06/19/2008

I am late with this month’s newsletter. I am currently recovering from a 7 day stay in Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis. I was diagnosed with Diverticulitus and my body was full of infection

Category: General

Posted by: admin

I am late with this month’s newsletter. I am currently recovering from a 7 day stay in Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis. I was diagnosed with Diverticulitus and my body was full of infection. For several days, it looked as if I may face surgery. My fevers were running around 103-104. I am doing much better now.

The Wanda Mountain Boys had a very busy month. We started the month out with our friend, Gloria Justies and the folks at Tower Hill Free Methodist. We had a great service complete with a great lunch. The guys have been to Tower Hill in the past and told me I was in for a great time. That evening, we made our way to Edinburg, IL to sing for Pastor Denny Hamilton and his congregation at 1st Baptist Church. Pastor Denny is a wonderful friend of the group and was excited to bring us into his church. Our friends the Chosen Ones were in the area that afternoon and came over to our concert that evening. Of course, we had to have them sing, especially since they were in their casual clothes. If you know the Chosen Ones, they never appear unless their dressed to the hilt. Claude just couldn’t help but put them on the spot. The night was filled with humor and a wonderful spirit.

May 11 found us in Effingham, IL singing for the homecoming of the Crossroads Freewill Baptist Church. Pastor John Hollis is a lifelong friend of Claude and Rod, having grown up in Wanda, IL. There were many funny memories shared as well as some heartfelt ones. They served us a great lunch as well.

The Arlee Theatre in Mason City, IL is a classic old movie theatre is a small Midwestern town. We were joined there on May 16th by the Chosen Ones and promoter Kenneth Wise and his group, Saved By Grace. We had a good crowd and a great concert. Glen Gobel, who I sang with for many years, met us along the highway and road to Mason City with us. He went on to Michigan with the Chosen Ones to run sound for them for the rest of the weekend.

The next morning, we were at the 1st Assembly of God in Jerseyville, IL. Pastor Randy Cartwright and his congregation were having a family day at the church, inviting the community to come and enjoy games and hot dogs. We sang a couple of sets along with their churches youth group.

Westside Christian Church in Springfield, IL is one of the most beautiful facilities that we have ever had the pleasure of singing in. Bro. Rex Berry invited us to come for their first concert attempt. It was a great success, with over 400 in attendance. Claude and I were both fighting allergies but we made it through. Little did I know what was ahead.

The next evening, we left immediately after work to head to New Burnside, IL. We were to begin vocals on our new c.d. project with our friend Bill Schell. I thought that I had just had a hard day at work but as the trip went on, I began to feel bad. I began to get fevers that night and fought them with Tylenol. The next morning we went to Bill’s home and began working. I was pretty much out of it between songs. We worked all day until about 10 p.m. We still had three songs left so we went back Sunday afternoon to finish up. The good news is that the vocals are complete and the project is being put through the final stages. We hope to have it out late summer. We want to thank Bill for all the hard work that he is putting into this project. Thanks for your support of this ministry.

When I arrived home, I took some Tylenol and about thirty minutes later, I took my temperature and it was above 103. I went to see my doctor who ordered some tests at the hospital. I left there seven days later.

Please continue to pray for my health as I recover but most of all, pray for the Wanda Mountain Boys as we continue to do the work that we feel God has called us to do. Pray that God will take this new recording and these new songs and reach the hearts of those that attend our concerts.

Keep checking our schedule as it is always changing. We have several new dates that have been added and look forward to seeing you at one of these events.

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