The Alaskan Cruise was an unforgettable adventure!
By Emily Sutherland
The Alaskan Cruise was an unforgettable adventure! The video-taping, originally scheduled to take place on Monday in Skagway, was postponed until Tuesday when rainy, windy weather prevented the ship from being able to dock in Skagway. But in hindsight, there could have been no better backdrop for the taping than Tuesday's journey through the winding waterways of Tracy Arm. (We think maybe God had it all figured out and Tuesday was the best possible day for us to roll tape.)
Tracy Arm is a 30-mile-long fjord located 45 miles south of Juneau. It runs adjacent to Stephen's Passage within the Tongass National Forest and contains the twin Sawyer glaciers. As the ship wound its way through the fjord, beauty surrounded us on all sides and changed moment by moment as we moved through its misty, mysterious landscape.
The stage was set up on the outside deck at the very back of the msZaandam. On the morning of the concert we quickly realized that extra layers, scarves and blankets would be needed for the artists to make music in the frigid temperatures! But the cool weather did not hinder the incredible excitement of worshiping together in this majestic place. The band was probably most affected by the cold, since there was no way to play guitar, piano, fiddle or bass with gloves on, so there were a few numb fingers by the end of the four-hour concert... but they never missed a note. These are the days when we realize just how good these artists are... they can rise to any challenge! (And believe me, we keep giving them challenges!)
The backdrop of Alaska will be difficult to top. Just a few of the memorable moments include: Gene McDonald singing, "How Big Is God" as the ship floated slowly past giant mountains flowing with breathtaking waterfalls that crashed down into the channel. The Homecoming choir singing "Majesty" as we witnessed the Creator's handiwork all around was an offering of gratitude and worship that set the stage for a worship experience unlike any other. Ice pellets fell for a few moments but let up quickly, then the sun made a surprise visit while the Hoppers were singing. Larnelle Harris and Ladye Love Smith treated us to a power-packed duet of "I've Just Seen Jesus" that only added to the sense that He was truly there in our midst.
The Gaither Vocal Band introduced a brand new song entitled, "Clean" which they had never performed publicly until that day. David Phelps sang lead on it and an entirely new dimension to his voice made this gentle ballad particularly poignant.
There were so many other impacting moments that will move you when you see the DVD. At this point, the release is scheduled for August 2010, so just a year from now you will be able to watch this incredible four-hour event unfold in the warmth of your own living room. For those who were there, it will be a wonderful chance to relive this day when we were all acutely aware that this universe is carefully orchestrated by a good, loving, strong and undeniably brilliant Creator!
The weather throughout the day - and, really, throughout the entire week - was a vivid illustration of the messages being sung. We endured some chilly wind, fought some icy rain but the sun eventually came out as it always does! And it's funny how, when the sun does finally break through, we appreciate it in ways we could never have imagined before sitting out in the cold for a while!
In addition to the experience of the actual taping, another moving experience about this cruise week was the stories we heard as the week progressed. How amazing it is to spend a week with 1700 individuals who share a love for music that lifts up Christ! That common thread made it especially easy to learn about other travelers' lives and what had brought them to this cruise. One couple celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary while aboard the ship and they said this trip was a dream-come-true for them. A group of wounded war veterans came on the Alaskan Cruise as part of their rehabilitation and their stories offered moving reminders of the sacrifices made for the sake of freedom. Those brave individuals found solace in the same God that inspired the music that had drawn them there... and that drew all of us there.
One elderly gentleman had been left for dead on the battleground during the Korean War. His hand had been nearly destroyed and became infected... he ate grass to stay alive and his body weight dropped down to 101. After an entire year of surviving on his own, he was found and rescued. He brought his wife on this cruise because she now has cancer and may not have the chance to attend another trip with him after this one. This traveler looked like any other elderly gentleman you might see walking down the hallways or sidewalks where you live. But he was a walking miracle!
Tracy Arm is a 30-mile-long fjord located 45 miles south of Juneau. It runs adjacent to Stephen's Passage within the Tongass National Forest and contains the twin Sawyer glaciers. As the ship wound its way through the fjord, beauty surrounded us on all sides and changed moment by moment as we moved through its misty, mysterious landscape.
The stage was set up on the outside deck at the very back of the msZaandam. On the morning of the concert we quickly realized that extra layers, scarves and blankets would be needed for the artists to make music in the frigid temperatures! But the cool weather did not hinder the incredible excitement of worshiping together in this majestic place. The band was probably most affected by the cold, since there was no way to play guitar, piano, fiddle or bass with gloves on, so there were a few numb fingers by the end of the four-hour concert... but they never missed a note. These are the days when we realize just how good these artists are... they can rise to any challenge! (And believe me, we keep giving them challenges!)
The backdrop of Alaska will be difficult to top. Just a few of the memorable moments include: Gene McDonald singing, "How Big Is God" as the ship floated slowly past giant mountains flowing with breathtaking waterfalls that crashed down into the channel. The Homecoming choir singing "Majesty" as we witnessed the Creator's handiwork all around was an offering of gratitude and worship that set the stage for a worship experience unlike any other. Ice pellets fell for a few moments but let up quickly, then the sun made a surprise visit while the Hoppers were singing. Larnelle Harris and Ladye Love Smith treated us to a power-packed duet of "I've Just Seen Jesus" that only added to the sense that He was truly there in our midst.
The Gaither Vocal Band introduced a brand new song entitled, "Clean" which they had never performed publicly until that day. David Phelps sang lead on it and an entirely new dimension to his voice made this gentle ballad particularly poignant.
There were so many other impacting moments that will move you when you see the DVD. At this point, the release is scheduled for August 2010, so just a year from now you will be able to watch this incredible four-hour event unfold in the warmth of your own living room. For those who were there, it will be a wonderful chance to relive this day when we were all acutely aware that this universe is carefully orchestrated by a good, loving, strong and undeniably brilliant Creator!
The weather throughout the day - and, really, throughout the entire week - was a vivid illustration of the messages being sung. We endured some chilly wind, fought some icy rain but the sun eventually came out as it always does! And it's funny how, when the sun does finally break through, we appreciate it in ways we could never have imagined before sitting out in the cold for a while!
In addition to the experience of the actual taping, another moving experience about this cruise week was the stories we heard as the week progressed. How amazing it is to spend a week with 1700 individuals who share a love for music that lifts up Christ! That common thread made it especially easy to learn about other travelers' lives and what had brought them to this cruise. One couple celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary while aboard the ship and they said this trip was a dream-come-true for them. A group of wounded war veterans came on the Alaskan Cruise as part of their rehabilitation and their stories offered moving reminders of the sacrifices made for the sake of freedom. Those brave individuals found solace in the same God that inspired the music that had drawn them there... and that drew all of us there.
One elderly gentleman had been left for dead on the battleground during the Korean War. His hand had been nearly destroyed and became infected... he ate grass to stay alive and his body weight dropped down to 101. After an entire year of surviving on his own, he was found and rescued. He brought his wife on this cruise because she now has cancer and may not have the chance to attend another trip with him after this one. This traveler looked like any other elderly gentleman you might see walking down the hallways or sidewalks where you live. But he was a walking miracle!
The stories went on and on, and each bore a fresh reminder that we just have no idea what the people around us have been through, or are currently going through. Our primary focus as followers of Christ is to love Him and to love those whom He puts in our path. On this very special week, we had the opportunity to hear stories we might never have been able to hear without setting aside the chance to express our love for God and our love for one another.