Awakening

Today was a much needed day of rest. A leisurely wake up with a tour of Olomouc until lunch. Free time in the afternoon allowed for retail therapy, naps and quiet time followed by long, leisurely gathering for lunch were we shared various encounters from our previous day. Lots of laughter and good stories....God moments that we can only praise Him for His provision. Our team (including our Czech teammates) has had 6 people sick over the past 48 hours. As you have prayed, we also have prayed over and laid hands on our sick and although weak, all were able to participate in our Sunday night concert. The Rescued alumni have been amazed at the warm reception we have encountered as they renew friendships from their last visit. The Rescued newbies having nothing to compare it to but we have witnessed nothing but a wonderful, exhuberent reception from the Czech. Ruth, one of the organizers from the Baptist church where we helped lead worship, wanted to make sure and thank all of the financial and prayer supporters who helped make it possible for Rescued III to come this year. 

Two memorable moments  from the last two days come to mind. Saturday night, during the last run through wth the choir, Adrianne had us all stand in a circle in the church courtyard and run through the songs. During the last song, I noticed a Catholic nun who had come through the hallway to the inner court and stood their to listen to the 50+ voices sing "Christ is Risen From the Dead." We later learned from the pastor of the church that our voices had been carrying out of the courtyards into the streets and many were looking up to see from where the songs were coming.  The nun had ventured into the courtyard and stood there in worship with us as we sang.

The other moment was during our concert. The first half of the program consisted of songs by Rescued, followed by our testimonies, and then for the second half, the Czech choir would walk in singing "Bless the Lord." I had been standing off to the front as the choir began walking in from the back singing this beautiful hymn. I am sorry but words fail me as I try to describe the response of the Czech congregation. It is as if years of suppressed public worship were suddenly given permission to be free.

Ok, maybe three memorable moments. Today we had the opportunity to tour the Corpus Christi Chapel at the University of Olomouuc that was built in 1724. As we stood there, we began to sing Psalms 2. This is  a 450 year old song that came from a Czech hymnbook given to the Rescued team on their last visit. Adrianne and Josh Cramer had reworked it and we have sung it to you all over the past year.  It was a moment when you realized you are singing a hymn from hundreds of year ago in an ancient chapel in a place where God is now stirring the hearts of His people in a new way. 

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:19