Today was a testimony to persistence and dependence on the Holy Spirit in asking, seeking and knocking.  Several weeks ago arrangements had been made for concerts at two juvenile facilities in the Montgomery, AL area.  The contacts at both places were very receptive and we were excited.  The excitement turned to disappointment when the events were canceled by a state supervisor which had charge over both facilities.  After that, contact was made with a chaplain who seemed positive about helping us get into two facilities in Birmingham.  However, when we left Oklahoma City 12 days ago we had been unable to confirm any venues.  For two days before we arrived in Alabama, James tried to reach our contact, but was unsuccessful.  While the kids were having their swim time last night James prayed and said, “Lord, show me what we’re supposed to do in the morning.  If we can bless somebody I want to know who.”  [ASKING]  He then opened the phone book to the yellow pages and found a small ad for the Brantwood Childrens Home in Montgomery.  [SEEKING]  Even though it was 8:30 at night he called and told the woman who answered who he was and what our group was about.  She responded positively but said he would have to talk to the Director of Youth Services and to call back this morning after 9:00.  [KNOCKING]  Well, about 8:30 James called and the director happened to be in the office early.  Again James explained who we were and what we were about–even offered references from some of the earlier places we’d visited.  [KEEPING ON KNOCKING]  The director said that wasn’t necessary and that he needed to check with his staff and he would call back.   A little after 9:00 he did call back and the door was opened for us to come at 10:30.  It was a small group–20 or so–, but we are confident someone there (whether children or staff) needed what we had to offer–encouragement in the Lord.  So we made our way to the beautiful campus up the steep, winding road on the side of a hill, unloaded our equipment and sang and STOMPED our way into the hearts of those who listened.  Because all of the youth we sang for were between the ages of 11 & 15, James asked our bus driver, Bro. Don (who just happens to be the Bus Minister at First Southern Baptist Church) to speak to the kids and do what he loves most–sharing Christ with children.  It was a sweet time.

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

Today our route took us through four different states:  North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.  Since our departure from Charlotte, NC was an early one due to a 1:00 pm concert in Atlanta, it was “pretty quiet” on the bus for the first couple of hours.  Then we met with our prayer partners for our daily devotion time.  Bro. James challenged us to continue the things we’ve been doing and finish well as we make the final leg of our trip and head home.

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

Today we had the second installment of QSBC MOBILE CHURCH while driving across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  Once again worship was led by Caleb Harrison, but today’s message was presented by Aaron Robertson. 

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