I arrived in Frederick about 4:30 yesterday afternoon and took the chance to walk round downtown. Amy Cook Trim, who’d organized the Frederick stop, works right there; hadn’t seen her in probably ten years. And yet, it’s nifty how easily we can pick up on shared experience and shared knowing people and chat uninhibited.
Baker Park is large and beautiful. The Band Shell, where the choir sang, is right on the edge closest to town. The choir went through some brutal traffic on their way south from Maine–we tossed the Frisbee as we waited and enjoyed being outside. (Perfect weather. Last spring evening of the year. God is good.) After long hours on the road, the choir arrived and did one of their notorious 15-minute set ups to sing a service. The usual small number of local family members stuck round for it, and a handful of passersby stopped for short or long whiles.
And did they sound fantastic. I’d not heard God’s Light in a number of years since I was usually off at camp or living out of state. Y’all, as Andrew sang “Light of the City” (which we first sang eleven years ago), it was as though home came to me. To hug these counselors who meant so much during my growing-up years. To hug Kim, who pours herself into teenagers year in and year out. To hug these people who have literally known me from infancy–it’s a brief moment of being at home. All the wee children who sat in Sonshine Singers eight/nine/ten years ago are now tall and grown looking. Many were in 2nd grade Sunday school with me. A few were even my campers. I’d forgotten, how lovely it is to be with people who know you, and whom you have known, for ages beyond measure. At the end, Kim called us up to sing Amazing Grace and Closing Prayer.
There’s my piece of God’s Light 2016 tour stop in Frederick. Through the struggle and weariness, God is strong. Being there last night was an encouragement to me, and I’m thankful for the faithfulness of the students, counselors, and Cal (oh, yes, so wonderful to see Cal who has faithfully taken Bus 1 on 27 tours) for pushing through some real tough things this trip. Thanks, y’all, and come back this way some time.