You met our first bus driver on Day 2.  Now you need to meet our 2nd driver, Mike McCurtain.   Mike is a PE teacher at John Glenn Elementary School in the Western Heights School District and lives in the Yukon-El Reno area.  He attends church at Chisholm Heights B.C. in Mustang.  After finishing school on Tuesday, Mike flew out on Wednesday to get us home.  Although he was detained by inclement weather, he made it to Juilliard by 5:30 Thursday morning to pick us up.  It’s been great to have 2 fine Christian men to help us get to our destinations safely.

We also want to thank our sponsors for giving of their time and energy to participate in iTour ’08.  You’re the best!  We couldn’t have done it without you. 

Back row (l to r):  James Bradford (director), Mark Gandy, John Daffron, Aaron Robertson (assistant director), Shaun Boyd  Front row (l to r): Aleta Biddy, Brad Biddy, Beth Daffron, Katie Robertson (our own personal paparazzi), Cindy Wallace (pianist/assistant)

Jesus said, “I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.”  iTour ’08 has glorified the Father by doing the work He called us to do in fulfilling every part of the mission statement of QSBC:

Look what God is doing! He binds us together in fellowship; He brings us together for worship; He builds us up for service; He sends us out with the Good News of Jesus. Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your Name give glory!

Before we began our program, the chaplain asked if there was anyone who did not want to attend a religious program and a couple of girls were escorted out.  This left the door open for James to share the gospel with freedom.  It was a difficult environment–large gym, loud fan blowers, and 147 troubled girls–but the kids sang with passion.  At the conclusion of the gospel presentation at least 50 girls raised their hands to acknowledge their acceptance of the gift of salvation.  Only time will tell if a work of God occurred in their hearts, but we know the Lord is near to all who call on Him with a sincere heart.  Psalm 69:33 says, “For the Lord listens to the needy and does not despise His own who are prisoners.”  What a wonderful promise to claim for these girls.

Next stop:  St. Louis.  Other than NYC we’ve been on the bus 8-10 hours a day, so to only have a 4-hour bus ride today was a welcome change.  When we arrived we had just enough time to check into the hotel before another “surprise” event.  The first night it was “Prince of Caspian.”  In NYC it was The Blue Man Group.  Tonight it was BOWLING…

We had ten lanes lanes and everyone bowled 2 games and had a lot of fun.  (Even if a certain director who shall remain nameless did ask his assistant more than once in a surprised tone when she was leading her team, “You’re ahead?”)

After bowling we ate at a buffet and of course, we sang for the hostess who so kindly found tables for 44 hungry people.  When we returned to the hotel, those who wanted to swim did so–girls first, then boys.  Can you believe it was the first opportunity for swimming in the 10 nights we’ve been in hotels?  (Of course you can!  You’ve read the posts and seen the pictures of what all we’ve done.) 

After swimming we had our Secret Saint share time.  When we left on the trip each student and sponsor was given an envelope with the name of a person and a character quality card.  During our 11-day trip we each observed our person and noted what character qualities we saw in them.  Tonight we sat in a circle and beginning with Bro. James we each shared the qualities of the person we were watching. Then we revealed the identity of our Secret Saint.  It’s a time of celebration and affirmation which strengthens the bond between us in Christ by learning to recognize and appreciate others.

Tomorrow it’s back on the bus one last day.  It’s hard to believe it’s almost over, but we’re excited to return home tomorrow and share with our church family all that God has done in us and through us.

Our S.O.P. (standard operating procedure) is for the kids to unload and set-up the equipment.  Each one has a special job and at this point in the trip it comes together pretty quick.  The kids have done a spectacular job of helping.

Today when James shared the gospel, 30-40 people prayed to receive Christ.  (We estimate since we don’t exactly have time to take a scientific count in that brief moment.)  Nonetheless, God knows the hearts who belong to Him and that’s what matters.  We were faithful to share–the increase belongs to Him.  Pray for all those who have made decisions that they would grow in their faith and not give up in following Him.

When we finish it’s time to re-load and hit the road.  This day to Indianapolis where we arrived about 9:45 pm.  Just one more stop then it’s home for a concert at QSBC on Sunday Evening.

Afterwards, those who didn’t get quite wet enough went through Cave of the Winds to view the falls from behind.

When everyone decided they had played in the water long enough, we went to the motel to check-in and dry off.  Tonight we went to the Tonawanda Indian Baptist Church to sing for Celebrate Recovery (a support group for people with addictions) and other church members.  Even though the kids were tired, the Spirit in them took control and they sang with enthusiasm and power.  As before, the STOMP was a big hit with the congregation.

Then when Caleb & the choir sang “This Is How It Feels to Be Free,” it was obvious there was no more perfect song for this crowd.  The Spirit of God gave them freedom to sing His message to a group of people who know all too well what it means to live in bondage.  When James shared the gospel 5 people gave their hearts to Christ.  After the service they fed us pizza and authentic genuine Buffalo hot wings.  We left with hearts and bellies full.  What could be better than that?

After 19 billion steps, we finally made our way up to the chapel.    But…it was well worth the effort. 

Even though the pipe organ was being tuned, the tuner stopped long enough for us to sing “America, the Beautiful.”  Then, as you can see, what they say is true.  What goes up really must come down.

With an invitation from the clerks in the bookstore, we were compelled to sing “America” once again.

By the way, have I mentioned the sponsors lately?  Their love for the kids and their team spirit can’t be topped anywhere.  Take Shaun Boyd, for example.  How else do you explain a Navy officer and an avid A&M fan wearing an Army hat with a GO OU t-shirt?…and at the same time!

And while we were waiting…and waiting…and waiting for our transportation across the river to arrive so we could catch the train back to Grand Central Station, the boys played a little football.  I guess they can now say they played football at West Point.

When our transportation did show up we hurried across the river, but alas, it was to no avail.  The train left without us!  So, we had to just hang around the train station until the next train came an hour later. 

All was not lost, though, because in that extra hour a man walked up and started talking to Bro. James and some of the sponsors.  Before it was over, James had the opportunity to privately share the gospel with Michael, and Michael prayed to receive Christ.  As they said “Amen” and shook hands, the train whistle blew from just around the bend.  Now we were ready to leave.

When we returned to the city one group made a detour through Central Park and others went straight to Juilliard to take a rest before seeing “The Phantom of the Opera.”

With mostly second and third row seats, the kids were pretty much overwhelmed by the show…especially when that chandelier started coming towards them.

Any time we wound up with extra tickets to an event, James was constantly on the lookout for people to give the tickets to.  He met a couple from Spain on top of the Empire State Building and they came as our guests, as well as Paulette (a subway attendant) and her husband (also named James). 

After the theatre we went to Uno’s Pizza for Chicago style pizza. (Go figure!)  Then we made one last ride on the subway back to Juilliard to pack and sleep, and to get ready to load the bus at 5:45 am in the morning.

Yes, that’s really us on the line at the Today Show.  Even in the rain it was up and at em’ early this morning–boys at 5:45 am to save space on the line waiting for the girls and Bro. James to join them at 7:00.  We even ate our breakfast there hoping to have an opportunity to sing.  But after standing in the rain for 4 hours we gave up…but only because the show was over.

From Rockefeller Plaza we went to the Empire State Building.  On the way out we stopped to sing in the lobby (even if it was against the rules…oopsy!)

Our next stop was the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Time Square.  Since there was no piano, we sang 3 songs a cappella.

Say, did you catch us in Times Square on earthcam.com?  After calling everyone to tell them we were on the internet and waving at everyone we called, we went back to Juilliard to rest and repair for the evening.  (Yes, I mean repair.  Some of us needed major reconstruction after the rain and sweat.)

The conclusion of a very long day could not have been better.  I’m talking about the prayer service at Brooklyn Tabernacle.  People begin arriving at 5 pm to pray at the altar even though the service does not officially begin until 7.  The time is spent being still before God and focusing on Him.  When the service did begin the room was filled with glorious praise & worship.  We heard a message from Pastor Cymbala and prayed for 2 women in the church with health needs.  When I say we all prayed, I mean we all prayed.  The sound of prayers rising on behalf of these two women filled the auditorium.  Surely the presence of the Lord was in this place.  We all were truly blessed and realized how little we really know about prayer and worship of such a great God as ours.

On the way out the door, we gave Bro. Don, our bus driver, a card signed by everyone.  He is flying home to OKC tomorrow because he didn’t want to miss 2 Saturdays in a row at bus church.  Another driver is flying up to bring us home.  Pray for their safe travel.  After we said our goodbyes, the kids stopped to lift their voices in praise by singing “Shout to the Lord.”  You can see how beautiful the marble lobby is, but it is nothing compared to the sound of praise that came from the heart of these students.

We left our dorms about 9:00 and made our way to St. Paul’s Chapel, across the street from Ground Zero.  St. Paul’s is the oldest continuously used public building in New York City.  It was the place of George Washington’s Inauguration.  We received a warm response after singing our full concert.

We then went to a Fire Station which is also directly across from Ground Zero.  After singing for the firemen there, we headed down the street for lunch, and you guessed it–once again we sang, “America, the Beautiful”

After lunch we split into our subway teams and walked around Wall Street and the financial district.  When one group was visiting Trinity Church on the corner of Wall Street & Broadway and explained our mission trip, we were invited to sing.  So we gathered all subway groups from the 4 winds and sang 4 of our songs, including “The Love of Christ” and “You’re Grace Still Amazes Me.”

One of those unexpected moments.  Another great moment was while in the subway headed to Grand Central Station.  We came upon several Navy servicemen.  We sent Shaun Boyd (Lt. Commander Shaun Boyd of the US Navy and one of our sponsors) over to tell them we’d like to sing for them.  So the kids gathered round and sang “America the Beautiful” for these men.

The kids noticed one of the men crying as we sang, “Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life.”

Our last “performance” of the day was in Grand Central Station.  Then it was off to our mystery event to surprise the kids with an evening with the Blue Man Group.  (If you don’t know who they are or what they do, just ask one of the kids.)

The kids even bought the painting the Blue Man Group did during the performance for Bro. James to hang in his office.  (Sh…don’t tell the decorator.)

It may not look like much, but it was pretty incredible how they did it.  (Yes, most of you would find it truly unbelievable.)

Now finally, it’s time for a good night’s sleep…well a night’s sleep…well an early morning sleep…actually, after working on this post it’s turning out to be a long nap.

We left Allentown about 7:00 a.m. and made our way to Liberty State Park (New Jersey side) to catch the ferry to Ellis Island where we sang “America the Beautiful” from the 3rd floor balcony. 

Next it was off to Liberty Island to see Lady Liberty up close and personal.

Before we left we stood at the entrance of the food court where we ate lunch and once again sang, “America the Beautiful.” 

Then we were on the ferry again, this time to Battery Park (New York side) where Bro. Don was waiting to take us to Brooklyn Tabernacle for the 3:30 service.  What a blessing to be a part of that service. 

After the service it was off to Juilliard to check-in and get ready for a fast-paced 3 days.

ee The wheels on the bus go round and round…ee   Well it sure didn’t take long to spend the night in Columbus, OH, that’s for sure!  It was back on the bus by 7:00 a.m. for another fun day of travel. (You know, more riding, talking, laughing…)

Speaking of the bus ride, you need to meet our bus driver, Mr. Don Laughlin.  Don is the Bus Minister at First Southern Baptist Church and has driven on almost all of James’s previous trips.  He also drives for Timelines (our charter bus company) on the side.  When James began planning this trip Don graciously agreed to take vacation time to drive for us.  Bro. Don (as his bus kids affectionately call him) has kept the students entertained with his jokes and magic tricks.  (He’s also kept a few of them jumping with his sudden blasts from the horn as they’re walking near the bus.) 

Don loves to use magic tricks to share the gospel with children of all ages.  He loves souls and is a real partner in the mission of our choir to share a message of hope with troubled teens, which is just what we did tonight at Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center.  Out of an audience of about 20 inmates, 10 of them prayed to receive Christ.  In addition, 2 of the workers also indicated by uplifted hand that they too had trusted Christ as their Savior.  (Praise the Lord for answered prayer!)  And to top it off, we were even blessed with refreshments at the conclusion of our presentation.

Later, the choir also blessed everyone in the restaurant where we ate supper by singing “America, the Beautiful.”  Then before returning to the hotel we made a quick stop at–where else?–but Wal-Mart.  (The store we all just can’t seem to live without.)

Tomorrow is the big day we finally make it into New York City!  We’ll be attending the 3:30 service at Brooklyn Tabernacle.  Pray for us as we go into New York City that God will schedule for us “Divine appointments”–those unexpected opportunities from the Lord to share the gospel in word or song to people He is drawing near to Himself.

Matthew 28:18-19 “…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore, and make disciples…”

We started the morning off with a song–”America the Beautiful”–from the steps in the hotel lobby.  Then on to Hogan Street Regional Youth Center where 14 students made decisions for Christ.

This year’s program includes a STOMP piece which had it’s premiere today at Hogan Street and was a “big hit.”  (If you don’t know what a STOMP is, let’s just say our students gave new meaning to the term “big bang.”  You could even say they made a “crash landing.”)

After the program and a quick lunch, we left Missouri, traveled through Illinois and Indiana, stopped for supper and finally by 10:00 p.m. arrived at the hotel in Columbus, OH for a short night’s sleep.  Tomorrow morning it’s back on the bus by 7:00 a.m. for more riding, talking, laughing, etc., etc. as we make our way to Allentown, PA for an evening concert at Northampton Juvenile Justice Center. 

Continue to pray for liberty and boldness to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.