Golden Dream

The ministry of the University Singers has been to mainly military personnel. In this video the Singers ministered to Army and Air Force men and women through Disney’s Epcot theme song, “Golden Dream”, the Singers most difficult a cappella piece. It has taken us a few days to work on it, but I am excited to show you the incredible ministry you have contributed to through financial and prayer support.

Omnipotent, Omnipresent Intimacy

How can such a big, all-knowing God be with everyone at all times and yet orchestrate and bless every detail of our individual lives? It’s a mind-blowing reality that whether we are home or in Europe the Holy Spirit shows Himself mighty often, in our eyes, in insignificant ways. If we could be honest with ourselves, there are circumstances in life that we would not choose, but I am continually reminded that “God works all things for our good and His glory”. Singers and Media students from a small university in Central, SC traveled to Europe and are seeing God work in miraculous ways.

The Operation Freedom’s Cadence (OFC) team previously visited Landstuhl Army Base in Landstuhl, Germany and Regional Medical Center along with Spangdahlem Air Force Base in Bitberg, Germany. Sunday morning, May 17th, 2015 we began our mission in Landstuhl. Upon our arrival the University Singers set up their equipment in preparation for the 11 o’clock chapel service. All who came were blessed by music and testimony and we were blessed by their hospitality. After the service we were treated to lunch at Bruno’s, an Italian Restaurant on base. We were privileged to meet and fellowship with military personnel and their families. Kaycee Blackwell and I met Chris, his wife Tammy and also U.S. Army Officer Monique, a woman who once served as a Drill Sergent. We loved hearing about their families and the different bases and jobs where they served and were sad that we had such a short time with them. Shortly after lunch we headed to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is the largest hospital in Germany and cares for our troops and their families, Afghanis, Africom, and others. Our first bit of news at the hospital was that actor and comedian, George Lopez, was inside visiting with patients. As exciting as that was, nothing could compare to what we were about to experience. Only part of our large team was able to go inside but, thankfully, I was allowed to be the photographer and videographer inside.

First, we sang to a young soldier being treated for his pancreas and who appreciated the music and prayer by retired Navy Chaplain, Gary Carr. We then moved to another ward were we met a favorite of ours, April. We found out that April is from South Carolina, not too far from Southern Wesleyan University. She shared that her tour was over because of her medical condition and would be heading home soon. Reverend Gail Kerstetter asked if the University Singers could sing for her and she consented with a request for something peppy. The University Singers followed with, “When God Dips His Love in My Heart”. April clapped along and enjoyed the music and toward the end became emotional. She mentioned that she streams her church services online and hadn’t missed a Sunday yet. After, she expressed her appreciation for the special music. After sharing our thankfulness for her and her courage and sacrifice, we proceeded throughout the hospital and headed back to the bus. While at the hospital we met two people from right in our back yard and were encouraged to see God’s hand in the mission He has sent us on.

One of the most memorable moments happened after we left the hospital and were on the bus. Assistant Army Chaplain Sergent King rode with us to the entrance of the base and before leaving began to tell us of a recent mission he had been a part that which included sixty fallen heroes. He told us that those situations are the hardest part of his job. He then explained about the flags that are draped over the fallen soldiers between the battlefield and home. He informed us that there are about six or seven different flags that are draped over the caskets and the last flag is the flag presented to the family at the burial. The other flags, after use, are considered soiled and are properly disposed of. In his hand he held three cut-out stars from a “soiled” flag and presented them to retired Navy Chaplain Gary Carr and Reverends Bob and Gail Kerstetter. Chaplain Gary Carr shared his thoughts about receiving a star:

“More important than the star itself is the life it represents. Receiving that gift from Sergeant King was not only a great honor but also a humbling experience, because the joy of receiving the gift is only exceeded by the sadness of what that gift cost. One of our finest Americans gave his life for freedom.”

Although there are more stories to share from yesterday, I hope you can see the hand of God active and intimately involved in Operation Freedom’s Cadence. We consider OFC and honor and a privilege to be a part of The mission of our Commander and Chief Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayer and support.

OFC: Day 1 “In Flight”

Southern Wesleyan University
Photo By: Aaron Brickle

OFC team members had a day full of excitement, anticipation, and travel. Overall our travel time was around 14 hours, and needless to say, we were all very tired. We flew from Atlanta to Paris which was about a 7 hour flight and then had a slight delay and finished our flight to Germany. When we arrived in Frankfurt, Germany we caught our bus and traveled to our hotel. We were so excited that the bus seats were comfortable, because many of us didn’t sleep well, or sleep at all, on the plane, so, we caught a nap on the way to the hotel.

Castle01Day1SWU
Photo By: Hannah Coleman

The ride from the airport to the hotel was marvelous. Every few miles was a small, quaint village surrounded by mountains. Tutor style homes stood side by side with an old, gothic style cathedral in each town. Outside of city limits were fields of yellow wild flowers, vineyards, and windmills, giving us a sense of the culture and customs of the German people. We traveled in awe, anticipating what Germany has for us.

After we ate supper at the hotel, we discussed logistics for the following day and commenced with a time of devotion in John 1, song, and prayer. Our chaplain, Ken Dill, encouraged us and affirmed us in the truth that darkness cannot overcome light and our mission was to bring the light of Jesus Christ and to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate the hearts of our soldiers with the truth He has already worked in their hearts. Nothing can stop us. God the Father has gone before us, He is with us, and will never leave us or forsake us!

 

OFC: Team Briefing

IMG_0787Recently Operation Freedom’s Cadence team members met with Dr. Johannes, an Air Force doctor currently working at Baptist Easley Hospital in Easley, SC, in preparation for OFC. Dr. Johannes travels to Germany twice a year to be a part of a team that retrieves soldiers from the battlefield hospital and gives care to patients both in the air and on the ground upon arriving at base hospitals. Prior to meeting with Dr. Johannes our team knew that we were going to Europe to different military bases to encourage, lead worship, and capture it all through photography and videography, but little did we know the ministry that lies ahead.

Dr. Johannes explained that when we arrive we might see soldiers that have had three operations on three different bases and on two continents. He also let us in on the system of care that the soldiers receive from start to finish: 1) Basic treatment “Plug the holes” 2) Intensive Care 3) Operating Room 4) Testing, which lasts 3-4 days 5) More operation etc. Soldiers and different teams of medical professionals are typically in constant transportation, depending on the circumstances of the war, and have to stay physically and mentally ready. The CCAT, Critical Care Air Transport, care for both soldiers and Afghanis that are injured in friendly fire and by their own suicide bombers. When the teams and patients arrive at the hospital it’s loud, action packed  and completely different from the U.S.

Towards the end of our briefing Dr. Johannes told us about one of his previous patients, Levi, a young soldier who was injured in friendly fire. The morning before his mission, Dr. Johannes, a follower of Christ, had a feeling that something bad was going to happen. In response, he got down on his knees and began to pray. During the mission he met Levi’s mother and informed her that he had been praying for both her and Levi. She thanked Dr. Johannes and they later arrived at the hospital. When on mission the team that flew the patients in often never see them again, but a week later Dr. Johannes sought out Levi and his mother and was reunited to find Levi alive and well. Levi was very grateful for the care and prayers he had received from Dr. Johannes and insisted on a picture with him. After the picture, Levi told Dr. Johannes that this picture was much more valuable to him than the picture he had just taken with President Barack Obama.

So where does our team fit in to ministering to our U.S. troops? We aren’t medics, fellow soldiers, or a part of the military. Dr. Johannes encouraged us that our ministry is bringing a piece of home to Europe and shining Jesus. We were told that there are several Christians overseas, “but there is a tremendous void of Jesus”. Jesus is the main focus of our mission. You might be thinking, “Well, duh! Isn’t that the focus of every mission trip?” The answer is yes, and here’s why. Two verses that are probably familiar to every Christian if you have been in a body of believers, the Church, for any length of time are John 3:16-17. Here are the verses taken from the Amplified Bible:

                              “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the wold might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.”

John 3:16-17 tell us God has a love and a passion for people who are “up a creek without a paddle”. Even though the military categorizes officers with higher and lesser rank, in God’s eyes there are no rankings. We are all sinners. We are all “up a creek without a paddle”, but God doesn’t want us to stay there. He demonstrated His love to us that while the entire human race, past, present, and future, were and are still in rebellion against Him, He died for us (Romans 5:8). Why? John 3:16 says because God “so greatly loved and prized the world”. He sent a part of Himself to take on what we deserved and couldn’t handle so that we can know love, genuine, authentic, deep, passionate love. All of our “filth” can be washed away because of Jesus. What a strong message of hope to pass along to our United States troops who are risking their lives for our freedom. Our team seeks to be an oasis in the middle of a dessert where our soldiers can come and find everlasting water, Jesus.

Please join us and be a part of our mission by carrying our team in your prayers, “…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26).