Just before heading to Kansas, we returned to "Atlanta Live" on TV-57 to minister in song and share some testimonies. I played the title track of my cd, “I Know You Will”, and shared how it was written, based on Psalm 5:12, the Lord surrounds us with favor like a mighty shield. I didn’t know I was declaring it over our trip to Kansas, but that’s exactly what happened!
Five Days, Seven states and 2000 miles…From GA to Tenn (to pick up BJ Shockey, friend and bass player) to KS… He graced us all the way there and back! (and the sunsets are amazing! And sunrise, yes, we saw one J )
On our way, we stopped in Paducah, KY for gas, and walking in the men’s restroom, I was astonished. The walls of the restroom were painted beautifully, and on the top border was Isaiah 40:31! As many of you know, that’s been our scripture for about a year, and we’ve been singing it in several songs. One of them is Eagle’s Wings. To see this particular verse done so nice in the restroom in the middle of nowhere told me the Lord was on our side and we were on His path!
Our main event in the Midwest was to lead worship on the main stage at the Nehemiah Festival in Smithville Lake, MO for our friend David Lin of 9th Hour. We were to play again on another stage later in the day, and play at other events while out there, but this was the main reason the Lord sent us.
On Friday night, we played at Homer’s Coffeehouse in Overland Park, KS. A nice place with very nice atmosphere, we played a couple of sets, and on the 2nd set, Dave “the Saxman” Panico joined us. It was a lot of fun! And…we saw people weeping as the Lord ministered to them…in a coffeehouse!
While driving to the Festival on Saturday morning, we saw an awesome sunrise, letting us know the Lord’s mercies were with us. The band providing the main sound and lights for the main stage was called Bread of Stone. We know them from Indieheaven, and they are young guys,(two brothers and their band) from Iowa. They have incredible hearts for Jesus, and are very encouraging. And their dad’s name is…Nehemia…cool, huh?
We were joined by our friend, Billy Fields, who played drums for us. After we led worship, we had many people come up and tell us how the Lord touched them, confirming why we were there. Spending the day there was a wonderful time, and we were
treated so nice by everyone, which reflected David Lin’s heart.
He is an incredible servant leader! He is a Nehemiah!
On Sunday we traveled to St. Louis for a Youth Concert at Faith Lutheran Church, some of our favorite and most supportive ministry partners. Our dear friend, Mary Matlock, greeted us at the door with a smile and some chicken. She is a wonderful sister, and such a worshipper.
We had an awesome backing band, which really took it up a couple of notches. Gary Allison on drums, Chuck Ludwig on Soprano Sax, and Pastor John on Electric Guitar.
(Parker Fly, if anyone’s wondering J)
The AV team was so helpful and Nathan Lawrence, the Worship Pastor, was very gracious and efficient in setting up the whole thing. Also, this was the 1st concert in the new Youth building. We love being first because it sets the tone and atmosphere for everything after it.
As we took BJ back to Knoxville, we were greeted by BJ’s family, the Shockey’s, who graciously had dinner perfectly timed and prepared. It was great to dine together and catch up with them….and rest a while…they are living examples of Christ to us and we appreciate them so much.
