Sometimes you have to apologize. And when you walk in on a 6'4" man wrestling a 5'3" woman to the ground, that's definitely one of those times. Greg was showing Glenda who really drove the bus. I made my excuses and left..
But I digress (already). This is a story about work. Hard work. God's work.
It's Monday and I'm on my way home from Vernal, Utah. The Bostocks graciously invited me and my daughter Erin to join them on tour for the weekend. This would give me a good first hand view of what it's like to lead a Worship Workshop and two Sunday Services at World Vision Church. Let me tell you, it was an eye opener!
I never saw the Bostocks stop to relax once except for the first night when we enjoyed half a movie. Oh yeah, they did manage to grab a little nap between services on Sunday. Let me draw it out for you so you can experience it, too.
Erin and I joined Greg, Glenda and Anna on Friday afternoon. Several hours of preparing, packing and loading the RV with the equipment necessary for the weekend had already been spent. We drove four hours from Layton to Vernal, and parked at the back of World Vision Church, where Pastor Stan had arranged a nice clear spot. The first thing to do in every new location is to get the RV live-in ready.
Usually it's just Greg, Glenda and Anna traveling, but this weekend they had to work out how to plan sleeping arrangements for two more people; there are only two beds in the bus. It also meant a little more creativity in the mornings when five people have to use a small shower stall in the one 4x4 foot bathroom to get ready. Luckily, Greg is the up-early-in-the-morning kind of guy and gets it done before our little peepers open up. I personally think it's unhealthy, but there's no convincing that guy.
Next comes setting up for the weekend. The equipment is unpacked. That takes a couple of hours depending on who is helping Greg. Kyle of World Vision has the privilege this time. In the meantime Glenda, Anna, Erin, and I join the ladies in church for a Zumba class. Amidst the groans emitting from our mouths and the laughing glances from our girls, Glenda and I made it through the whole half hour!
After that was done, Glenda and I ran to KFC/A&W for vittles. We were hungry, and defrosting chicken and cooking this late at night was not something we wanted to tackle. After dinner we sat down and watched Blindside until Pastor Stan came by and offered the air mattress for the author. A queen size air mattress.
We now meet the first challenge of the trip. No pump to blow up the mattress. Glenda and I went hunting for one in the dark church without a flashlight. We stumbled through the dark corridors guided by the dim light of the cell phone, but we didn't have any luck. We got back to the RV and found Greg with a burnt out hair dryer in his hand. He had tried to blow up the mattress with a severed water bottle and the (now defunct) dryer. He resorted to blowing it up with his own hot air. A dizzy Greg went to bed right afterward, with Glenda following behind.
Very early Saturday morning (too early!), Greg tries to get to the coffee machine without waking the poor sleeper on the queen size air mattress that has eaten up every remaining space left in the small living area. He moderately succeeds and goes out for his morning devotion and Bible reading. Most likely he's anxious to escape the four female presences invading his space. :)
9:00 AM rolls around and it is time for key worship team members from five local churches to get together and enjoy a breakfast of pastries and fruit before the Worship Workshop. This workshop lasted about three hours and was excellent.
I learned how to worship when I was a member of the Worship Team with the Bostocks as the Worship Pastors for the church I attended. Later, my family lead Praise and Worship at a couple of local churches occasionally thinking we were doing okay. Well, after attending this workshop I realized we didn't know much at all - it was excellent! I learned a lot about dynamics, sound, flow, song choice, and what worship really means. I also realized that Greg and Glenda are an anointed couple who have hearts for sharing what they know with others so that they can experience a greater worship experience in their own churches. And all this for just a love offering. Love - that is what it's all about.
Wait... I must take a deep breath. I'm writing this in the RV and Glenda is driving right now! I quickly glance at that little foot that just barely reaches the middle of the accelerator. After intently watching Glenda drive the beast, I breathe a sigh of relief... I can relax, she's not a bad bus driver at all. In fact, she's pretty darn good!
Where was I.. oh yeah, the workshop. After the workshop, we enjoy lunch provided by the ladies of the church and have some great time of fellowship. It's nice to see people from five different churches spending time together, all united in one purpose - living a life for God.
After the workshop, the stage has to be transformed for two services on Sunday. The Bostocks are leading the church service on Sunday morning, while on Sunday night, members from all the local churches are invited to come and enjoy a night of worship with Heart & Soul: Greg, Glenda and Anna.
Setting up the stage takes another couple of hours; cables need to be run, heavy speakers need to be lifted onto stands, lighting and project screens installed, instruments and computers connected and tested. Often Greg has to do this alone while Glenda and Anna are ministering and networking with people in and around the church. Doing this close to 100 times a year doesn't make it any easier or quicker, and Greg is always happy to accept help - even from any passengers who happen to be traveling in their RV.
Afterward, we go to Pastor Stan and Karen's house for dinner and fellowship. Karen is amazing! After a full day of work she came home home to bake cookies, a chocolate cake, corn, and rolls for dinner. Stan worked the grill and made some killing barbecued chicken. Glenda brought a salad and some asparagus and we had a feast. I also got to see the hearts of this beautiful couple that really know how to love on their congregation while dealing with some issues of their own. Praise & Worship music played in the background at all times and love emanated towards their very good friends, Greg & Glenda.
Back at the RV we decided to bin the queen size air mattress and go for some cushions. Now Greg could reach the coffee machine easily as he practiced his unwholesome morning habit of getting up too early. ;)
Sunday is definitely not a day of rest. Greg, Glenda and Anna were up, dressed and in the auditorium two hours before the service. A sound check is made, and they practice some of the worship songs. Before the congregation come in, Greg brings everyone together for a prayer that the service will be blessed and that through them God's word will be passed to those in the audience who need it.
The service began at 10:30. I was reminded again how anointed this family is. Worship is their language and they speak it beautifully. The stories they share about God's faithfulness have many in the congregation dabbing their eyes as tears flow. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is amazing. I'm glad I came.
After this service we go to Golden Corral for lunch with Pastor Stan and part of his family. Laughter abounds when these two couples get together. Add Pastor Stan's brother and it's doubled. It was great fun.
There is time for a quick nap before the 6:00pm service. Clothes are changed, another sound check performed, practice done, and time for the concert. After the concert, Greg and Glenda chat, pray and share stories with anyone who needs their attention. There are so many people who enjoy the wisdom and love that come from Greg and Glenda; these two are never alone.
Dinner time is a quick jaunt to JB's Restaurant with Pastor Stan and more of his family. Food, laughter, and some great stories create another memorable experience and completes the busy but successful day. People's hearts have been touched and lives have been changed. A love offering for Mission Vietnam has been fruitful and another mission led weekend is over.
But it's not over. Some sleep brings Monday morning and that means packing up. This involves a lot of muscle and another three hours. Oh! It's also the time I walked in on them. I won't bore you with the gory details, though.
Anna and Erin get the RV travel ready and we go see Pastor Stan and Karen one more time. Stan is getting his dialysis treatment done and the Bostocks bless the Dialysis center with three songs. Anna beautifully sings a solo and everyone has been touched by the Holy Spirit.
After a quick breakfast at Burger King we leave Vernal. I return to Layton enlightened. It is not easy traveling like this. It takes twice as long to do normal domestic chores, let alone adding the extra activities they are called to do, ministering to others. They are rarely alone - they willingly and lovingly give of themselves and of their time. Greg and Glenda leave the comforts and routines of home to go out and spread the Word and teach others of God's Love. It's a sacrifice in far too many ways, but it's a sacrifice that they eagerly embrace. They've been called and they have obeyed.
Author: Kat Connolly
