My trip to States (Atlanta)

Well friends(hip) it is Friday, 12 Jan and I am still enjoying the memories of a fantastic and successful trip to the states. It was a great experience to spend time with my diva Edith and Geert on wonderful tour manager. We got along wonderful and used each other's strength to ensure a wonderful time when we all go to America in April 2008.

Tuesday, 2 Jan. my family and I went to stay at my in-laws house in Purmerend. My son Shawn, 8 years old, always likes to get up early and go with me to the airport. So.......

Wednesday, 3 Jan we (Irene, my wife, Shawn, and I) woke up at 05.30uur to go to the airport. Irene was tired so I asked her to drop me off at the train station. Shawn was sad to see me go, but he didn't want to show it. As I got into the train he gave me a kiss. As the train pulled off, he told Irene, "Momma, the train was going so fast it made my eyes water." Irene smiled and asked him, "Are you going to miss daddy?" to which he replied very simply, "Yes".

I got to the airport early, met up with Geert, and waited for Edith who had car trouble and finally had to catch a taxi. Luckily, she was on time and our trip could begin. Thank God for that.

The afternoon we arrived in Atlanta, and checked into the hotel, I made a few phone calls to the churches, showed Geert and Edith a bit a Atlanta, such as the CNN building, where I used to work and the hotel I used to stay in. We were tired and we had a long day before us the next day so we retired back in our hotel rooms and went to sleep.

Thursday, 4 Jan, we all woke up early, between 04.00uur and 05.00uur had breakfast later on and went to our first appointment, Friendship Baptist Church. Of course, in my exuberance, I forgot to ask the church for their address, and there are about 8 Friendships in Atlanta, so we went to the wrong Church. Not to have a wasted trip I went to the church across the street.

09.00uur Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. After some slick talking to get us we found our roles. Geert brings us to where we need, takes pictures and keeps us organized, I set them up, and Edith knocks them down. And what a lethal combo we are.

11.00 Wheat Street Baptist Church, Dr. Michael Harris. Now we get there on time but Dr. Harris forgets about the appointment. His secretary calls and he gets there about 11.40uur. He is a very busy man, whom that day has a funeral to preside over, and has an interview with the Black Caucus in Washington D.C. It is swearing in time in Congress. Our formula of setting them up and knocking them down works to perfection and even Edith converses with the Dr. about Debbie Sledge, a mutual acquaintance. The good Dr. Harris even offers to contact his brother-in-law who also has a church to see if we can perform there. We are excited about the prospect but little did we know at the time that it wouldn't be necessary. Mission accomplished with a sure success. If we sing there on Sunday it will be seen on television all over the states. THIS IS A DEFINITE ONE. CONFIRMED!

14.30 Big Bethel AME. We are surprised to see this church right down the street from Wheat Street. We meet up with Dr. Vernon Jones, who happens to be born in Durham, where my sister lives and works and whom is a mutual acquaintance to him. This sets up a nice atmosphere. Edith takes it again and they have a good conversation, especially since he is the music director they can talk shop. Vernon gets excited about the prospect and starts to envision either working together with Wheat Street or even getting with Edith to discuss workshops on that Saturday. He is really excited about it and even mentions the possibility of coming over to Holland on spring break this year. He will even mail a summary of the meeting today to Edith on the following Tuesday, which he did! THIS IS A DEFINITE ONE. CONFIRMED!

16.30 The Atlanta Mission. Once again my great navigational skills lead us to the wrong address. We all felt that the mission was quite a ways out of the city and it didn't feel right but we didn't much. And Robert Jackson, our contact at the mission, was waiting for us in town and he also had a graduation to go to. He came to us and fought the traffic but by the time he got there to see us it was after 17.30uur and he had to get dressed for the graduation. He gave us a quick tour and mentioned that the mission in town was being renovated and there should be a chapel when we get there. We didn't get a chance to see the mission in town but it reallydidn't matter because it will look completely different after the renovations that Robert Jackson will hopefully be completed by April 2008. We may definitely perform and help there at the mission which is located about .5 kilometer from our hotel in Atlanta and we are welcome to it. THIS IS A DEFINITE AS WELL! WE HAVE TO CONFIRM WHO, WHAT AND HOW.

19.30 West Hunter Baptist Church. We were invited to join the Choir practice and see the church. It was an instant connection between us and the choir/music director. We were able to hear the songs and play a selection from our CD. We also saw the church, as with all the churches, and Geert made great ¨pictures. THIS IS A DEFINITE. CONFIRMED!

We got back to the hotel about 22.00uur that evening really please with the day and what we accomplished and really tired. We all retired to our rooms and prepared for another day.

Friday, 5 January.

10.00uur This time we went to the right Friendship Baptist. It was located about 17 kilometers outside of town and we all had a strange feeling about leaving the center to perform somewhere else. When we finally arrived there we saw a big church located in a very wealthy neighbourhood where several celebrities also resided. We thought individually, without mentioning it to each other, "Dit wordt niks". Oh how where we wrong! What a great church! They were even connected with John P. and other famous people had performed there. The church was beautiful and built by the members, even before the houses came. THIS IS A DEFINITE. CONFIRMED.

While we were having lunch we came to the realization that we have enough appointments and still some lying in wait. For example, Morris Brown College may be contacting us soon. Quan Sullivan is checking on that for us. Also Dr. Harris brother in law. Mt. Vernon is not confirmed but we can get if confirmed with a phone call.

I was tired that evening and went to bed early. Geert decided to flood his room directly above me and water leaked into my room as well. Thanks Geert.

Saturday 6 January. We got up early and headed toward Charlotte. It took 3,5 uurs to get there, but it will probably take about 5 hours with a bus.

14.00 uurs. We met with Friendship Baptist Church. A big beautiful black church with about 90 percent African American, but will it be ethnic enough. They don´t really shout, but Thomas McNiel works with John P. and it is the sister church to New Life the Church from John. They want to have us. D.J. Boyd gave us the tour of the church. THIS IS A DEFINITE. WE WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO THEM TO COMBINE WITH....

15.30 Myers Park United Methodist Church. This church is filled with opportunities for our choir. First of all, they have money, new and old. Even though it is a mostly white church, they have had Morehouse college choir singing there. Morehouse is a predominantly black college. We even asked them if our music was not too ethnic for them and they said "NO"- They will have articles promoting our concert and have plenty of influence in Charlotte. This is a can't miss. They were also recommended from Friendship. That is why I mentioned that we suggest they combine with Friendship for something. Dr. Thomas Moore would also like to do workshops. THIS IS A DEFINITE. GOT TO DO SOMETHING WITH THESE TWO CHURCHES.

Sunday, 7 January.

11.00 Silver Mount Baptist Church. This is it! Just what Edith and I were looking for! We finally got to go to a church service and it was great! We realized that these churches will offer us the experience that the choir needs. Afterwards we had a meeting with Birdie Owens, Music Director and it was on. Joint workshops were discussed and the meeting went great! How could we top this? THIS IS A DEFINITE. CONFIRMED.

15.30 New Life Fellowship Church. This is it! The church from John P. Kee. We meet him and he is charming and receiving to us. We may come to the service and then perform a concert after church. Either together with his choir or on our own. He takes pictures with us and gives us gifts. He even suggested writing a couple of songs for our choir to perform with him. This will be the highlight of our trip. THIS IS A DEFINITE. CONFIRMED.

Once again we have let some appointments lay. In Durham, we had 3 churches ready to go. Also in Lenoir, my hometown, even though it would be a blessing, it may not be logically possible.

Well, there you have it.