Tuesday and Wednesday July 18-19, 2006

Tuesday was a heavy travel day as our entourage traveled by motorcoach from Prague in the Czech Republic to Vienna, Austria. Although there were minor delays en route, our group proved once again to be seasoned travelers, utilizing the delays to catch up on reading, napping, or conversing with friends. During the six hour drive we traveled south into a slightly warmer climate. The rolling hills of the rural countryside were decorated with sunflowers, poppies, wheat, and windmills.

Given the history of this region during Nazi and Communist occupation, we were especially interested in the border crossing. The first check point was to exit the Czech Republic. The second check point was our entrance to Austria. Between the two check points was a neutral zone of approximately ½ mile that was once covered with landmines to prevent illegal border crossings. After our bus driver gave the name, number, and point of origin of our group, we were granted passage without having the border patrol board our buses.

After a quick check-in at the InterContinental Hotel (where President Bush stayed during his June visit to Vienna), we quickly changed into formal wear and re-boarded the buses to prepare for the evening concert. Our drivers took us into District 1 (the historic district) just inside the Ringstrasse, the unique avenue circling the city. From there we walked several blocks to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the largest and most notable cathedral in Austria, where we were invited to sing for high mass and to perform an evening concert. Missionary and ministry colleagues have informed Bob that it is highly unusual for a Protestant Church Choir to be invited to sing at St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

I need to check the exact historical dates of the church, but the oldest construction date I saw on a church plaque was early 1200’s. St. Stephen’s is the church where Mozart was married and where his final mass was held.

We were awestruck at the architecture, the décor, the acoustics, and the warm welcome we received. Although the mass was in German, early in the mass, the priest offered an articulate blessing to our choir. Our choir shared three selections during mass. Most of us were not familiar with the liturgical order of high mass but we followed the lead of the congregants and celebrant in order to know when to stand, sit, and pray. We were emotionally moved by the experience of participating in mass, and we came away with renewed appreciation for our own lively and diverse traditions of worship. After mass the priest took off his robe and approached the choir to make a presentation to Bob and to personally thank the choir. Following mass, we shared a 30 minute concert. The concert attendance more than doubled the attendance at mass. As our choir recessed the cathedral, the congregation continued applause throughout our exit. We were overwhelmed by the generous affirmation and hospitality.

As we walked around the historic district, we were surprised but glad to see posters promoting our concert. I think members of our church and residents of Pensacola would have been extremely proud to see these portraits of our sanctuary choir and orchestra with the caption and concert invitation translated into German posted around this beautiful city. The St. Stephen’s experience will certainly be remembered as a high moment in our trip.

Today is Wednesday. After we enjoyed a bountiful breakfast buffet at the hotel, we began a City Tour of Vienna. Once again our guides were informative and insightful in orienting our group to the history and culture of Vienna. We drove by the United Nations building, crossed the Danube, and drove the Ringstrasse. Then we disembarked from our buses and toured the historic district. We walked through a series of Hapsburg palaces, one of which now serves as the presidential palace. Then we returned to St. Stephen’s for photos. We concluded our City Tour at the Mozarthaus, the Vienna residence of Mozart where he composed “The Marriage of Figaro.”

We have a little time to refresh and regroup before re-boarding the buses to travel to the International Christian Fellowship for our evening concert. Tomorrow is a free day for rest, touring, and shopping. We depart for Salzburg on Friday.

In addition to sharing the good news in song during worship services and concerts, our group members have dialogued and interacted with other tourists and local residents about matters of life and faith. As we were preparing to depart Prague, one of the hotel managers commented on how “happy” our group seemed to be and how much friendlier our group is than most groups lodging at the hotel. One of our concert selections echoes the words of the psalmist that “the Lord is my light and my salvation.” I am appreciative of the many ways that our musicians and missioners let their lights shine.