Thursday and Friday July 20-21

We arrived in Salzburg this afternoon, finally.

On Wednesday evening we shared a concert at the International Christian Fellowship who met jointly with the International Baptist Church. The international church meets upstairs in a multi-story inner city building in a room that resembles a large Baptist Student Center. By the time the concert began, a standing- room-only crowd had gathered. This assembly reflected the diversity of God’s family as multiple races, multiple ages, and multiple socio-economic backgrounds gathered to celebrate our common faith in Christ. The ovation given to our choir and orchestra was indeed one of genuine gratitude and appreciation. After the concert, church members hosted us for a light snack supper which consisted of a huge buffet of finger foods, deserts, punch, apple juice, and peach tea.

Yesterday was a free day, for most of us, that is. Holly Renaud had been feeling sick on Wednesday and did not feel like singing in the evening concert. Around daybreak on Thursday, Holly’s mother, Diane, took Holly to the local hospital emergency room. Thankfully, Holly had a minor infection, was given antibiotics, and is on the road to a full recovery.

Throughout the day, small groups from our musical tribe scattered around Vienna exploring a variety of venues. Some took carriage rides in the historic district. Others took the underground railway to the landmark Ferris Wheel, made famous in one of Orson Well’s movies. Bob Morrison climbed 300-400 steps up the tower at St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Amanda and I joined a small group in taking a sightseeing tour by boat on the Danube River.

Last night, one contingent of the Pensacola gang traveled to Schonbrunn Palace for a tour, a feast, and a magnificent concert. Another group of us traveled to the City Market, an outdoor marketplace with all kinds of merchandise and international foods. Still another group reclined around Stadtpark, a botanical park across from the InterContinental Hotel.

After dinner, our group returned to Stephensplatz, the historic plaza around St. Stephen’s Cathedral for one last visit. While there we began watching a group of mimes and artists in action. After a few moments we discovered that we were watching an international ministry team, anchored by members of the International Christian Fellowship, where we sang on Wednesday evening. The team was engaging in street evangelism by presenting the gospel in drama and art. We were delighted to visit again with the new friends we had made on Wednesday evening. After many more extemporaneous photos and hugs, our group returned to the hotel to prepare an early transport to Salzburg on Friday morning.

Today is Friday. After visiting the huge breakfast buffet, we boarded the buses to head for Salzburg. On the autobahn, just over halfway to Salzburg, a passing motorist signaled for our second bus to pull over. Bob and Annette are riding bus one. Amanda and I are riding bus two. Bus two is towing a small trailer with musical instruments and luggage. When our driver pulled over to the side of the autobahn, we discovered that the left trailer tire was shredded and the trailer was riding on a rim. Our driver called for “Austrian AAA” and assistance arrived within 15 minutes. By this time, bus one had pulled into a nice rest stop with a great selection of Austrian foods and pastries. Bus one unloaded and returned to retrieve the passengers from bus two so that we could all enjoy lunch. Within an hour, our driver and bus arrived at the lunch spot and we all began our journey on to Salzburg.

About 40 minutes from Salzburg, the right trailer tire on bus two exploded ripping the wheel cover from the trailer sending it airborne into the median of the autobahn. Our driver skillfully maneuvered our double decker bus and the defiant trailer to the shoulder of the autobahn. Again we called the “Austrian AAA” and assistance arrived within 25 minutes. However, this time, bus one proceeded on into Salzburg and checked into the Crowne Plaza. Bus two was stalled on the autobahn for approximately two hours while the tow truck drove to the next town, purchased another new trailer tire, and returned to mount it. Our group made the best of a bad situation by reading, napping, conversing, or taking walks on a nearby rural road. We finally arrived in Salzburg around 4:30.

Salzburg is in a mountainous region of Austria near the German border. Temperatures are typically mild. But Salzburg, like most of Europe, is trapped in a heat wave. Temps usually average the low to mid 80’s in the summer. Today the temperature reached 96.

After check-in, many of us walked into Old Town to view the DOM and the University Church, the two sites where we will sing on Sunday. As we approached Old Town, well-known as Mozart’s birthplace, we were greeted with posters complete with color photograph announcing the Sunday concert by the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra of First Baptist Church of Pensacola.

We also learned that tomorrow night, the world famous Toronto Children’s Choir will be in concert at the DOM. Our group will be honored to follow them on Sunday morning.

I feel at times that I am bragging on our group. That is intentional. For a small group of amateur musicians from our church family to learn and memorize 15 difficult pieces of music and travel to the foremost music cities of the world and sing during the season of Mozart’s 250th birthday is an accomplishment that should generate pride all across the panhandle. Our repertoire includes two Mozart pieces, hymn arrangements, spirituals, and contemporary songs, all of which present our praise to God and a musical presentation of the good news of Christ.

Group members scattered to a variety of restaurants to enjoy dinner before returning to the hotel for a good night of rest after a long day of travel.

We have heard news from home and now know that Norman Thrash went home to be with the Lord. Our group sends our prayers and heart-felt sympathy to Mrs. Thrash and family.

Tomorrow our entire group plans to go on “The Sound of Music Tour.” Some will continue on to Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain retreat, tomorrow afternoon. Our final two concerts are scheduled for Sunday.

Once again, we will miss meeting with our church family in Pensacola on Sunday. I am appreciative of your faithfulness to pray for us and to support the ministries and activities of FBCP while we are away.