Hey Friends of Frick and Frack
It's been a while since we've blogged. Believe it or not, our internet access has been even more erratic than last year. Finding time on tour to blog can be tough, but finding time and internet can be almost insurmountable.
I did want to bring you all up to date as we enter our half-way point. It's hard to believe tour is nearly half over. Really makes me sad, but I'm looking foward to the next seven weeks and all God has to show us.
On the past two Sundays, we've attended two different churches and in both services sung "I Stand Amazed in the Presence." It's an older hymn, so I really noticed that we sung it two weeks in a row. It started me thinking about the last few weeks of tour and how true the lyrics of that hymn are for me every Friday night during the show. I've changed the names of my young friends in the stories just to protect their privacy. The internet is a scary place for little ones, but I want to share these insights with you, so here goes.
During our first week of tour, I stood amazed at the presence of Jesus in Bradley's life as I watched him sing his heart out and do his drama part flawlessly. When Bradely first attended a camp in his area 3 years ago, he was headed for trouble. His Mom confided in me on Tuesday afternoon of that week that no one had ever allowed Bradely and his brother to remain in a church VBS or camp longer than the first day. Three years later, Bradley and his brother have attended ART-is-IN every year. This year, they both had drama parts. This year, both had a new demeanor and a new sense of purpose. This year, both brothers gave their lives to Jesus during VBS and couldn't wait to tell us so when we arrived in town for camp. I continue to look forward to watching our relationship with these boys grow and bloom, and wouldn't be surprised if Bradely joined us on staff in a few years when he enters middle school
In Natabany, LA, our second week of tour, I stood amazed in the presence of Jesus as I watched a racially mixed drama cast and choir Journey to Tahinoahu. The church where we held camp was decimated in the recent past when the pastor closed the doors of the school that had been founded for the sole purpose of segregating church kids from the African-American kids in their community. After issuing an apology to the community, the new pastor took the bull by the horns and put a stop to the church's deliberate segregation policy. Many members left, and the church is struggling to rebuild. Our cast included a mix of Hispanic, Asian-American, African American and Caucasian children. Funny how kids don't ever seem to notice the differences that adults are eager to point out. Wahoo.
In Slidell, I stood amazed in the presence of Jesus in the life of Scott. Scott came to us last year when we held camp at First Baptist. Though extremely talented, Scott had experienced the frustration of being shunned by his community because of his mother's lifestyle choices. He had a chip on his shoulder the size of an iceberg. Hard to love, and even harder to like, Scott was a challenge from day one. But last year, we cast him a part, and he excelled. He came to camp this year, and played a lead role. His demeanor and self-confidence were markedly better, and one of the most special moments of that camp was listening to Scott sing "Just as I Am, I Come," at the top of his lungs.
In Lexington, South Carolina, I stood amazed at the presence of Jesus in the life of Cooper. Cooper is a caring young man who suffers from Turret's Sydrome. The disease makes it difficult for Cooper to get his sentences out properly, but he has a great spirit, a huge heart, and a talent for drama and music. Cooper and his best friend played the two lead roles in our play. Watching the two work together, care for one another, assist one another and genuinely love one another through the experience was like peeking into a portrait of the way Jesus loved his disciples.
In Lexington, Kentucky, I stood amazed in the presence of Jillian as I listened to her sing Just as I Am. Jillian is 8 years old and sings like an angel. Jillian is also almost completely deaf. She lost her hearing in a swimming accident several years ago and was told by her school music teacher that she can't sing or play an instrument due to her disability. Our experience with Jillian was that her pitch is near perfect, and her sweet soprano voice rang true and pure on the words, "just as I am, without one plea, but that thy cleansing blood was shed for one like me. And because of all you promised, Lord, I how believe, Oh precious Lamb of God to you I come."
We are in Savannah, Georgia this week, where we are experiencing all that God has for us here. As we look to the future, we are excited beyond measure that God continues to show us just what it means to embrace His call of our lives and Stand Amazed in the Presence. I'm really looking forward to all the signs and wonders he will show us in the next few weeks as we enter His presence every Friday night during our shows.
Please continue to pray for our team, for our travel safety and physical health. We have been plagued with sickness this year -- more so than in past years -- and as we continue to embrace our tour theme -- Gone Fishing -- F.aithful I.n S.ervice to H.im -- we know that challenges still lie ahead. Thank you all for your prayers and continued support. It means more to us than you can ever know.
It's been a while since we've blogged. Believe it or not, our internet access has been even more erratic than last year. Finding time on tour to blog can be tough, but finding time and internet can be almost insurmountable.
I did want to bring you all up to date as we enter our half-way point. It's hard to believe tour is nearly half over. Really makes me sad, but I'm looking foward to the next seven weeks and all God has to show us.
On the past two Sundays, we've attended two different churches and in both services sung "I Stand Amazed in the Presence." It's an older hymn, so I really noticed that we sung it two weeks in a row. It started me thinking about the last few weeks of tour and how true the lyrics of that hymn are for me every Friday night during the show. I've changed the names of my young friends in the stories just to protect their privacy. The internet is a scary place for little ones, but I want to share these insights with you, so here goes.
During our first week of tour, I stood amazed at the presence of Jesus in Bradley's life as I watched him sing his heart out and do his drama part flawlessly. When Bradely first attended a camp in his area 3 years ago, he was headed for trouble. His Mom confided in me on Tuesday afternoon of that week that no one had ever allowed Bradely and his brother to remain in a church VBS or camp longer than the first day. Three years later, Bradley and his brother have attended ART-is-IN every year. This year, they both had drama parts. This year, both had a new demeanor and a new sense of purpose. This year, both brothers gave their lives to Jesus during VBS and couldn't wait to tell us so when we arrived in town for camp. I continue to look forward to watching our relationship with these boys grow and bloom, and wouldn't be surprised if Bradely joined us on staff in a few years when he enters middle school
In Natabany, LA, our second week of tour, I stood amazed in the presence of Jesus as I watched a racially mixed drama cast and choir Journey to Tahinoahu. The church where we held camp was decimated in the recent past when the pastor closed the doors of the school that had been founded for the sole purpose of segregating church kids from the African-American kids in their community. After issuing an apology to the community, the new pastor took the bull by the horns and put a stop to the church's deliberate segregation policy. Many members left, and the church is struggling to rebuild. Our cast included a mix of Hispanic, Asian-American, African American and Caucasian children. Funny how kids don't ever seem to notice the differences that adults are eager to point out. Wahoo.
In Slidell, I stood amazed in the presence of Jesus in the life of Scott. Scott came to us last year when we held camp at First Baptist. Though extremely talented, Scott had experienced the frustration of being shunned by his community because of his mother's lifestyle choices. He had a chip on his shoulder the size of an iceberg. Hard to love, and even harder to like, Scott was a challenge from day one. But last year, we cast him a part, and he excelled. He came to camp this year, and played a lead role. His demeanor and self-confidence were markedly better, and one of the most special moments of that camp was listening to Scott sing "Just as I Am, I Come," at the top of his lungs.
In Lexington, South Carolina, I stood amazed at the presence of Jesus in the life of Cooper. Cooper is a caring young man who suffers from Turret's Sydrome. The disease makes it difficult for Cooper to get his sentences out properly, but he has a great spirit, a huge heart, and a talent for drama and music. Cooper and his best friend played the two lead roles in our play. Watching the two work together, care for one another, assist one another and genuinely love one another through the experience was like peeking into a portrait of the way Jesus loved his disciples.
In Lexington, Kentucky, I stood amazed in the presence of Jillian as I listened to her sing Just as I Am. Jillian is 8 years old and sings like an angel. Jillian is also almost completely deaf. She lost her hearing in a swimming accident several years ago and was told by her school music teacher that she can't sing or play an instrument due to her disability. Our experience with Jillian was that her pitch is near perfect, and her sweet soprano voice rang true and pure on the words, "just as I am, without one plea, but that thy cleansing blood was shed for one like me. And because of all you promised, Lord, I how believe, Oh precious Lamb of God to you I come."
We are in Savannah, Georgia this week, where we are experiencing all that God has for us here. As we look to the future, we are excited beyond measure that God continues to show us just what it means to embrace His call of our lives and Stand Amazed in the Presence. I'm really looking forward to all the signs and wonders he will show us in the next few weeks as we enter His presence every Friday night during our shows.
Please continue to pray for our team, for our travel safety and physical health. We have been plagued with sickness this year -- more so than in past years -- and as we continue to embrace our tour theme -- Gone Fishing -- F.aithful I.n S.ervice to H.im -- we know that challenges still lie ahead. Thank you all for your prayers and continued support. It means more to us than you can ever know.
posted by Frack at
10:30 AM
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