An interesting week....

        It's not that this week wasn't really good....I think it was that it wasn't what I was expecting. Which, I should really come to the realization that it is NEVER what I expect! It was a much "easier" week compared to last week simply because we played in three schools instead of five, but harder because it was the 2nd week of tour and we were all struggling with being sick. BUT by much prayer and the grace of God we made it through!!
      We never really know what to expect when we go into schools...it's kind of a hit and miss.....sometimes the kids are awesome and they love it! OR, they think we're crazy and don't want to really talk to us. And on very special occasions you get rebuked by the teachers for being in their schools and manipulating/brain-washing the students....I know right?? Comes with the territory though ya...?? I'm still praying for said teacher....
BUT-no matter what, we push through and try to connect with the kids (and whoever else wanders into our paths for that matter!) and try and get them to come to the afternoon activities we put on throughout the week, and finally to the big concert at the end of the week where the Gospel is shared. **THIS** is the goal! To share the LOVE of Jesus with the lost! Nothing else! The music is just a platform to present it. And praise the Lord for the platform! But it's nothing compared to Jesus being accepted by these kids!
        So, this last week in schools, for me, was ok. I was very sick so it was not the easiest week. The "weirdest" day by far for me had to be the day of the concert, Saturday. We got to sleep in which was FANTASTIC, but I woke up just kinda....lol, grumpy. Do you ever have those mornings...?? I wake up kind of grumpy, and then one of THE FIRST things I see really just ticks me off! I know, juvenille...but it's what happened. So the day's off and running and I am already in a bad mood...great. We head to the venue, get set up, sound check, and we have plenty of time to spare before the show starts. I am still in a grumpy mood because of what I had seen earlier that day so.......I sat down with my Bible...and just read and prayed...A LOT. Praise the Lord that He uses us despite of our failures and shortcomings!! I am so selfish sometimes it makes me sick....and have such a jealous heart. The Lord is teaching me much. BUT-I am forgiven and free through the blood that was shed for me!!! Clinging to promises like that today!!
            Despite all of my "mood-swings" it came time to play a concert. I don't think I have had more things go "technically" wrong EVER in a single show. First song of the set, I brake 2 strings. 3rd song, I slice my hand open and start bleeding. And other "bad" things just started happening all over the stage at that point. LOL, BUT-we still rocked hard and the bottom line is.....the Gospel was shared and kids heard about the love that Jesus Christ has for them! No matter how many things go wrong musically, that is all that matters!!! Had some great conversations with some kids after the show...a couple girls came all the way from Opava to see us! They said they had been reading the Bibles that they received at the last concert!! That is HUGE, FYI!! Signed way too many autographs and took way too many pictures, loaded up the white van, headed back to the CB church, grabbed our luggage and started the 4 hour drive back to Cesky Tesin.
           Looking back, a good week. We got to share our lives with many students and more importantly we had the privilege of sharing Jesus with these kids. What else is there??? Praise the Lord.
Thank you all more than you know for the prayers!! Keep them coming!! PEACE AND BLESSINGS!!

-Sam O.