On Saturday we headed off to set up for our first gig ever in Centurion. We got there to find the sound and lighting guys had done an amazing job, and together with a big school hall stage it was looking really awesome. We set up and did sound check and we were really excited.

We squished into 2 of the 4 cars we had there and shot out quickly to get some pies for supper, and upon arriving back at the venue, we were struck by the fact that the only cars in the parking lot were the ones we didn't take to the shops. Mmmm, you'd expect the parking lot to be full by that time, but indeed it was embarrasingly empty. By the time we got up to play, there were 23 (yes I counted) people in the "crowd", 6 of which were loyal fans who attend basically every gig (we love you guys, you're amazing) and another 4 of which were part of our "crew", selling cd's and stuff. A team of 5 people made up the sound and lighting crew (so that doesn't count), and 2 people were selling (twiddling thumbs) tickets at the door. Basically, that means that there were just 6 people who came to see us for the first time that night. Lol!!! That is so funny. We've done really small gigs before, but this was just another league (of small)... To put it in to perspective, the venue was decked out for 800 people!

So after recovering from the innitial "I don't know what to make of this" feeling, we decided to get up there and give it all we had and have a blast. I mean, apart from the fact that we owed it to our faithful friends who had travelled all the way up from Jo'burg to support us, and the 6 people who had come to see us that night, the truth is that we always say that we're doing this for God and for His glory, and He is always worthy of all we have, our best, all the time. So it's at times like this when that gets tested.

I once heard a true story about a band that drove out into the wilderness with huge staging and sound, and massive generators to power them. There they set up and played and worshipped for no one other than God. They said it's all for the audience of One. That is so amazing, and it's such a good motto for any Christian band to live by. While it's awesome to have a concert with 1000 people rocking out with you, it's ultimately all about God, and all for Him. We want to have fun on stage without doubt, but while doing that what we really want is for us to be swept aside so that God can come in and take centre stage and do His thing in people's hearts and lives. He doesn't need 1000 people there to do that. He can do that even if there are just 6 people there.

So we got up there, and gave it all we had, and we really had a lot of fun playing. We trust that God did His thing in people's lives. Thank you to those of you who did come to see us! I met 3 of the 6; they are students from OP. Thanks so much for coming all the way out to support us, hope to see you again!

Then the tough bit. I slept at Craig's house that night and came out the next morning to find that the Hilux had been broken into, and R20 000 worth of equipment had been stolen. Ouch! That really hit with a sting. And I'll be honest, I felt really cross with God for a while. But it was a test again. I do believe we are coming under attack, but it is also a test to choose to believe that in all things God works to the good. He is the One who has really blessed us with the sound stuff we have. Sometimes we need to be shocked back into focusing on the giver and not on the gifts He gives. "You give and take away, but my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your Name."

By God's grace we got insurance for all the gear a week before, so we're busy sorting that out now. Pray it all goes smoothly.

We know that this is all preparing us for what God has in store for us and where He is calling us; He's working on our character and that is incredibly challenging but actually fantastic (when you look at it with a long term view)... :)