May 5th, 2009 – Tour Day 14 – Peterhead

We had a relatively short drive today from Dundee to Peterhead. So we decided to explore Two castles – Dunnator and Slain. Both these stops were amazing and we have so many pictures. I’ll let the students and the pictures do the talking.

Rebecca Salzmann
About Dunnottar Castle
I’ve always been fascinated with history and the archeological things; things left behind – ruins…etc. The location was incredible and how it was used in a war. Just seeing how people lived and the different nooks and crannies where household items would have been stored, the stables and the chapel. I had also never seen a castle with a real lion’s den, that was interesting. The lion’s den reminded me of Daniel. I was absolutely fascinated by the idea that people had taken the time to take the materials over there (over a steep ravine) and build a fortress. (The castle was built on a small peninsula) The windows gave an absolutely incredible view of the north sea and the coastline. That was a highlight for me.





Lydia Summerville and Alanna Giesbrecht
We went to Slain castle, which was Bram strtokers inspiration for Dracula. Even though the castle was not tourist friendly it still had a mythical and eriee ambiance. Without tourist information and plaques our imaginations were able to run wild. As we walked in we felt we were transported into another world. We invisioned ourselves as fair ladies and noble women. The castle was on a cliff and it was both breath-taking and a little scary…it was a long way down to the ocean. Overall, even though the castle was a run-down ruin that the local folk no longer care for, to us it was a little taste of mythical Scotland.





In Peterhead we were welcomed to another high tea at Peterhead Baptist church and it was wonderful. Then we performed for the largest crowd that we have had so far. It was a great time of worship. We are often praying for, thinking and talking about Nicole and Megan. We miss them.

May 4th, 2009 – Tour Day 13 – Tayport – God is with us

Today was both a rest day, and one of the most difficult days on tour so far. We toured a church that has parts that were built in the middle ages. Then we explored St. Andrews, which is famous for the; University, Golf, Castle and Cathedral Ruins (to name a few attractions!) Then in the afternoon we went to Dundee.

It is in Dundee that one of the students, Nicole Letkeman was hit by a car while crossing a street. Things could have been so much worse, but as it turned out, she broke her ankle really badly and needs an operation. The Dundee hospital stabilized her ankle for traveling and, along with her sister Megan, they left the tour and as I write this post, they are now on their way home to Manitoba, Canada.

An incident like this is always hard to deal with, and much more challenging in a foreign country, however as we look back at the sequence of events we can see God working in incredible ways.

1- On this tour Olive Holm is with us and she is a nurse. Olive happened to be near by and heard the accident and decided that even though she was in a foreign country she should run to offer her help to the pedestrian. It was only as she was lifting her off the street with others, that she realized that it was Nicole and one of our group. Olive was so thankful that she could be there right away, and I imagine this was a blessing for Nicole. - Thanks be to God

2- Nicole and Megan both had their travel insurance on them at the time of the accident. – Thanks be to God.

3- When you hear that someone was hit by a car, the first things that comes to mind is multiple breaks, and very serious injuries. Fortunately, Nicole’s injury was only her ankle, while we don’t want to minimize the seriousness of it and the impact it’s had on Nicole, Megan and the team, it could have been so much worse. - Thanks be to God.

4- Before Olive started walking down the street, she had been sitting with Henry, Brenda and myself at a coffee shop. So as soon as Nicole was stabilized and safe, Olive came running to get us and we could all be there to help and support before the ambulance arrived and begin thinking about the next step. - Thanks be to God

5- We were in a large Scottish city – Dundee, that has a teaching hospital with good equipment and doctors. If we had been in one of the many small towns that we have been in, things would have been incredibly complicated. – Thanks be to God

6- The emergency staff were incredible. The police, who investigated the incident, also drove Randall and Olive Holm to the Hospital. Randall and Olive were able to be with Nicole and Megan throughout their time in emergency. – Thanks be to God

7- Randall, while waiting in the hospital emergency room, noticed a young boy who was upset and waiting to see the doctor. He pulled out his cards and showed the boy some card tricks. By the time the hospital staff were ready to see the boy, he was laughing and smiling. – Thanks be to God.

8- Henry was able to book tickets for Nicole and Megan at very short notice with help from our travel agent in Steinbach. – Thanks be to God

9- The minister of the church in Tayport drove Nicole and Megan to Edinburgh early in the morning to catch their plane back to Canada (this is an hour drive each way). – Thanks be to God

It is difficult to understand why an accident like this would happen. But the important thing right now is that we are feeling God’s presence and that he has given us peace. As the events were unfolding, all was calm. Nicole had incredible care with Olive, the paramedics and the emergency room doctors. God was with us, God is with us, God will continue to be with us. We are well taken care of. Thanks be to God.

Nicole and Megan are beautiful people and we already miss them. Brenda took this picture when they were exploring Shakespear’s cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon:

May 3rd, 2009 Tour Day 12 - Tayport

We began the day in Ayr by taking part in the morning service. This went very well. After loading the bus, we took a quick stop at Robert Burn’s Cottage (where he was born).



Then we hopped back on the bus for a thee-hour trip to Tayport.

We arrived in Tayport and were treated to high tea at St. Michael’s Inn (this was about 9 miles from tayport!) (See picture!)



After tea we quickly changed and had a very short rehearsal for a 7:00 concert. We were received very well, and the vicar became very confused when it became clear that Clayton Swan’s Aunt and Cousin came from Norway to hear the Singers and visit with Clayton.

It was a long day with two performances and lots of driving.

May 2nd, 2009 – Tour Day 11 – Ayr – Birhplace of Bobby Burns!

We had a LONG drive today. However we were able to stop in the lake district. We had lunch in the lake district at Bowness-on-Windermere. There were lots of Beatrix Potter shops as well as other wonderful little stores. We really didn’t have time to explore as much as we could have. But there was a concert to get to! We arrived in Ayr and there was a wonderful meal waiting for us with a menu. See picture: Some had Haggis, which was very good!

After a quick change and rehearsal we performed at Ayr Baptist Church. The Singers were received very well with multiple encores!

Pictures from Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Huthwaite

Oxford - At the Eagle and Child

Me, Chris, Randall, Olive and Henry (Brenda is taking the picture!)




Stratford-upon-Avon




Rehearsing at All Saints Church in Huthwaite

May 1st, 2009 - Tour Day 10 - Huthwaite

Today was May Day and in Oxford there is an early morning tradition where a the choir at Magdalene college goes up into the tower and sings, welcoming the summer. Randall (Randy) Chris and I were the only brave souls to wake up at 5:30am and make our way to the tower. It was quite an experience and I won't go into too much detail. I will post a few photos at a later time. But there was a LARGE crowd and we couldn't even get close to the tower. But we heard the choir and experienced the excitment of the morning. It was fun, although I was exhausted by the end of the day...it was a long day.

We traveled to Stratford-upon-avon, the birthplace of Shakespear and explored the town for a couple of hours. Some students saw Shakepspear's grave, others went shopping. I found and bought a fantastic black suit jacket at a charity shop (Chris has taught me how to shop at Charity shops in the UK and I am hooked!). It was a wonderful morning.

We had a concert in the evening in Huthwaite at All Saints Church. They have an incredible church hall/community centre. Their website is very good - http://www.allsaintshuthwaite.co.uk/

This was the first time that a Providence choir had ever been here, and we all had a wonderful time. I hope to post some comments from the students and well as pictures soon!

I think I will stop at the moment. It is late, and we have a full day of sightseeing tomorrow...maybe st. Andrew's golf course...for those Golf fans! The last few days have been busy WITH LOTS of driving. It has been hard to find time for the blog! We are currently in Tayport, Scotland and will be here for two nights...so I should have time to catch up!

I will catch up more later and add pictures!

April 30th - Tour Day 9 - Oxford

I have not had a chance to update in a few days, and so I'm going to catch-up quickly now and then add pictures and student comments later...

We were up quite early today (and we were staying in a hostel in Exeter). Many of us had COLD showers, the hostel was full. After a wonderful breakfast (Hot or Cold depending on choice), we hopped on the bus for Oxford.

We arrived in Oxford at around noon. We explored Oxford for most of the afternoon and evening. Some people took in a Sung Eucharist at 6pm at Christ Church Cathedral. The boys choir sang a Poulenc Mass, and this was recieved by mixed reviews from those in attendance. To contemporary for some and amazing for others!

Many people visited the "Eagle and Child" where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien met with others on a regular basis. It was another fantastic day!