July 2002 Tour (Page Two)
O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name, make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises, to Him, tell of all His wonderful works. Glory in His holy name: let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His presence continually. Remember the wonderful works He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered. I Chron. 16:8-12
God has continued to teach us and show us His awesome wonders. The fellowship and worship and divine appointments have been so touching to experience and participate in daily. Each of us has repeatedly shared many times how wonderful every aspect of this tour has been. At every place, the feedback has been so encouraging and edifying. We have been asked back to every place we’ve had the opportunity to share with, and new invitations to churches and ministries keep rolling in.
Our four days in Kansas were truly remarkable. We were blessed to stay with the family of another one of our Mercy Ship DTS friends. The hospitality of the family we stayed with was deeply touching for all of us. They opened their hearts as well as home to us, and we had many wonderful times talking and visiting local sights together as one ‘bigger’ family. Adding to the special memories was the addition of another of our DTS friends who traveled from Arkansas to be with us for awhile.
Originally, we were scheduled to share a time of ministry only on Wednesday night, July 17, at the Fire Escape Coffeehouse in Chanute, Kansas for primarily youth group kids. That whole night had the Lord's hand upon it! Powerful worship, the drama 'Prayer Warrior', and a short teaching spoken by James were the key elements of the evening. Afterwards, almost everyone there seemed to come up and inquire more about our past mission work, present tour, and future direction. The leadership of the Fire Escape shared their vision for the growth with us and it was inspiring to see and hear what God is doing there! The night was so powerful for everyone that we were invited back for two more nights.
Thursday night, the 18th, we were asked to fellowship and give some testimonies to a local worship team. Instead, God had planned something far more intimate and spiritual. We hosted a worship ‘clinic’ in a sense. We sat as a combined group in relaxed setting and talked about the meaning and definition of worship. We shared ideas, stories, and songs with their team, and then had a great time of praise and worship that seem to touch and bless everyone in attendance. We ended the night with some edifying prayer for each other and a few more songs of worship and great fellowship.
Friday night was a third completely different setting and attendance. Mostly unchurched teens come to the coffeehouse to shoot pool and play games and hang out and listen to bands. This evening the program was going to be different. The people who run the ministry asked us to have a night of worship and repeat the drama and teaching from Wednesday night. We were happy to oblige and again God did His amazing stuff. So overpowering, that many kids massed around us towards the end of the evening asking us questions and wanting us to autograph our cds and t-shirts for them. Wow! We were blown away how receptive so many people were to being real and staying passionate for Christ.
Three spiritual and glorious nights. God is working and moving at the Fire Escape Coffeehouse. As we prepared to leave Kansas towards New Mexico, we were told by the awesome leadership that having us visit this week was like a revival for them. A much needed breath of fresh air and they gave us an open-ended invite back anytime. We encouraged them and they encouraged us – exactly how God wants His children to live.
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11
Although the days of our July 2002 tour are winding down now, our strength and excitement have not faltered in the least. The Lord daily reminds us in so many different ways how His hand is upon our lives, this worship tour, and the many blessings we receive when we go about His business! His Spirit renews and protects us, and we have been awed and overjoyed many times at the consistancy of what God is doing around this ‘backyard missions trip’.
Our couple of days in New Mexico really flew by; and in the midst of awesome fellowship and edifying discussions with yet another DTS friend and her family (where we stayed), we we able to share a time of ministry at the World Harvest church her family attends. We had the chance to perform a drama and give some testimony/teaching time as well. The congregation really enjoyed the skit ‘Prayer Warrior’ to the extent of cheering and clapping during the action. Afterwards, many brothers and sisters came up and offered encouragement and praises for our time there and -- as always it seems -- we met and talked to some really cool people.
Our longest stretch on the road was next on the schedule as we traveled three days through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and into Washington. Along the way, we took some time each day to see some of the scenic sights of middle America. What breathtaking views we saw of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell and Zion National Park! We also stopped at Four Corners national monument and made other random road stops at any majestic and wonderful landscape along the way. It is a great perspective enhancer to experience some of Gods handiwork by seeing His creation!! Also, all throughout our road stint, we had great team fellowship as we talked, reflected, and sang along to worship tapes with each other.
The final stop for Wobble was Washington where we prepared for another double service Sunday at two churches that Shannon regularly attends. The morning service was at Dungeness Community Church where we had the first half of the service time. A half dozen songs of worship with provided lyric sheets, our drama, and a short teaching by James filled the time perfectly. We were joined and blessed to have a guitarist and another percussionist from the church join us for this highly attended service. It was great to hear so many voices singing praise choruses together in unity!. At the end of the service, many people came up and told us what a blessing and ‘breath of fresh air’ we were, and many t-shirts and cds were affectionately taken.
Sunday evening, July 28, we ended our scheduled ‘tour dates’ at Olympic Bible Fellowship. Another congregation that shares the building was invited and attended the evening as well. It was again Gods perfect timing that we hosted the entire service on our last official date – much like our inaugural Sunday date in June. We were also blessed to have two other DTSers join us in ministry for the entire evening. Jen added vocals the entire night, and Tasha ran overheads. We began the night with our slide show and then proceeded into a great time of praise and worship. ‘Prayer Warrior’ followed and then James spoke on ‘the effects of fear in our walk with God’. More worship, and then a short time of group prayer came after the message. Two final songs and closing prayer and testimony brought the July 2002 Wobble worship tour to an official end. The night ended with extended fellowship at the church and many rave reviews.
The next few days will hold some reflection and prayer time as we look ahead to future ideas and plans as well as a lot of miles to retun to our respective homes. One more update can be expected and a lot more photos added to our web site of the people and places we fellowshipped with along the way. A magnificant month that could yield many possibilities!!!!! Thank you for all the support and prayers.