blurring of lines between our choirs as they grow in spirit and become one. I guess we need a new name as we are no longer separated by name and community. We are a much blessed group and feel His spirit growing stronger in us with each passing hour. We asked that you continue to lift us up in your prayers and reveal the work we need to accomplish in Boston. You will notice we are not sharing much in words, but lots in photos. Hopefully these photos will cause you to ask questions and allow your children to share with you. After they have rested, we hope these photos will allow them to share some of what they have experienced We would remind our youth and all who take time to read this...You have an amazing contribution to make to the lives of others. God created you for the purpose of serving Him in the lives of others. This will be your family, your friends, your community, your co-workers, and your future family. People you’ve never met are counting on having your good influence some day.(Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”) Please Click Link Below for Wednesday Photos https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zkflfarl01bisc0/AACLNJGbawPUyfnj2_FHeOxVa?dl=0 “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong” ― Murphy's Law This could have easily become our theme today as we attempted to complete all on our schedule. Our mission work went quite well after a rather slow start...which by the way we often experience because our group is so large and so motivate...we can easily overwhelm you. We had two concerts planned, however traffic jams an constantly having to reroute because buses were not allowed on some streets became a huge problem. 4.5 hours of riding on the bus and we finally made it late to our second concert. We grabbed some subway and ate on the bus trying to make both engagements, but alas....we finally had to cancel concert one and had to work hard to make our second concert. Folks at our second retirement home watched and listed while they ate since we were so late. We have never experienced such a mess of traffic before! In the end, we refused to let negativity permeate our spirit and made lemonade out of the lemons handed us. Despite tornado watches, we enjoyed a perfect evening watching the Red Sox play the Orioles. While the home team did not win, it was an exciting evening and a great time was had by all. Our joy was not robbed and our love for the Lord permeated our spirit as we complted this awkward day. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (We wear this bit of scripture on our tour shirts) Freedom comes in many forms, shapes, and sizes. We often take it for granted and even fail to look for opportunities exercise it. Today we experienced freedom from grumbling, complaining, and negative attitudes. Did it come easy...??? No, we had to focus on God and remember we were his servants...working for Him and His Greater purpose.
Day is done....gone the sun....and the Lord is smiling a big smile as he looks upon our youth and their leaders. Now completing my 5th Concert and Mission Tour with our youth I find myself still being amazed at how God works through our youth. Two and 1/2 hours non stop working for a small Baptist Church that is in the process of re-inventing itself...almost dead with only 20 members, has acquired a pastor who has helped it grow to over 60 active members. Today we took time to make MAJOR improvements to a church grounds whose front facade had lost its beauty to weeds and flower beds in disrepair and a play area in back that was practically unusable overgrown with weeds and covered in leaves in limbs. When we left, the pay area was cleaned up, flower beds completely rehabbed along with beautiful flowers planted and watered ready to grow and add God's beauty back to His House of Worship's exterior. With tools in short supply our youth and leaders fell to their knees and completed huge amounts of work with their bare hands. No complaints were uttered, no job too small, too big, or too dirty. When volunteers were needed for the next task there was never a shortage of youth volunteers. Some remained cleaner than others, but all enjoyed a measure of sweat and dirt on some level. As our bus pulled away, The Pastor and Joe had huge smiles on their faces...and as we waved goodbye...so did we.
Good Monday Morning everyone. Yes, I know I am late with photos! I will not even begin to explain all of the technical issues with the internet here...but persistence, experience, and prayer have helped me to overcome the upload issues with our many photos. All of us are doing well and this will be our first day to include mission projects as well as two full concerts. Our Youth (this means Marion and Mount Holly) performed well yesterday and got a double dose including two full worship services. This included braving a great deal of rain and performing with no warm-ups. In fact, our whale tour was rained out....but we have high hopes of rescheduling this for later in the week. We are all doing well and looking forward to a bright and beautiful Boston today.
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