The Piggy Bank Is Full

Just in case you missed it, I've been uploading pictures to my gallery.  Just go here.

Turns out it's not a shack at all.

Tonight was a unique show in Bakersfield, CA.  Nobody had a good feeling about the show.  Outdoor shows can be a little strange sometimes, and it didn't help that we were playing at a place called Jesus Shack located across the street from Deja Vu.  What seemed like a recipe for disaster ended up being an incredible experience.  Jesus Shack, hence forth referred to as JS, has created an awesome presence in its community.  The guys there are in to a little bit of everything such as concert promotion/hosting, free back to school backpacks and haircuts for kids in the area, running a food bank, and now having a mobile medical truck run by volunteer nurses and doctors.  JS is no youth group coffee house.

Everything going on at this place was pretty cool, but the people that make up the JS family are even cooler.  I had the pleasure of meeting a man today who is more excited about giving and serving than anyone I have ever met.  We talked for a while about his love for delivering basic needs to people who cannot meet them on their own.  Then he told me the story that landed him in a wheel chair after telling me about his 20 years in prison (insert record scratch).  Prison?  Him?  Sure he had tattoos all over his body and face, but he is so caring.  I had to ask.

He was a founding member of one of the most prominent skinhead gangs on the west coast, and now he is an ordained minister trying to help gang members find a way out.  So, when a man like this tells me a bus fire will somehow lead to an incredible experience for each of us as men and women, I have to believe him.  Besides, we have already been seeing great things happen.

Quick recap:  I've been on the road 8 days: 1 day rehearsal, 5 show days, 1 travel day, and 1 day off.  During those 8 days the bus broke down twice, and burned to the ground once.

The tour came together perfectly.  Everything lined up just right.  The band was in town to record right when they needed to meet me.  Work was unbelievably supportive.  Less than a week in I thought the tour was over.  Why would that happen?  Why wouldn't I be mad?

I did have a day full of anger and frustration.  But, it wasn't long before I didn't have anything to be angry about.  Our God is a faithful God who loves us very much.  Within 24 hrs. the band had enough money to replace any belongings lost.  Insurance details began to be worked out, and Ryan and Jenny's baby now has more clothes than needed.  A complete stranger gave the band a custom guitar just because he wanted help.  Now it looks like we might have nicer transportation than when we started (well, it's a possibility).  However, that's not what I'm really talking about when I say God loves us and is faithful.

We have had to rely on Him for strength and courage just to make it from day to day.  Constantly figuring out our next move would be impossible without Him.  What started out as a well planned tour has become a sort of "tour on the fly."  Those are about the only words I can type to give you some sort of idea of the cool things we've experienced and/or heard about over the last 4 days.

On a much less serious note it was awesome to be a part of not only the 100th show at JS, but also to be a part of Sanctus Real's CD release show.  Their album dropped today, and I have been learning just how much of an accomplishment that is...even for a well established group like them.

So, good-bye to California.  We leave for LAX at 7am to fly to Montgomery, AL.