A great summer time weekend

     

        

     "I heard about some people who were singing for the Lord, so I packed up my car and I got onboard. I headed down the road to old Enderby and the Country Gospel Jamboree."

     Occasionally, we find ourselves in that moment,
where we feel we are experiencing something akin to what we imagine heaven might be like. 

     Such was the case last weekend, as seven of us, Florence, my out-of-town guest and some family members, attended the Southern Gospel Jamboree in Enderby/Grinrod. 

     What a great way to get — Refreshed, Renewed, Revived! 

     Though this annual event, "Singin' Good News" is in its seventeenth year, it was my very first. I learned it's a place where "old friends meet and new friends greet." It is located in a lovely, country setting at Birch Meadows Farms, hosted by owners June and Harvey Sawatzkys. 

     Harvey once enjoyed a medical practice in the Enderby area, and upon retirement began stabling and registering Morgan horses. 

     

     The spacious indoor riding arena — transformed into a large stage with sound and music equipment, and lots of seating arrangements — was an excellent facility for the weekend-long concerts. Each year, a variety of musical guests present the Good News of the Gospel in word and song. 

     It was a treat to hear such talent as Jack Jackson, from Calgary, with his 'genuinely country' style, Garry Jespersen's ability on the saxophone, and the Good News Quartet with their unique harmony of voices. The Freedom Singers' amazing story of their near death experience, when as teenagers, they became stowaways, fleeing from Romania on a ship bound for Canada. They inspired us with a reminder that God is still in control of a world gone mad. 

     

     There are still those who are willing to sacrifice their lives, rather than compromise their faith. The Freedom Singers' story of God's miraculous intervention, is told in their book, The Price of Freedom — a great read. 

     The Keepers of the Faith singing group, (a father and three sons of Samoan heritage), moved from Hawaii with their goal as a travelling ministry, "to make sure what we do and say has changed our hearts first." 

     Impressed with their sincerity and dedication, they were my favourite. 

     The Sunday morning church service with Pete Unrau's sermon topic, The Real Gospel Results in Real Life Change, was the icing on the cake!  

     He reminded us,"God is looking for the real deal," and "God is more concerned in what direction we are going than where we are right now." 

     For a "singin' good time" and a "great spiritual uplift," I heartily recommend it for next year.     

     A stop at the Log Barn, Armstrong location, enroute, was an added bonus to our weekend. Much to see and taste: goats walking across a bridge, prehistoric dinosaurs, masses of hanging flower baskets, unique gifts, and a country store filled with Mennonite sausage, cheese, pies, jams and jellies. It was truly a great summer time weekend! 

— beulah