We had switched vehicles to “clique” with new people, and to give our drivers a change of scenery. :) It was cool that even amid the car-movies, phone games and “words with friends” that we didn't miss the beauty of the Texan plain. The journey was pleasant, flat and easy.
We stopped for Lunch in Wichita at the What-A-Burger. Even as much as we packed that place, they still gave us awesome service. Afterward, we went to fill up and met with another display of Texas pride; Cowgal & Cowboy bathroom doors, complete with Texan star, tin walls and giant flags adorning the wall. Not to mention the mirror fashioned like a giant belt buckle.
We were so close! Quite literally, we were less than 10minutes away when we hit the 114 & 121 - and major traffic. Nothing scarier than semi's merging on both sides of you, big-haired ladies creeping along while on their cell phones and impatient drivers cutting across medians to cut the line. After about twenty minutes of stress, we got through the madness and found our home for the next week and a half. We had twenty minutes to unpack big suitcases, pack mime suitcases and head off to our first concert.
We began to rush, to feel uncomfortable. Even though all our maps said the church was only twenty minutes away and we had an hour, we were agitated because we didn't know how mid-day Dallas traffic would be. It was pretty clear until we hit the downtown area. Five lanes of cars and a brilliant display of break lights. We had hoped most traffic would be going out, but the outbound lanes were moving while we were start and stops. Once we broke through the traffic, we were on a side-road towards the church. It took several u-turns but we finally found our location...or so we thought. The directions actually led us to a canine country club...not the church. David finally got a hold of the church and we loaded back up, waiting for further direction. Turns out, we were way off...about three miles. When we turned into our actual location, it definitely looked more like a church, a big beautiful church. 
The confusion continued. We were told we were performing for the kids, then by another lady that we were performing for the adults while they eat, then told we were doing both... either way, the mimes were flexible, and by the grace of God, so patient. After we unloaded in a small side room, we were told to pack up and move into the lobby. It was quick work. The mimes practiced in the new space while the crew setup. In ten minutes, the lobby had turned into a stage. The mimes got ready and the crew chilled until it was time.
The lobby was a less than favorable place. While the young kids seemed attentive (well, after the excitement of seeing the mimes in white face), the lobby was full of motion...people walking back and forth, youth whispering and cellphones buzzing. I was distracted and I was just standing there. It's awesome that God is bigger than my distractions. The team was solid.
Even with people walking through and between the mimes during a song, they didn't seem the least bit phased.
Even more, after the concert, when we got to talk with the people, we found that kids loved it. We also made connections with James Yarbrough, and Richard Beck. James was a former Denver Bronco (its a small world after all!)
and had started a ministry called JB outreach that teaches inner-city youth physical, mental, spiritual and financial responsibility. Richard works with a recovery ministry and also with the children who just watched our concert. He said we couldn't understand the impact we had: he couldn't believe that the mimes held their attention for half an hour. 
Dinner for the night included a scenic route around the downtown district. We had intended to hit up Which Wich, but after going through the madness and posh-ness of downtown (and seeing the lack of parking) we got back on the highway to Jersey Mikes. The guy's face totally paled when we walked in..."we may not have enough bread." That would be fine. The kids weren't impatient or impossible – just hungry. They were flexible - some split sandwiches some got wraps and no one got a super big sandwich. it was like a modern day miracle..after we were all fed and satisfied there were still two loaves left.
Wal-Mart Run! Really was more of a stroll. Poor Linda spilled coke all over herself in the craziness of Texan traffic and whimpered as she waddled through the isles like a wet child. After we all got our various supplies, we raced outside and loaded up for home!
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