Making God Famous ... Even Now!

... It has been a couple weeks since I broke my thread of continual posts on this blog, but those thoughts are still quite present in my mind.  I really do know that God is working something in shaping me into who I've got to become, but recently, I've really come to another realization.  I've mentioned it before, but it's one thing to hear it, and another thing to know it!  (To my team, no, that was not a joke).  I came to this realization today in a conversation with Laura (our team's great Music Supervisor), and over the past while, wrestling through some of these things.  

I've been living for tomorrow too much.  I've always desired the "extra horizon," thinking that I'd know when I got there.  I knew that I wouldn't ever feel completely, "ok, I've arrived and this is it" with life until, well, heaven, but I just always thought that the 'now' is not the 'then'!  Does that make sense?  I guess all of that said in a nutshell, I often viewed the now as a stepping stone to the future that God is calling me to.  

'To make God famous with my life' has been my commitment!  But, I never thought that the influence I desired could be found in the position I'm in.  I desire to be used in ways by God to reach out to the young adults of this world and encourage them to live that radical, unashamed life!  To be used to fire up a generation that commits to live a life that desires to make God famous ...

... I never realized that I was right in the middle of doing that right now.  

I always pictured that to look like me traveling the world, and me speaking to people, and me playing music, and me doing this and that on the front lines.  Don't get me wrong, I still desire to be used on a large scale (if that sounds selfish, please go back and read the previous blogs so that you understand that comment ...), but I also know that God doesn't NEED me.  He doesn't need me touring to do what He wants to do.

One of the most beautiful sights that I love to see is not that of a mountain range with the sun gleaming or a deep forest with a hazy mist (although God's creation is an incredible sight!), but the sight of an individual soul connecting with Christ through a worship setting!  Whether I see that from the back of an auditorium or from behind a microphone, there is nothing more beautiful to me than to see that single person connect with the God of this universe in a deep, genuine and authentic way!  Not so that I feel like, 'yes, I got 'em!' ... Not at ALL!  But you can walk away knowing that this person is a changed individual and is leaving this place more on fire for God than (s)he walked in!  I desire more than anything to see a generation that is completely sold out to God!  To make Him famous.  

So, for me, the thought of being used in a way like this is so exciting, but my mind was narrow.  I kept thinking, once I get back into a worship setting, leading or whatever, I'll be able to be used in that way again!  The thought of that really excited me.  The thought of that STILL really excites me!  But, I always asked the question, what about now?  What's the connection between that desire, that passion, and where I'm at now?  How are 'pushing papers' helping me to be better prepared for that future??  haha, it seems foolish to even say that now ... My perspective was all wrong!!

First things first - I have to stop living for tomorrow more than today!  That's scriptural, I know, but I never made the connection.  When I start living for every situation that God throws onto my path, then something will start to happen.  Not only will my perspective change, but I'll start realizing that where I'm at NOW, is just as important as where I'll be in 5-10-15 years.  My influence is no different now in God's eyes than it will be in years to come because where I'm at now is where He wants me to be.  

So then, with my position with this choir in perspective, what does all this mean?  How can pushing papers and making phone calls and dealing with administration details be a fulfillment of where I feel I need to be!?  Well, who ever said that I had to be on the front lines in order for my life to make God famous and to be used to set this world on fire for Christ.  Who am I, anyways, to be used in that way??

Remember that beautiful sight that I talked about??  I feel that I've been blinding myself so much by longing to see it in the future that I'm missing out on seeing it right in front of my eyes everyday!!  What about the person who comes back and talks with me at the sponsorship table in tears, wanting to pour their life and finances out into a single child to help them through school??  What about the person who gets up and starts to dance on their seat in excitement while the kids are shaking their "kabina's (Yes, that's what you think it is) for Christ" (the wording of our wonderful Choir director - Frank)!!  What about the person who stays sitting in their seat after the concert, stunned at what they just saw and then eventually leaves silently, but deeply moved to live a life of justice!?!  What about the pastor or detail contact that walks back into the church after waving goodbye to the tour bus, saying to him/herself, "wow, now THERE was a body of believers who are passionate about God!"!?  

I'm in a position right now that is Making God Famous!  And I'm not stationed in one area ... the team that I lead and the children we tour with are going to have the opportunity to make God famous to thousands and tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of people in 12-15 fast months!  I never realized it, but God has been answering my prayers without me even knowing it.  Sometimes He answers with a LOUD crashing "HEY I'M HERE NOW!", but sometimes he lets our minds go to where we take them until we come to the realization that He's been working just as powerfully all along, despite our thoughts and actions.  

An influence on the Kingdom ... I've been a fool to think I had to wait for that one.  I've committed my entire life to make God famous, but in this season, I've realized that that's actually how God has been using me all along.  I'm finally jumping on board ...

America, watch out!  The ACC is coming ... 

Leia Mais…

1 God said, "Abraham!"
"Yes?" answered Abraham. "I'm listening."

 2 He said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I'll point out to you." 3-5 Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants and his son Isaac. He had split wood for the burnt offering. He set out for the place God had directed him. On the third day he looked up and saw the place in the distance. Abraham told his two young servants, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I are going over there to worship; then we'll come back to you."

 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and gave it to Isaac his son to carry. He carried the flint and the knife. The two of them went off together.

 7 Isaac said to Abraham his father, "Father?"

   "Yes, my son."

   "We have flint and wood, but where's the sheep for the burnt offering?"

 8 Abraham said, "Son, God will see to it that there's a sheep for the burnt offering." And they kept on walking together.

 9-10 They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son.

 11 Just then an angel of God called to him out of Heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

   "Yes, I'm listening."

 12 "Don't lay a hand on that boy! Don't touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn't hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me."

 13 Abraham looked up. He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

 14 Abraham named that place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It). That's where we get the saying, "On the mountain of God, he sees to it."

 15-18 The angel of God spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: "I swear—God's sure word!—because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I'll bless you—oh, how I'll bless you!

_______________________________________________________________________

So, I guess one can hear it hundreds of times, even preach on it twice and still have it hit home pretty hard in a new and fresh way.  That's the word of God.  

'Yes?  I'm listening ...'

Leia Mais…

What this world needs ...

2 posts in 2 days ... I know.  Something's wrong ...

What does this world need?  No, don't worry, this isn't one of Andrew's 'hey, let's fix the world' rants.  Really, it's not.

But seriously.  What does this world need?

I've been really encouraged by the writing and music of Chris Tomlin lately (and actually Hillsong's Latest - This is our God!  Wow!).  But I just picked up a book written by Chris Tomlin yesterday called The Way I was Made, and I'm quite blown away by it.  Can I be honest?  My whole life, I've been working so hard trying to make the connections, write the music, sing the songs and develop the gifts that will get me from point A (being a musician who desires to lead worship to thousands) to point B (leading worship for thousands).  Now, to some who don't know my path in getting to this point, you may take that last comment as one that sounds prideful or arrogant, why aren't you satisfied with leading worship for 5 people, Andrew??  For those of you who are thinking that, just go with me here.  There more behind the story of my life and my dreams than just wanting it ... I promise you that.

Something that Tomlin wrote in his book was something that hit me pretty hard was that (in my own paraphrase) it's not a bad thing to desire to make God famous!  We should all have a desire to make God famous!  Some people are wired for the large scale presentation of this desire and others are wired for the much more intimate presentation in their work places, or wherever they are!   Tomlin admitted that he was wired for the large scale stage thing!!  I've always felt so guilty for desiring that so much.  Ya, my heart desires more than anything to be up there for the purpose of seeing others connect with God on a deep and intimate level ... and if that can be done without me being seen at ALL ... Praise the God who is capable of that working in their lives!!!!  I honestly don't desire the mainstage for people to know me.  I desire the large stage so that MORE people will know GOD!  Large stages have always excited me ... and I've always felt guilty for that.  But, God has been doing a work in my heart here over the last couple of days and I'm really starting to think that God has wired me for the purpose of getting excited for the ministry that He has before me.

Now, again, that sounds presumptuous ... I'm going to be performing at the level of Tomlin one day!  No, that's not what I'm saying.  Although that really excites me if it were to be true, I can't be living for the day when I'm on the mainstage.  I have to be taking advantage of the now and living a life of worship so that others may know him today!!  Not so that I can be used in 5-10 years.  

So, back to the beginning.  What does this world need??  First off, it needs people who are desiring to make God famous ... and for them to unashamedly live their lives with a radical freedom to proclaim HIS fame, not caring about their own.  Whether that's on a large scale or a smaller scale, it DOES NOT affect your influence!  A person in an office helping one particular person could influence millions by building into that specific, strategic (intentional or not) individual who has this vision!!  Or on the contrary, a person who speaks to millions, sings to thousands can have very little impact if they're living to glorify themselves.  It's all about our approach and the willingness to let the Spirit move in and through us!!!

So, 1, the world needs radical Christians desiring to bring the fame of God to the world!!

But I've also learned another thing while reading more of Tomlin's story!  I always thought of Tomlin as a sole leader who made it on his own (with the help of the spirit of course) and is now an influential leader because of his talent and writing (not minimizing the work of God in that)!  But, that's certainly not the case.  I never realized what an influential role a man named Louie Giglio played in Chris Tomlin's life.  You may have heard of him.  He is one of the founders of the Passion Movement across this world.  It's a movement focused on Young Adults (college / University age) to stir up a passion for God!!  It started with a vision.  And not a vision of, 'hey, let's focus on this university and stir up their hearts and maybe God will bless that into something bigger!'  There's nothing wrong with that, but that's not the vision that Louie had.  His vision from the beginning was "Let's bring the young adults of this WORLD to a place of passionate powerful relationship with God!"  There's something different there.  There's the obvious difference of the magnitude of the vision, but there's also the other potential element of fear in there.  Maybe there's someone who has a vision for a specific group of people and wants to pour into them specifically ... if so, God bless you in your ministry there!  But maybe someone who's reading this has a desire to reach the WORLD but has minimized their dreams to something more manageable so that you don't look like a fool if it doesn't happen!  Please, join with me in making the decision right now to stop that foolishness!!  

This very instant, I'm making a commitment to stop putting God into a box and start letting HIM mould my dreams into what He wants them to be!  I don't have to know the way to get there, but I know that God is thinking a much larger scale of influence than what I could possibly formulate in my mind!  As a radical Christian, who cares if things change down the road and make a turn for the unexpected!  We trust that God is at work in and through it right!?  If that's the case, then it's exciting ... not embarrassing!!

So, 2, this world needs radical Christians who don't put God into a box and limit HIS dreams for you!  Cause HE wants those plans for you more than you want those plans for yourself!!!!!

But, I've been trying to get to this third point for a long time ... and I'm running out of time here, so I'll just put it out there!!  

God works through people working together!  As I was trying to say with Christ Tomlin meeting and beginning to work with Louie Giglio, they're a team that is being used to stir up the hearts millions of young adults, which in turn are influencing millions of others!   This world is being transformed through the work of a few people!!  Those who have vision, look for others, or let God open your eyes and make those connections for you that will fulfill not your dreams for yourself, but God's dream's for glorifying Himself!!

God bless those ministries that are in place making a difference in this world for the purpose of making GOD famous while willing to be invisible in the process!!

... so with that said, anyone want to take over the world??  hahaha.

Leia Mais…

Looking beyond from experience behind!

So, I've had a couple comments like, "you remember that you have a blog, right?"  so I guess it's time to try again.  I have tried to write on this before but a lack of internet made me lose one post and a lack of train of though made me lose the other one!  Let's give this another shot.

I could attempt to give an update on the last month or so, but that would take too long and quite honestly, I'm not in a space to do that right now.  

Let me spend a little bit here expressing my journey to the choir.  Now, yes, I get asked this a million and 7 times at EVERY venue that we go to, "so, how did you get hooked up with the choir?"  But, I know that those who read this are on a little deeper level with me than most of those who ask, so here's my real story.  There's a reason for me sharing this too ... it's not just out of the blue.  

January of 2008, I knew the choir was coming to Moose Jaw (close to where I was going to school) and I thought, ya, that'd be really good to go to.  I had NO idea where I was going to be this coming year.  I didn't know where God wanted me to be.  

I went to the concert and God was working in my heart a passion for this ministry.  I went back and talked with the Tour Leader of that choir, not knowing that 5 weeks later, I'd be named the Tour Leader of one of the following choirs.  I went through all of the applications / interviews / flights / Welcome Weekends that were required of a new volunteer and received a phone call from Marci, my boss asking me to be the TL of Choir 32.  This in itself was confirmation of where I was supposed to be as I'd been praying through this whole process asking God to take away any direction that was not of Him.  So, I had my next year all planned out.  I'd jump on the road with the ACC and enjoy a year of deep growth and development while building into the lives of Ugandan children ... I thought I knew what to expect for the next 2 or so years at that point .......

My graduation weekend, a friend of mine approached me and told me something flat out that excited me, yet scared me like crazy at the same time.  "Andrew, God wants me to tell you that," always a good way to start a conversation, "your next year is going to be a year of sacrifice, but that's ok because God is in control!"  This resonated with me, especially because just a few weeks earlier, my father was diagnosed with cancer and I knew that I wouldn't be around for or with my family through that time.

I was able to spend a few months at home with my family this summer (which I wouldn't have traded for the world) but then off to Uganda I went!  The first sign of a year of sacrifice was found when I was in Arua (Northern Uganda) during the day of my father's major surgery!  Praise the Lord, the surgery went well ... it's just the 2-3 month recovery that wasn't expected or easy to deal with while touring around.  Now he's back on Chemo and I'm in Texas for Christmas.  more sacrifice.  

I never thought it would be so hard to be away from not only home, but also music.  Grade 10, Snowflake '03, God spoke to me, "Andrew, I'm going to use you to reach out to the younger generation through the gifts that I give you in music."  I grabbed that and ran hard after those dreams that God planted in that time.  I started really focusing my passion and heart for worship leadership ... I went to college for a BA in Music with an emphasis in Worship Leadership.  I had experiences through that time that changed my life and did nothing but ignite and even bigger flame in me for the hearts of believers who long to connect with God on a deep and raw level.  As time went on, I learned about the fact that worship went far beyond music and spread into a life of Justice and Hope for the weak and poor!!  A heart for Africa began to stir quite violently.  Enough to strip me off of the stage for a year.

Now, I'm not trying to come across as, 'oh whoa is me!' or looking for sympathy at all, in fact, this is a testimony to God's leading in my life ...

'... Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.  This is your spiritual act of worship!' (Romans 12:1).   If being the hands and feet of God is really an act of worship, if being a hand to the poor is an act of worship, if pursuing a heart for justice is an act of worship, the I've got to expect that my life is going to be a living sacrifice not just this year but for the rest of my life.  There are seasons of fulfillment and seasons of dryness ... I'm not saying this is one of those extremes, but regardless, through those seasons, I'm still going to worship God!  I'm still going to praise Him not only on stage through music but with my life.

If I'm truly desiring to lead worship on a large scale for my life, I've got to truly understand what a life of worship is!  I have to truly understand what it means to worship God when life is looking like crap!!  I have to have a deeper understanding of how God truly comforts those in need!  I have to be tested.  The life of a leader (and in my opinion, especially the life of a worship leader as this tends to be the front lines of war in the world we live in), I have to be refined by the fires of God, I've got to be planted deeper and deeper in WHO God is so that once the mainstage comes, I'm founded on Him and not fame.  

... I know people on my team are reading this (maybe they're the only people who read this anyway), and I don't mind them knowing that I'm a broken leader.  When I'm real with myself, I understand that I can't even make the first phone call or deal with the first problem in a day without the strength that God provides.  Don't tell them, but I haven't the foggiest clue how to be a leader for 9 other adults (let alone 22 children) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Sometimes, when I feel like I'm giving all that I can give, it turns out to not be enough.  But praise God for an understanding and forgiving team.  

That's where I'm at in tour.  Dealing with the refining powers of my God and deliverer, while pressing through the joys and many trials of tour life.  

... On days like today, I've just got to trust that I'm doing something right for my team and these kids.

Love you all.

Leia Mais…

A Short Life in the SW

So, it was short lived, but what an experience it was, being in San Francisco!!

It all started with a concert on this past Tuesday night! We were in Danville, IL (mapquest it or something ... it's not that big, so I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know where it was) and did a concert in a church there! The kids did a great job! But, the night did not end normally! You see, on a typical night, we go home with Host Families (or Billets as some call them), but this night, we all jumped onto the bus after our concert and began to drive. We drove to a Hotel in Indianapolis, IN which was about 1.5 hours away, plus a time zone change (not in our favour)!!! So, getting to bed at 12pm only to wake up to a wakeup call at 3:15 was not the best start to the week, but oh well!

3:45am, we're pulling out to the Indianapolis Airport for our 6am flight (the 2 hours are needed to get 22 kids and 6 adults through check-in and security)!! Oh the logistics!

We arrived in San Fran with little difficulty and basically slept for the rest of the day!

Thursday at noon, we were picked up at the hotel on our fancy shmancy coach!!

We arrived at the venue in San Francisco (Concourse Exhibition Center) at around 12:15, only to meet with Josh Groban's Music Supervision team at 12:30. They came to our green room but decided that they wanted a piano. So, the only options were to go to the mainstage (where they were having technical difficulties) or to Josh Groban's greenroom! So, to Josh's room we go! The man starts to play the accompaniment for the song but quickly realizes that the kids need a reference for Josh Groban's part in order for them to sing properly! Our Music Supervisor, Laura, quickly says, "Hey Andrew ... wanna jump in?" So, there I am, standing in Josh Groban's Greenroom, Singing HIS part of HIS song beside HIS Music Supervisor ... meanwhile, the WHOLE time, I'm staring at the door DREADING that Josh was going to walk around the corner and hear me!! haha, Praise the Lord, he didn't! Looking back on it, all I can really do is laugh!

The song we were singing with Josh Groban was none other but his famous single, "You Raise Me Up." This song has a lot of mixed emotions for me personally because back in the summer of grade 12, a friend of mine, Sean Abel, passed away in a car accident! At his funeral, I sang that solo with the Medway Sr. Choir ... it was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life! Up until this year, that song has only had those memories attached to it! However, to see these kids sing that song with such a passion and joy for the life that they HAVE ... it's just incredible!

They then rehearsed with Josh on the mainstage at around 3 and they did a GREAT job!

In fact, the rest of the day was filled with rehearsals with Josh and with Nikki Yanofsky. The oneXone Gala went GREAT! The kids sang SO well and were quite the little professionals!! Big, beautiful smiles and all!!

Matt Damon also made an appearance with our kids! He, along with Josh loved them and were so good to them!!

So, generally, it was a great night, but it was quick! Before we realized where we were and what we were doing, we were getting back onto another plane to fly back home!! We're back in Evansville, IN for a few days and had a couple apperances today at St. Paul United Church of Christ. Needless to say, it's kinda difficult to get back into the "normal tour life" again! That will come, I'm sure!

Oh by the way, does anyone else find it disturbing that Burger King can pop out 26 burgers in less than 5 minutes?!? Or, is that just me??

Leia Mais…

Josh Groban and the ACC

Well, for those who have been sort of following our travels over the last while, it may come as a surprise to you that I'm sitting in a hotel room in Downtown San Francisco! The choir and 6 of us chaperones were flown down to sing at a BIG Gala, put on by oneXone (onexone.org)! It really is incredible to think of all the efforts being made to stop poverty in Africa ... to help out a continent in need! Yes, unfortunately it has become a "fad" to help Africa ... but fad or not, both awareness and money are being raised!! Who can complain about that!

Tomorrow, the kids will be singing along side Josh Groban, singing his well known, 'You Raise Me Up'! They'll also be performing with an upcoming artist named Nikki Yanofsky! Matt Damon is MCing the event and other names like Carlos Santana and Brad Pitt are apparently going to be kicking around! Needless to say, there's a little bit of pressure on the whole "Professionalism" aspect of things, but our kids will be able to handle it!! They're all really excited to sing with "Uncle Josh!"

I'll take some pics backstage and on the red carpet and post some of them up here! I'll also give an update as to how everything went! As you can tell, it has been a while since my last post, but now that you know where we're at, I'm sure you can understand why I haven't really had a whole lot of time to focus on writing on my blog!! We're thinking / hoping that life will become more 'regular' upon arrival back in Indiannapolis on Saturday morning! We shall see ...

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!!
I'll write again within a few days (after tomorrow night)

Leia Mais…

Grown Men Pointing Fingers!!

Yes, 2 posts in one night ... don't get your hopes up, this is not usual!

But I've got a little bit of a rant to go on here for a second ...

You know what makes me sick? American Politics! I went out to the kitchen tonight to have some dessert with the host family that I am staying with and as a Stanley, it takes a lot to not enjoy my food ... but something happened that made me sick!

The TV was on, along with millions of other television sets across the USA I'm sure, to Fox ... airing none other but the Presidential Debate!! Now, I am the first to willingly admit that I am in NO position to have a stance on this whole thing ... but I don't care! Yes, I'm an uninformed Canadian who hasn't the slightest clue the history of American Politics, but again ... not caring!

Can somebody tell me HOW can two grown men who in the big picture should technically be fighting for the same thing can be so opposed to each other, looking rediculous on International TV pointing fingers and playingthe blaming game?!?!?

It just made me realize what kind of a world we live in!! I'm not going to go off on American Politics beyond what I just said, cause I'd likely get myself into trouble, but, I am free to speak about the state of our world, right?!

How did we become so selfish? How did we get to the point where "I am always right and no one else's opinion matters?" How do we as humans claim that our pathetic understanding of life is the one and only!! How often do I personally catch myself thinking that I'm right, no questions!? It's certainly something that I can apply to leadership!! If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask for it and God will give it to all without finding fault (James 1). Our source of understanding comes from God ... and ONLY God! Then who are WE to claim our 'humanistic' understanding as superior to our neighbours??

... man, we need help! We can't make it on our own! We need something much bigger than us ... than our own minds!! We need God! This world is in need of a reality check!

Well, now that I don't feel like puking anymore, I can get back to work! ... just some thoughts!

Leia Mais…

Goodbye Chi-town ... soon!

It won't be long now until we start heading away from the GCA (does that stand for Greater Chicago Area ... can you tell I'm Ontarian?). We've been to 10 different venues already, which is certainly hard to believe, and we're about to hit an insane end to this week! Tomorrow we're in South Holland, IL ... Thursday we're singing at Moody Bible Institute, Friday we're singing twice at Wheaton Academy and then Saturday we're making an 8 hour trek up to Wisconsin so we can sing at two different venues on Sunday!! These kids are working real hard, but a calm is coming! In this case, it looks to be a calm AFTER the storm!

For those looking for an update on things back home, well, things are kinda complicated these days! Dad was actually home for a little bit! He was eating (somewhat) and walking around (somewhat), but he finds himself in the hospital again. They were going to operate on him on Monday but decided it to be unnecessary because what they thought was wrong was no longer showing up on scans! The surgeon is just shrugging his shoulders saying, "I don't know!" We're kinda at a place of finding that balance between "We wish someone could find a solution" and "Maybe God has already caused the solution!" There is really nothing that I can do, but it's still hard to not be there!! I believe that God has brought the busyness at an opportune time, causing me to not just sit and dwell on the negative, but keeping me distracted! Not forgetting what is going on, but still not letting it take over my life!!

Thank you to all who have been praying! I'm starting to get used to this whole "leading" thing! Ya, I've been in leadership for many years, but I've never felt this responsibility before! Things are starting to look familiar and the mass chaos is starting to calm a little bit, even as the schedule intensifies!!

Some exciting news is coming ... keep posted! I'll fill ya in soon!

Leia Mais…

Life Continues

So, already, one and a half weeks into tour, there have been ups and downs but generally, this has been an incredible experience! Tonight's concert was a great! I was able to stand at the back and just watch these kids sing and dance with such a pure joy ... it was a much needed refresher for me!

I'm actually at a hotel in Gurnee, IL right now. A nice suburb of Chi-town with a Starbucks!! Praise the Lord! The best part, tomorrow is my day off for the week! I get to hang out with a good friend of mine from Briercrest!! yay for Sarah being in the Chi-town area while the choir is here!

I'm really fighting for time to keep playing my guitar! I wouldn't be able to go a long period of time without playing that thing anyways, but man, sometimes I'm just itching to play it and I don't have the time ... there's a lot of paperwork / phoning / etc to be doing! But as I said, I have to fight for that time because playing my guitar is my release! I've never felt the responsibility for a team that I'm leading as much as I do now! I'm sure it's partially becuase there at 22 children and 9 other adults under my leadership 24/7 ... or what sometimes seems like 25 / 8!! My phone is always on and I dread the phone ringing after office hours ...

Thanks for your continued prayers! Your support means so much for me!

I'll be in touch soon!

Leia Mais…

Africa Pics

If you have me on Facebook, keep an eye out for a full Africa Album ... it's in the works!

Leia Mais…

Well, let's try this again ...

Well, I said goodbye to everyone at home once, but this morning / last night was another chance for me to say goodbye for a little while. In faith, I know that God is so much greater than my father's health situation and there will not be any thought of me getting home until next Spring for a couple of weeks for a break. Please keep praying for my dad and his health!

So, the farm boy finds himself in another airport. I might have to start claiming that I know what I'm doing. Nah, who am I kidding? And don't worry, I've only got 2.5 hours between now and when I fly out so I don't have time to get too far. But, even if I DID have time, I'm in Detroit ... what is there to do in Detroit except to fly out of it? Sorry to those who are closely tied to the place ... it's a very, ummm, nice place. :)

I guess I meet up with the little guys (and team) once again today. I felt kinda bad because back when I left them in Chicago, I didn't really get a chance to say goodbye to most of them. They were told that I was the "Tour Leader" the day before ... and the next day they're not able to find me for a whole week. THAT'S gotta do something to a little mind. But at the same time, as soon as they see me, all will be forgotten and I'll be back to being "Uncle Andrew" once again. I must say, I'm pretty excited about that one.

Alright, I will be sure to post again real soon, but until then, take care! Feel free to e-mail anytime too! I can't promise an immediate reply, but I'll at least try to get back sometime. (awestanley@gmail.com)

Leia Mais…

Back in the West

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for the team, for our travel and our transition into the West. We're back in the West now. We're just not all in the same place at this particular moment. Here's the scoop ...

It has been in the works for a while, but the organization has been trying to get me home. While in Africa, my father was going through quite a lot. His surgery did go well ... initially ... however, it has been a long recovery. In fact, he's still in the hospital 5 weeks later. And so, needless to say, it was hard for me to be focused on my responsibilities of leadership with everything going on back at home. God was good and provided all of the strength that I needed to do what I had to do, but my boss (Marci) provided a way for me to get home as soon as possible. It is so incredible to know that I work for an organization that cares about ME and my family, and I'm not just a project to accomplish a company's goals. It is confirmation that I am where I need to be! Praise God for the people I work with!

The kids / rest of the team are at a camp in Indianna right now, spending some more time in training, rehearsals and just getting used to American life. Their first concert is actually this coming Sunday!

I'll be around home until Monday and then I'll be flying back to Chicago to meet up with the choir to continue on in the tour.

Thanks for your prayers! Please continue to pray for the group at the camp and for my fam / dad's health.

Leia Mais…

A little slower for now ...

So, remember that time I said that I was in Uganda? Well, I'm still there. It has been an incredible experience.

Remember that time I said that I would keep this updated regularly? Well, I still plan on doing that too. But, refer to the first question for a second and you'll realize why it is that I haven't posted anything in a while. I'm in Uganda.

Things are busy and internet is scarce ... BUT, once I get back to America in Mid-September, you'll be posted like you've never been posted before. What that means, I haven't a clue. But, thanks for checking in!

Continue praying! My team arrives on Monday -- Praise God!!

Also, for those of you who didn't know, a number of months ago my father was diagnosed with cancer. To make a long story short (not to limit the Praise to God, but due to time), he went in for surgery on Friday and the first phase of treatment had done what it intended to do (shrink the tumor), they cut it out and checked around and found no further growths / cancerous spots!! PRAISE GOD!!! Honestly, I feel such a burden lifted off of my shoulders now! I feel as though I'll be able to lead my team with an energy, passion and a deeper knowledge of God's power and soverignty!! "He works ALL things out for the good of those who trust Him."

Thank you for your prayers! And Let's give credit where credit is deserved! Thank God for this!

Have yourselves a great few weeks and don't forget ... come back Mid-September! Stay in touch,
Andrew

Leia Mais…

That Big City -- London, England

Just so ya know, I'm talking about Heathrow in London, England in the below post.

Leia Mais…

Farm boy to the Big City ...

So, I don't know whose idea this was but here's pretty much what has happened ...

"Hey, why don't we send the member of Choir 32 that is probably LEAST likely to understand anything about city culture, send him ahead of the rest of the team and have him sit in one of the biggest airports in the world for 13 hours while he waits for a connecting flight. Ya, that's a great idea!!"

I'll be a little bit vulnerable here for a minute. The moment I stepped off that plane, I felt completely out of place because, well, I had no where to go (for 13 hours). So, I started making my way to Terminal 4 Departures and realized that I had to go through another security check to get there. I didn't really want to get frisked for the purpose of walking around for 5 minute until I realized that they don't post gate listings for another 12 hours. SO, the farm boy started to make his way to the "transit" system. Now, most of you who read this would be thinking, "Good Andrew, that's where you have to go!" Ya, I'm thinking that too ... one problem ... I live on 16 Mile Road in DENFIELD, ON. It's a gravel road. I have a view of corn and cows from my window. So, although I know that I'm looking for "transit," I fear that I'll find myself in Austrailia with one wrong word to a taxi driver. Keep this in mind: I've never been in a Taxi, I can count how many times I've been on a city bus on one hand and I've only been on a Subway when I was following every move of someone leading me (Again, less than 5 times). So, I thought to myself, "It's probably best if you just stay put and make sure you're not in a back alley in who knows where when you're supposed to be boarding your plane."

If anyone from my team (Choir 32 - Steve, Sarah, Lindsey, Angela, Rachel, Laura) is reading this ... ummmm, your leader really isn't an idiot! He's just going to need a little help on the whole transit system thing. I thought of walking places but then I figured that I'd probably be walking on the wrong side of the road and get hit or something. Again, stay put Andrew.

No, really, I just don't have the energy to do the whole tourist thing. I got on a place last night in Toronto at 8:15ish and flew through the "night" and landed here in London at 9am (local time). Oh ya, just sleep on the plane right?? ummm, well, that MIGHT be possible had there not been a little boy sitting across the aisle from me that wasn't too fond of being up 36,000 feet. Enough said ...

So, I'm thinking that I'll just find a corner and get some sleep. Maybe I could find a grass patch outside, lie down and feel at home. But the odds of finding that are minimal ...

Have you ever just sat down in an airport and watched people?? It's quite amusing really. The thought of where all of these people are going to be in 24 hours is crazy to think about ...

10 am ... I guess that means that in 24 hours, I'm landing in Uganda. This is really happening, eh? I guess there's no turning back now. Ah well ...

Keep checking up on this ... apparently I'll have somewhat of an access to internet in Uganda so I'll be posting my initial thoughts and stories to this journey!

Whatever you may be doing today, make the most of it! I'll write again soon.

Leia Mais…

Introducing the ACC 32 Team

So, I thought that I would give a little bit of information about my team to those who will be following this blog.


As I said before, my team consists of 3 African and 7 Western Chaperones.
**I would have put up pictures of each of these people but I didn't have permission so I figured that I wouldn't**
Introducing Choir 32 ...


Auntie Dorene
Our female African chaperone who currently lives in Uganda. She'll be touring with us as a necessary and much appreciated African presence for the kids, as well I'm sure she'll be helping out with some of the teaching.


Uncle Patrick
One of our two male African Chaperones. He grew up in the Arua (Northern) part of Uganda. Needless to say, he'll be a crucial part of our team with regards to being a support to the kids that we have on the team from the North.


Uncle Frank
The 2nd of two male African chaperones. He is actually going to be our conductor. It is rare for a male to be in this position, but we're real excited to have him there. Frank grew up in Uganda.


Auntie Laura Coatsworth
From London, Ontario, Laura is going to be our Music Supervisor. She will work closely with Frank in making sure that the overall musical presentation is as well rehearsed and presented clearly.


Auntie Rachel Torkelson
From Anchorage, Alaska, Rachel will be serving as our bus driver! Needless to say, a much needed part of the team. She will make sure we arrive safely from point A to point B and oversees the bus in general.


Auntie Angela Lounsbury
Our head teacher for the year from Medford, OR. The kids actually continue their schooling on the road and Angela will be the one that makes this happen! Yay for schooling!


Auntie Sarah Lidstone
From Chatham, Ontario, she will be our Product (Merchandise) Coordinator. A surprisingly high percentage of the finances that come in for the kids education is through product sales ("CD's, DVD's, T-Shirts and Bandannas!!"). Sarah is our Auntie for that job.


Auntie Lindsey Joy Fougeron
Lindsey is from San Diego. Basically, Lindsey is going to be my lifesaver while on tour. Her official title is "Administrator" and she will be overseeing all of the paperwork and, well, administration needs on the road.


Uncle Steve Higgs
For those of you who know me through Briercrest, well, you probably know my good friend Steve as well! YAY for having such a great friend with me on tour!! Steve, from Moncton, NB is going to be our Sound Technician.


Uncle Andrew Stanley
Also, from London, Ontario (no, I didn't know Laura before this), my position is to be the Tour Leader and it's my privilege to work along side each of these incredible people to make this tour run as smooth as possible!!


From what I've learned of each of these people, they are all INCREDIBLE people who love God and desire to have Him as the center of our team! They are each a crucial part of our team and I can't WAIT to serve with them in pursuing the mission of the ACC.


Each of us, along side of our regular tour duties will serve as a chaperone (basically a parent) to these children.


As for the kids, here they are ...
The Boys












Front: Geofrey, Christopher, Jackson, Patrick, Hannington
Middle: Nelson, Gilbert, Mophart, Julius, Lino
Back: Gilbert, Junior

The Girls












Left - Right: Rose, Rachel, Sarah, Peace, Lydia, Lillian,
Esther, Immaculate, Scovia, Gladys

Leia Mais…

Final Preps Continue

We'll see how well this actually works out, but my plan is to keep a blog here throughout my entire touring experience with the ACC.

For those of you who don't know, I'm flying to Uganda on August 6th to meet up with 22 kids who will soon be considered to many, the latest African Children's Choir. To be technical, the 32nd African Children's Choir since the initial choir in 1984. If you ever hear me say "ACC 32", that just means, "African Children's Choir - 32". I'll also be meeting up with 3 African adults who will be touring with us on the road. Their names are Frank, Patrick, and Dorene. I will not be the only Western presence on the team either, come August 25th, most of the rest of my team will be arriving in Kampala as well! All in, we'll have 22 kids and 10 chaperones (3 African, 7 Westerners).

Why am I leaving so early, you ask? Well, I guess that comes with my position. I've been asked to be the Tour Leader for this Choir. Basically, that means that I'll act as the road manager (for you band lingo friends that are reading this), who oversees the flow of the tour. Everything from the practical face to face connections with venue hosts to working with my team and building into their lives! I'm SO excited for this opportunity.

In the past, I've worked with groups that have been quite close (touring for 50+ hours in a 15 passenger van will do that I guess), but I've never worked with a group that will be travelling this much and is ALWAYS together. There's really no escaping each other when we've all committed to this for the next year (plus some) of our lives and we travel on a bus. Needless to say, your prayers are welcomed.

I say all of this on human terms. You must know that I strongly believe that God has used people like Marci (my boss and the Choir Manager for NA tours), Mike (Volunteer Coordinator) and others to form this team. It is already evident in getting to know my team more that God is at work! Praise God!!

I started packing last night ....
I'm shipping off one bag to Chicago (many thanks to Sarah's (Product Manager for the tour) parents for driving it down) this week so I guess it should be packed. It's so hard to judge what I'll be needing for the next year of my life. Living out of a suitcase for that long was certainly not the major selling point for getting involved, but hey, it'll be worth it!

With my bags getting packed and the time getting closer and closer, this is finally becoming a reality. What once seemed like just a future happening is now becoming the present.

Please continue to pray. I'll try to keep prayer requests updated on this site (look along the right hand bar down the side) as well as our tour schedule! Stay in touch too. I'd love to hear your comments on anything that may come up here. You can find my e-mail on this page, or you can just leave a comment on this site here.

Here we go ...

Leia Mais…