Wow what a day. Day 2 of the Promise Remains tour was a great one. The band clicked on all cylinders today which was absolutely awesome. Still not sure about the set, but it felt pretty good… which means… tomorrow we’re gonna have to change it!!! lol. That’s right pretty good is NOT great which is what it has to be or we might as well go home… still the crowd was amazing and they seemed really excited about it. Oh we finally got Space In Between us back in the set in a super cool bluegrass style which really seemed to glue the whole thing together. But that’s not what I’m really wanting to talk about tonight.
Tonight God revealed to me the exact reason that Building429 was in Joplin, which is a rarity. Most of the time you know that God is present and never really know what need you are actually meeting. It was super cool though to meet someone who had been directly touched and even moved to tears by our music. When he walked up he struck me as the coolest guy in the room, for whatever reason, and I never expected him to open up the way he did. Now, what we talked about is between he and I, but I’ll just say that I haven’t met anyone so much like me in while. This guy was such a light in the room… I even noticed him in the front row during the show rocking out and praising Jesus. I guess I just never figured him for someone who knew intimately the feeling of pain. He said that “You Carried Me” was his song and that it was hugely important in his life during a time that was extremely hard for him. I watched his smile turn into to tears as we took a photograph with him, and then 20 minutes later I ran into him again and was just sure that God meant for us to talk for a while. As we talked he started sharing his story and the tears came pouring out… and I wasn’t at all freaked out by that because I remember holding it all inside too. I remember that the slightest things would bring out emotional moments when I was going through the toughest times in my past. Here’s the coolest thing… This young man wasn’t lost… no sir… he knows Jesus, he just doesn’t know the end to his personal story…. He’s still waiting on his moment of healing. He’s still trying to figure out why his life has been the way it has… but I think I know….. I think the guy I met tonight is going to be an eternity changer…. not just a world changer. He’s in his last semester of school and he’s on his way to being a full blown minister… and I believe that God is going to bring about some miraculous healing in other peoples lives because of his testimony. Tonight I met someone I’ll always remember. Tonight God showed up… tonight Building429’s music made a difference. I’m gonna go to bed and praise the Lord in my prayers… because this day was ordained, and God let me and a bus full of sinners love on a guy who’s gonna change the world!!!
Goodnight,
Jason
Dear Jason,
I want to thank you for writing that story about meeting that man. I had the honor of meeting you before the concert in Edmonton, Alberta. You probably don’t remember me, I am the one who wrote you guys the letters. I don’t know if you read them or not but I felt that I needed to pour out my heart to the three of you in a letter. I asked the Lord for the words to write to each one of you. My prayer is that you were blessed by the people at the concert in Edmonton. I sure was blessed by the songs that you sang. When you sang You Carried Me I almost lost it as well. That song is very special to me, it has helped me through a tough time in my life. I almost lost it when I gave you a hug, but I didn’t want to embarass you. I was very emotional for most of your concert even when Downhere sang to us. I didn’t have the honor to be in a picture with you, one day I would love to meet you again so I can encourage you in person one on one. It didn’t work out this time, I feel very honored to have had the chance to meet you guys. Praying that you all are doing well. I hope that I will have a chance to see again live because it was the best concert that I have ever been too. I love you guys very much, you have a special place in my heart. Take care and God bless you and your familes. Love Marjan VandenBrink
It was an amazing show(more than a show)! I am so thankful for the opprtunity I to go and to meet you all…
I really got alot out of that night…it was awesome!
You may know that you guys are making difference for many people around the world, like this guy. It’s because your faith and God’s spirit througt you.
Guys, we here in Brazil would like too much having your last DVD, but it’s now on sale here. Please, is there any any to get it?Almost in your store it’s not on sale anymore. What happened?
Blessings form Brazil!
Wish you here!
Hey Jason, this is Michael Boone from Joplin, Missouri. Hey i just wanted to update you on what God is doing in my life. I’m leaving for China in September to teach Conversational English. I’ll be there a whole year. God has been speaking to me about it for two years. Everything is continuing to fall into place as i trust God more and more regarding my future. I am thankful that my future which i thought sometimes was blurry, until God graced me by giving me the chance to meet you guys. Jason our lives are the same in some ways. So i know at some points you can relate to me in what i said to you that night. I never thought that Friday i would be able to meet the band that changed my life, that a song written through there pain touched me and gave me hope for a future of positivity. Thank you so much for allowingGod to move through you that night. Thank you for talking to me, thank you for listening to me, thank you for Praying for me! All the music that i listen to from you guys is impacting, but that night made it reality. Tell Jesse Aaron Michael i love them and you. I pray God blesses your family as you have blessed me. Jason through your life in what you have faced, you have given me so much hope. Its like i see myself in you, the way God uses the pain and suffering that was in you to help motivate people to be closer to Him, to love and trust Him more. Jason thank you for coming to Joplin and thank you for now being a part of my lifes story. I hope one day our paths will cross again so that i may hug you not only as my friend, but as my brother. You guys mean so much to me. I’ll never forget that as we were talking i just broke into tears when you said, “Man who would believe that with your mom being a ______that you would now be at a christian school becoming a minister.” That was light pierceing that darkness i had faced, and that night i faced it, but you were there with me praying for me. Its like you guys are my mentors but through music. I know i’m talking like we’ve known eachother for years, but i know who you are not because of your name, but its because if the name that goes before you in your music and they way you give hope to people like me. The Name of Jesus. Thank you Building 429, as my journey continues i will always remember that day i got to meet you. Thank you for touching my life. God Bless!!!