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December 2001 Table of Contents
Petite Praisers
An Open Letter from Pam Andrews
Dear Friends:
What a joy it is for me to again be writing for the "Communicator!" Gary Morris is so kind to include me in this fine publication. Many wonderful things have happened to me since my last article. As you may recall, on November 22, 1999, I had breast cancer surgery accompanied by six months of chemotherapy. At this time, my husband, Dave, also lost his job of 22 years with Opryland due to restructuring. Needless to say, this was a trying time for the Andrews family. While everyone else in the world was worrying about Y2K, I was worrying about hair loss and wigs. But, "through it all" to borrow a phrase from Andrea Crouch, God took care of my family and me. He provided money and support, which was fabulous. Now, I am approaching my 2-year anniversary of God's victory in my life over breast cancer. I praise Him for my health and my life. I praise Him for each birthday, for each load of laundry, for each moment with my husband and my kids…for everything. Thank you, Lord for allowing me to live on for You. Now, for the most part this trial is behind me. But, in going through trials, you always learn. I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you some wisdom that God has shared with me during this time.
First, I will never die of cancer. You might wonder about that statement. Let me explain. I have come to realize that the author of life and death is God... not a cancer cell. I will live until God calls me home. I have such a peace in knowing that God is in control of my fate... not cancer. Second, I have learned that God has a new mission for me. I am now a missionary to other breast cancer patients all across America. I have the gift of encouragement from the Lord and it has been wonderful to give His encouragement to others going through breast cancer and other types of cancer. I always tell them to read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And each time they come to a verse dealing with Christ healing someone to underline it in red. It is so good to see all the red appearing in your Bible. Then, I remind them that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He healed people in biblical times, He heals people today and He will heal people tomorrow. Illness is of this world…not heaven. No matter what happens to us on earth, we, as Christians know we have a wonderful home waiting for us in heaven after our mission on earth is through.
Last summer the Lord led me to a wonderful land called Lillenas. He brought wonderful people like George Baldwin and John Mathias into my life. Lillenas is a company that really cares about kids and about choir directors. They are constantly searching for "better".... better product... better understanding... better service. I am now working with Lillenas as their Children's Music Product Developer. In that role, I will be working with other great children's writers like Peter and Hanneke Jacobs, Carter and Barny Robertson, Dennis and Nan Allen and other to create some great tools for children. Also, this new relationship provides me a home as a writer and a creator.
This brings me to my new musical, "Splash Kingdom." It is all about salvation and evangelism. I am so pleased to release this exciting project through Lillenas.
The story of "Splash Kingdom" is simple. A group of kids arrive at the gates of "Splash Kingdom," but find they cannot enter the water park because their names are not found in the Book of Life. Peter, the Lifeguard, tells the children how they must pass Lifesaving 101 to have their names written in the Book of Life. The kids learn the ABC's to salvation and receive the living water of Christ into their hearts. They actually bubble with joy... with real bubbles... as they "Dive In" to Splash Kingdom.
The songs for "Splash Kingdom" are so much fun. Gary Simmons, my brother, and Roger Greer, teamed with me to make some of the finest kids songs ever written. Praise the Lord! Your children will sing songs from the beach feel to Christian rock. Also included in this musical is "Dive," the wonderful song by Steven Curtis Chapman. The kids just love it! We learned this musical in a summer music camp at my church in Hendersonville in one week!
I was recently at a conference with a group of wonderful children's choir coordinators in Tampa, Florida. A great church, Idelwild Baptist and the fabulous Sheila Goskie, sponsored it. At that conference, Karen Dean Fry shared some wonderful devotions with us. One of the devotions dealt with heaven and the child's perception of that wonderful place. With all that is happening in the world since September 11th, children are asking many questions about life, death, salvation, and heaven. Little did I know at the time I was writing "Splash Kingdom" that the events of the world would so need this musical. At this time when the entire world is struggling for understanding and justice, we as Christians should be proclaiming the message of salvation to everyone. We do not know what tomorrow may bring, but we do know who holds tomorrow in the palm of His hand. We need to make it our mission to introduce Christ to our children, our families, and our world.
I hope your kids love Splash Kingdom. But more importantly, I pray that your experience with "Splash Kingdom" will bring kids to the Lord. Again, I had no idea of the fear that kids would be experiencing during this troubled time. Praise God for His wisdom and leadership. "Splash Kingdom" provides positive responses to kids searching for answers.
One more thing…we at Lillenas are so blessed to partner with Campus Crusades for Christ in the salvation message of "Splash Kingdom". They will be providing material for the resource kit (a new Lillenas product) for use in spreading this good news of Jesus.
I thank you again for allowing me to be a part of your life and the lives of your children. Thank you for your prayers, your love, and your support. I praise You, Lord, for again using me as your secretary. Thank You, Lord, for all You do in my life. You are sooooooo good! Good all the time!
Remember, I am always here for you with answers to any children's choir questions or at least ways to find the answers. And if you do "Splash Kingdom" or any other Pam Andrews musical, remember, I would love to send a personal note to your kids. Simply email me at pamandrews@lillenas.com. Hopefully, I will see you at a conference in the very near future. To check my schedule, go to my web page at http://www.pamandrewsmusic.com
God bless you as you work for our Lord with children. Please stay in touch and may God's living water flow around you this year as you "Dive In" to "Splash Kingdom!"
God bless YOU always!
Living for Jesus!
Pam Andrews
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