Preparation
and Departure
Once
again the United States tour was put in jeopardy due to Jonathan and
Beulah Kleinveldt (our sound engineer and soprano respectively) being
refused American visas for the second year running. We had tried all
our contacts but to no avail. However, we really believed that it was
God’s will for us to go to America and that if we were not going
get the visas, then God must have another plan.
Little over a week before our departure date we had a wonderful meeting
in a small church in Coventry. The presence of God was evident and the
congregation was moved by the Holy Spirit. Amidst worship, we heard,
coming from the front row, a strong alto voice worshipping the Lord.
The voice, we discovered, belonged to Rachael Gray. We briefly chatted
to her after the meeting and a few days later, when we realised that
the visa situation was not going to change, we unanimously decided to
give her a call and asked her if she was able to take three months off
work to assist with the American tour. She was able to do this and there
we were, four singers, Rachael as our alto, Charlene now taking on the
role of soprano, Daniel our road manager and singer and Pastor John
our leader and tenor. But alas! No sound engineer for a 52 concert tour
throughout the United States. We knew though that God would do more
than we could ever hope for or imagine. Jonathan and Beulah were able
to stay at home with their boys to do administration and catch up with
the tasks that our busy schedule has not permitted us to.
Airport
Arrival and Flight
It
was a novelty for us to travel so light and with so few people!!! However,
the enemy always seems to have something in his back pocket when he
knows we are moving according to God’s plan. We all checked in
with no problems and as we were boarding the airplane, Rachael was stopped
and informed that she would not be taking the flight because her name
was spelt incorrectly on her ticket. This mistake had already been rectified
and paid for prior to departure. The rest of us had been cleared to
board, but it was only when we stayed behind, stating that we were all
travelling together or not at all, that the airline staff discovered
that they were in error and the whole team were released to board the
flight.
If that was not enough, upon our arrival at Dulles Airport in Washington
DC, we got through initial immigration with no problems and once again
at the next customs post, Rachael was selected from the queue to be
interrogated and have her baggage searched. The rest of us were standing
praying for the Lord to intervene as we had nothing to hide and no reason
for any of us to be refused entry. Fortunately, after about 20 minutes,
she emerged and we were able to continue. Hallelujah!
Daniel took a taxi to our van and trailer and returned to collect us
from the airport and upon arrival at our accommodation realised that
he had left his computer bag with all our passports and all the details
of the tour in the trunk of the taxi. He quickly made his way back to
the airport and was told that the taxi he had taken was not an authorised
taxi and that there was no way of contacting them. While searching for
the taxi driver, he came in contact with another two taxi drivers, an
Ethiopian and a Ghanaian, both of whom were Christians and knew Vinesong
very well. They joined hands and took authority over the situation and
in no time someone who knew the taxi driver arrived and got hold of
his number so that Daniel could call him. They were able to meet and
Daniel was reunited with his bag. Once again God proved His faithfulness
towards us.
The next few days would prove to be quite taxing as there were many
things to be done in order for the tour to proceed. It was a great delight
for us to meet up with our friends who have become family, at the annual
National Day of Prayer on Capitol Hill, Washington DC. We had missed
them greatly as we were not able to be with them last year. Pastor Mike
and Terri Hall and family and Dr. Corinthia Boone welcomed us with open
arms and we really felt celebrated in their midst as we began our first
weekend of concerts marking the beginning of the tour. We were also
reunited with our United States administrator, Kelly, who has been extremely
faithful along with her mother Gina over the past few years and Kelly’s
husband of one year, Chris Gill, whom we have also embraced into the
Vinesong family.
No
Sound Engineer
As
there are only four of us we have had to double up on tasks which meant
that Daniel and Pastor John have had to learn how to set up the entire
sound system by themselves.
At one stage Daniel and John decided to see if they would be able teach
Rachael how to wire the keyboard to free up their time for other tasks.
When asked, Rachael wondered if her degree in Electronic Engineering
would be of some help. “Yes”! we responded.
With every meeting we have grown more efficient and proficient in setting
up, thanks to God’s provision. In order for every concert to flow
smoothly the technical logistics were our greatest hurdle. But at every
venue God has provided the perfect person(s) to assist during setup
as well as someone to perform the role of sound engineer during our
concerts. The Lord has proven Himself faithful in that we have worked
out a system during this tour that does not require us to have a trained
sound engineer with us on the road.
The Ministry
America
needs spiritual intervention and encouragement. This is what we felt
by the Spirit of God and it has been confirmed in every place we have
visited thus far. God has given Pastor John a relevant Word and a real
passion to share it.
For decades America has been a world leader in many areas, particularly
in matters of economy, entrepreneurship and within the entertainment
arena. Many supposed third world countries have fashioned their lifestyles
according to western standards and culture, but life as we know it is
changing and countries such as China and India are slowly becoming the
economic capitals of the world. The average American is experiencing
much more uncertainty now than ever before, due to rising gasoline and
food prices, as well as huge political transition.
The divorce rate is on the increase and bill boards in America advertise
a bargain divorce price of $399 and unfortunately high profile Christian
leaders and ministers are amongst the casualties. The body of Christ
needs to be practically trained and spiritually equipped to minister
to the needs of a desperate society who find themselves in desperate
and adverse emotional and spiritual circumstances. The church needs
spiritual refreshing and has to be encouraged to call out to God with
a hunger that brings with it a supernatural power; a power that has
the capacity to save the lost, to heal those hurting and to free those
in captivity.
Vinesong were honoured to lead worship at a recent Assemblies of God
District Council Conference (the whole region of New England) attended
by approximately 450 pastors and their spouses. The atmosphere was one
of hunger for the fire of the Holy Spirit to permeate their lives and
ministries. The conference laid major emphasis on evangelism and missions.
It emphasised the supernatural power that occurs in the life of a Christian
once they lead someone to the Lord, be it a friend, neighbour, or business
associate. Also the favour of God that comes with being faithful to
the great commission is incomprehensible.
There was such a move of the Holy Spirit in the room as Vinesong led
the people into a deeper place of worship and intimacy with Him. Many
testified of experiencing a release like never before and were encouraged
and strengthened. We thank God that we were able to be used as vessels
to minister in this way. Many of the Pastors who attended the Conference
approached us after the meeting and extended invitations to minister
at their respective churches next year. We have also been invited to
minister at the same Conference next year.
Following this conference we travelled to Rhode Island for a concert
and to visit part of the Vinesong family, Steve and Evelina Shippee
and their twins, Samuel and Isabel, who are now five years old. They
are Pastors of their own Church and are doing very well. Both Steve
and Evelina served faithfully in Vinesong for many years and it is because
of their and the previous teams’ faithfulness and hard work that
we are able to do what we are doing today.
Everywhere we go, people express such gratitude towards God for the
work he does through the ministry of Vinesong. At every meeting there
is a constant flow of new conversions and people re-dedicating their
lives to Christ. The emphasis has been on the teaching that Pastor John
is bringing, expressing the need to take the gospel to the market place
while we still have time. We have been blessed to be able to minister
to many different cultural groups from diverse denominations and it
is encouraging to see how God is moving universally through worship,
allowing us to get a glimpse of what heaven will be like.
THE
POWER OF PRAYER:
We are en-route to Pennsylvania after which we will be in New York City
where we are due to minister at the United Nations.
We continue to trust God for an outpouring of His presence and anointing
to reach every corner of that building as we worship together in Spirit
and truth.
Please pray for our equipment and vehicles.
For God’s protection over our lives, our loved ones and our possessions.
For health and supernatural energy to do what He has called us to do.
For God’s continued favour for the rest of the tour which comes
to an end on the 27 July 2008.
A
WORD OR TWO
We thank God for his faithfulness which is always extended
towards us and for His mercies which are new every morning.
Psalm 2 vs.8: Ask of me and I will give you the nations as your
inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth as your possession.
(Amplified bible)
This is the word of God not only to Vinesong but also to you, our faithful
friends and partners. Our God reigns. Let us therefore rejoice and be
glad in this truth. No matter how desperate your circumstances, no matter
how lost or alone you may feel, remember this……..our God
rules and reigns over all the nations, princes and principalities of
the earth and He promised that He would never leave, nor forsake you.
We
pray that it will be unto you according to God’s word.
OH CLAP YOUR HANDS
ALL YE PEOPLE
SHOUT UNTO GOD
WITH A VOICE OF TRIUMPH.
It
is the cry and prayer of our hearts that the power and favour of God
will reign down upon all and everything that concerns you.
Beulah
Kleinveldt and June Tompkins
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