So Many Events, So Little Time

The OFC Team completed another day of their mission and Christ was glorified. The Singers started the day with prayer and breakfast and departed for Landstuhl Army Base. On the way, they filled the bus with singing as they prepared for their first chapel service.

At the Landstuhl Chapel, they performed many songs. One song in particular that resonated with the crowd was a great a cappella rendition of “When God Dips His Love”. People stood in testimony with raised hands for this amazing song.

Afterwards, the Singers enjoyed Italian cuisine along with Bruno’s special schnitzel and fellowship with the troops at Bruno’s restaurant on the base. They really bonded with the church congregation. To show their appreciation, It is customary for the Singers to sing a song of thanks to the Chef and Staff. This song is always a crowd pleaser as the tune is Michael Jackson’s” Man In The Mirror”, and the lyrics are original to the University Singers. Shortly after, Chaplin Sherman Baker escorted the Singers to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center where they sang to military patients. One soldier, April cried in response to joyful songs. God was working His way with all in attendance.

From there, the Singers departed for their second destination to Spangdahlem Air Force Base. There, the Singers had a great connection with Airmen and families from this younger congregation. There was a great turn out for University Singers sang who more contemporary worship songs and delivered a few patriotic songs. One touching moment was when Reverend Bob Kerstetter prayed with Airman named Nate who was moved by Cpl. Chris Peck’s testimony. According to Reverend Bob, “It was such a privilege and honor to talk and pray with Nate about his relatively new walk with the Lord.” After the concert, the OFC team was treated to food, fellowship and free bowling with the troops. Overall, it was a phenomenal start of the OFC tour.

Reporting God’s work
Levi Roach

Remembering A Brother

Early Monday morning kicked off the opening day of the European tour in Germany for the University Singers. They gave their first performance in the chapel on Landstuhl Army Base. Afterwards, the Singers dined and fellowshiped with residents of the base. They then proceeded to visit the hospital on base and sing with and talk to some of the patients there. Later that afternoon, the University Singers made their way to the Spangdahelm Air Force Base for another performance.

Monday was notable for some special moments and interactions. One special moment was supposed to happen for Kaitlin Mosley, the freshman alto of the group. Her brother Michael is stationed in Germany. The plan had been for Michael, along with his wife Victoria and their two daughters to attend one of the concerts on Monday. Unfortunately, due to some car trouble, Kaitlin’s brother and his family were unable to make either performance. While admitting that she missed seeing them and that it weighed heavily on her mind early in the morning, Kaitlin said there was a moment God gave her peace about the situation.

When we were singing, we were warming up on the bus, to the first base. We sang ‘Be Still My Soul’ and when we were singing that we were driving through these mountains and it was awesome. I had this super big God that was like, it’s ok if I don’t see them.

While Kaitlin was not able to visit with her family today, she along with the rest of the University Singers experienced some special things. The first memorable moment of the day came when the Singers came across a woman named April. April, who happens to be a native of Florence, South Carolina was waiting to head back to the United States. She was recently diagnosed with diabetes and that cut her tour short. The University Singers were able to bring some encouragement to this woman and it was very emotional for all involved.

The second moment that really resonated with the group was when they were leaving Landstuhl Army Base. The Staff Sergeant who guided the Singers around the base had a very unique gift for the group and specifically Chris Peck, the former Marine who travels with the team. The Staff Sergeant told the story of how he used to help prepare fallen soldiers for their return home. He informed the group that throughout the process of returning the bodies of the fallen soldiers, an American flag stays on top of their coffins at all times. When the soldier is moved from one location to another, a new flag is put on top of the coffin and the previous flag is properly disposed. When a few of his close friends had fallen, the Staff Sergeant secured a few of stars from the flags before the flags were disposed of. After sharing this, the Staff Sergeant gave four of those stars to the University Singers. Three were for the group as a reminder of what they are doing and who they are helping with this ministry and one was given specifically to Chris Peck.

Those were just two special interactions in a day filled with them. These moments will stay with each member of the group for their entire lives. Even Kaitlin Mosely who missed out on seeing her brother couldn’t complain at how Monday’s events unfolded. On a positive note though, her brother Michael will be be able to visit home this summer so they will be reunited soon.

I’m Zack Adams, stay tuned for more amazing stories on how God is moving and changing lives here in Europe.

OFC: MULTIPLE FIRSTS

Southern Wesleyan University
Photo By: Aaron Brickle

After a long ride to Atlanta Airport, two flights, and another lengthy, albeit comfortable bus ride, the OFC team arrived to their first destination in Bitsburg Germany yesterday afternoon. Months of prayer, fundraising, and diligent planning have all led to this trip and it’s mission. That mission is to bring the Gospel Message to our deployed troops here in Germany, as well as Italy over the next two weeks.

I have the tremendous fortune of being a part of this team. I am one of the media members that will be photographing, filming, and writing about this trip. We all eagerly anticipate seeing how God works on this trip, not only in the lives of the troops being ministered to, but also in the lives of the members of our team. The first performances by the OFC team begin today. Before that first performance though, I want to take some time to reflect.

This trip marks a few firsts for me. The flights over here marked the first time that I have ever traveled outside of the United States. It also marks the first time in my twenty-six years of living that I have flown on an airplane. While those are notable, if somewhat small footnotes in one’s life, they have already led to some fruitful dividends. On the first flight from Atlanta to Paris, I had the chance to get to talk to some of the University Singers I have not had too much interaction with, if any at all. During that flight I sat next to Katy Dyches. I have seen her around Southern Wesleyan University’s (SWU) campus and have seen her perform but had never had a chance to really talk with her. I found out she loves to read and is a Lord of the Rings fan. I also had the chance to chat with Kaitlin Mosley for a bit. I found out that during our time in Germany, we will get to see her brother, who happens to be married to a friend of mine. In my first conversation with her, we found something that connected us. It astounds me how God can so easily bring people together.

I look forward to the many more firsts on this trip I’m sure to encounter and the blessings that will come from those. Be sure to check back every day for news, updates, and personal stories from Operation Freedom’s Cadence.

I’m Zack Adams and I look forward to sharing more with you over the next two weeks.

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!

 

Turning a Struggle Into a Praise!

Photo By Levi Roach
Photo By Levi Roach

During an 8 hour flight my body started to get restless and irritated. Some general thoughts ran through my mind that made my heart respond negatively to the idea of traveling. But I stopped and thought about a verse that should be a reminder of how we should display Christ daily. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in The Lord always. Again I will say rejoice.” My mind decided to think deeper into that, rejoicing in all things good or bad. Sure, our bodies were officially exhausted but my spirit was filled with rejoicing.

Photo By: Levi Roach
Photo By: Levi Roach

Once I began to look past what my physical body was telling me I saw what the Holy Spirit was allowing me to see, which was the excitement that I had been looking forward to sense this trip was planned. How many times in life do we get the chance to go outside of our country to be apart of a movement that is completely focused on building God’s kingdom? For a small town girl like me, it’s a once in a lifetime.

So, what’s my personal mission here? Well, through my love for journalism, I want to capture and witness the moments of God’s children beginning to change the world. I know that my life has been changed and made new through worship so getting an opportunity to be behind a camera documenting the proof of God’s power is the most fulfilling mission I could of ever asked for. It is such a gift just to be here but when I labeled it with a mission statement, I quickly began to forget about my sore body,
hurting feet, popping ears, and jet-lag emotions.

Coming to you from Europe,
Kaycee Blackwell

First Feeder Being Fed

LeviKaty01Day1SWU
Photo By: Zack Adams

A simple idea that turns into God’s mission, Operation Freedom’s Cadence has officially taken off! We all arrived at SWU on the first day with mixed emotions but one thing was certain, God was already preparing everything for us. From the moment of the idea, God was preparing everything. Dr. Todd Voss, President of Southern Wesleyan University, gave an amazing closing prayer and then we departed for Atlanta. During this moment, I felt a sense that everything was going to be okay. Mission trips are such a rewarding experience but leaving family is never an easy thing to do. We must remember that God gives us more than we can handle to rely more on him as we should. We all boarded the plane that would take us over there with that unshakable faith.

Photo By: Levi Roach
Photo By: Levi Roach

While on the plane, we made humor and laughed as this was a journey that was full of happiness and faith. We are going across the great pond to stir something in someone and allow God to make his presence known to them. God is always working on us and working through us to minister. Reverend Gail Kerstetter has shown unmeasurable faith in this mission trip throughout the process. Gail’s vision with the University Singers to minister to the soldiers is truly God’s work.

Once we landed, we made our connection to Germany. We ended our day safely with devotion and glory. The most influential portion of this trip so far was when we finally sat down in our first hotel and had our devotional time. Since this is my first mission trip, the devotional time meant so much to the team and most importantly to me. Even the feeders need to be fed.

Finally Here,
Levi Roach

God and the French Language

Photo By: Hannah Coleman
Photo By: Hannah Coleman

It was along flight – almost 8 hours long. We left as the sun was finishing it’s descent. A long,warm overnight flight. Scattered across the rear of the cabin, the OFC team settled down for a long nap, or a good movie. I was in a small seat beside a big man, and sleep, for me, was nowhere in sight.

So starting up a film, I prepared to try to enjoy the flight.

However, the movie I picked did not hold half the intrigue of a brief conversation I had a stewardess aboard the flight. We were flying on a massive AirFrance liner, and all of the flight attendants were, naturally, French. So, hopefully to the pride of my beloved high school French teacher, I attempted to order my inflight meal in the stewardess’s native tongue. Unfortunately, whenever the moment came to say “please,” I could not, to save my life, remember the French word for it. This created more than a few awkward pauses after I spoke my order, whereupon I would softly utter a pitiful, English, “please…” I afterward apologized, in French, saying that my French was “very bad.” She replied that it wasn’t, and that she understood me.

AirlinerDay1SWU
Photo By Aaron Brickle

All of this comes down to an simple thought. The pain of my French teacher aside, this short conversation with the stewardess will stick with me much longer than anything else I saw on that flight. This will be a story I tell my friends and family for years to come. But this was a very silly little encounter. God has much bigger plans for this trip than any of us is really ready for; he will put new experiences and, more importantly, new people into our paths. And to each of these individuals, many of them wounded physically and emotionally, we will have an opportunity to show God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy, through music and media. And that, folks, is the reason God has seen it fit to bring us here.

Happily landed,
Aaron Brickle

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).