Concerned

Ive made a few observations on my chorale tour that I really dont understand that concern me. I do understand that many churches have different personalities and the atmosphere does differ. Of course there are alot of different factors that can effect a church such as saints, pastoral leadership, youth, etc. What doesn't make since to me is one common factor that never changes and that is God. No matter where we go, what church we attend, or who the pastor is, God is still worthy of our highest praise. He is still worthy of us giving our all, our praise, our response to his goodness, grace and mercy, in every service. Our worship should not be affected by our circumstances or our situations. At times we attend a church and we sing, we pour out our hearts, we worship with all that we have within us and people sit there like its a concert or a free show. It is really frustrating and it burdens us to see people not grasp the concept of God and his saving grace and what all he's done for us. People are people and I guess thats how it's going to be, the only way we can have an impact and make a difference is by living by example, doing our part in the service. If you have some imput or a comment feel free to email me.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Undevided attention

I was reminded about the importance of listening to women. I stayed at a house in Michigan with a friend of mine, Anthony. He was being sweet and talking to his girlfriend so I stepped in the shower. When I came out I saw his phone light on close to his ear, but I didnt hear him talking or anything. I called his name and he quickly awoke in shock, not sure where he was. As I laughed at him he quickly turned to his phone," hey honey, are you there??" To his dismay she had hung up on him. He called back and apologized and tried to smooth things over the best he could! The funny part of this is that he said that this had been two nights in a row! We had stayed at the pastors home there in Michigan and we discussed my friend's situation to him. He put it this way, "Iv'e noticed this about young girls, teenager girls, middle-age and old women, basically all women, they have got to have someone to listen to them!" I can remember several car rides with an ex-girlfriend of mine where she would be rambling on and on and on about who knows what, and my eyes would glaze over and soon all that was coming out of my mouth were, yup, uh huh, sure, right, etc. She would quickly notice and start to tell me about trajic events in her life, that her head was on fire, all the while as I pretended to be listening. I was rudely awakend by a slap many a time. Ive learned that communication is key. You have got to listen and honestly be interested. It's tough guys I know, but you just can't do without women.


Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Get me off the bus!

Our transportation for this week has been a giant 50 passenger bus. Not to complain we have had no problems and it's really nice. It includes a vcr, moniters, reclining chairs and a bathroom in the back. The problem Ive had is 40 worn out, moody, overbearing chorale members! The guys are okay most of the time they just sleep the trip away or listen to music, but the girls... I understand that girls will always talk none stop but why do they have to insist on being loud and giddy on a bus where I can't escape! Usually Im a very polite person, I never get upset or comment to people. This is because I can always get away from someone who is possibly wearing on me, but not this tour! Im stuck, confined to a bus seat of torture. It's kind of like finger nails on a chalk board, just grating and wearing on me! Pray I keep a good attitude and I make it!


Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Strange Land!

Today we crossed the border and entered into the wonderful country of Canada. We made our first lunch and bathroom stop in Canada and were horrified to find out that the chicken prices were outrageous. Not only did we not have Canadian money but they made us pay American dollars for the Canadian price. Needless to say we lost a dollar or two on every meal. We did get a chance to do something fun today, we stopped at Niagra falls! I had visited once before at a very young age and now I finally returned. Of course it's an absolutely beautiful sight to see, so the chorale took many group photos and wandered around for most of the evening. Im not so sure how much I like Canada and the french, but God bless them anyways. Im starting to wear down now in this tour. We have had incredible services and God has really moved but living out of a suitcase and giving of your self every night is wearing! I honestly feel sorry for any evangelizing minister, I think this experience is scaring me away from that possible avenue of ministry.
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Do I have to stay?

During our chorale tour we had some very interesting stops. A couple of our girls have stories to tell for the rest of their lives. Their first bad house they actually laughed about it the next morning. My friend ashley took a shower with a giant cockroach, instead of sleeping her and her friends stared at the orange mold on the ceiling. She did finally fall asleep that night but was rudely awaked by her friends toe scratching her face! (Did I mention they made 3 girls sleep in a small double bed) We told stories the next day but that night little did they know what awaited them. The host picked them up and when they got in the van they quickly notice the many spiders crawling across the ceiling! This wasnt too bad compared to what awaited them in their room to be. They didn't unpack a single thing, they just sat in their room almost in tears. One girl bravely pulled back the covers to see what the sleeping conditions would be for this night and there they were, disgusting, wormy, filthy lice all over the bed! The girls had it and quickly made a phone call or two and were thankfully rescued by another host in the area! Oh for the love of chorale tour you never know what to experience.


Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Home sweet home?

Well its 8:50 in the morning and Im at yet another strange persons house on chorale tour. Tour is great but I do have to say it is very interesting staying with different people every night! Im slowly getting to see how different families live, how they correct kids, how they go about their daily business. Often times we are a little scared on the drive over to the house because you never know what situation we are going to end up in. Last year I got stuck with 5 guys going to some kids house. We were the last ones at the church as the 5 of us patiently sat and awaited our ride. Minutes later a small white car pulls up and one of the biggest guys I've ever seen unfolds out of the car. As the 6 of us along with our luggage piled in the car, piled on top of us, squished on one another, we made the interesting treck to his house that was 45 minutes away! That wasnt near as bad as staying at an apartment with a demon possessed cat! I hate cats! Anyways my ride is leaving me Im going to go, hopefully I will be able to get back on tonight at my next interesting stay, wish me luck!


Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Chorale tour

Well we finally left for another great chorale tour. There is alot involved with a chorale tour that I never knew of. This is my second year, and before I thought that I was going to have a just another fun trip to sing a little and do some sight seeing. I was totally wrong, first brother Hoffee called morning prayer for the chorale three weeks before graduation. Getting up in the morning was quite a challenge I can tell you that but I believe that we will see our eforts and prayers pay off through out our tour. Im a little excited and nervous about tour because of the bus ride! I can handle people most of the time, but when you are packed into a bus and your hot and tired people wear down on your nerves! I know you have a person just like that. So far we have had though a mighty move of God! Keep us in your prayers and also that I can find an internet connection each day or night so I can update everyone. Sorry if everything seems rushed, hopefully I can come out with something better when I get some time and an internet. Talk to everyone then! Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Two down

Guess what? I graduated! Last saturday I celebrated the completion of two years at Gateway college of Evangelism. My parents were sweet enough to fly in from Atlanta, Georgia to help me pack up a few things and attend my graduation. Graduation was interesting for me. One I was sad, not because I was leaving old friends and Ive completed some great thing. I was sad because my robe was red, signifying that I was getting my associates and I had two more years of school left! Thank God for sweet parents. Thats one thing that I can definately say that I am blessed with and that is good parents. They have always been super supportive and helping me out with anything I needed, I couldnt have done it without them. I think the only thing that my graduation did this saturday was give me some hope that I actually made it two years that I didnt think I would finish and encourage me to keep it going. Im sure you all know how that is, feeling overwhelmed by school or a project but when you start making progress it stirs up a fire and a passion inside of you that lets you know that you can finish! Thank God for letting me finish! Cya

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Success!

Well the banquet turned out to be a great evening for me and thankfully for my date. I was very kind and sweet and she really enjoyed the night. I got her a halph dozen beautiful white roses in a decorative presentation set up. Upon arriving at the banquet me and my crazy friends made the night a success. I was wrong about a few things. One the food was great! Two, I hate to admit this but I really did have a good time. And three, no complaints about spending money on my banquet date, she was well worth it and we had a great evening. After the formal part of the night my date and I went along with 3 sets of couples to a local bowling alley. We had a blast! Everyone was enjoying themselves and we actually didn't bowl too bad. Concluding the night we went out for a late night snack that consisted of "steaks and shakes" I bought my date some food and a shake. By the end of the night we were all delerious and giddy. You know the fun tired where every sentence, every joke, funny or not you just laugh and laugh. It was a great time with some great friends. Thanks for the support and the advice! My night was great.
Joel





Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Missing in Action

Well I apologize for missing in action. I was writing my last few post's at Gateway and after the banquet I moved out of the dorms and left on chorale tour. Today May 9 is my first chance to actually find a station where I can get an internet connection. Hopefully I can get everyone up to speed on my last couple of days and once again I apologize for the inconvenience. Thanks for understanding.
Joel


Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!