Thus far I have been challenged, encouraged, overwhelmed and filled with thankfulness.  Probably other things too, but that is enough for now.  I will have to write more thoughts when I am a bit more coherent, but as of now I have been up since 8:00 this morning (after going to bed at 1:30 a.m.) and we have had a full day of sessions and worship and unbelievable moments at the conference.

The multi-ethnic church family that I am a part of is amazing.  Thus far I have heard from Pastor Grace from Lagos, Nigeria, Pastor Rice Broocks, Efren Penaflorida from the Philippines (CNN Hero of the year), Pastor Yesupadam Paidamula from India and Darlene Zschech from Australia.  You can actually listen to the podcasts of all theses speakers at www.en2010.com website.

That does not even mention the Amazing Grace moment tonight where 50 different languages sang together in glorious [praise unto God.  When all the voices joined in together in their own native languages all at once, it was like a sound I have never heard before (literally). But it was more than that, as I believe it was a sound like heaven, and tears began to stream down my face.

After closing out the night with another 2 songs and jumping around like I was 10 years younger it is time for so sleep though ever so brief.  It is 12 midnight now and we have a sound check at 7:15 a.m.  Couldn’t somebody else say “check one, two three” in the mic for me?

Well, we had a long, hot rehearsal this afternoon.  Since there was still a lot of preparation taking place with set up, etc, the air conditioner was not on as of yet.  That fact, combined with the heat of all the lights, made for a very “steamy” rehearsal day.

Nevertheless, it was really exciting to begin to meet everyone and start to work things out as a team.  On our particular team we have 11 vocalists, one from South Africa, one from New Zealand (now in Singapore) and the rest from the Philippines.  All of our hosts from the Philippines are so very nice and accommodating.

At the same time we are leading in our venue there is another team leading simultaneously in the venue right above us.  We can’t all fit in one room so we are split up into two venues.  It will be a technological and logistical trick, but they seem to be pulling it off thus far.

One funny thing is where Karla and I are standing on the stage.  The stage is huge and we are on the ends, opposite each other.  So we wave at one another every now and then as we lead our separate sides of the auditorium. I joked with everyone that we were the white bread ends and the rest of the middle was international (or as my friend from New Zealand, said, a reverse Oreo).

Going to bed now… good night.

Took a cab this morning into Fort Bonafacio to where the Every Nation Office and Church there are located.  What a beautiful facility (award winning actually for architecture in Manila).  We saw some old friends (David and Sandy Houston, as well as Kevin York).  We then hooked up with Frank Chrisitie (Pastor from Somerset West, SA).  He of course wanted some Starbucks so we went across the street to a mall and acquired some

We took another cab back to our hotel (a out a 20 minute drive with traffic).  The traffic is a bit crazy as you might imagine.  Lots of cars trying to fit in very tight spaces… wow!

We are getting a bite to eat right now and headed over to the conference venue (about 5 minutes from our hotel).  We will participating in a 5 hour rehearsal.  I don’t think I have rehearsed that long for anything since I was in college.  I should sleep well again tonight.

Well Karla and I have arrived at our hotel in Manila, Philippines.  That was one seriously long period of flying.  I can’t say day because it was more than that since we are now 12 hours ahead of all of you back in the States.

The flights were smooth, the connections were great and every plane left and arrived on time.  With that many connections and that far of a distance, that is really awesome in my book.  We got all of our luggage (though Karla had to sweat hers out since it came up near the end of the pile), and a very nice couple from Victory Church here in Manila took us to our hotel.

Tonight the goal is to sleep (which I don’t feel like will be a problem), and get our bodies used to this time zone.  At least no one will walk by me while my head is bobbing and my mouth is wide open, which is about the only sleep I have been getting the past 24 hours.

Tomorrow we have a dress rehearsal with the worship team at 3:00pm, and it will be our first opportunity to meet the rest of the worship team. I know it will be a great experience worshiping with our extended spiritual family.

I’ll keep you posted the best that I can.

Well Karla and I are sitting at the Augusta Regional Airport getting ready to leave on this extra long flight schedule.  We will go to Atlanta, Seattle, Tokyo, then onto Manila.  I will use this blog to update our travels as best as I can.

We are excited about the opportunity to be a part of this incredible gathering of nations in Manila, as we lead worship.  I know it will be an incredible time.

But for now I am getting ready for the comforts of the airplane and the ease with which I can sleep (NOT).