YOUTH CHOIR TOUR – First Baptist Church of Tallahassee

YOUTH CHOIR TOUR

August 18, 2020

As many of you understand, this yr’s youth choir journey was particularly troublesome to plan. Josh and I met many instances to determine methods to make this journey occur as we navigated by means of the challenges of 2020. After a number of changes to the plan and conserving a watch on the Covid knowledge, we generally puzzled if we should always hold pushing by means of or simply cancel the journey.

As of July 1, we solely had one one who was prepared to permit this group to return and serve. Tom Marler, a retired youth pastor in Fort Walton Seashore and buddy to Shane Monroe and Aundrea Scott, had work for us to do. Josh and I had been so excited that we might proceed with the journey! The week earlier than the journey, I used to be in fixed communication with Tom, gathering particulars, deciding methods to divide the group, and hoping we had sufficient tasks to maintain everybody busy and feeling productive. I additionally requested our chaperones to analysis a number of additional tasks, simply in case. Patti Tidwell was ready to make use of her connections with FBC Panama Metropolis to safe two tasks for the Tuesday morning of the journey. Kendra Corridor reached out to the Salvation Military of Fort Walton Seashore to see in the event that they wanted assist, however our time slots stuffed up rapidly with FBCPB and Tom Marler. We had been lastly set.

The day earlier than we go away on a visit is all the time a whirlwind. I went to the workplace, put collectively a tour booklet for the youth, and made certain we had every little thing we would have liked for the journey. I used to be so relieved to lastly have a plan in place. I actually love a plan! I left the workplace round 3:00, ran a number of errands, and headed house to get packed for the journey. At 6:30 PM, I obtained a telephone name from Tom Marler. Sadly, he was going to should cancel all of the tasks we had deliberate for Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. Tom felt so badly about it, however his spouse had issues in regards to the virus and Tom being round a gaggle of youngsters. Tom was so very dissatisfied, however I advised him to not fret, we might be okay. As I used to be saying these phrases, I actually had NO IDEA the way it was all going to work out, however God already knew. He had been working all alongside, listening to the prayers of a trustworthy couple who wanted assist.

After ending my telephone name with Tom, I instantly referred to as Kendra and requested her to succeed in out to the Salvation Military once more to see if they might work us in for Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. They mentioned sure! Three weeks earlier, Lieutenants James and Abby Milner had arrived in Fort Walton Seashore for his or her very first task after finishing their coaching from the Salvation Military. Within the midst of all of their different ministry obligations, they walked into an unlimited warehouse and thrift retailer in disarray. They’d a lot to do, felt so overwhelmed, and had been praying for God to ship assist.

And did He ever! God answered their prayers by working by means of all of our loopy particulars to get our group of nearly 50 volunteers there to get their retailer and warehouse so as. Once we walked into the warehouse, we felt like we had been in an episode of Hoarders. There was a lot stuff! However these youngsters and adults had been undaunted by the scope of the duty earlier than them. You have to be so proud of how these youth served the Lord with onerous work and cheerfulness.

Isn’t it fantastic to know that God hears us and solutions our prayers? Isn’t it superb how God was working by means of all the small print to get our group to the Salvation Military? Reward the Lord! God is so good and trustworthy!

Pam Cooke

Youth Choir Director