Real life touring is a crazy experience! The day before we left Wales to drive to
London, we had a hic-up in our plans.
The rental van broke down at the very top of a parking garage. Thanks to our Welsh friend Abi, who saved the
day and gave us a ride to the rental car place. Still, there weren’t many options for us…no vans
in the company’s lot. Once we got a ride
to our flat, we waited for them to bring us a new van, from a city 2 hours away.
Another issue rose from this. The van they brought us was smaller than the first. Oops. There’s no way to describe how awkward the drive was with 4 adults crammed in 3 seats. (Since this experience we’ve promised ourselves to find a twelve-passenger van next time in the UK!)
Another issue rose from this. The van they brought us was smaller than the first. Oops. There’s no way to describe how awkward the drive was with 4 adults crammed in 3 seats. (Since this experience we’ve promised ourselves to find a twelve-passenger van next time in the UK!)
Stopping at Windsor to see the castle where the Queen is in
residence, made the trip exciting. The
town of Windsor is quaint & classic: exactly the place I would imagine the
Queen living.
The next morning began by singing for over 300 kids ages 8 – 11 at a public Church of England school. One teacher commented that the kids were ‘mesmerized’. Well, it was like a field trip for them! We explained the love of God to them and how He answers prayer. The faces of these precious kids are forever impressed in my mind – so attentive and buzzing in their seats at the same time.
Around lunchtime we visited another school with Jr. high and High School students (the school was so big we couldn’t find the front door). God gave us a word to share between songs, which came from John 10. The teacher explained that this happened to be the verse for the year. (It’s another Church of England school – although most students are unsaved.)
Later in the day we sat around a box of pizza with the youth worship team from the church who was hosting us. It was shocking that about a dozen girls made up the worship teams! It’s more common to see boys joining worship bands in droves, I think. We answered their questions about being part of a worship band and living your calling. It was really awesome to connect with the future worship leaders of England and to have this chance to inspire them!
The next morning began by singing for over 300 kids ages 8 – 11 at a public Church of England school. One teacher commented that the kids were ‘mesmerized’. Well, it was like a field trip for them! We explained the love of God to them and how He answers prayer. The faces of these precious kids are forever impressed in my mind – so attentive and buzzing in their seats at the same time.
Around lunchtime we visited another school with Jr. high and High School students (the school was so big we couldn’t find the front door). God gave us a word to share between songs, which came from John 10. The teacher explained that this happened to be the verse for the year. (It’s another Church of England school – although most students are unsaved.)
Later in the day we sat around a box of pizza with the youth worship team from the church who was hosting us. It was shocking that about a dozen girls made up the worship teams! It’s more common to see boys joining worship bands in droves, I think. We answered their questions about being part of a worship band and living your calling. It was really awesome to connect with the future worship leaders of England and to have this chance to inspire them!
Lastly we preformed a rockin’ concert in Ealing. Folks came from other churches in London and
the place was packed with all ages. With
my husband on guitar and Becca’s husband on percussion, we were jazzed by our
awesome quartet.
The crowd seemed so engaged in the lyrics of the songs, which were projected on the screens. I knew God must be moving in many hearts that didn’t know Him. After the concert it was clear that many people had been inspired and strengthened in their faith. One woman told the pastor “I came tonight as an Atheist, but I don’t think I’m leaving as one.” Another women wrote in an email that she felt moved by a particular song and that it was helping her overcome her depression.
Great things are happening in the UK church! We were “chuffed”, as they say in Wales, to experience it this year. Time to start writing my own songs in Welsh, I think.
The crowd seemed so engaged in the lyrics of the songs, which were projected on the screens. I knew God must be moving in many hearts that didn’t know Him. After the concert it was clear that many people had been inspired and strengthened in their faith. One woman told the pastor “I came tonight as an Atheist, but I don’t think I’m leaving as one.” Another women wrote in an email that she felt moved by a particular song and that it was helping her overcome her depression.
Great things are happening in the UK church! We were “chuffed”, as they say in Wales, to experience it this year. Time to start writing my own songs in Welsh, I think.
-Elissa
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