Choir Tour Updates:

Tour Offers Students Chance to Walk Lover's Lane

(The President's Page Blog is pleased Clement Morton and Rachel Slaunwhite have agreed to submit regular updates as CUC's choir tours and performs through eastern Canada.) 

Last night the people of the Maritimes again showed their hospitality by opening their homes to the women of our group. The men spent the night in the North Sydney SDA Church and the evening was spent playing music, bonding or heading straight to the nearest pizza place. Several of us even attempted to shower in the rain! That however did not work out as planned and soon the weariness of the day overtook us, and we were all fast asleep.

 

The women arrived back to the church in the morning to find many of the men nursing sore backsides from sleeping on the floor all night. As the men had breakfast the ladies slowly trickled in and we loaded the bus and prepared for the long ride ahead.  Prince Edward Island, here we come!

 

As we made our way to the world renowned Confederation Bridge the winds were so high that they were tossing the bus hither and yon across the road. Praise to be God that we are blessed with a skilled driver who got us safely to and from the Island. 

 

As the potato fields of the island came into view we made our way off of Confederation Bridge, winding our way through the streets of Canada's smallest Province to Cavendish's most famous farmhouse, Green Gables, home of the beloved fictional character Anne Shirley, created by author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

 

We were privileged to receive a private tour of the estate by the Parks Canada staff. They showed us around the house, which was set up as described in Montgomery's books. The beauty of the property brought alive the characters and settings described in Montgomery's books, making the beloved story even better. 

 

After the guided tour we had time to stroll around the grounds taking pictures and making memories. Many of us opted for a hike either down through the "Haunted Wood Trail" or through "Lovers' Lane."  

 

Upon arrival at the church for our evening concert we were warmly welcomed and fed a wonderful supper, which had been ready for us well in advance. Trying to fit all of us on their stage was a challenge but we managed.   The performance went well and was followed by a bounty of  "amens" and applause. 

 

As we boarded the bus again that night a German man came aboard to express his appreciation for the song we sang by Mendelssohn titled, Verleih uns Frieden.  “I just want to tell you that your German song was perfect!" he said. "I give you one hundred and ten percent! God bless you!”

 

Here are the words and their English translation as we sang them tonight.

German Text

Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich,
Herr Gott, zu unsern Zeiten.
Es ist doch ja kein andrer nicht,
der für uns könnte streiten,
denn du, unser Gott, alleine.

 

English Translation

In these our days so perilous,
Lord, peace in mercy send us;
No God but Thee can fight for us,
No God but Thee defend us;
Thou our only God and Saviour.

 

Hearing how such a difficult song to learn, was able to touch even just one man so deeply makes all the work and preparation worth it. The Lord surely does lead us and has a plan for everything we do.

After our concert we headed directly for beds and showers at the local Rotary Lodge. Feeling the warm water streaming down our tired faces and the soft mattresses under our bodies, we soon plunged into welcome slumber.

 

We are headed to Halifax, Nova Scotia tomorrow. God bless you all and as always thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts.