Day 10- Gentleboys, Hallelujah's, & Bellyflops

Today was a later day than usual. Of course we had to get our fix and go to Starbucks. Then, our first stop of the day would bewas the Broadway Baptist Church. We got into the parking lot but we didn't know which building it was.There were churches on both sides of the parkinglot. One building was a pretty brick building, the other was a classic, beautiful church. We really wanted it to be the classic building, especially since we were told to listen to the organist. We imagined the organ to have 20 foot pipes. We thought about it and made phone calls in the parking lot while the kids waited in the vans. After a few minutes of talking, Patti came back with the verdict... we would be going to the pretty one! Yay! We quickly  set up the room, as the mimes blocked.

Finally, the kids came in, all carrying their chairs. They all came in so unsure about what they would be seeing. When we began, and the kids beamed with excitement from seeing the white faces. They were attentive; they giggled during the box skit, they silenced during "Not Alone." It was great. After, the kids were so excited to play with mimes. Tanner got rushed by at least ten of them. One of the women

panicked; but I assured her that it was okay. He liked the children. The girls taught them how to mime, which made them super excited, while others talked about face paint. The little boys were such gentlemen. When we went to put the chairs back into their classrooms, every girl that was carrying two chairs, the boys would insist that they carry them. The kids went back to their classrooms, and a few of the techs went to see the pretty chapel while the mimes took off makeup.

The chapel was beautiful I wish we had an organist is there to play for us. The organ pipe had to be at least 40 feet high, and the bigger pipes held smaller pipe inside. The choir was massive and the pulpit could actually change position,  up or down. So cool. Our next stop was the Hulen mall. There, we met Zach and Bobby for the last time. It was good to have lunch together in a relaxed atmosphere. The girls did another power shop, though a lot more relaxed than the previous :) We ate and talked before saying goodbye to our friends and heading out.

 We would be returning to the Union Gospel Mission for our last three performances. The first performance would be resident (those who lived at the mission) women and children, resident men, and then general public. We had plenty of time to get ready and set up sound. The mimes debriefed and soon, the first resident appeared. I think she was overwhelmed; all by herself in a sea of black. Patti jumped in and did what she does best and instantly made the lady feel at ease. Soon, others joined her and the mimes jumped into action to welcome all.

We had some church up in there. During "If that's what it takes" the women stood and clapped, when it just got to the chorus of the song.  Hands were raised, hallelujah was shouted. During " Not alone" every time the song said "I am with you" the women clapped and praised. Amen, the holy spirit was not moving, He was sprinting. During "When I survey" tears poured down one woman's face. Another ticked back and forth. The mimes were encouraged and put everything into it. Steph talked about Gods love before doing "Not guilty" The women responded, all feeling the freedom God gives when He gave that verdict of not guilty. During just the first chorus, the women stood and clapped and praised on their  feet the remainder of the time. It was the best way to end it. Caroline's family snuck in during and they joined the talking after. Some of the girls prayed with one woman as she was leaving.
The resident men group was much larger. They were certainly more hard than the women...so I thought. When they heard we were from Colorado Springs, they applauded. They are praying for you, Home. At first, the men seemed to just be starring blankly, but during "East to West" it was obvious that they were watching attentively. When David finally got free from his past, (the other mimes holding him down)  one man clapped and praised. Even while the message seemed to fall on deaf hears, it was okay if only the message reached one. Some men left in the middle, distracting some. I became a little discouraged, only to next see a man going over paperwork, but mouthing the words and nodding his head. I was almost wishing we had done the women last, since they were so worshipful. At the end of "I will Rise," our one man rose and clapped. Patti ended it, and it turned out there was more than just one man, there were about five, though they were not as vocal. I could tell because they were the few that didn't bolt out at the conclusion. (in order to be served food, they must first go to Chapel) A few talked and joked with the mimes. "Well, hey there, Jesus!" to Chris "I've been excited to meet you!" Good fun, even if it was just a few.

The last group would be the general public. There were a lot less than last year; simply because there was record breaking heat wave the year before, and everyone crowded to get in. This time, it was sparse. People trickled in, even after when we had started. I was kinda nervous for a moment; a huge biker man came in while David and Steph were miming, walked right up to then and started mimicking them, getting closer and closer. When he got the laughs he was seeking, he sat down. The people continued to enter until the third song. They were late but  they were ready for church.although silent during the songs, they called out and responded during the messages. During "Your Great Name" people were nodding, drumming the pews to the beat, and wiping their eyes. Even the big  biker dude was humble and raised his hands to praise the Lord. His During the "Glory of the Blood" one woman had tears pouring down her face."Not Guilty finished the set and left several people applauded. It was a great way to end a great (but difficult) to end a great trip.

Dinner was so relaxed. We split into three groups: one for In and Out burgers, one for Church's chicken and the other for Canes chicken (why two chicken places? Why not?) It was a good times to just have small groups chill together and talk about the trip.When we got home, we just unwound. Most everyone went to the pool where we did syncronized mime swiming, bellyflops and cannonball contests. it was a good tossup between Michael and Tanner. Michael pulled ahead though with a belly flop whose smack echoed in the area and sent waves all the way to the other side of the pool where we were sitting. Speaking of waves, we had a cannonball contest. By contest, I don't mean, 'who-can-do-the-best-cannonball' contest, I mean, 'who-can-get-the-girls-sitting-on-the-edge-of-the-pool-wearing-dry-clothes-and-just-wanting-to-get-thier-feet-in,-soaked' contest. The boys (and David) decided it would be fun to cannonball...as close as they could to us without hitting the edge. When going back upstairs, Mrs. Lovisone commented, "I didn't think you were going swimming"

Yeah. I wasn't. :)