Life: an adventure, a journey with Jesus!
Celebrate!
This journey we (you, too!) are on, is one of learning from, listening to, and of course leaning on Jesus! We are extremely humbled to realize He chose us to be here during this season of our lives. We don’t feel worthy of this privilege although at times we are tired, worn down, discouraged and question ourselves. Then along comes God in the form of other people and we see Him at work, just like He uses us. And we are encouraged, we are ministered to, and we are thrilled to be here in Peru. Today’s journal is nothing profound. Just a little insight into “Halloween” here in the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in San Juan de Lurigancho, Peru!
Celebrate - Jesus is All Powerful! What a truth to focus on. It was the theme of the Children’s program at church held Halloween night.
The church was brilliantly decorated in crayola colors, balloons, streamers, and huge (4-5’) musical notes outlined in silver, on the temple (sanctuary) walls. The platform was skirted in bright colors and circles of different sizes and different colors dotted it from top to bottom and side to side. It was so inviting and exciting. The children’s chairs were also brought in (red and blue) for the younger children and it just added to the happy, exciting feeling that was obvious as you entered the church. The Sunday School staff sported their new royal blue t-shirts and greeted everyone in a tunnel. After a while, they had to let their hands down as they were tired, and just applauded the arrival of each and every one.
The temple was totally filled. The balcony seated another 200 adults who enjoyed the evening festivities. The courtyard had approximately another 50 chairs in it. Children of all ages attended. Some were so young they of course didn’t understand what was going on except a lot of entertainment. Some were so old (ok, some even older than us!) that ascending the balcony steps was a challenge for them!
The evening began with videos of familiar songs being sung by cartoon characters. The young adults who led the singing and dancing were dressed in bright colored shirts and jeans. They were full of energy and it was contagious. On the main floor additional young adults and some children danced their heart out for the hour of celebration leading up to the message time.
The message time was animated, clearly aimed at children, included an invitational prayer, and the scriptures read were also on the multi-media overhead for everyone to read along.
The planning and preparations for: “Celebrate: Jesus is All Powerful” was obvious. The program was extremely well done. This was a one-time event that took a lot of work and the Children’s Ministry staff went all out!
And now that’s it done and over with, we always think about what we have observed/participated in. The one thing that I said to Don is that the Peruvians know how to celebrate! Music sets their hands to clapping and their feet tapping. They move continuously to music! It is rather loud music, and not always very melodic, but it’s their culture. Why do our ‘celebrations’ begin to take on a more passive tone as we get older? Why do we not ‘celebrate’ freely, with abandonment? We certainly have a greater appreciation and understanding of what we have to celebrate! Hooting and hollering “Praise Jesus” has taken over the deep resounding chorus of “Amen” of years ago. Now this may not be the case in all churches (we both know that!) but it is uplifting to witness such joyfulness when people “Celebrate: Jesus is ALL Powerful.” We don’t need Halloween to celebrate this fact. Let’s begin today with uplifting praise music. Include some handclapping and toe tapping (if you are at home, no one else will even notice! If you are in an office, you might think twice, and each of you will have to determine whether or not that would be acceptable in your place of employment!) Listen to the words of the music you choose. I dare you to “Celebrate: Jesus is ALL Powerful!”
