Student Choir Tour Day 7

Thursday, June 16 was the most impactful day of our tour. 

We loaded the buses early and headed to Spring Creek Youth Services Center in Colorado Springs.

Here the kids were asked who was the youngest member. It was Selah! She was given a scholarship for next year's trip! 

There were not many residents present at this performance. Most of them were watching in their rooms on a livestream.

At this concert I started to notice some kids really connecting to the lyrics of the songs like never before. They were sounding better than ever, too!

Our next stop was also in Colorado Springs, Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center. 

We were ushered into a caged area of their gym while they set up dividers. We were told that there is a large gang presence at this center and the kids can't even see each other. We all felt the heaviness of that statement and the darkness surrounding us. 

By the second song I realized that our kids were worshipping like never before. By the third song, choir members were crying. Or trying to hold back tears. 

I found out later that they were watching as one girl went from making fun of them to crying uncontrollably. Other residents were emotional as well. One girl gave her heart to the Lord right then and there! As that was happening, we were all feeling the darkness lifting from the room. It is so hard to explain, but it was a very tangible tension - a spiritual battle that we could all sense. The battle was won over that girl and the tension was over! 

 Not a single choir member left dry eyed. We were all changed that day, as well as the girl in the audience. It was nothing short of miraculous. We heard back from the center last week that the girl had formerly been praying to an Egyptian fertility god and now is still walking with the Lord. Her behavior is different and she shines!