I just returned from a trip to Costa Rica. It was a missions trip, not a vacation, therefore it can be included here on my blog. I have quite a few good stories from this trip but this one was my favorite.
Ten of our church members made this trip to work with a Costa Rican church. Part of our mission was to teach on prayer and healing in a three day conference. During this conference I was asked to lead worship. I couldn't really tell how many songs they wanted me to do or for how long we were supposed to play. Lucky for me I have some experience on my side and a pretty good working knowledge of the Spanish language. I guess in the church we don't ever say luck because we believe (as I do) God directs all things. I'm certainly not going to explain that because that's not what this blog is about. We are talking about worship music in a Spanish church.
I would do a couple songs, then glance at the Costa Rican Pastor who looked at me with an apprehensive glance. I was trying to interpret this glance as either he is ready to speak, or I should do another song. I would start a song with music, and if he didn't look too troubled I would sing the verses. His face became more anxious after one more song in particular so I figured I was done. He came to the front began to pray out loud. In some Pentecostal churches, they like music during the prayers. I played some music and the Pastor turned to look toward me. Once again I couldn't tell if he wanted me to stop or keep going, so I compromised and played, but much softer.
During prayer time after the preaching, I came back to the stage to play some more soft music. Music is a funny thing during prayer. Some people love it and others not so much. I guess it depends on the praying person. I have been told to play and sing, sometimes just play, and other times keep silent. I notice never have I been asked to just sing and not play. This would be very unusual in church prayer times but maybe I should try it someday.
Anyway, after the service a kind man came to me in, and in Spanish said something about a blessing. I wanted to clarify so I asked him what he meant. He then tried his English, which was not nearly as good as my spanish, and pointed at himself saying "blessing for me!" to which I asked, "you want me to pray a blessing over you?" A few more awkward exchanges had me convinced this man wanted me to pray for him and especially to pray a blessing over him. I put my hand on his shoulder and in my best authoritative voice prayed a blessing for the man. He looked at me kind of like the Pastor did and them bowed his head and closed his eyes. I realized even the facial expressions in Costa Rica seemed to be in a language I didn't understand. "That went well" is all I could think as he walked off, when suddenly I was again approached by another man who seemed to be asking me the same thing. Apparently he saw me praying for the other man and wanted to get in on it as well.
This time, in a addition to his blessing, he mentioned a blessing for everyone in the room! "Wow", I thought as I looked around the room at all the people. Should I pray out loud so everyone can hear or just to the man in front of me. I guess he thought my looking around the room was a signal to bring in an interpreter, which while not completely accurate, seemed to be a way God had rescued me.
The interpreter explained that he was telling me my music had been a blessing to everyone there tonight. Thus the blessing part. Now it made sense. The very same thing the other guy was telling me before I did my best Pope imitation on him. One more person came to me with the same words about blessing. This time I was ready. "Gracias" was the correct response, affirmed by his smile.
Ten of our church members made this trip to work with a Costa Rican church. Part of our mission was to teach on prayer and healing in a three day conference. During this conference I was asked to lead worship. I couldn't really tell how many songs they wanted me to do or for how long we were supposed to play. Lucky for me I have some experience on my side and a pretty good working knowledge of the Spanish language. I guess in the church we don't ever say luck because we believe (as I do) God directs all things. I'm certainly not going to explain that because that's not what this blog is about. We are talking about worship music in a Spanish church.
I would do a couple songs, then glance at the Costa Rican Pastor who looked at me with an apprehensive glance. I was trying to interpret this glance as either he is ready to speak, or I should do another song. I would start a song with music, and if he didn't look too troubled I would sing the verses. His face became more anxious after one more song in particular so I figured I was done. He came to the front began to pray out loud. In some Pentecostal churches, they like music during the prayers. I played some music and the Pastor turned to look toward me. Once again I couldn't tell if he wanted me to stop or keep going, so I compromised and played, but much softer.
During prayer time after the preaching, I came back to the stage to play some more soft music. Music is a funny thing during prayer. Some people love it and others not so much. I guess it depends on the praying person. I have been told to play and sing, sometimes just play, and other times keep silent. I notice never have I been asked to just sing and not play. This would be very unusual in church prayer times but maybe I should try it someday.
Anyway, after the service a kind man came to me in, and in Spanish said something about a blessing. I wanted to clarify so I asked him what he meant. He then tried his English, which was not nearly as good as my spanish, and pointed at himself saying "blessing for me!" to which I asked, "you want me to pray a blessing over you?" A few more awkward exchanges had me convinced this man wanted me to pray for him and especially to pray a blessing over him. I put my hand on his shoulder and in my best authoritative voice prayed a blessing for the man. He looked at me kind of like the Pastor did and them bowed his head and closed his eyes. I realized even the facial expressions in Costa Rica seemed to be in a language I didn't understand. "That went well" is all I could think as he walked off, when suddenly I was again approached by another man who seemed to be asking me the same thing. Apparently he saw me praying for the other man and wanted to get in on it as well.This time, in a addition to his blessing, he mentioned a blessing for everyone in the room! "Wow", I thought as I looked around the room at all the people. Should I pray out loud so everyone can hear or just to the man in front of me. I guess he thought my looking around the room was a signal to bring in an interpreter, which while not completely accurate, seemed to be a way God had rescued me.
The interpreter explained that he was telling me my music had been a blessing to everyone there tonight. Thus the blessing part. Now it made sense. The very same thing the other guy was telling me before I did my best Pope imitation on him. One more person came to me with the same words about blessing. This time I was ready. "Gracias" was the correct response, affirmed by his smile.
Nice Article, God Bless You
ReplyDelete