Also previously arranged was the arrival of a very special guest, Dr. Calvin Bradford who happens to be the father of none other than our own Bro. James.  Much to the surprise of Dr. Bradford, lunch and a short concert were waiting for him.

The concert consisted of four songs and both STOMP routines. 

By the time we finished, a crowd of about 20 other people had gathered.  Afterwards, the kids loaded the STOMP equipment back on the bus and we took off for OKC. 

It was a special treat for everyone, especially James and his Dad.  In the words of Dr. Bradford, “This has been a super day–not just a good day–but a super day.”

Now the bus is quiet as the kids rest for the concert at home tonight.  To the world, OPERATION FREEDOM 2010 is just a memory.  But, we carry with us more than a memory, because over the last 13 days we’ve witnessed the power of God at work, and our hearts have been quickened in response.  All we can do is bow down in worship proclaiming, “Your grace, Lord, still amazes me!”

OUR TRIP BY THE NUMBERS:

• 10 – number of states (+ District of Columbia) visited
• 3,577 – number of miles traveled by bus
• 6 – number of facilities performed in
• 300 – number of students at facilities
• 123 – number of professions of faith
• 17 - number of times we spontaneously sang America the Beautiful

The surprise came when the Executive Director said she was a drummer and when James gave her the paddles she began playing the PVC pipes like a pro.  She expressed great appreciation and encouragement to our kids to continue in the ministry we have.  When she asked James how he found out about them, tears filled her eyes as he told her about his prayer that God would show him who to call, and how he opened the yellow pages and found their name.  All agreed that this was a Divine appointment.

2 Chronicles 29:36 …and all the people rejoiced over how God had prepared the people, for it had come about suddenly.

Now our journey takes us back to Forrest City, AR where we’ll have our annual Secret Saint reveal this evening.  When we left on our trip, student, sponsor and child was given the name of their Secret Saint.  For 12 days we’ve been observing positive character qualities in each other and tonight we will reveal our Secret Saints and the character quality we saw in them.  It will be an encouraging and affirming time.

It’s hard to believe another choir trip is almost behind us.  We look forward to being home and sharing with our church family all the wonderful things God has done during OPERATION FREEDOM 2010.  Look what God has done!

Daily devotion for Wed 6-9

We made the 4-hour drive to Atlanta and got there in time to stop at Sam’s (with the help of wi-fi and GPS–isn’t technology grand?) to buy cookies for the youth of the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center where we gave two concerts for about 125 youth, of which 41 prayed to receive Christ.  One of the 41 was a young man we’ll call K. who came up to Bro. James after our first concert and asked if he would pray with him one on one.  James told him he would have to ask permission, which he did.  As they sat on the front row, James asked the young man if he felf something different than he’d ever felt before inside telling him he needed to pray the sinner’s prayer to which he replied that he did.  James led him in the sinner’s prayer and then challenged him to let God do something great in his life, to which he replied that he would.  Please pray for K. that he would be established in the ways of the Lord.  How grateful we are for the good work that God has begun in K.’s life, and that He has promised to be faithful to complete that good work.

Afterward, we made the 3-hour drive to Prattville, AL where we spent the night.  The kids were excited to arrive early enough to eat at a restaurant instead of fast food.   Some ate at Chili’s and some at Texas Road House. 

After dinner we headed to the hotel where we had enough time for both girls and guys to get in a little swimming.  (As usual, ladies went first.)  After swimming, we had our nightly worship time before room check and bed time.

Daily devotion of Tues 6-8

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is actually a series of bridges and tunnels that span 17 miles.  Quite a view for a bunch of land-locked Oklahoma kids.

After lunch we arrived at Norfolk Naval Station and met Lt. Commander Kevin Snode, our contact (courtesy of Lt. Commander Shaun Boyd) for our tour of the USS George HW Bush, the newest and largest aircraft carrier.  It’s also the last carrier of it’s class to be commissioned.

After entering the ship we divided into three groups for the tour.  There was a lot of climbing and you know the old saying, “What goes up must come down.”  Thankfully we came down the same way we went up instead of falling off the side of the ship.

The flight desk was amazing.  It covers the space of 4.5 acres and from end to end the length of the ship is almost as tall as the Empire State Building.  Aircraft is raised and lowered between the flight deck and the hanger (the area where our tour began) by large elevators. 

This may look like a big game of battleship, but it’s where the master controller keeps track of the placement of all aircraft.  It takes quite a bit of planning and precision to keep an aircraft carrier functioning properly.  This floating city can accommodate 5,000-6,000 people and every person has a specific duty.

As you can see by the flag, the flight deck is windier than Oklahoma.  From the top we caught a view of our bus.

This room houses the anchor chains.  Each chain link weighs 360 pounds.  One full chain and anchor combined are 60 tons, and there are two anchors on the ship.  Needless to say, you better not hollar, “Anchors aweigh!” unless you mean business.

Of course, before we left the ship we sang America, the Beautiful.  Lt. Commander Snode commented that he would enjoy his church choir a lot more if they sounded as good as our kids.

At the time of this writing we’ve got about two hours left of a six hour bus ride to Charlotte, NC.  After all the walking and climbing we’ve done, it’s nice to be on the bus for a while, although our driver says all the talking is keeping him awake .

Daily devotion for Mon 6-7

After Colonial Williamsburg we went to Jamestown Settlement.

Of course, we had to sing a few times along the way.

After dinner at Cracker Barrel the kids finally got a chance to swim–girls first, then boys–before we met for a time of worship and prayer before turning in for the night.  While we were meeting in the breakfast room at the hotel, several people stopped by to listen.  One such couple was James and Laura.  They were actually there by special invitation.  You see, we wound up with an extra room, and since it was already paid for, James asked God to bring someone along that we could bless.  So to that end, he and Mark Gandy waited outside the frong door of the hotel while the boys were swimming, not sure how they were going to figure out who needed to be blessed, but being obediently available for God to use.  James was in the lobby when he saw Laura leaving the hotel because there were no rooms and he followed her out, where her husband–also named James–was waiting in the car.  He introduced himself and told them about the extra room we had and about how he was looking for someone to bless.  He also told them about our choir and that our purpose was to bring a message of hope and change to troubled teens, and to honor our military.  Well, isn’t God good?  It just so happened that the James in the car was in the Air Force, so not only did we get to bless someone, but we got to honor one of our military men.  Like I said, isn’t God good?  James and Laura came to listen to the kids and to witness firsthand just what they were about.  Of course, we couldn’t let them leave without singing America, the Beautiful.  What a testimony, not only of the power of God, but of His willingness to answer the prayer of a humble and obedient heart.

Daily devotion for Sun 6-6

It is home to the largest dormitory building in the world, a building with eight wings.  The three pictures you see below are all different parts of the same building.  As you can see, it was equally as impressive inside.

We saw the crypt where the body of John Paul Jones, an officer of the Continental Navy of the American Revolution, is entombed.  (Ask your kids about that story.)

Of course, the most beautiful building on campus is the Naval Academy Chapel where we all gathered at the end of our tours and sang America, the Beautiful.

An interesting note about the glass in the done of the chapel which appears blue from the outside and clear from the inside.  The glass was made in Germany.  During WWII the factory was bombed and the formula for the glass was lost forever.  When replacement is necessary, panes of blue glass have been used.

Of course, at the end of our tour we once again sang America, the Beautiful for the staff and guests in the visitor center.

After the Naval Academy and a stop for lunch we headed to Mt. Vernon, the home of President George Washington. 

After Mt. Vernon about half of the group went to the Smithsonian Institution’s American History Museum before returning to the hotel.

Gathering for prayer and praise led by Caleb Harrison, we spent our last night in D.C. as a group giving testimony to the good things God has done so far on our journey.  This is an incredible group of young people that stands out from the crowd everywhere we go.  They live out the words they sang last night, Let what we do in here fill the streets out there.

Daily devotion for Sat 6-5

Today we toured the U.S. Capitol with the help of Pam’s cousin, Becky, who is a Protocol Officer for the United States Senate at the U.S. Capitol.  Becky had arranged for us to have an early tour with her favorite Capitol guide, Dave, before the public tours for the day began. 

Our bus dropped us off in front of the Capitol and we walked “up the Hill” to the building itself.  (It really is on a hill.  A steep hill.  A long hill.  We were tired by the time we got up there and it was the first stop of the day!)  It was well worth the climb as we first watched a film on the history of the building itself and the significance of the two Houses of Congress.  Dave not only gave us insight into the design and artwork of the building, but also into of the workings of Congress itself.  In addition, we saw the statue of Sequoia which is one of two statues in the Capitol which represent the state of Oklahoma.  (The other one being Will Rogers which we didn’t see.)

Next was the walk down the hill and visits to various Smithsonian Museums.

After the long walk yesterday, and the long walk today, most groups came back to the hotel early to have a couple of hours to rest before boarding the bus at 4:00 for dinner and a visit to another detention center.  This time to Cheltenham, MD where we gave a concert at the Cheltenham Youth Facility.  Well, that was the plan, but when it took longer to get away and get down the road than we thought, the plan changed.  We found a grocery store and loaded up on fruit and granola bars which we ate on the bus on the way to the facility.

So parents, contrary to what you might think, your kids can do laundry, eat healthy and get out of bed before noon .  Our time at Cheltenham was blessed as about 20 young men made professions of faith and we were most warmly received by the staff.  At the end of the concert James told the kids about the basketballs and volleyballs that the church had collected money to buy for them.  They were very appreciative.

Not only did we receive a thank you card signed by each juvenile and staff member, but each of us was presented with a personalized certificate which reads as follows:

Certificate of Achievement
presented to
[NAME]
of Quail Springs Baptist Church for
exemplary service to the youth of
Cheltenham Youth Facility
June 3, 2010
PARTICIPATION, HARD WORK, CHARACTER

Of course, the STOMP routine was another crowd pleaser and required an encore.  When the volunteer coordinator, Miss Marlow, first saw the equipment on stage when the group was setting up, she thought, “Oh my, we have company and this place is a mess.”  Then she realized “the mess” was our STOMP equipment. 

After the concert was over, three of the staff even joined us for dinner at Golden Coral where before leaving we managed another impromptu singing of America, the Beautiful.

Also joining us (for the entire multi-course meal with the a concert intermission) was Becky and her son, Conner.

We closed the evening with our nightly time of prayer and worship which has become our custom during our stay in Washington D.C.

Daily devotion for Fri 6-4

Our first stop for the day was across the street from Ford Theater (less than 2 blks. from our hotel) to walk through the house where President Lincoln died.  The theater itself was closed due to the filming of a movie.  We did, however, see the coat President Lincoln was wearing when he was received the fatal shot that took his life on April 15, 1865.  And while in the visitor center, of course, we sang America, the Beautiful.

We then walked to the White House to take pictures since we couldn’t have our cameras with us yesterday.  Just outside the gate we once again sang, America, the Beautiful, as we posed for a picture.  One man said to James as he walked away, “You made my day.”  Pictures finished, we headed the Old Post Office where we ate lunch.

After lunch Bro. Don picked us up in the bus for a trip to Arlington Cemetery where for two hours we walked and gazed at thousands of grave markers, reminding us of one of our songs:

Blades of grass and pure white stones
Cover those who left their homes
To rest in fields here, side by side
Lest we forget their sacrifice
Buried here with dignity
Endless rows for all to see
Freedom’s seeds in sorrow sown,
‘Neath blades of grass and pure white stones

We attended the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. 

Then we continued up the hill to walk through the house of Robert E. Lee.  the view from the front porch was spectacular. 

On the way down the hill we stopped at the grave of President John F. Kennedy where we viewed the Eternal Flame, before boarding the bus to tour the National Cathedral.

At the National Cathedral, after a guided tour observing the beautiful architectural details and their spiritual significance, we were able to sing our three a cappella songs downstairs in the Chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea. 

We learned some interesting facts about the Cathedral while we were there:

The first stone was laid in 1907 and the last stone was laid in 1990.

The pipe organ has over 10,000 pipes ranging in size from a few inches to 32′.

The pulpit has carvings on each corner of historical figures who played a part in translating and printing the Word of God in English.

The flag of every state in the union as well as the District of Columbia hangs around the interior of the Cathedral and every week they pray for a different state.

The inside layout of the Cathedral is in the shape of a cross.

The stained glass at back is cut so different colors are more illuminated at different times of day.

But I must tell you the funniest thing that happened there.  The plan was to do laundry after our Cathedral stop, but we didn’t know where to find a laundromat that was close.  At one point in the tour when the docent was waiting for the whole group to gather around so they could hear her presentation, our bus driver quietly said to her, “This is going to sound like a strange question, but do you know where a laundromat is?”  He smiled and continued, “This group is like Lazareth–they stinketh.”  To which the docent quickly responded, “Then wash them and they shall be whiter than snow.” 

After the National Cathedral we did indeed find a laundromat.  It was quite a sight–girls in first to wash, then the guys washed while the girls were drying.  It was like a precision drill team, but with some controlled chaos.  Parents, don’t let them fool you.  They each did their own laundry in record time for 30+ people.  We were back to the hotel with clean clothes about 2-1/2 hours after we left the cathedral.

Before the nightly room check (and taping of the doors) we gathered for worship and prayer.  The perfect ending to a very busy day.  Now as it’s time to get in bed (10:15 EST) to get a good night’s rest before breakfast at 6:45 in the morning, and there is a saxophonist who has decided to serenade the neighborhood.  I know what Proverbs says about one who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, and I can tell you the same is true for those who play saxophones loudly at night.

Daily devotional for Thurs 6-3

After the White House, the afternoon was spent checking out various places within walking distance.  (Of course, what constitutes “walking distance” is a matter of opinion.)  Today our walking tour took us to the National Archives where we saw the original documents of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Next we made a visit to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History where, among other exhibits, we saw the Hope Diamond.

In the evening we visited the Iwo Jima Memorial with a plan to attend the Sunset Parade.  However, the Marines forgot to consult with us before changing the plan, so we had a couple hours to relax and enjoy one another’s company.

Even though the parade thing didn’t pan out, we did get an opportunity to not only meet a WWII Marine Veteran–all decked out in uniform–who actually fought at Iwo Jima, but to pay tribute to him by singing, America, the Beautiful.  The crowd that gathered for the parade (that was everyone else who didn’t get the memo) was so enthusiastic, that we also sang Psalm 91 and Shout to the Lord. 

When we returned to the hotel we spent time in worship and prayer as we grieved together for one of our own who returned home unexpectedly due to the death of her brother.  We found comfort in the arms of Christ and His Word, and we drew strength from each other through the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us.  Meghan, we love you, we miss you, and we will not stop praying for you.

Daily Devotion for Wed 6-2

This was the largest group we’ve sung to–around 75 of which only seven were girls.  The group sang mightily:

Only Jesus, Only our Savior
 Unto the Lamb who was slain be glory forever
One name above every name has brought us together
This is the anthem we raise as we lift up his name
To only the Lamb

And of course they caught the attention of all with the STOMP routines.  In fact, when James announced we had one more song, one of the boys spoke up and said, “Could you do that thing again?” pointing to the pipes.  So, as an encore, the STOMP team did their first routine a second time.

In between we took them to the cross with songs like Blessed Redeemer, Alas and Did My Savior Bleed and On My Cross.  When Bro. James presented the gospel and gave an opportunity to pray the sinner’s prayer, 35 youth indicated they had prayed to make Jesus the boss of their life.  The staff was welcoming when we came, and when we left they were very appreciative that we had come.

After a quick lunch at Mickey D’s (and of course, the singing of America, the Beautiful) we moved on across the Potomac River into Washington D.C. where there are just too many sights to absorb. 

We were able to check into the hotel and get an hour or so of rest before eating dinner and heading over to the Lincoln Memorial where we had an hour and a half to set-up, sing and tear-down.  We discovered we didn’t have enough electrical cord to run from the power box to the reflecting pool steps, so we set up on a grassy area to the side of the steps.  We opened with a STOMP routine to draw the attention of the crowd–a rather large crowd gathered at the National Mall on Memorial Day–and once again it was met with enthusiastic listeners.  Then they lingered to listen as the kids sang, America, the Beautiful, and Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones, a moving tribute to those who have sacrificed everything for liberty.  The tribute continued with the choir backing up Paul Gandy on Because of the Brave.  Following our patriotic section we sang our regular detention center concert with the STOMP routines (again), then James shared the gospel very plainly and simply.  We then closed the concert by singing Because of the Brave once again.  It was an awe-inspiring experience to hear the kids voices reflecting off the water of the reflecting pool with strains of Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing.  Equally as awe-inspiring is the knowledge that this gospel we preach is the very same gospel in which our forefathers believed.  Although there were only a few that stopped and listened to the whole concert we know the name of Jesus was lifted high in our nation’s capitol. 

After the concert it was time to ascend the many steps of the Lincoln Memorial, then stroll around the grounds to the Vietnam Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the Korean War Memorial, before returning to the hotel.

Daily Devotion for Tues 6-1