Hello, San Jose

Well, we are in California again today after arriving in Corona yesterday. Though the weather is a bit iffy, it's still the land of happiness! Our Tour kicked off Thursday with two nights in Phoenix, then Corona last night and today we're sitting on the campus of San Jose State University (rock on Spartans) and getting ready for night four.

It's a little surreal being back on the road with Chris and Matt, leading a seamless night of worship that we hope is as meaningful for those who come as it is for us. The theme is How Great Is Our God and, once again, we are lifting our eyes to the Star-breather who knows our names and is holding onto us no matter what.

That truth never meant more than two nights ago in Phoenix when I got to meet Jason's parents for the first time. Jason was a beautiful young man struggling with an addiction which had led to violence and many troubles. Having just come back in town with nowhere to stay (his addiction had made it impossible for family to allow him to stay with them) when his cousin agreed to keep him for the night if he would come to the Indescribale tour. The cousin asked if I would talk to him that night and we spent about 30 minutes backstage together talking about the things that mattered most..a perfect Father in heaven who loved Him no matter what and Jesus Christ who had given His life to make right everything he (and I) had made wrong in our lives. As we talked and prayed I knew that Jason believe in what Jesus had done for him.

Later that night, Jason was in an altercation and was shot and killed. The next day the news reached us and went through me (and all of us on the tour) like a knife in the heart.

Friday night Jason's mom and dad came to the tour (they are related to the promoter) and I was able to hug their necks and remember with them the last night of their son's life on earth. Though everyone surrounding Jason's life has more questions than answers, and more than a few regrets and what ifs, I was able to remind them of the miracle that happened that night...that an addict from the street in trouble with the law and everyone else in town was in the house of God worshipping in the final hours of his life. One of his last images on earth was a massive picture of the outstretched arms of Jesus purchasing his freedom and redemption.

I will never forget Jason, nor his family, and am praying that they will know in these days mercy, and the mighty hand of the Creator of the Universe holding onto them.

Later than night when I crawled into my bunk for the ride to California there were a few notes for me that had been handed to the crew and put there after Thursday night's tour stop (we weren't sleeping on the bus yet). Before I went to sleep I opened them all. The second was a little card that reads:
Louie Giglio:
Thank you for your commitment to the young people of this generation. I believe in your vision for the Passion Conference and one day bringing it to the rest of the world. May God continue to expand your vision and bring it to pass.
In Christ,
xxxxxx

In the little card was a check for the Passion World Tour for $7,000! I don't know the person it's from, or how they know about the World effort, but a gust of wind went in our sails that night, reminding us that God is going before us as we carry Passion to the nations.

The last little envelope had no note, just $50 cash, which I assume is for the World Tour, as well. Thank you both so very much! What a potent night in Phoenix with a little God-twist on the end for all of us on the Passion wave.

Not to leave California out...Corona rocked like crazy!
More to come,
Louie