UK Tour - Day 3 (May 29)

On Sunday morning we began preparing to leave Boscombe by checking out of our hotel. However, it wouldn't be time to actually leave until after we participated in the morning worship service at the Boscombe Corps. The meeting was a fairly traditional Salvation Army service that included participation of the Boscombe Junior Band, Singing Company and Songsters. As impressive as these sections were, the congregational singing was just as thrilling.

During the service, Kristin Caddy gave a personal witness and our Executive Officer brought the message of the morning titled "It's Up To Us" using the same scripture reference (Matthew 5:1-16) that Kristin used in her testimony. However, each had their own unique points to make and Lt. Colonel Vander Weele reminded us that Jesus taught us that we can be blessed, that we should rejoice because of our great reward and that we are to let our light shine. Kristin spoke of her own desire to be more intentional as a result of studying this same passage.

At the conclusion of the service heartfelt gratitude was expressed by both the Boscombe Corps and the Chicago Staff Band for the wonderful time of fellowship we both had experience over the previous 48 hours. And then , the Boscombe Songsters sang a beautiful blessing for us titled "May It Be" from "The Lord of the Rings". It was absolutely beautiful.

A big thank you goes out to the Boscombe Corps and their team that made all of the fine arrangements for us.

Following the service it was time to pack up, have a quick lunch and begin the short 1.75 hour drive to our next stop, Reading Central Corps. We arrived at Reading Central a bit ahead of schedule and that gave us plenty of opportunity to set up and review details for the evening service.

The evening service was again a traditional Sunday evening Salvation Army meeting. The Reading Central Corps Band played "Torchbearers" while we marched into the hall. Shaun Thomas provided his personal witness, the Reading Central Corps Band played, the Reading Central Songsters sang and Lt. Colonel Vander Weele conducted a testimony meeting that many participated in by sharing their own personal witness.

At the conclusion of the witness period, Lt Colonel Vander Weele brought his second message of the day titled "Sinner or Saint - Christ for Me" in which he reminded us that based on Romans 8:1-14 God loved us whether we were sinners or believers. Regardless, He loves us. In the message he gave his own personal witness regarding when he made his own personal decision to become a Christ follower. As in the morning, the invitation was given for men and women to respond to the call of God.

Following the meeting, we met billets that will be hosting us for the two nights we are in Reading. We are looking forward to another good day tomorrow.