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.