Wednesday, July 27, 2005

On Sabbatical - Refreshed & New Songs

Dear Friends,

I know that it has been a very long time since you have had an update. Thanks for all your prayer, support and communication over this last year.

I had a short, but great time to catch up with friends and family over the 4th of July, and then departed on July 5th for a long-awaited sabbatical for four weeks to write and rest here in Otavalo, Ecuador.

I have a week left and God has been so gracious to make this time both restful and productive. I am sorry to say that while many of you in America have been suffering through the summer’s sweltering heat, the temps here have been absolutely incredible – a cool eighty degrees, breezy, crisp days, and mostly clear skies. The views of the Andes Mountains are spectacular bringing me inspiration on many fronts.

I have written new music – four new songs is the count at the moment. I have also worked on and about completed a book that I have been writing and hope to release at some point this year if it is the Lord’s will.

The fall tour is coming together quickly, and I am looking forward to seeing many of you again and some of you that I haven’t seen in a very long time. Pray with me as the prospect of heading to a forward deployment or two in some very hot places is looking better and better. This will be great ministry opportunity. Also keep posted for January as I am planning on doing a three-day live session recording in Greenville in preparation to release my 10 year Live Album of favorite songs and stories called “Acoustic Graffiti.” This is an invitation for your presence for the session in a live venue for one or all of the three days. More details in the coming months!

For now, I must go. I’m out in the mountains horse-back riding today. Maybe I’ll be inspired! Thanks again for staying in touch.

Pack light, and don’t forget your passport!

Dan

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Home Again - Five Down . . .

Dear Friends,

I returned to Greenville last Thursday evening concluding my fifth tour with the military overseas. The tour went well with many great opportunities for ministry and encouragement through the Word of God and music. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to all our service men and women and families serving overseas, seperated from family, friends, and spouses for months at a time. It has been a proviledge and honor to serve those who are serving us, bringing spiritual challenge and words of life from God's Word.

Thanks to IMA-E (Installation Management Agency - Europe), Chaplain Strong, Chaplain Madtes, and Marty McCarty for initiating this contract and making this tour possible. I hope to work more with the Army in this capacity in the near future.

It is good to be home and see friends and family. I have a summer break coming up when I hope to write new material. Many things are brewing in my heart to develop new music and messages. I have been blessed with a great retreat during the month of July for spiritual refreshment and personal rest. Please pray that the Lord will grant me creativity to put these exciting truths from God's Word into lyrics and messages that will encourage people world-wide as God continues to open new opportunities for ministry.

I hope to see many of you soon. Please drop a line to keep in touch!

Pack light and don't forget your passport,

DAN