Do you know how long the ballet will last? I want to go tomorrow but am supposed to be at church at 5:15 in Norcross. Do you think I'd be able to go to the ballet and make it to church as well?

It usually lasts about 2 hours with intermission. Some folks choose to stick round another half-hour or so to meet and chat with the dancers, but this is not part of the program. Consider the interval between performances includes visiting, a leisurely dinner for dancers and crew, preparation for the next run (e.g., make-up, hair, costumes--and that's just the crew!), etc. The performance cannot last too long.

.... What traffic? We got there so early we took in some of the sights.

The dancers did indeed do a wonderful job! And the tech crew managed to avoid messing them up.

Talk about a small stage--it was HALF the size of a proper stage, even with the extra 160 sq. ft. we added to it. What I think was cool was how, in one particular maneuver, almost 40 dancers crammed into a single wing (that was less than 50 sq. ft.) coming off stage at high speed without any injuries.

To help you appreciate the dancers' dedication to their witness, note the following:
- One dancer has leukemia that is not in remission [yet--keep praying!];
- Another has Type 1 diabetes and dances with an insulin pump hidden in her costumes;
- Still another has a badly sprained ankle--iced between her dances--and danced through it anyway, without even a hint of visible trouble;
- One has a father who had a diabetic incident last year (went into a coma) that resulted in a brain injury, but she bravely shows up at every practice and performance (keep praying for her dad; he's getting better but is a whole new man now);
- Several had bleeding (and blistered!) toes from their pointe dancing;
- One is several months pregnant (with her first);
- All were performing after very little sleep and 18-20 hour days of almost non-stop dance;
...and not a one of them complained at all! Not even once. These girls (ages 12-40+) are simply amazing warriors for Christ!

Most especially, thank the Lord He pulled this performance together. The history of this particular season is filled with disasters, including a last minute change of venue that was three times as expensive, half as big, and usually results in half the donations (no, they came nowhere close to breaking even). Every one of these dancers pays to dance with PIM. Nobody gets paid with these funds. They usually lose money with each major performance. Nevertheless, they love to do all this because it's a chance to tell the Gospel so beautifully.

And don't forget the tech crew. Most of them work themselves to exhaustion in preparation for these concerts (excepting yours truly who is the token slacker). Often pathetic venues are transformed into functional stages. Lots of work (and vacation or income) is sacrificed in volunteering many days each year. Some use all their available vacation just for PIM. Some don't even have family in PIM at the moment, but believe so much in the ministry that they don't hesitate to volunteer anyway. Most of all, these dads enjoy doing whatever they can to help these wonderful dancers spread the Good News. The families of dancers and crew are also wonderful supports, even if they're too often invisible.

And then there are the two directors, Kathy and Rhonda. These two are amazingly tireless in their efforts. There is more to coordinate and manage than you can imagine, and these do so without pause and certainly without due appreciation. God works mightily through these two beauties.

Do come and see PIM this next weekend at The Praise Center in Between, GA (U.S. 78 East). It'll be outdoors, which is quite different, but I know the Lord will again show up and deliver His Gospel through dance in an awesome way.