AW: I'd be interested in other reactions from you guys… things that God said to you. I realize you're still processing… this is a long term thing. What different ways do you look at the way you live as Christians here at home.

Dan: I think we went over to Vietnam and China with the intention of maybe getting our minds more around an idea… something we could do for them or a way that we could help them out. I think the exciting thing about the trip was that we went there and we sat face to face with these people as they told us their stories of being put in prison, having their houses boarded and blocked up, having their homes taken away, their beatings, things like that. They're telling us these stories, but they're not in despair. They're not sad about any of this. In fact, oftentimes, these people were smiling. They were laughing as they were telling their story. And I think that was a reaction that we're not used to, especially in the United States. But what they experienced is something that we will probably not necessarily have the luxury of experiencing and that was true joy in suffering. It was really amazing to watch these people and know that God had met them in a very real way so that even when they're in prison, they can have joy. Even when they're getting beaten, there is still joy. Because to them, when there's persecution, that means the church is growing. I believe the statistic right now in China is nearly 8000 conversions a day to Christianity, and that is in part due to the amount of persecution that they endure. I think that was just one of the most amazing things… to just watch and almost be envious of the joy that they had. And to say, "Boy, you know what? Our faith isn't really challenged here." The most that we endure at times is just very different. We have very real persecution, but it's not like theirs. Oftentimes I think we serve a God who is a lot smaller than the God that they serve. But the encouraging thing is, the same God that gives them joy… that sheds a light into a prison is the same God we have here. It's just… do we realize that?? I think that was an amazing thing to experience when we were there.

AW: Talk about your times of worship with the people over there. What was that like in these small churches, home churches?

Matt: Well, it was mostly in Chinese (smiles) or Vietnamese, depending on which country we were in. It was neat. I mean it was completely culturally shocking, I guess. I don't know any better way to say it… just to kind of get to rub elbows with these people and really just to experience a church that's really growing the way the early church did. I mean, it's just amazing, as Dan said. It just kind of quickened your heart to the reality that God is really at work… that he hasn't left and things aren't different now than when he first left the earth. He's at work as much as He's ever been. It's just amazing to realize some of the statistics that we see… to be in China or Vietnam on a Sunday worshipping in a country with the largest church in the world right now! To really feel that fellowship in that way, was cool. And I think for us, our times of worship or the times we had to maybe sing a song for them, was just a time to give a very modest gift of encouragement back to them, and to really just be humbled by how blessed they were… blessed they were to receive prayers from us.

AW: How do you guys see this impacting you?… I realize you're processing and we're here together, and nobody's holding you to anything here. How do you see this impacting Jars of Clay?

Steve: I think one of the things that was made aware… Just when we started meeting with Steve at PPC is that there's a need, and not a need in a way that spreads guilt to everybody, so that everybody takes a little and doesn't feel so bad. That really makes people aware that this is still going on. That even in the midst of it, the marvelous thing is that they just desire prayer to stand strong… and not that any of it would stop. I think that's one of the things Dan said initially. And that's encouraged me. Sometimes wrapping our hands around a concept like this is kind of difficult, you know. To have something practical like the International Day of Prayer to focus on, to encourage other people about, to get entire churches involved… is a way that you can know you are doing a great work to help meet the needs of those people. It's not what we would think it is. It's not what I thought it was. They really just desire prayer, and that's an awesome gift.

Charlie: I think a big part of it that I learned, is just realizing that when we talk about the body of Christ and our Christian family… is that it includes these people in China that speak a different language, that we've never met, that may do things really different from us. But the wild thing was just sitting there. And even though we had an interpreter, cause most of them didn't speak English… and even the interpreter had this Chinese accent so he was leaving out words here and there. So even just through that, we really did feel like it was family and we had something in common here. We serve the same God. I think just the awareness… When I said body of Christ a month ago, I would have thought of the Baptists, the Lutherans, the Presbyterians, you know, the American church all coming together. And what a concept that is! But all the rest of the nations… it kind of blows your mind. But realizing that helps prepare your heart to deal with it and pray for them… and to want that for them.

AW: Let's hear from y'all out there. Questions? Thoughts on what you've heard so far? The lady over there…

Question: This is not so much of a question as a comment. I can't remember the speaker's name last night, but he was talking about prayer and how our kids today are facing not being able to pray in school, and how that big issue is coming up again. He was saying… don't ask permission, just do it. Don't ask your president, don't ask your principal… just do it! That's what God's calling us to do. I think that's really neat that you all have gone to a country and are reaching out to our other brothers and sisters in Christ. That truly is the body. We all are. And it's hard for us of different denominations to see that sometimes and abide by that. Thanks guys for reaching out to other people that just really need that love and encouragement.

Steve: Thanks. I know in America there is a tendency to legislate morality. I think we do some good things sometime when we stand up for what we don't think is right. But, I think sometimes that can consume us to the point where we don't live variably anymore. It's all about trying to fight these battles; and that sometimes speaks less of who Christ is maybe than just concentrating on the relationship there. Just be proactive in prayer.

Question: Got two quick questions. The first one comes from one of our youth. They wanted to know what you were saying in the beginning of the song, Unforgetful You? The second question is: Were you able to use your music ministry and the popularity you've attained here when you were in Southeast Asia?

Dan: The first question… depending on who you ask… (laughter) If you ask our record company, it's "We're one tear away." That's what they printed in the music book, but that's incorrect.

Steve: We've no idea how they got that.

Dan: That's their creative genius! The real sentence is "I want to know why." The second one was… They didn't really know who we were in Asia. Most of them don't speak English. And especially a Christian band is probably less likely to be available to them. But, we did supply them with Cds, which they have told us they will copy, and copy, and copy, and copy! (laughter) So hopefully when we go back, they'll know us a little better.

Steve: I spaced out when I was answering your question. I lost it in the midst of something else. But, I think it's important, especially in light of what the experience was in Vietnam and China. Here we worry a lot about legalizing this or outlawing this in legislating rally. Taken that and continuing it, and remembering where in the heck I was… (smiles) If you look at the model of what they experienced with the people of China, it doesn't seem like they're so much worried about their communist government and what's going on there, but more over like, "How can we meet together?" And "Whose house are we going to meet at?" And "How can we get our body together?" I think that was my point.

AW: Basic Christianity is pretty powerful stuff, isn't it?

Question: Ok, I've got a question. Spiritual burnout is probably one concern for any Christian being out on the road. What I wanted to know is… You guys get up everyday, you play your songs. But off the beaten track, behind the scenes, how do you address your spiritual needs?

Dan: I think spiritual burnout is a component to anybody's life. I don't think it's limited to artists or people that get on a stage and do what they do. I think I'm speaking to a crowd where spiritual burnout is probably mostly seen in youth workers. I think it's just really important to pray that the Spirit will just continue to give you fresh experiences with the gospel. The saying is "Preach the gospel to yourself every day." I think that's very serious. I think that's important because the only way we will combat any spiritual burnout is to recognize our sin, to recognize what we are saved from, and to constantly be amazed at a God who has pursued us so heavily and so consistently throughout our entire lives to show us how much He love us. I think if you're constantly made aware of those certain truths, it gets harder to be burned out spiritually. I think there's emotional burnout and there's physical burnout…there's things you can do there too. But for spiritual burnout, I think it's important to pray that the gospel will continue to show us our sin, and that we would be in a posture of humility. If you're constantly reminded of those things, I think it's harder to be burned out.

Steve: Maintaining a spirit of brokenness and just a desire to be teachable, I think… and that's something we can't do a part from Jesus. I think that's real important in the scope of being able to serve and give like you all do on a two night a week basis, and then beyond what you do at the church. To be real and honest… and umm, umm, .. tough. (laughter)

AW: Heat stroke setting in! Heat stroke. (laughs)

Steve: Or Alzheimer's??

AW: Alzheimer's, oh my goodness! Don't go there! I think another thing. May I interject because of the heat? These guys all have wonderful wives who really love Christ, that are committed to the ministry that they're involved in. They're committed to prayer. I think we could talk a lot about Vietnam as far as prayer, but I think the reality is too… you guys have got wives committed, while you're on the road, to pray for you. They're part of groups that pray for you.

Steve: Our pastor says… (pause) Our pastor says…

AW: What does your pastor say?

Steve: He says to remind myself (ourselves) daily… "Self! You're a lot worse off than you think." And (that sounds funny) and it is, but it's the truth. Like Dan inferred, when we get a good grapple on the reality of our need… and the partnership that has with our sinful nature… and how you and I live that out daily… umm.

AW: You're rockin' dude!! Sort of fell right off the edge there… He's normally like the life of the party when we're up here. You're getting a little too serious! What's the story? Actually he has a son! Do you have any pictures with you?? He can show the pictures afterward. He's got a wonderful little son!

Steve: Show the video! (laughter)

AW: Oh, you have a video?

[Steve looks in his bag (Jars' man purse J ) he's got with him and brings out some books he's been reading]

I have this great book, Robert H. Bork's "Slouching Towards Gomorrah."

Charlie: A little light reading!

Steve: Yeah, a little light reading.

(pulls out another book with a picture on it)

Matt: That's not his son! (laughter)

Steve: "Baptism With the Holy Spirit" by R. A. Torrey. That's another one! We're all really into this one called "The Sacred Romance." I don't know if any of you've read this.

Dan: Steve's got his own book club, sort of like Oprah.

AW: Where's the picture of your son?

Steve: Let's hold that thought. Let's answer another question.