London

We're in London. Sorry we haven't updated. We've haven't been in town during daytime hours to get to the internet cafe and I didn't bring my laptop.
today we went to Olney to the church where John Newton was rector. He is the writer of "Amazing Grace". Now we are in Londaon. Can't upload a picture because my wire is in Caernarfon.
If you need detailed info, I'm not your man.
Some are going to the theatre to see "Wicked" tonight. Others are site seeing on their own.
Tomorrow we see the London Bridge and Westminster Abbey and those kinds of things.
Last night's concert was incredible.
Have to run. Cheerio!

Wales update Friday - don't know the date

I think it's Friday anyway. I'm at an internet cafe paying 50 pence every ten minutes for internet and computer use. We're very tired. We get in late at night.

We sang three concerts yesterday: one on the town square in Caernarfon (the pictures you see here), one at a hospital and nursing home (half of the group went to each place) and then the big concert last night at a chapel in a small village of about 500 people. Another choir joined us. They hadn't been scheduled, but they heard about us on the BBC and from the other choir and seeing posters and they wanted to sing with us too. It is really cool. We sing at a different chapel each evening. A lady from the BBC has our CD and is coming to our concert at the big hall at the University in Bangor tomorrow night.

This picture is of the chapel we sang in last night. the tomb stones were 7 and 8 feet high!

The response from the people here has been "brilliant" as the Welsh would say - a much bigger and better response than the missionaries had ever imagined. After the evening concerts we have "tea" - I guess we would call it a reception. They serve desserts and of course tea. They have giant tea pots and serve in china of course. No paper goods here. The tea here is quite smashing. Charlotte explains it is because it doesn't have orange pekoe in it. I don't know the reason, but with some milk and two or three spoonfuls of sugar it is very delicious.

God is doing some great things here through our trip. My bill is adding up quickly, so ta-ta for now.

Posted by Lyndel. Yesterday's post was actually posted by Eddie.

First 100 days (minus 98) report

Yes, we are here in Wales (not England).

Finding our baggage is easy . . . finding Internet service is not!

After arriving on Tuesday we did some brief sightseeing, had a time of orientation, and did some promotional "singing on the square".

Our missionaries, John and Kent, have been great hosts as well as very good Welsh instructors. Their preparations for our visit are beginning to show results already. They have been so excited with the response generated by this "Men's Choir from Tennessee". We have also met with pastor Howell (local church pastor) who shared with us some helpful insights into the Welsh culture.

Our first concert was last night in Llangefni on the isle of Angelesey. We sang to a full house and shared the evening with the "Cor y Traeth Choir". We concluded the evening with a rendition of "Morte Christe" (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross) including both choirs. It was a resounding success.

The people were so recepetive and gracious to us. There were about five churches that provided us with not only a wonderfully delicious buffet of Welsh cuisine (real home cookin'), but also sponsored a tea reception after the concert. It was a great time for the women in our group to have some personal contact with these ladies.

Today (Thursday) we are about to spend the day prayer walking in Caernarfon, singing in the schools and nursing homes in Bangor, and another concert tonight in Llasannana (more about that later).

Everyone Should Listen to This: Rugby, Hymns, and Evangelism

I found an archived radio show on BBC Wales' website. It is a great introduction to the relationship of the Christian church and rugby in Wales. This is particularly relevant to our mission trip because the Rugby World Cup is currently being played. The program focuses on the relationship of hymn singing in chapel and rugby. It concludes with a fantastic introduction to evangelism in Wales.

To hear the program, follow the link below and select the archive for All Things Considered (no relationship to the NPR program in America). You will be amazed at how relevant this is to our trip. - Jonathan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks/wales/aod.shtml?wales/allthingsconsidered

Wales Press Coverage

Gentleman,

We depart for Wales in less than a week. I'm sure that you're working on many preparations to be away. It is going to be a great trip. Over the next week I'll be posting quite a few reminders and updates to this blog. I wanted to begin with this image of a press release from Wales.

The article points out that "the churches in America still sing the hymns from the Welsh tradition as a vibrant way to express their worship of God." What of wonderful testimony of our singing. The article also says that this tour is our "thank you" for the rich musical tradition of the Welsh. Remember that these statements are our point of contact on the field. Just like the worshipers of the Bible, our vibrant worship compels us to vibrant witness. Let's be ready to offer both.

Grace and peace,

Jonathan Nelms

What To Wear

You will look "spiffy" in your new longsleeve tshirt.

CHARLOTTE IS MAILING THESE TO YOU EARLY IN THE WEEK (Sept. 10-13)! WE WILL WEAR THEM TO TRAVEL MONDAY

BE SURE TO BRING CHORALE ATTIRE

Khaki slacks, Blue denim TMC shirt, white, blue, or red longsleeve tshirt to wear under the denim as needed (if it is cool), your NEW longsleeve black TMC tshirt (being sent to you this week), a white or red (your choice) collared shirt to wear under black tshirt (this can be a golf polo type, or a collared oxford type shirt - your choice), TUXEDO. You will probably want more than one tux shirt as we will be wearing tuxes to all the major concerts. See below:

WHAT WE'LL WEAR WHEN

Monday to travel - longsleeve black TMC Wales tshirt (whatever comfortable pants for travel) We have a short mini-concert at the Castle courtyard in Conwy

Tuesday - you'll still be in your same clothes until we arrive at the hotel

Wednesday - casual wear during the day TUXES for the pm concert in Llangefni --ladies may wear nice pant suits, or dresses as preferred

Thursday - WEAR blue denim TMC shirt, khaki slacks, white, red, or blue shirt under denim if it is cool, concerts in the afternoon divided into two choirs - hospital and nusing home, We will change into TUXES for the pm Concert in Llansannan

Friday - Wear black longsleeve tshirt with white or red collared shirt underneath and khaki slacks for school concerts divided into choirs 1 & 2, We will change into TUXES for the pm concert in Pwllheli

Saturday - Wear casual clothes for the day of rehearsal and the dinner with the Caernarfon choir, and then change into TUXES for the pm concert at Bangor - ladies nice pants or dress

Sunday - Wear TUXES for the am services at Sussex Street Baptist Church in Rhyl, and remain in tuxes for afternoon rehearsal and evening meal and concert with the Rhos Male Choir in Rhosllannerchrugog - (upon arrival at the hotel in Telford you may want to burn your tux) - ladies wear nice pants or dress

Monday - casual wear (London) theater attenders can wear casual wear or may want to go business casual

Tuesday - casual wear (be comfortable for changing of the guard and Westminster Abby) PM Celebration Dinner is at the hotel - business casual

PAUL'S PACKING LIST

Slacks - 1 pair khaki, 1 pair bluejeans, 1 pair casual (in addition to what I will have on to travel)

Tuxedos - 1 black tux, 2 shirts (maybe 3) - be sure to include cufflinks, studs, bowtie, cumberbund

Shirts - 1 blue TMC shirt, 1 black TMC tour shirt (WEAR TO TRAVEL MONDAY), 1 longsleeve tshirt to wear under blue TMC shirt depending on weather, 1 white button down collar oxford shirt to wear under black TMC tour shirt, 5 longsleeve shirts for casual and casual business wear

Sports jacket, sweater, light jacket (?) - checking weather before departure

Shoes - 1 pair tennis shoes, 1 pair black dress shoes, 1 pair casual shoes (wearing Monday)

Socks - 5 pairs black, 3 pairs others to match slacks, white socks for tennis shoes

Underwear - yes (contact Jere Adams for name of website for wash & wear)

Shaving kit - in bag

CDs for giveaways - Charlotte will send with tshirt

Did I forget anything?

Welsh National Anthem - Millenium Stadium

Wow! Some great singing.