Day 9-- Danville, VA to Forsyth, GA

On our final day of tour, the bus boys loaded everything into the bus one last time to leave the college and travel toward home. Along the way, we stopped at Ihop for brunch and had many activities on the bus such as voting on favorite songs and concerts and telling where we hope to go next year, giving out awards, and electing officers for next year. Back in Georgia, we then stopped again for “lupper” at Discovery Mills Mall where Glenn and Josh took the 4 seniors—Kasey, Laura, Cassie, and Aaron W.—out for a nice meal at Carrabas while everyone else enjoyed the food court.

“For my first tour I had a great time. I participated in the spades tournament and got out in the 2^nd round. I also got stabbed in the head but nothing was really bad, so it was a really good time.”—Devin L.

“I am so sad that this is my last choir tour since we will soon be having an empty nest, unless Kevin and I decide to adopt (Ha! Ha!). I have been so lucky to have gone on several tours throughout Kyle’s and Kasey’s tours. I have been able to make such close bonds with the youth over the years. They will definitely be part of my life’s favorite memories.” –Katrina S.

Day 8-- VA Beach to Danville, VA

Sadly, on Day 8, the choir had to leave the Seahorse B&B. We made a brief stop for lunch in Clarksville where the kids gave one of their famous impromptu performances for a local shop owner. We then traveled to Danville, VA where Josh supposedly (lol) went to college, and the group led worship at First Presbyterian Church before spending the night in the dorms at Averett University.

“Last night we performed our last concert on the road. Before we sang, we visited with the congregation while enjoying delicious food. I had the privilege of learning about the life of a miraculous woman. Yesterday was her 90^th birthday. I was pretty shocked because she didn’t seem to be in the physical condition that any other 90-year-old might be. She was walking around pain-free, eating with her friends and husband, and laughing and smiling. She is inspirational. So during the concert, I sang for her. She was so excited we were there and I wanted to make sure I gave my all. As the concert concluded, I realized that this was the end, the end of tour and the end of my childhood. I was very distraught. Then I began to think about Mrs. Lib. She has lived 90 years, and she enjoyed her life and is still enjoying it. I’ve been so fortunate to find a great mission with our choir. The 2 years I spent in choir seemed to fly by, but I am thankful for every second of it. So, yes, it’s sad that it has to come to an end, but I have a long journey ahead of me, a journey that I can share with God and I owe that to the choir. From these 2 years, I’ve found God, and am ready to begin my adult life and ‘I will fear no evil, for You are with me…’ Psalm 23.” –Cassie H.

Day 7-- Virginia Beach

Tuesday morning started with another amazing meal at the Seahorse. We then traveled back to the equestrian farm called Equikids where we spent a while doing a variety of jobs, from watering flowers and pulling weeds, to unloading a trailer full of wood, to cleaning the barn, and, yes, one group even got the job of mucking the fields. The Poo Patrol took great pride in their work, turning it into a game to see which team could fill up their wheelbarrow first. Team “Turd Tossers” turned out to be the Dominators of Dung. After a hard morning of farm work, we enjoyed a few hours at the beach where we had a cookout, flew kites, played in the waves, or just hung out in the shade. To finish out a terrific day, we went to Angelo’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater where we participated in and helped solve a mystery. A tired but happy group returned to the Seahorse for Examen time and a game of Apples to Apples before bedtime.

“One of the Poo Patrol groups that Amelia named the Dingleberry Dogooders was the bestest group ever ‘cause we played the game where you carry eggs in spoons while running, but we did it with poo.” –Logan G.

"Yesterday we visited Equikids. We participated in the farm chores. I was in the group that cleaned the stable bars. So for 2 hours we cleaned as well as took breaks to pet the horses. This experience was very rewarding, as not only did it help out, but it felt as if we were a part of something bigger than ourselves."--Cassie H.

“At the Dinner Theater I didn’t know what to expect, but what I did know is that it would be fun. The first thing that happened is that this lady named Celia came storming in and complaining, and then immediately I was taking notes on the pamphlet thing they gave you. It was a you were the deputy thingy. There were suspects like Nikki, Celia, Sarah, Aaron “The Flaming Saxophone Juggler,” Nurse Nancy (Ms Kristy), Kasey “the Shark” Smith, and Daniel “The Mad Dog” Collins (that’s me). They even had a little evidence table, and you had to walk around and interrogate the suspects and watch everything so you could figure it out. You could walk around and get food or interrogate at any time. Pete was the person who got killed. He was allergic to penicillin so Nikki put a penicillin pill in her cup and swapped cups and killed him. With that evidence, I got the Super Sleuth T-shirt. It was an amazing time.” –Daniel C.

Day 6-- Richmond to Yorktown, VA

Day 6 of Tour has been packed full of activity! We left our host homes this morning to travel to Yorktown for a brief history lesson at the Visitor’s Center and a visit to the Revolutionary War Battlefield, followed by lunch at a bayside café or pub. The choir then performed a full concert at Chesapeake Retirement Community in Newport News and spent some time with the residents. We lost a few kids today—Dana left for a while to spend some time with relatives and we dropped Sarah off at the airport, but the others all found their way back to us. Finally, we checked into our lodging at the Seahorse at Sandbridge Bed and Breakfast where we helped prepare a delicious meal and had time to enjoy the pool, the hot tub, the hammock, and a variety of games. And we visited the Equikids farm where we will be doing mission work tomorrow.

“Yorktown was an interesting place to visit. It was the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War and the place in which America won their Independence. The National Park displays artifacts from the battle such as rifles, shot guns and hats. We viewed a 30 minute informational video and tromped around the fields in which our forefathers fought for our freedom. It was an educational experience to remember.”—Laura C.

Day 5-- Richmond, VA

After the members of Skipwith Baptist Church in Richmond hosted our choir members in their homes last night and served us a delicious breakfast this morning, the choir sang several songs during their morning worship service. Later, we spent several hours at the beautiful Short Pump Mall before traveling across town to Ridge Baptist Church for pizza and our evening concert.

“When we arrived at Ridge Baptist we met our host home family. Taylor, Tula, Tia, and I were all put with the Fogleman family. They had 2 girls, a teen and a 9-year-old. They were so sweet! All of us girls played Apples to Apples until midnight. It was my first time and now it’s my favorite game!!” –Kasey S.

“Last night I stayed with the youth minister of Ridge Baptist Church and her husband. I roomed with Kirsti, Macy and Caroline. Everything was going normally until Caroline’s eyes got red. We then realized she was having an allergic reaction to the cat. So she unfortunately had to leave. I slept on the couch for the night. They were really nice and they gave us gift bags when we left.” –Jennifer M.

Day 4-- King's Dominion!

After a late meal last night at Texas Road House where the choir had to sing for their supper, everyone went to their Examen groups at the hotel for a brief review of the "Consolations" and "Desolations" of the day. After a much-needed good night's sleep, the choir gets to spend Saturday at King's Dominion Amusement Park, which is known for having some of the best roller coasters in the world. They will sing a 30-minute concert and then get to spend the day having fun in the park.

“On Saturday June 5, we went to King’s Dominion. Everyone was looking forward to a day filled with adrenaline and fun. After a short concert, we broke up into groups and went to ride rides. Whether it was the Intimidator 305, which was new, or the Backlot Stunt Coaster, Volcano the Blast Coaster, Dominator, or any other coaster, it was a blast riding them. Personally, I rode just about all of them except 3. But overall everyone had a really enjoyable time at King’s Dominion.” –Brian C.

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Day 3-- Williamsburg to Richmond, VA

On Friday, we got up early to travel to Richmond, VA to sing in Henrico County Jail East. In between the day’s 2 concerts, we visited a mall for a lunch break, then traveled on to Henrico County Jail West. Afterwards we enjoyed some free time around the hotel.

“Henrico Co. Jail East was the best concert yet. Everybody was nervous, but all the inmates were really listening. You could tell they enjoyed it.”—Caroline W.

“I was happy when we sang at the Henrico Co. Jail East because they were also happy, which made me almost cry from joy!”—Christina L.

“The 2 jails were definitely dramatically different than any other kind of concert I have done on tour. It was hard not to look at a person and ask yourself ‘What did that person do to be imprisoned?’ But to spread the word of God correctly, I had to expel all thoughts and pass the message of God to them. And even though there were a few disrespectful people, the few people who responded well made the concert worthwhile.” –Aaron T.