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
Thursday, June 28, 2007
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
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Another Week On the Trail
Howdy folks!
It's hard to believe we've been on the road nearly two months. We've sure put quite a few miles on our outfit and met a lot of great folks. Along the way, we've collected a memory or two and experienced first-hand God's blessing as we shared the Gospel.
Last Sunday, we were in Ericson, Nebraska, a small ranching community and home to the Sandhills Baptist Fellowship. This was our second visit to the church and it was evident that God was blessing this congregation. Their new building is almost debt free and their numbers are growing, howbeit, slowly. As we visit and revisit these small churches, God's handiwork is apparent. Having the opportunity to hear their stories, reinforces our desire to continue this ministry.
We will be able to stay parked in Stormsburg, NE, for the next few weeks and drive to the area churches. Not having to set up the trailer every week will be a welcome relief. We are, however, getting better at planning our itinerary and allowing plenty of time to set up the trailer, as well as the sound system. This also makes touring a lot easier and less stressful!
Well, that's it for this week. Next Sunday we have a "double header" in Central City, NE. We are looking forward to renewing friendships and meeting new folks at both services.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
It's hard to believe we've been on the road nearly two months. We've sure put quite a few miles on our outfit and met a lot of great folks. Along the way, we've collected a memory or two and experienced first-hand God's blessing as we shared the Gospel.
Last Sunday, we were in Ericson, Nebraska, a small ranching community and home to the Sandhills Baptist Fellowship. This was our second visit to the church and it was evident that God was blessing this congregation. Their new building is almost debt free and their numbers are growing, howbeit, slowly. As we visit and revisit these small churches, God's handiwork is apparent. Having the opportunity to hear their stories, reinforces our desire to continue this ministry.
We will be able to stay parked in Stormsburg, NE, for the next few weeks and drive to the area churches. Not having to set up the trailer every week will be a welcome relief. We are, however, getting better at planning our itinerary and allowing plenty of time to set up the trailer, as well as the sound system. This also makes touring a lot easier and less stressful!
Well, that's it for this week. Next Sunday we have a "double header" in Central City, NE. We are looking forward to renewing friendships and meeting new folks at both services.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
On To Nebraska
Since I last wrote and entry, we have traveled from Montana to Nebraska via Wyoming and Kansas. Before we left White Sulphur Springs, MT, in addition to our scheduled concerts, we had a gospel sing at the RV Park and the local senior's home. The opportunities to get involved in these community activities gives us the chance to share our witness with a larger audience.
The festival in Cedar, Kansas, was a steller event. Performers from as far south as Texas, picked and sang for three days and long into the night. We quickly made some new friends and received invitations to visit their churches on our next tour. Cowboy Church was organized by the folks from the Cedar Community Church. During the service, there were several opportunities to present the gospel in song and poem. This is the reason we're "on the trail" and we thank the Lord that are able to serve in this way.
We're now parked in Stromsburg, Nebraska, getting organized to the last leg of our tour. Now that we are headed north, we are looking forward to being home and fellowshipping with our friends. This has been a very full tour and we are well aware of the prayerful support undergirding our ministry.
Keep praying!
Mike and Suzann
The festival in Cedar, Kansas, was a steller event. Performers from as far south as Texas, picked and sang for three days and long into the night. We quickly made some new friends and received invitations to visit their churches on our next tour. Cowboy Church was organized by the folks from the Cedar Community Church. During the service, there were several opportunities to present the gospel in song and poem. This is the reason we're "on the trail" and we thank the Lord that are able to serve in this way.
We're now parked in Stromsburg, Nebraska, getting organized to the last leg of our tour. Now that we are headed north, we are looking forward to being home and fellowshipping with our friends. This has been a very full tour and we are well aware of the prayerful support undergirding our ministry.
Keep praying!
Mike and Suzann
Monday, May 14, 2007
What A Week We've Had!
Howdy Folks
What a week! Seems like we never stopped 'till the last hymn was sung at cowboy church. Our schedule included teaching 10 music classes to students from grades 1 to 12, participation in 2 school assemblies, day time performances at both evening performances at the Gathering and, of course, cowboy church. In addition to all that, the old stand-up bass got a real workout.
Sitting here in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, it's hard to believe we've already been on the trail for over a month. Sometimes, we've not been sure what will be around the next bend, but we're trusting that the Lord will keep us in the center of the action. Given the past month, it looks like our prayers are sure gonna be answered.
Although we planned on having a rest before heading to Kansas, it looks like the folks at the RV Park and the local nursing home want some entertainment. It's a good thing we brought along our song books for a good old fashioned gospel sing-a-long. These impromptu opportunities to share the Gospel are often hilights of our witness in a community.
The weather is starting to warm up in Montana and, except for our daily wind storm, is quite pleasant. The Lord continues to bless our ministry as we reach out to folks in these small rural communities. So, keep praying.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
What a week! Seems like we never stopped 'till the last hymn was sung at cowboy church. Our schedule included teaching 10 music classes to students from grades 1 to 12, participation in 2 school assemblies, day time performances at both evening performances at the Gathering and, of course, cowboy church. In addition to all that, the old stand-up bass got a real workout.
Sitting here in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, it's hard to believe we've already been on the trail for over a month. Sometimes, we've not been sure what will be around the next bend, but we're trusting that the Lord will keep us in the center of the action. Given the past month, it looks like our prayers are sure gonna be answered.
Although we planned on having a rest before heading to Kansas, it looks like the folks at the RV Park and the local nursing home want some entertainment. It's a good thing we brought along our song books for a good old fashioned gospel sing-a-long. These impromptu opportunities to share the Gospel are often hilights of our witness in a community.
The weather is starting to warm up in Montana and, except for our daily wind storm, is quite pleasant. The Lord continues to bless our ministry as we reach out to folks in these small rural communities. So, keep praying.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Movin' On To Montana
Howdy Folks;
Our last weekend in Idaho was very busy! Saturday night we joined forces with a preacher from Texas to present a Gospel concert. Sunday morning found us at the local Southern Baptist Church in Blackfoot, Idaho, to provide some special music. After the service, we packed up the sound system and drove to the Cowboy Church in Firth, Idaho. At the Cowboy Church, I had the opportunity to talk with the organizers concerning their vision for reaching the rural community for Christ. Although the congregation was small, the folks sure could sing and were enthusiastic about their witness for Christ. We left Idaho tired, but rejoicing in the opportunities the Lord had provided to share the Gospel.
The next stop on our tour is White Sulphur Springs, Montana. I'll be teaching the high school kids to write cowboy songs and performing at the Motherin' Up Gathering on the weekend. There'll be a Cowboy Church service on Sunday, pray that the Lord will open up the people's hearts to hear the Gospel through the old hymns and cowboy poems.
As Suann and I visit these small rural churches, we are blessed by the zeal and commitment of these folks. Their love for the Lord is sure evident, as they reach out to their communities with the Gospel message. We covet your prayers, as we extend our ministry to even smaller congregations.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
Our last weekend in Idaho was very busy! Saturday night we joined forces with a preacher from Texas to present a Gospel concert. Sunday morning found us at the local Southern Baptist Church in Blackfoot, Idaho, to provide some special music. After the service, we packed up the sound system and drove to the Cowboy Church in Firth, Idaho. At the Cowboy Church, I had the opportunity to talk with the organizers concerning their vision for reaching the rural community for Christ. Although the congregation was small, the folks sure could sing and were enthusiastic about their witness for Christ. We left Idaho tired, but rejoicing in the opportunities the Lord had provided to share the Gospel.
The next stop on our tour is White Sulphur Springs, Montana. I'll be teaching the high school kids to write cowboy songs and performing at the Motherin' Up Gathering on the weekend. There'll be a Cowboy Church service on Sunday, pray that the Lord will open up the people's hearts to hear the Gospel through the old hymns and cowboy poems.
As Suann and I visit these small rural churches, we are blessed by the zeal and commitment of these folks. Their love for the Lord is sure evident, as they reach out to their communities with the Gospel message. We covet your prayers, as we extend our ministry to even smaller congregations.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
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