12th and 13th July 2014-Visit of Birmingham YP band and singing company

There was a buzz in the air as the young people from Birmingham began to arrive at the hall in Horsham.
Once the children had brought their belongings in, they tucked into a light tea.
At 6p.m the corps at Horsham were treated to a feast of music. There were band pieces,singing company songs, timbrels, a cellist soloist, a cornet duet to name a few items.
The singing company entertained us when we had a rendition of 'If I only had a brain' from wizard of Oz.,complete with a Dorothy,Tin man,Scarecrow and Lion.
Following an interval we had a great arrangement of 'Happy'..you just couldn't help but join in with them clapping!
Particularly special moments were the bands playing of 'More than a song' and the singing company's singing of 'All that I am'.As they sang stronger and stronger...Take every passion,every skill,take all my dreams and bend them to your will....you knew that these children meant every word they were singing.
The evening finished with the singing company standing around the hall accompanied by the band, singing 'In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path' -  a song staying in our thoughts for a while to come.
Once all the congregation had left and the children had run off some steam outside, it was time for supper .....all meals organised by Ann Potter
After being led by their leaders in prayers and having a bedtime hot chocolate,it was time to try and get some sleep, with all children and leaders sleeping in the army hall.

The next morning a cooked breakfast was served before preparations for morning worship were made.

Morning worship was led by the singing company and yp band and focussed on the characters of the Wizard of Oz. Members of the band and singing company gave their testimonies on these characters and what they needed.
Once again the beautiful singing of All that I am was a poignant moment in a beautiful service.
Following the meeting a roast dinner was enjoyed by the visiting young people ,followed by the always popular ice cream factory!
It was then time for the young people to jump into their mini buses and to make their way into the town centre.
There was a lot of interest as the young people played and sang. One man came to ask if any of the players would like to join a band he was starting up and was quite disheartened when he learnt that they were all from Birmingham!
The Horsham children were very enthusiastic in handing out balloons and bags containing kids alive magazines.
Once back at the army hall the children packed their belongings back onto the minibuses, took their packed teas and got ready to travel back home.

A great weekend of fellowship,laughter and fun,but most importantly an weekend where God was at the centre of all that took place.