December 2006

Hi everyone, Christmas greetings to you all, as I fill you in on the last months of the tour(5 months in total) in Europe. I just arrived home(Dec. 5) safe and sound and so amazed at what God did over these last 5 months. I last updated you from Romania in early Sept., and so my last glorious month there was spent visiting Alba Iulia, Rom. Vulcea, Deva, Sibiu, and Cluj. What wonderful events God arranged and the surprise one was probly Rom. Vulcea, where I spent  3 days and 2 nites, and one full day ministering to 3 groups(mothers in a.m., kids after that, and a concert for friends and contacts in evening).  What an amazing day, and too much to cover, expcept to say that many were touched  and changed. I got reports from Maggie, the director of this family center there(who invited me) for weeks after, of these glorious changes that involved a young boy coming to Jesus, and a young couple really coming back to Jesus and bringing Christ into their marriage.
  I had the great opportunity to do a music video(w/profesional crew) in Cluj in Oct. and so we filmed that around this 2000 year old city over a few days. Also did a TV interview there that was aired in Oct. Even now my heart is full of so many wonderful memories of these times in God, with these dear people and my many dear friends there.
Oct. 9-30, saw me doing a lot of concerts in Austria, mostly in pubs and to see God enter these places and touch people, many who have never experienced God, or anything like this before, was truly wonderful. The presence of the Lord comes wherever He is invited and welcomed in, and lifted up. Not without a battle many times, and this was the case here again in Austria. But so worth it all. In one concert in Vienna, a young Muslim man(quite devout and radical in his thinking) was invited by my friend(his work mate) and he was left stuck in his seat after the concert, saying, he couldn't move and just had to let this settle into him. Another work mate of my friend, who came that nite, opened her heart to Jesus.  Also spent a most wonderful nite doing a concert in the Czech Rep. for many unsaved folks who were deeply touched by the evening.
  Next up was Germany:
What glorious times...amazing concert nites and all. Add to that another wonderful creative week (Nov.6-10)  and 6 new songs. Here's a little segment of an email sent to family from this time:
Last Sun. I had the a.m. service, and then out an hour or so, of Hamburg to a village for a evening concert. These dear folks have been planning this nite for months with a team of about 8-10, and they met 5-6 times to plan it...and what a nite it was. That kind of unity and service goes a long way to make a nite so successful. The hall was decked out beautifully, the stage had a living room feel, with couch and lamps, and candles everywhere...the community showed up too, so many of them unchurched and unsaved, but being as these small communities do stuff like this together, we had 100 folks out, and they loved it...God touched them..gripped them even. They wanted more even after 2 hours without break...and I went 2 and a half hours before we ended...then sat around visiting/talking...eating(oh yes, they had drinks and wursts, hot sausages and bread ready)...and everyone was greeted at the door by a person with a huge tray of delectible sweets...we had lites, and great sound...there was a heap of set-up still with having some of my songs on powerpoint (translated), and using some backing tracks of late.  At about 11:30 p.m. when most folks had gone, except the 15-20 or so, who were either helping ot just talking, I thot I'd hop on the piano again, and ended up doing kind of a mini private concert for these folks...(I was waiting for them at the start, then realized they were just sitting listening).
  Heard reports first and second hand of how God had touched hearts there.
Last nite, tho just the opposite as far as a well prepared team setting up, was a powerful nite again of God's  mighty love and presence...not a big crowd for this Tues. nite concert, but again, unbelievers as well as christians...mightily impacted..including my host, who came alone(without family), and at the end, came and hugged me, saying it was such an important nite for her. Another young  lady told me,  she was so moved, she wondered if she needed to be converted again, because she has never felt God so strong, since that time she converted.(she was Ethiopian).  Also Rebecca's mom has been at the last 3 concerts(driving about an hour to each one), and I sing and explain Rebecca's song each nite...there were a fair few tears last nite. not just with Rebecca's song (she's the 14 yr. old friend of mine who died here 2 years ago). I was near tears myself several times, during my songs, or sharing. I'm quite overwhelmed.
  Okay...I finished the tour with some concerts in Switzterland, which tho a challenge to set-up, were a great and important time there, and so worthwhile.  I am so blessed and realize again and again, the tremendous importance of you folks adding your faith and prayers to this work and for the reaching of hearts thru this ministry. Thank you so much and may you continue as God stirs your hearts and directs you.
  I am home now preparing the final touches on a new C.D. (recorded last spring) for a late January release. Watch for 'Journey of the Heart' around then, and feel free to contact me, if you'd like to pre-order it now, or find out how to get it when it's out. I am greatly excited about it.
  Also in late winter, and into spring 2007, I will be recording another C.D. (for 2008 release), so my plans will take me into April/May.  After this, except for the 'behind the scenes' work that always needs to be done, I am awaiting direction from God as to where next plan a tour. I think it's quite possible a few weeks in Alberta will eventuate in May. Normally I would know by now my travel plans for the next year, but this time God is saying to just wait (tho I am anxious and willing to go) for His direction. I want to walk with Him...not getting ahead, not falling behind...but in His footsteps. Love to you all...and all God's best to you all for a glorious 2007.
  rob( sealion)