Worship Seminar: teaching cross culturally

They say music is a universal language. I believe this now, more than ever. Music is something that is appreciated and valued cross-culturally. I would also suggest to you, Darling reader, that the gospel is also cross-cultural. I suppose I knew this as I left my home and came to live here, but to experience it in action is a different story. God is so good. I can’t say this enough: thank you for walking this journey with me and being a part of the ministry as you support me financially and in prayer. I’m forever grateful.

 Last week we held a Worship Seminar for local musicians in the area churches. We taught them music theory, voice lessons, sound and tech classes, elements that go into a Worship Service, how to read and write music, and they picked a workshop of choice: choir leaders, bass, piano, or guitar. In all of this, we did so prayerfully and carefully so as to keep everything we taught culturally relevant and not based upon a western culture’s church service and music style.

I also got to lead a few Bible classes on Worship and proclaim the gospel to them. I was so thrilled to share my heart for worship with them. Along with their classes, we had 2 chapel services each day. We (the teachers and translators) began by running the services for the first few days.

leading a chapel service

It was a challenge to imitate their styles and use their language, but we wanted to display culturally applicable services that ran smoothly and incorporated all different elements of worship. We also wanted to encourage them to think outside the box. For the last two days of the seminar, they got a chance to plan and lead their own services. It was great to see them applying all that they had learned.

Working with the students was such a blessing. There were maybe only about 25 people there, but they had a thirst to learn that was inspiring! Because there was so few, they each got their own instruments to practice on and got more one on one time with their teachers. Since I had the large group voice class, I didn’t get much one on one teaching time, but they were such good sports in trying everything I taught! I started with posture and some breathing exercises. Then I taught different warm ups and vowel shapes. At times they seemed like little kids, giggling at all the funny hand motions and exercises I had them try! I loved it. We worked through a sight reading piece throughout the week as well. For some of them it was their first time seeing a piece of music, because they do everything by ear. Because of this we had to start with all the basics.

One of my favorite parts of the voice class was teaching them a Solfege exercise that they “performed” to all the teachers. Standing in front of them and getting to direct them was such a breathtaking experience. Their faces were just beaming with pride as they sang with gorgeous dynamics, great posture and breath-control, and held their very own music that they could now read. Be still my heart, I could hardly bear it!

Jodi testing one of her piano students

Jeff and his guitar students

Jenna teaching bass

A memory that I will forever cherish was when we wrote the melody to the hymn, “Jesus Paid it All” on the chalkboard. We didn’t tell them what the song was, but asked them to try singing it. They were just learning how to sight read notes, and timidly began trying to sing. About halfway through the song, all of a sudden they recognized the Hymn. Their eyes filled with clarity and huge grins broke out on their faces. Simultaneously they burst into the rest of the song with newfound confidence and gusto using that unique blend of harmonies that I will dearly miss when I return home. Darling Reader, I wish you could have been there for that moment.

It’s hard to believe I’m leaving in a few weeks. It’s so bittersweet. Brook, Shaina, Denise, and I will be busy packing up our things along with preparing Brook’s house for furlough. We also will get to attend three weddings before we leave! What fun! Please be praying for us as we wrap up our ministries and prepare (physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually) for the return home. On Sunday Brook and I will formally say goodbye to our home church as we begin our long journey home the following Sunday. I know it will be tough to say goodbye to my choir and to the many local friends I’ve made!

Camp Rukwa: a change in me

such a gorgeous view!

Well, the last week of camp is done. I have to say, the past three weeks have been quite a ride. I have been humbled and inspired, torn down and built up, frustrated and encouraged, emptied and filled up, all throughout these few short weeks.

Dancing during gathering time

Swahili version of "Duck, Duck, Goose"... yes, please.

This week we were in the Rukwa Valley, If you recall from previous months, I got a chance to visit the missionaries down in the Valley towards the beginning of my time here. I had only pleasant and warm memories of the valley from my first stay, so naturally I was thrilled to go back down for another visit. The kids this week were so full of life and energy. I’ve never seen so much dancing and enthusiasm. This was a such an encouragement to us to keep going, as we and the translators and other full time staff were exhausted and many of us sick.

Guys taking a little nap in the truck.
They had a delighted audience of village kids watching!

Fixing the Ugali, Beans and Greens at meal time. yum.

We took a hike on a break and got a bit lost. We were exhausted by the end!

As far as our living conditions go, this week we didn’t stay in the village. One of the missionary families is in America at the moment, so we got to stay in the house and have beds, showers, “normal” toilets, and best of all, a much needed daily morning cup of coffee! Yes, darling reader, believe it or not, I had been living without my precious coffee the first two weeks.
Reflecting upon this experience, I have as if there has been a change in me, but I’m having a hard time articulating exactly what those changes are. I suppose I have learned to appreciate the material blessings God has given me, and yet at the same time I now know that I could live without them. The material things which seemed so valuable to me before don’t seem so valuable anymore in comparison to things like community, relationships, and fellowship.

Another thing. This week the campers seemed to just have a thirst for learning… At one point, while I was teaching one of my daily classes this thought was heavy on my heart:
In the inexperienced hands that held the paintbrush I handed them, I saw an artist. In the eager expression of the young man watching a water filter being crafted, I saw an inventor or engineer. In the mouths that asked continual questions about the human body and how it works, I heard the voice of a doctor or nurse. In the energetic feet that danced and the clear songs that seemed to burst out from deep inside of them, I saw the makings of a performer and musician.
Given an opportunity and the right resources, I believe these young people could reach that potential. I hope I was able to give them a glimmer of hope, and inspiration to strive for a bright future so that they work hard through their education and work.
But above all, in the hearts that were desperately seeking for love, I saw one who could be eternally filled with the love of Jesus Christ.
11 young people made the choice to be eternally filled this week.
To God be all glory and honor.

 Nathan, Ryan, Shaina and I. We made it!

Here's Shaina's blog with more pictures and stories! Friday we begin our journey to Dar to drop off Nathan and pick up Denise, who will be helping with the worship seminar.

In Christ,
em