Feeling pretty jet lagged but thought I should quickly update my blog. This past week, we flew to Honolulu, Hawaii on our way back to mainland America. On Sunday we had the opportunity to minister at the church Wayne Cordeiro pastors, New Hope Oahu. What an amazing church! The main church still meets in a high school auditorium. They have 8-10 000 people come through services each weekend. There have multiple satellite churches in different parts of the island and a huge tent is set up in the high school yard where the services is screen lived for the several hundred people who can’t fit in the building. (There’s a reason for Hawaii’s perfect weather temperatures all year round!) Such a huge operation! They start setting up the high school Friday afternoon! Amazing servant leaders and volunteers.
Some tour highlights…
- Checking out Pearl Harbour
- Waking up at 3am to get the band to a TV station to play live…
- Driving round Oahu Island and hearing Josh get excited about all its famous beaches and of course taking photo’s of him in front of each of them!
- Seeing people brought to tears during worship when Alabaster Box was playing
- Hanging out with Sargent Evans McBride – like second in charge of the US Marines and getting tours over a couple of bases… and seeing Josh get busted by the Marine Cops and asked if he even speaks English!!!
- Spending the last two nights at the Hilton beach resort and imagining what it’d be like being rich
- and last but not least, making a tonne of new friends in Hawaii! Wow! Those guys can teach most us a lesson on hospitality!
So… where am I now… back in London! Monday was a full on flying day – Honolulu – Los Angeles where I met up with Vicky Beeching and we both then continued on to Heathrow. Vicky is playing at this event on Saturday. Can’t wait to tell you more about it.
Something random… today is Guy Fawkes Day. People are letting off fireworks everywhere in ‘remembrance’ of this dude who tried to blow up parliament in 1605! I am staying right in the city in an apartment over looking this really cool water basin right near Thames River and the London Tower and have seen everything from people waving sparklers to full blown fireworks – from my balcony! Apparently there would be bonfires all round the place too. Anyone else think this is R-ANDOM? Surely just an excuse for boys to let firecrackers off and make noise right?!?!
5. November 2008 at 7:41 pm
Did you ever see the movie “V For Vendetta?” The plot of the movie involved this masked guy who sought to blow up Parliament. What time zone does your body think you are in now?
Blake
5. November 2008 at 11:03 pm
Joy-o! Wow my friend, you get around! I love that! Great to hear your journey of life and where God is taking you.. That’s awesome you got to New Hope. What a church hey! And now in London.. What event is she singing at?? When do you get back home (Nashville)? and one last question.. how’s the band doing.. you know??
Love you… xoxo bec
6. November 2008 at 10:34 pm
Joy! America has been going through quite a few changes while you’ve been hopping around from one side of the world to the other. I am praying for the president elect to become a man of God. and for our country to turn toward God. Love this comment of yours… it applies to our times. It is worthy to copy and read again.
“Life is the same… we make plans – and God wants us too – but ultimately he’s the one in control and he routes our paths. We might experience some unexpected turbulence along the way… end up traveling along a different path… but the most important thing for us to do is to stop and experience the new path… soak in the surroundings and allow God to show us what he wants us to see in that new environment rather then getting disgruntled and frustrated. Our trip down on the bus allowed us to see some absolutely picturesque landscapes and meet some amazing people that we would not have had the chance to do.”
Maybe you’re experiencing the turbulence right now… hang in there… you’re pilot is highly trained… the path might have slight diversions but you will arrive at the masters destination!”
Not only can I relate in the election but also Nov. 23 will be Jimmy and my last Sunday at NRF. Jimmy will be teaching at a church 4 miles from our home a new curriculum for students wanting to become pastors or ministry leaders at the Northeast Church (www.Godwhy.com) It is a church seeking the lost aggressively, so many new Christians. Many just seeking answers or “information”. He will also be doing a tour for Compassion International speaking. So, we travel down a different path but God is the one directing our paths as we trust in Him and don’t rely on our own understand and acknowledge Him in all our ways. Prov. 3:4, 5
This is the 2nd blog I’ve ever left. I usually write too much. But have a great day, mate!
6. November 2008 at 10:37 pm
Here is a very special thought for today. Hope it will comfort you not just today but all days.
Robert Strauss, was a Washington insider who advised presidents from Lyndon Johnson to the first George Bush. He once said:
“Everybody in government is like a bunch of ants on a log, floating down a river. Each one thinks he is guiding the log, but it’s really just going with the flow.”
The truth is–the Lord holds sovereign sway over the currents of history. Let’s pray for our leaders, intercede for our nation and world, and trust Jesus Christ as Lord of the past, The I AM, and Lord of the future.
Corrie ten Boom said: Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
God Bless You and God Bless America.
7. November 2008 at 3:25 pm
Joy, looks awesome there! So glad that you guys made it to Hawaii all set and are enjoying the time. Keep Josh away from those dangerous tides…
9. November 2008 at 5:35 pm
Hey Joy, How was the Concert? Did everything go to plan ect, i was praying for it to all go well…
Hope the Jet-lagg Isn’t too painful
Ben
Oh yeh, reminds me… I started off a .blogspot roll… Its gunna be mostly teaching and daily thoughts I think…
http://in-his-strength.blogspot.com/
11. November 2008 at 4:16 am
Joy, it was such an honor to have you folks here at New Hope! You are all legends!
I hope you all had a memorable time with us. Don’t forget that you are always welcome to come back; and seriously: let’s talk about a Japan show with New Hope Tokyo!
God bless!