Sunday, July 10, 2011
Awards
Top Ten Things Heard On Tour
Friday, June 24, 2011
Day 8 - Friday
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Day 7 - Thursday
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Day 6 - Wednesday
We went back to Mission Concepcion to record our singing. We did three songs. I hope I'll be able to post the video. It was gorgeous!
We ate lunch at a variety of places as we found a spot with many options. There was McDonald's, Sonic, Chinese, and chicken. We followed that with a concert at Esplanade Gardens. It was a little bittersweet knowing it was our last concert. The kids were better than ever. The crowd was enthusiastic and appreciative. One youth said it was the first time he almost cried. He was touched by a man crying in the audience. What a impact we have made on San Antonio and vice versa!
Next we toured San Fernando Cathedral. It was beautiful. We were able to sing there, too! Our tour guide was very informative and even Kendell said he learned something.
Later, we broke up into smaller groups and ate at the Riverwalk. What a variety of food! Following a quick visit to the mall, we took a riverboat cruise on the Riverwalk. I can't go into much detailed info right now, but something from that trip will be on the top 10 list!
Our devotion time continues to be wonderful, but the kids are ready for a day of fun.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Day 5 - Tuesday
After a quick snack (thank you Ealey family!), we did concerts for the State Hospital and then the State Supportive Living Center (SSLC) separated by lunch from Chick-Fil-A. Both facilities have residents with varying degrees of developmental disabilities, behavioral and psychiatric challenges, and medical problems. Each year, there is always THE concert. For many, the SSLC was THE concert. The audiences were wonderful!! They clapped (in rhythm), they sang, they smiled, they cheered! The residents are very well-loved and cared for. For some of the youth, the concert was sad because they realized how blessed they were to be healthy and felt so bad the residents weren't also. For some, the concert was happy because we had obviously made the residents so happy. For some, it was an eye-opener. One brave soul shared that when they first saw the residents, their first reaction was to snicker. But as the concert went on, they realized what they started to experience for these people was compassion. One youth said "This concert made my entire week." Wow! What a life-changing moment!! Unfortunately, due to confidentially reasons, we were not able to take pictures at those facilities.
We made a detour to Mission Concepcion, one of several Texas missions (the Alamo is the most famous one). We toured the chapel (which was small) and decided to sing "Lord, For Thy Tender Mercies Sake". What a sound!!! It was beautiful!! We did have a few for which that was their favorite concert and were blown away by it (no names... but I think you would be surprised which ones). Just one song, but a song between us and God. The acoustics were amazing, and the kids' already beautiful voices sounded like angels. We are hoping to go back tomorrow and make a video.
This evening we sang out on the concourse before the San Antonio Silver Stars WNBA game. Again, the kids sounded great. Families slowed as they walked by. Several stopped all together. Some stayed the entire time. Some people watched from the upper floors. Everywhere we have gone, the kids have shared the gospel through deed and song. How many other youth do you know who would give up a week of their summer to do that? What a special group of youth!!!!! We stayed for the game and had a wonderful times cheering on (sometimes too loudly) the Silver Stars.
As usual, we ended with devotions. Several of the Marion guys led us in a wonderful devotion. Then, the kids shared about their day. I wish I could record all the things they say. They are so excited about what they are doing. When they talk, it isn't about "this funny thing happened"... well, maybe once in a while. But usually it's "This moment of the day was special to me because..." or "I'm so impressed with ________ because of the hard work they are doing." Many times, Kendell ends his message with a challenge to go out "loving each other and loving the world." That is EXACTLY what these kids are doing. Sometimes, you wonder "Do they get it?" This week, they have gotten it!!! They are understanding what mission is all about. I am so excited to see what they will do and share tomorrow.
https://picasaweb.google.com/108678335787670017535/2011SanAntonioTourDay5?authkey=Gv1sRgCJD_uoOoi7T2cQ#
Monday, June 20, 2011
Day 4 - Monday
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Day 3 - Sunday
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Day 2 - Saturday
Friday, June 17, 2011
Day 1 - Friday
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tentative Itinerary
Friday, June 17
- 6 am Depart for Atlanta (4 hours)
- Concert #1 Kingsbridge in Atlanta
- Drive to Baton Rogue
- Overnight in Baton Rouge
Saturday, June 18
- Drive to San Antonio
- Arrive in San Antonio; Devotions and plans for the week
- Rehearse at Baptist Temple Church
- Concert #2 Worship at Baptist Temple Church (formals)
- Lunch at Buckhorn Saloon
- Walk through of the Alamo
- Concert #3 The Alamo
- IMAX The Alamo
- Dinner Out (quick)
- Concert #4 SAMM Ministries
- Devotions
Monday, June 20
- Mission Project
- Lunch
- CONCERT #5 NewForest Estates
- CONCERT #6 Morningside Ministries
- Dinner at Bill Miller Barbeque
Tuesday, June 21
- Mission Project
- Concert #7 San Antonio State Hospital
- Concert #8 San Antonio State Supported Living Center
- Concert #9 Silver Stars Game/Sing in Concourse
Wednesday, June 22
- Mission Project
- Lunch
- Concert #10 Esplande Gardens
- Tour San Fernando Cathedral
- Dinner and Evening on the River Walk
- Riverboat Cruise
Thursday, June 23
- Schlitterbahn Water Park
- Dinner at The Grist Mill in Greune, TX
- Hemisfair Park (Tower of the Americas)
- Devotions and Pack
Friday, June 24
- Depart San Antonio
- Overnight in Baton Rouge
- Drive to Atlanta
- Eat dinner, change drivers, hit the road
- Drop off Marion froup in Spartanburg
- Return Home
Tour Repertoire
Salmo 150 - Aguiar
We Shall Walk Through the Valley - Appling
In Remembrance - Ames
Bonse Aba - arr. Fischer
What Wondrous Love Is This - Sharp
Come, Follow Me - Althouse
Keep Your Lamps - Thomas
I Will Rejoice - Harlan
Lord For Thy Tender Mercies Sake - Farrant
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me - arr. Shelton
Wake the Jubilation - Dilworth
Be Not Afraid - Courtney
Hark! I Hear the Harps Eternal - Shaw/Parker
The Lord Bless You and Keep You - Rutter
Concert Locations
June 17 - Kingsbridge Retirement Center, Atlanta, GA
June 19 - Baptist Temple Church, San Antonio, TX
June 19 - The Alamo, San Antonio, TX
June 19 - SAMMinistries, San Antonio, TX
June 20 - New Forest Estates, San Antonio, TX
June 20 - Morningside Ministries, San Antonio, TX
June 21 - San Antonio State Hospital, San Antonio, TX
June 21 - San Antonio State Supported Living Center, San Antonio, TX
June 21 - San Antonio Silver Stars Game
June 22 - Esplanade Gardens, Converse, TX
June 26 - FBC, Marion, NC
July 3 - FBC, Mount Holly, NC
Daily Dress List
- Friday, June 17: Clean clothes/***Tour T-Shirt
- Saturday, June 18: Clean clothes
- Sunday, June 19: Formals/ ***Clean clothes
- Monday, June 20: Work clothes/***Casual Outfit (polos)
- Tuesday, June 21: Work clothes/***Tour T-Shirt Outfit
- Wednesday, June 22: Work clothes/***Casual Outfit (polos)
- Thursday, June 23: Swim Attire/Towel/***Set of clean clothes
- Friday, June 24: Set of clean clothes
- Saturday, June 25: Set of clean clothes
- Sunday, June 26: Marion Home Concert: Formals
- Sunday, July 3: Mount Holly Home Concert: Formals
(We will wash polos mid-week as needed)
Packing List
· 1 suitcase and 1 garment bag (note: You will be responsible for carrying your luggage, so only pack what you can carry. Please label both bags.)
· 1 small “carry-on” bag and pillow for bus (all carry-on items should fit in this bag!)
· Formal Outfit—to be placed in your garment bag
girls: black dress, black shoes
guys: tux shirt, bow tie, cuff links, button covers, cummerbund, black pants, black socks, black shoes, undershirt
· Casual Outfit—Genesis or Alpha-Omega polo, nice-looking khaki pants, capris, or shorts (knee-length)
· Tour T-Shirt Outfit—Tour T-shirt will be distributed on tour; nice-looking comfortable pants, capris, or shorts (knee-length)
· Eight (8) sets of nice, clean summer outfits and undergarments (nothing revealing or offensive)
· Three (3) sets —Work clothes and work shoes. *Our work project might include painting and outdoor work or painting. Make sure you wear clothes that you don’t mind getting ruined! Sunscreen and a ball cap are also recommended.
· Bathing suit (nothing revealing/offensive; Tank-inis are ok; bikinis are not), sun-block, towel.
· Small bag to carry a change of clothes on the bus for days when we need to change outfits mid-day.
· Toiletries items (especially deodorant!)
· Bible and pen or pencil
· Watch
· Cell Phone or Calling card to call home (if youth carry cells, the phones will remain on the bus during concerts; if phone use becomes disruptive or excessive, cell phones will remain with the chaperones).