singing diary
Since last writing an entree of singing diary I’ve been singing in 6 places, 3 per week over the last 2 weeks.
It continues to be an amazing adventure going into these Retirement Homes, 2 of them first time, 2 of them for the second time, and the other 2 Homes I’ve visited several times. Different dynamics, but always the same sweet wonderful Spirit that moves through the room touching us all (some feel it more then others).
Last week I brought my friend Hans from Holland with me. Slightly risky thing to do; some places that I go into can be quite distressing at first to witness. But then again, I’m happy for my friend to see it as it really is, and once the sweet Holy Spirit begins to move, the contrast is all the more amazing! And indeed, at both occasions (Hans joined me twice) there was such a wonderful sweet presence; Hans saw how people were moved and totally intrigued with the songs, the music and the stories.
October 6th, I sing in Tampa (Southerland Place)- a tremendous first time hour/ October 7th I’m in Lakeland (Hawthorn Village), where I’ve been several times; what a great little crowd!/ Oct.8th I’m back in Tampa (Abigail Village), where I have a miraculous time with a very small crowd (about 7 people). It’s the second time in this place, and when I walk in I get one of those (‘What AM I doing?”) moments. Why should I go back into this tiny place and perform for the same little crowd again? (Question; is the size of the crowd of any significance?). Seconds later, I hear the Holy Spirit say: “What if Jesus is here, sitting between the people?” The next moment I realize that God LOVES touching people with His Holy Spirit, and is ALWAYS looking for an opportunity. He wants to use me to BLESS these dear people BIG TIME. All of a sudden I feel inspired to give the BEST PERFORMANCE of my life!!!
I’m in a completely obscure place, and the last thing I need to do is PROVE MYSELF, and obviously that’s not what I’m after in any case, going into the Retirement Homes. But what suddenly happens here is that I really feel INSPIRED to give these people my best. A tremendous JOY breaks out, through me, and we’re all having a great time (all 8 of us). Heaven comes down to earth! The hour that follows is one of the best hours of my life; it is full of joy, depth, beauty, sweetness, love, healing, power, and other wonderful things that I can’t put any words to. God is amazing; He really turns things around that humanly speaking are hopeless.
Afterwards I sit down for a little while, to take a little time digesting what has just happened. How totally special! The staff have also enjoyed the hour; they collect some money and give me a cash gift- how precious!
Oct.14th in Carrolwood, Tampa (with Hans). I had left my microphones in the film gear, and so I had to sing without amplification. Jolly hard work, but I succeeded, and once the sweet H.S. began to move, things got easier. Thank you God for your grace!
Oct.15th in South Tampa; first time here (also with Hans). The ‘room’ is between corridors, and so there quite a lot of noise & movement. Not easy. A sweet little crowd; people with serious conditions, and strong needs. This one woman is making a moaning, crying sound, almost non-stop. Occasionally she forgets about herself and stops ‘crying’. Another young woman is not quite in her right mind; she waves at me every 20 seconds. I wave back, every once in a while (not every 20 seconds). The Spirit moves, but the entire hour continues to be a struggle. I don’t sing LOVE NEVER FAILS; somehow I feel that the people will not be able to understand the text. Their cognition is very limited. And yet, once I finish, I get such sweet feedback; people have been moved & touched. Next time I will press a little further into the sweet & powerful presence of the H.S.
Sunday Oct.19th I sing in Fairway Oaks, Tampa. I’ve been here once before; now I’m coming in on this Sunday afternoon; is this a so called ‘God slot’? What ever it is, or isn’t, the hour turns into a precious time of bathing in the presence of Jesus. There’s very little opposition (noise/ movement/ unhappy people); this little crowd is ready to receive, and so the songs & the telling (as well as little bit of conversation in between) are all flowing beautifully. What a joy to be part of this! Marcia is there with me; she is loving it. By doing this hour here on this Sunday, we forfeit going to our second church meeting; we’ve received a big blessing here at this place. Several members of staff stood in the 2 door openings, as well as one or two visiters. One of them came up to me afterwards, to thank me for a tremendous time. The lady told me ‘how glad she was, that she happened to be here during the time of my presentation’.
I’m glad too, that I was here (together with Marcia). These are tumultuous times (elections coming up/ economic trouble all around), but bathing in the sweet presence of the Lord brings a peace to goes well beyond understanding! What a joy!
