Tuesday, June 27, 2006

When I say "Holy", you say "Fire"!

All Nations Full Gospel Church

Today, my fellow trainees and I decided to visit an African church. This one happens to be a church birthed from the vision of a Ghanian pastor. There are over 50 nations represented at this church. My friends and I were one of the few non blacks at the church. In fact, I was the only Asian. We stuck out like a sore thumb. During praise, everyone was getting their groove on, and a friend and I tried to dance along to the music. But let me tell you, despite all the mad dance skills I've got, I still looked like a robot next to them. And forget about dancing, clapping, and singing all at the same time, because that's never going to happen for me. Nonetheless, despite the stares and laughter we got, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Up Up Jesus, Down Down Satan

During one of the praise songs (it was more like a medley of songs), the choir started singing up up Jesus. Of course I'm down with this, so I started singing along. But then, they started singing in a language that didn't sound like English, but I was still hearing up up Jesus, down down. In my confusion, I started singing up up Jesus, down down Jesus. Only later did I learn they were singing up up Jesus, down down Satan!

When I say Holy, you say Fire!
Holy! Fire! Holy! Fire!
When I say Youth, you say On Fire!
Youth! On Fire! Youth! On Fire!

All I can say is, praise in Africa is going to be off the roof. And when I come back, I'm going to have some mad dancing skills to go with my singing, so y'all at the Garden better watch out!

Saturday, June 17, 2006

reverse culture shock

I just got to my missions training site yesterday morning, and there are about 10 white people in the office. And no Asians. And the other interns going to Africa are all white as well. I've never been surrounded by so many whiteys and no Asians. I think I am experiencing reverse culture shock.

Malawi is going to rock my socks off.

Transforming lives for now and for eternity.