S'Goin On? (thought I'd switch it up, don't want to get stuck)
Sooooo Knoxville, eh? Just another average day on the road, get up, play with the kids, eat lunch meet some folks, and play a concert. Followed shortly thereafter by a nice shower, a short bus ride, a rude awakening at a very unrighteous hour of the morning (the sun hides her face at such times) and get to church and play worship, RIGHT? NO!
The first thing that was different was I noticed we were at the University of Tennesee. Forgive me, but we usually don't play such large venues. On average, it's more like a hockey arena, and then about a third of it is roped off to make for a cheaper seat. What I had not yet realized was we were walking into possibly the biggest denominational (Church of God) gathering in the country this side of the Southern Baptist Convention, and this was only the students. Winterfest 09 didn't really get started until about 2 or 3, but when it did, the walls were alive. We pretty much also had some time to kill, so I learned a new sport known as "World Cup". Except that national teams weren't vying for the pride of being the best at soccer. Instead, 4 guys were kicking a wadded up sock around a nasty floor trying to knock over a bottle of water. I also found that the dumber something sounds, the more fun it is...at least for us men.
The concert was as short as we could make it. We had about 45 minutes, and that's enough time for me to realize I need to play guitar, and then we're done. However, it turned out really sweet. We were finished with all the songs we planned on doing, and somehow we had 10 minutes left. I have no idea if you've actually seen us live, but that NEVER happens. So we did this thing that we do with students sometimes that is always a great eye opener. We started to sing "We Fall Down", but before we did, Mark told the guys to pray for the girls, to think about their struggles, to look at them like sisters and not opportunities. Then the guys sing and the girls pray for them. Thinking about their difficulties, how much they are lied to about what it takes to be a man, negleting fathers, and being attacked by Satan. Right in the middle of the front section, I saw a hole. Everyone there was sitting down at the time, but when it came time for the guys to sing, I realized it was filled with young men, because they all stood up. Think about that next time you pray, everyone like to know they're being prayed for.
Lastly we got to meet some great guys from Chicago called the Saturn Project. Go check 'em out if get the chance. And check out their album "Anthems for a broken World". 100% of the proceeds go to People for Care and Learning in Cambodia. The Relocation of the Poor Project is endorsed by the United Nations, Red Cross,and the Cambodian Government. God bless
Peace
Juan
Comments
I thought I had commented to this because I remember wanting to know if it's harder to play in front of a huge crowd or an intimate crowd or if it really matters? :0)
winterfest of 09 saved my life. i'd been to winterfest before but was heartbroken when i ended up letting myself get sucked into all the lies that had filled me before and my life was once again falling apart. that first night of winterfest i was full of guilt and regret and i was weighed down by the pressure the world put on me and the sadness the devil had filled me with. the second night when you guys were there was different. my eyes were opened and my life was changed because i came in there expecting god to speak to me. when you guys stopped singing and those people went on stage to testify they all testifyed about the same things i was asking god to forgive me for. i was amazed because i didn't think god was listening to me anymore. when you all played i will praise you in this storm my eyes were opened. i'd been through alot during that service but when you played that song i opened my heart finally hearing the words and i realized god had always really been there for me. you're music has helped me through so much. and i really liked it when you asked the guys to pray for us girls and not only see us as oppertunities. i've stuck to god throughout this year although i have had struggles. your music has helped me face alot that i never could have if it hadn't been there to remind me god was there all i had to do was stop and pray. i'm excited to go back to winterfest this year and i'm going in expecting. i hope god continues to bless you and me. love always, tiffany
winterfest of 09 saved my life. i'd been to winterfest before but was heartbroken when i ended up letting myself get sucked into all the lies that had filled me beofre homo
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