katewhitemusic.com

It was a beautiful Friday afternoon but all I could think about was how sick I was becoming and whether I would make it through the concert that night.  I thought about canceling, but we were doing an anniversary celebration for one of the larger Celebrate Recovery groups just outside of Gresham.  The church had done such an amazing job of promoting the event and I didn't want to let this group down...they have already experienced so much of this in their personal lives.  Completely nauseated, I powered through sound check and layed on the couch of my own green room in misery..."God, would you show up?  Would you make this happen?  They need your hope and mercy." 

Two minutes before going on stage, I raced to the restroom and made it just in time to puke my guts out.  I know, NOT a pretty picture.  We then raced to the stage, I got a throat losenge from someone in the audience, and we did the concert.  God was SOOO merciful!  I don't even know how I got through the night, but God did it and these people were sooo very grateful.  My story hit home and several told me later it was just what they needed to hear.  A comfort, a challenge, a reminder of God's faithfulness.  And God held my serious (swine?) flu at bay from the moment I stepped out on the stage in faith until I was back in my car headed home.  Thanks for praying for this ministry, and a special thanks to John and Donna, Ann and all the others who worked so hard to make this a special event.  I know I now have some new folks in my extended family for sure...

Last Saturday, we headed up the Gorge and inland to the once thriving lumber town of Klickatat.  Klickatat Valley Baptist Church had contacted us to come do a full concert in their town.  Their heart was to bring back a sense of hope and restoration to their community, regardless of church affiliation.  As you know, that's one of our goals as a band so we were excited to come and be a part of this prayer!  Many turned out from the church, but just a few from the larger community.  But it was amazing to become aware of the "greater audience" outside...On the sidewalk, across the street.  Maybe some were not ready to come inside, but they heard and took it in.  Pray for continued faithfulness of KVBC - that they wouldn't give up on their goals.  That they would press on and love on their town.  That He would break through the drug and alcohol issues and the struggle for work.  That He would protect kids at home alone while parents are traveling distances to bring home a paycheck...Thank you.

Recently, something deeply significant happened.  At one of our concerts, we were approached by a young gentleman who first heard us play at Larch Mountain Prison 2 years ago.  I remembered him and that we had talked after that concert about how to forgive someone you can't forgive.  He hung onto every word and then was pulled away...our time was up.  Two years later, he is out, working a full-time job (thanks to the support of the church and community we were doing this event for), back with his family and wants to minister to families of prisoners.  He prayed to receive Christ at Larch and to see his changed life now was probably the highlight of our year.  Pray for Ryan and his family - That God would use them to impact and encourage families like their own.

The past two weekends, I / we have had the opportunity to be a part of 2 events whose goal is to unify the Body of Christ and bring people together from all walks of life and church affiliation.  Though the rain poured on 9/6, close to 1,000 people showed up at Piercen Airfield for the first All Church Picnic in Vancouver.  Then yesterday, we led worship and played at Spirit On The Mountain - our third year in a row!  What an amazing festival.  We love this event because, like the picnic,  they are seeking to unify the Body of Christ and draw the Church out to practically serve our communities.  We did a full concert afterward and what a great crowd!  Thanks to everyone who came out and supported both these events.  Hope to see you again next year!