Scotland 2009

Today we were off to Port Glasgow High School.  It is the second day of our musical journey and judging from yesterday’s victory, we were ready for another adventure. The school, though old in structure, was filled with life and energy by the students.

We started off our first class with an education of the history of gospel music. One of the team members spoke on the origins of black gospel music and the influence of choirs. It was surprising to see the many kids who had never heard of or this form of music. We reminded them of some of the songs sung by slaves’ in the field in times past songs like “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” which spoke of the promise of leaving this earth for a home in heaven. The students seemed to be enlightened.

Next we did a variety of vocal warm-ups and exercise, which consisted of lip trills and proper diction while singing.  The main goal of the day was turning the entire class into a gospel choir. This proved to be our most exciting time and to our surprise, many of the students were willing and able to accomplish this task. We divided up the class into three sections, soprano, alto, and tenor. We then proceeded to teach them the song “Bless the Lord”. What can I say other than, “They exceeded our expectations?  I know that God did something great. The bible says, one man plants the seed, another waters it, but God always gives the increase. I pray that many of the students from Port Glasgow High School be a part of that increase.

This blog post was published on November 10, 2009

Yesterday the youth music team journeyed to Oak Mall to worship with the Elim Church of Greenock. That’s right, a church in a mall. What a joy it was to see people walking past the doors of the church inquiring about what was going on. Led by a young passionate pastor, Elim has positioned itself as a place of refreshing for any and all who need it. We started off with a hearty welcome and them worshipped and gave some testimonies.

All of this was effective but what stood out the most was the altar call. It was simple. Bow your heads and repeat after me. We then proceeded to pray the sinners’ prayer out loud. With eyes still closed the pastor asked if there was anyone in the room who prayed that prayer and meant it. We waited patiently with eyes still closed hoping someone just came into a relationship with Jesus Christ, that He was now their Lord and Savior.

Then we heard pastor say, Thank you, I see you, I see you, and I see you, thank you, and thank you. All in all we counted three thank you’s and three I see you’s. That was a total of six. It reminds me of a song sung by one of gospels greatest groups, “The Clark Sisters.” They sang a song that said is my living in vain? Is my speaking in vain? Is my singing in vain? Is my praying in vain?

It poses a good question for the Christian who continues in his relationship with God and sometimes doesn’t see results right away. Yet, the song goes on to say, “No, of course not, its not all in vain. Cause up the road is eternal gain! We didn’t see the people who accepted Christ into their lives but we know that one day we will. One day up the road people will thank you for singing, praying, and speaking up about your faith. That to me is already our eternal gain!

This blog post was published on November 10, 2009

The time was 8:45 A.M. Our driver, Donnie, had just picked us up and rushed us off to the loading dock where the local Greenock ferry takes its customers to and fro. Our destination; Dunoon Grammar school in Dunoon Scotland. There we would conduct a series of religious education classes for the students. From the moment we stepped off the boat and walked into the school we were excited. We had no way of knowing what we had actually planned would work.

The first class, second class, and third class went well. The students loved the singing and the testimonies seemed to be hitting home. It is amazing to see what God will do with a yielded vessel. It’s like what Paul wrote, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

The highlight of the day came at the very end of the day with the last class getting ready to leave. Our youth music team leader ended the class with a testimony about how God had given him peace through his storm. He expressed his gratitude for God’s love in spite of his present physical condition. We then saw a little hand pop up. She was a petite little girl, just shy of becoming a teenager and you could tell she had something to say. “I used to not be able to sleep a couple of months ago, she said.” I would toss and turn but could never get any sleep. One day I prayed and asked God to give me some sleep, and you know what, I slept.”  With a smile on our faces we left to get back on the ferry to make it to the nightly meeting. Mission accomplished!

This blog post was published on November 9, 2009