OUR SOUND MAN FINALLY GETS A WORD IN (or a Man's Point of View)

A little perspective from  the sound man/driver....What a privilege to accompany the Sonshiners on their trip!  Eleven women working together with never a cross word between them.  When we first got there, we were discouraged by the reception from the pastor who had doubts about a group of women from a Southern Baptist church.

 However that soon turned to enthusiasm when we went to a halfway house for women recently released from prison.  The Sonshiners went to the women with open and loving arms, and when our group sang,  there were tears in some of the women's eyes.  From then on it was a repeat whether it was a nursing home, a retirement village, another halfway house or a service attended by recovering drug addicts or released prisoners.  At the church where the last two groups attended, the Sonshiners sang an hour long concert for over 100 people. When it was over, the people were standing, cheering and asking for more.

On Sunday morning where Doris had to insist that the Sonshiners be allowed to sing a couple of songs at the opening of the service, people from the congregation came up afterwards and said that they wished that our group had sung more.  Some asked how they could form such a group.

Then the best part of all for me was to be able to hear the Sonshiners sing.  Their voices blend so beautifully and they are so full of Spirit.  I never tire of hearing them.  However, did I mention that there was a lot of backseat driving?  Seriously, I couldn't have made it without the GPS and my navigators, especially Stephanie.  She saved me a lot of wrong turns.

DORIS MC SPARRAN'S HEART

Traveling with Hank and Dawna is a pure delight.   Hank spoiled the

ladies so, they will never travel without him again.   Dawna is the world's

greatest cheerleader and  prayer warrior; she ministers to everyone

she meets--first with her beautiful contagious smile that envelopes you

into her circle.

Don is so patient and proud of the 10 ladies that  he has hooked around

his arms. He is their Mr. Soundman. "Turn on my mic..."make me the

star of this group tonight?" He literally married Doris with Sonshiners-

it came as a package deal.

 The real fascination is to watch 10 women work as one strong team--

no jealousy, no fussing, and glaring looks--just a love for each team

member (teasing constantly) and the desire to hear and share with each

one in concert and in prayer---God uses that--far over any weaknesses

that we might have.  The one with the temper is the red head who

expects perfection and uses those excuses, but it so proud of the singers,

their sound, their demeanor--their facial expressions that shine with the

love of Christ that she cries often while directing them.

The trip was beyond expectations and beyond successful because

the Sonshiners were prayed up-practiced up-packed up-and performed

up because they were on a mission for God.   What a joy it is for me

to have the honor to be their director!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

DANA CRISTIANI'S HEART
God is so amazing!  To think that He took a group of ladies from West Texas and allowed them to travel to Seattle, minister to people that He intentionally put before them, sing to people who warmly received His message in song, kept them safe, and blessed them with memories that will last forever!  I will always hold a place in my heart for the people of Seattle and will never forget the sweetness of the Holy Spirit within our group and those we encountered. 

Friday, July 28th - Safely Home

SUZANNE BLOODWORTH'S HEART:
"A little taste of heaven" was what I experienced this week. Seen in the gratitude expressed by the women of Sojourner House, in the bubbling joy of Penny and her family of Epic Life House Church, in the enthusiasm of Cross Church Discipleship Program's ministries to men & women...WOW! What a humbling experience for us to sing for them! 


And then those precious children at the Academy...what musical talent! What vivacious personalities! WOW! What  an example for me to transfer to my own classroom in Midland! The song we sang all over Seattle is nothin' but true; "God ain't never been nothing but good"! I am so blessed !


NANCY DOSS' HEART:
I left Midland to be an encourager.  
     ...I'm coming home encouraged.
I left Midland to be emptied 
     ...and I'm coming home full.
I left Midland to share and give love 
     ...and I received more than I could ever give.

The faces of new friends, bright eyes of children and opened hearts of women
in trying times will never be erased from my memory or my heart.  Seeing my
Sonshiner sisters "serving beyond singing" was an added serendipity.  I'm so
blessed to be a part of this group!


CAROL DOVER'S HEART:

We had many opportunities to share Jesus through service and work, in smiles and tears, in words and songs. We were able to freely worship in love and joy. We were able to see and hear people's hearts. They were people of all kinds: those who know Jesus, those who are hurting and need Jesus, those who heard us, accepted us, those who allowed us to get close to them, those who joined with us, and those who did not give us much of a chance. Really, the same needs, the same people who are in Midland, and wherever I find myself.

   I won't forget this place, these people, and the week that changed me.

STEPHANIE LANGFORD'S HEART:

We are home and tired from a busy week. We have experienced more blessings from God than you would think possible in only one week. The weather, of course, was so refreshing and the colors of the plants are so vibrant.  I had no idea there was such a difference.

The people of Seattle are lovely, and like people everywhere, they are hungry for God's love. Often I would say, "and they don't even know it," but we met many who had hit the bottom of life and had cried out to God with a passion that I have not seen (even in the Bible Belt). They had traded their addiction for a new addiction, Jesus, the Son of God, the only one who could meet their need. They sang with all their heart and soul and wept in gratitude. Sonshiners wept with them and praised Him for His goodness and mercy. 

I also must mention the children of Epic Life Academy who are so bright and anxious to learn and share their talents. On Wednesday, our last day of ministry in Seattle, we were at the school most of the day and took turns singing and teaching each other songs. What a fun day!

These are just examples of two of the opportunities we had this week. We will continue to pray for our new found brothers and sisiters in Christ, especially Penny and Keith Roper and their three children, Grace and Russ Peters, Bryan and Julie Pinson and many others. (We had dinner with Bryan and Julie on Wednesday night.) 

I am thankful for a church that puts a high priority on seeking the lost and discipling believers in their walk with God. I pray God may give our brothers and sisters in Seattle supporters in the faith...friends in the faith. Thankfully, the internet will help us to grow our new friendships and encourage the body of Christ in Seattle.

Wednesday, July 27th

We had a wonderful day enjoying the beauty of Seattle and the joy of being together.  Hank took us to the "Locks", a smaller version of the Panama Canal.  We all got to see a barge pass through the Locks and some of us also saw a yacht pass through.  We also watched salmon swim up the fish ladder...very interesting.  After touring the Locks, the Fish Ladder and the botanical gardens, we ate lunch at a restaurant that was over 80 years old and enjoyed the local flavor.

Don & Doris McSparran and the Locks

Hank and Donna Henry at the Locks....

 Yacht passing through the Lock

After lunch we "rode the Duck,"  an amphibious vehicle, which was instrumental in the WWII  invasion of Normandy.  Our "Duck" was built in the 1940's.  The captain was part driver, part captain and part comedian.  The trip was lots of fun and he played great music.  The captain asked about our large group and we told him that we were a gospel singing group from Midland, Texas.  So he invited us to sing for the rest of the folks on the Duck.  Never having to be asked twice, be belted out a tune!  It was fun and the other passengers seemed to enjoy our entertainment.

Several found the Duck ride chilly!

Captain Dan Tenille

After the Duck ride we grabbed a few souvenirs and headed back to the mall to grab a quick bite, before going to a have dessert at Katelyn Roper's apartment.  While at the mall, Rhonda met a young Korean woman named Hein Lu. I'm going to turn the keyboard over to Rhonda to let her tell you Hein's story.

From Rhonda:
We had gone into the mall to grab a bite to eat before a wonderful fellowship at Katelyn's. With a few minutes to spare, [all Sonshiners are gifted in "quick shopping"], a few of us went to a cute boutique, Romy's, to just "look around".  I was wearing my "cross fish" earrings and necklace.  I purposely wear them to start up conversations.  They are a little unusual.  The clerk asked me about them and WOW, we were in a great conversation about Our Lord.  Hein, I quickly learned, was a newer Christian, very discouraged with life and becoming quite hopeless, even to the point of disavowing her new faith in Jesus and quitting on life altogether.  She said she had always been the one to help others and solve their problems but she had no one with whom to share her struggles in life.  Twenty-five-year-old Hein attends a Korean church, but her pastor is only a year older.  I shared with her about Epic Life Church, Penny, Kaitlyn and Abbey and gave her Penny's phone number and she gave me hers.  I waited until the rest of our group left and the store being empty, I asked if she could use a hug.  She immediately came over and gave me a BIG hug. Since she had admired my jewelry, I then asked which she would like, the earrings or necklace.  Amazed Hein said she just couldn't take my jewelry, but I took off my necklace and handed it to her. Hein broke into tears, sobbing in my arms and I prayed for her while I held her. She had realized Our God who knows our very heart, moment to moment, had sent over a matter of mere moments, eight Sonshiners to encourage and love on her. Please pray for the connection today with Hein and Penny, Katelyn and Abbey as they will make contact.

Hein Lu worker in the North Gate Mall

DESSERT AT KATELYN'S!
The dessert party at Katelyn's was so much fun!  She has a lovely apartment and it is quite large.  We were hosted by Katelyn, her Mother, Penny and her little sister, Abbey.  As we have shared before, they are precious women with hearts for ministry...and they have certainly ministered to us.  We were so comfortable in Katelyn's home.  After fellowshipping and feasting on yummy peanut butter cookies, cupcakes and fresh strawberries, we sang the VBS songs for them.  This gave us a chance to practice before we go back the the Epic Life Academy tomorrow.  Then Doris had us sing a couple of serious songs as a thank you to Katelyn, Penny and Abbey.  After the singing, we had a time of prayer, where we thanked God for the blessing of the Roper family, asked God's leadership and anointing on Epic Life Church and wisdom and grace for their leadership.  They also prayed for us, thanking God for our service and new friendships bound together by the love of Chirst Jesus.  Goodbyes were difficult because we all felt a deep connection to these women.

Hank is Flummoxed in Seattle

I forgot to mention that yesterday on the way to White Center Hank became confused, confounded and bewildered when we made a wrong turn. It was as if we were caught in a whirlpool and we couldn't get out. We circled and circled and laughed and laughed, until out sides hurt. "Frank" had lots if "he'ppers" (about 7 of us). See the picture of our GPS. You can see our circle, which we went round and round and round.