Howdy folks!
Looks like we've settled in to life in the trailer. This week we are parked in Lander, WY. It's central to churches we will visit in this area. So, we plan on staying here until we move to Rock Springs, WY, around September 3rd.
The cowboy concert at the Lander Valley Baptist Church was a real blessing. Since it was our second visit, we had a good time meeting up with folks who had been praying for us over the past year. We were also able to join them for the Sunday morning worship service. I presented some special music and, of course, some of my cowboy wisdom! Seems folks enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the old hymns and stories. They had the traditional celebration dinner after the service and, we really enjoyed the time of fellowship.
The need in this area is self-evident. Many small communities have no gospel witness. Without question, the cowboy state sure needs more cowboy churches. In my discussions with pastors and church leaders, they all agree with my observations but, are frustrated by the the lack of church planters. Pray for us as we travel about the area and, please pray that the Lord will raise up workers to meet the need in the cowboy state.
As we start the third week of our tour, we are ever remindful of God's blessings. Each door He opens is an adventure, as we follow the trail He has set before us. Keep us in your prayers!
On the trail,
Mike and Suyzann
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
From the Wyoming Front
Howdy Folks;
We've been on the trail now for a week and, it seems like had never been home. Life in the trailer is sure becoming routine. We took an extra day on the drive to Riverton, WY, and spent a night in Cody, WY. If there was ever a place to have a cowboy church, Cody would be ideal. I planted the seed in the ear of the Director of Missions for that area. He agreed and promised to follow up with the pastor of the local SB church.
The gathering in Riverton was smaller than usual. Because of the gas prices, all of the other performers were from Wyoming. Talk about stress, I had to represent the whole country of Canada.
The cowboy church service at the United Baptist Church in Riverton was very special. I had filled their pulpit for three weeks last year and we had made quite a few friends. Their new pastor is very keen for the Lord and the church has really begun to grow. Needless to say, we had a fun time and as Suzann says, I got too folksy with the congregation. She calls it dygressing but I call it embellishing.
Ww're looking forward to the next few weeks in the Riverton area. Our concert at the Lander Baptist Church in Lander, Wy, is being well advertised and the pastor is excited about the outreach possibilities it presents. We'll also be back at the little log church in Pavillion, WY, and expect to have another foot stompin' good time singing the old gospel songs and hymns.
As we travel, we continue to hear from folks who have been praying for us. What a blessing to know that we have all that prayerful support.
Well, that's it for now. Keep prayin' and we'll keep singin' and preachin'.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
We've been on the trail now for a week and, it seems like had never been home. Life in the trailer is sure becoming routine. We took an extra day on the drive to Riverton, WY, and spent a night in Cody, WY. If there was ever a place to have a cowboy church, Cody would be ideal. I planted the seed in the ear of the Director of Missions for that area. He agreed and promised to follow up with the pastor of the local SB church.
The gathering in Riverton was smaller than usual. Because of the gas prices, all of the other performers were from Wyoming. Talk about stress, I had to represent the whole country of Canada.
The cowboy church service at the United Baptist Church in Riverton was very special. I had filled their pulpit for three weeks last year and we had made quite a few friends. Their new pastor is very keen for the Lord and the church has really begun to grow. Needless to say, we had a fun time and as Suzann says, I got too folksy with the congregation. She calls it dygressing but I call it embellishing.
Ww're looking forward to the next few weeks in the Riverton area. Our concert at the Lander Baptist Church in Lander, Wy, is being well advertised and the pastor is excited about the outreach possibilities it presents. We'll also be back at the little log church in Pavillion, WY, and expect to have another foot stompin' good time singing the old gospel songs and hymns.
As we travel, we continue to hear from folks who have been praying for us. What a blessing to know that we have all that prayerful support.
Well, that's it for now. Keep prayin' and we'll keep singin' and preachin'.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
Monday, August 6, 2007
SADDLED UP AND READY TO GO
Howdy Folks!
This will probably be my last posting before we hit the trail again. Our plans are to leave August 14th for Riverton, WY. The annual Wind River Cowboy Poetry Gathering takes place from August 17th to 18th. This will be our third visit in as many years and, we are looking forward to greeting old friends and meeting new ones. The old bass (now called Stella) gets a real workout, but it sure is fun.
While in Riverton, we will minister at several Southern Baptist churches in the area. These will be return visits and we are looking forward to the fellowship with the pastors and the folks in their congregations. Last Sunday, I had a chance to try out my new cowboy poem at Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary. It was well received and reinforced the need for Christians to reach out to the lost.
Suzann is progressing slowly and more feeling is returning to her right side. Folks have commented that she hasn't lost her sunny disposition. No doubt, her postive attitude will speed up her recovery. Thank you to everyone who prayed for her and we would ask that you continue to pray for her complete recovery.
The time we've been able to spend in Cochrane has been brief but enjoyable. Taking the time to rest between tours was absolutely necessary. But now, we are eager to get back on the road sharing our witness wherever the Lord opens the door.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann Burns
This will probably be my last posting before we hit the trail again. Our plans are to leave August 14th for Riverton, WY. The annual Wind River Cowboy Poetry Gathering takes place from August 17th to 18th. This will be our third visit in as many years and, we are looking forward to greeting old friends and meeting new ones. The old bass (now called Stella) gets a real workout, but it sure is fun.
While in Riverton, we will minister at several Southern Baptist churches in the area. These will be return visits and we are looking forward to the fellowship with the pastors and the folks in their congregations. Last Sunday, I had a chance to try out my new cowboy poem at Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary. It was well received and reinforced the need for Christians to reach out to the lost.
Suzann is progressing slowly and more feeling is returning to her right side. Folks have commented that she hasn't lost her sunny disposition. No doubt, her postive attitude will speed up her recovery. Thank you to everyone who prayed for her and we would ask that you continue to pray for her complete recovery.
The time we've been able to spend in Cochrane has been brief but enjoyable. Taking the time to rest between tours was absolutely necessary. But now, we are eager to get back on the road sharing our witness wherever the Lord opens the door.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
RESTIN' AND RELAXIN'
Howdy Folks;
We've been back in Cochrane for a few weeks and have taken the time to rest and relax before hitting the trail again. As some of you know, Suzann suffered a mini-stroke while we were in Nebraska. She spent a week in the hospital in Calgary undergoing some tests. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage, but it will take several months before she is back to normal. Thanks to all of you who prayed for her recovery.
Since we've been home, I entertained at the stampede breakfast at the Westland Community Church near Cochrane, provided special music anc cowboy gospel poetry at the Ranchland MD Cowboy Church near Longview, Alberta and this Sunday (Aug 5th) will be at our home church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary conducting the morning worship service.
All the available dates for our fall tour are full. We are booked into churches in Wyoming and Idaho and have been invited to Cowboy Poetry Gatherings in Riverton, WY and Dillon, MT. Check out our itinerary on www.songsoffaithministries.com and if you're in the area, drop in to a service. We'd love to see you.
We'll be starting to pack up the trailer for a departure date of August 14th. Pray for our safe travel and, especially, that the Lord will continue to meet our every need.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann Burns
We've been back in Cochrane for a few weeks and have taken the time to rest and relax before hitting the trail again. As some of you know, Suzann suffered a mini-stroke while we were in Nebraska. She spent a week in the hospital in Calgary undergoing some tests. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage, but it will take several months before she is back to normal. Thanks to all of you who prayed for her recovery.
Since we've been home, I entertained at the stampede breakfast at the Westland Community Church near Cochrane, provided special music anc cowboy gospel poetry at the Ranchland MD Cowboy Church near Longview, Alberta and this Sunday (Aug 5th) will be at our home church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary conducting the morning worship service.
All the available dates for our fall tour are full. We are booked into churches in Wyoming and Idaho and have been invited to Cowboy Poetry Gatherings in Riverton, WY and Dillon, MT. Check out our itinerary on www.songsoffaithministries.com and if you're in the area, drop in to a service. We'd love to see you.
We'll be starting to pack up the trailer for a departure date of August 14th. Pray for our safe travel and, especially, that the Lord will continue to meet our every need.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Back In Canada
Howdy folks!
Well, we're back in Canada and cooler weather! After the heat and humidity of Nebraska, the moderate temperature of Saskatchewan is most welcome. The strange noise I heard last night was our furnace warming up the trailer. Even had to dig out a sweatshirt, when I walked MacDuff this morning.
Our last concert in Burwell, Nebraska, with the gospel quartet, Living Sacrifice, was inspiring and high energy. The mix of music and styles worked very well according to folks in the audience. I interjected some poems and stories into the program and was able to interact with the audience, as well as individual members of the quartet. It was hard to estimate the size of the crowd, as folks stayed in the cars around the edge of the park. We do know that the Gospel was presented and an invitation given.
We're now parked in White City, just outside of Regina, for a few days. On the weekend, we'll move to the Discovery Baptist Church parking lot to set up and get ready fo Sunday. The pastor will be at the CCSB convention in Vancouver, so they've asked for a concert. Interestingly, this will be our first exposure to a Canadian Southern Baptist Church, other than Cambrian Heights of course. As many of you know, we've been praying for the past two years that God would open the doors in Canada, just as He has in the United States. I'm reminded of my song "Just In Time" and, trust that this might be the answer to our prayers. In any case, as long as the Lord leads, we'll keep sharing our witness and the Gospel story, wherever and whenever He opens the door.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
Well, we're back in Canada and cooler weather! After the heat and humidity of Nebraska, the moderate temperature of Saskatchewan is most welcome. The strange noise I heard last night was our furnace warming up the trailer. Even had to dig out a sweatshirt, when I walked MacDuff this morning.
Our last concert in Burwell, Nebraska, with the gospel quartet, Living Sacrifice, was inspiring and high energy. The mix of music and styles worked very well according to folks in the audience. I interjected some poems and stories into the program and was able to interact with the audience, as well as individual members of the quartet. It was hard to estimate the size of the crowd, as folks stayed in the cars around the edge of the park. We do know that the Gospel was presented and an invitation given.
We're now parked in White City, just outside of Regina, for a few days. On the weekend, we'll move to the Discovery Baptist Church parking lot to set up and get ready fo Sunday. The pastor will be at the CCSB convention in Vancouver, so they've asked for a concert. Interestingly, this will be our first exposure to a Canadian Southern Baptist Church, other than Cambrian Heights of course. As many of you know, we've been praying for the past two years that God would open the doors in Canada, just as He has in the United States. I'm reminded of my song "Just In Time" and, trust that this might be the answer to our prayers. In any case, as long as the Lord leads, we'll keep sharing our witness and the Gospel story, wherever and whenever He opens the door.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
Monday, June 18, 2007
On The Homeward Trail
Howdy folks!
For those of you who have been following our tour, we are still camped in Stromsburg, NE. During the past week, we used the time to rest and reorganize for the last two weeks of our tour. We also took in the annual Swedish Festival (Stromsburg is the Swede capital of Nebraska) and enjoyed fellowshipping with folks who had been to our concerts in years past. In all, it was a good week and just what we needed to recharge our batteries.
We'll be leaving Stromsburg this week for Burwell, NE. Saturday night (June 23rd), Songs of Faith will be partnering with Living Sacrifice, a southern gospel quartet for a concert in the park. The musical mix should make for an interesting concert. After the concert in Burwell, we head for Regina, Saskatchewan, and the Discovery Baptist Church for a Sunday morning service on July 1st. We are looking forward to worshipping with the congregation before heading home to Cochrane.
Since leaving home in April, the Lord has opened the doors to minister in a variety of places. Without exception, folks have been very receptive to the gospel message, either in song or poem, and invitations to return have been forthcoming wherever we traveled. While we are looking forward to being home, even for a short time, our hearts are on the trail sharing the gospel story, the cowboy way.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann Burns
For those of you who have been following our tour, we are still camped in Stromsburg, NE. During the past week, we used the time to rest and reorganize for the last two weeks of our tour. We also took in the annual Swedish Festival (Stromsburg is the Swede capital of Nebraska) and enjoyed fellowshipping with folks who had been to our concerts in years past. In all, it was a good week and just what we needed to recharge our batteries.
We'll be leaving Stromsburg this week for Burwell, NE. Saturday night (June 23rd), Songs of Faith will be partnering with Living Sacrifice, a southern gospel quartet for a concert in the park. The musical mix should make for an interesting concert. After the concert in Burwell, we head for Regina, Saskatchewan, and the Discovery Baptist Church for a Sunday morning service on July 1st. We are looking forward to worshipping with the congregation before heading home to Cochrane.
Since leaving home in April, the Lord has opened the doors to minister in a variety of places. Without exception, folks have been very receptive to the gospel message, either in song or poem, and invitations to return have been forthcoming wherever we traveled. While we are looking forward to being home, even for a short time, our hearts are on the trail sharing the gospel story, the cowboy way.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Hot and Humid in Nebraska
Howdy folks!
I forgot how hot and humid Nebraska can be. Temperatures in the high 80s and humidity in the high 90s all last week. Throw in a few tornado watches and warnings, with wind gusts up to 60 mph and life in a travel trailer gets real exciting. Every morning I'd check to see it the trailer was still where we'd parked it the night before.
Sunday was another busy day, as we traveled to Central City, NE, for two concerts. In the morning, we were at the Grace Lutheran Church and in the evening at the First Christian Church. Both concerts attracted a number of visitors and, we were able to share our witness as folks inquired about our ministry. The old hymns and the cowboy poems sure open up an avenue to present to gospel, wherever we travel.
It doesn't seem possible, but we are already booking churches for our fall tour. Inquiries have come in from Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. It looks like we will have some new opportunities to minister in these states. Each time we step out in faith, we marvel at how the Lord has provided and protected each step of the way. As we start our homeward journey, with stops in Burwell, NE, and Regina, Saskatchewan, we ask for your prayers. Suzann and I are getting a little trail weary, so keep praying for us as we hear for home.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
I forgot how hot and humid Nebraska can be. Temperatures in the high 80s and humidity in the high 90s all last week. Throw in a few tornado watches and warnings, with wind gusts up to 60 mph and life in a travel trailer gets real exciting. Every morning I'd check to see it the trailer was still where we'd parked it the night before.
Sunday was another busy day, as we traveled to Central City, NE, for two concerts. In the morning, we were at the Grace Lutheran Church and in the evening at the First Christian Church. Both concerts attracted a number of visitors and, we were able to share our witness as folks inquired about our ministry. The old hymns and the cowboy poems sure open up an avenue to present to gospel, wherever we travel.
It doesn't seem possible, but we are already booking churches for our fall tour. Inquiries have come in from Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. It looks like we will have some new opportunities to minister in these states. Each time we step out in faith, we marvel at how the Lord has provided and protected each step of the way. As we start our homeward journey, with stops in Burwell, NE, and Regina, Saskatchewan, we ask for your prayers. Suzann and I are getting a little trail weary, so keep praying for us as we hear for home.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
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