A Forgotten Blog

After reading my team members blogs I realize that maybe they did take me seriously when I said "I call blogging about this" since I dont think anyone else did. November 17th, yes almost a month ago, so the details may be a little shaky, my team here had our first "real" outing that wasn't just our normal lunch together every two weeks.

Around 17:45 we all met in front of the local supermarcado, ready and excited for the Hillsong United concert as well as for speaking english with each other. We hopped on a crowded linea 55 bus along with some local German volunteers that Naomi knows. While on the bus we also met a few more intersting people, one in particular was a boy about my age that was an aspiring song writer that was able to communicate in english. He asked a lot of questions about the U.S. and talked about how he would absolutely love to go there some day. He was also very concerned about my relationship with Christ in a very genuine way. I've thought about him several times since we talked so his enthusiasm with his faith must have left an impact on me.

After the relatively short bus ride and walk we arrived at the mega church where the concert was being held. The church was very large with two balconies, but was nothing in comparison to Willow Creek in Chicago. It was almost 7:00 so we grabbed a quick bite to eat and found our section in the top balcony. A few minutes before the opening band started an anouncement was made that everyone in the top balcony had the opportunity to move to the floor level but had to stand all the way in the back. As a team we were fairly tired and liked the idea of being able to sit, but eventually concluded that hey we payed six dollars for these tickets (that were origianlly 10 but they lowered the price because no one was buying them) so we might as well get our moneys worth and suck up the fatigue (talk about true Mennonites).

We migrated to the back of the bottom floor where there was ample space for us to talk and catch up with each other as the opening band was playing. It was about this time that a young man came up to us and in english, but with an australian accent said "just you five?" a little shocked that english was being spoken to us Daniel replied "yes" The other man responded "oh good you speak you english... ok we'll I think we are going to move you guys to the front, just be quiet and follow me". We all looked at each other, smiled and followed him to a taped off section front and center of the band, the best seats in the house.

A little before 8:00 Hillsong finally came on stage to begin their performance. After the long wait the excitment of the crowds anticipation broke loose in applause and screaming. For the next two hours Hillsong played most of their songs in spanish but also had several in english. I appreciated having the words in spanish projected on the wall as well as the english translation, that way I could understand what they were singing about as well as try my best to sing/scream along with the people around me in spanish. I also enjoyed the english songs because just like I probably sounded funny to the people in my proximity, it was enjoyable to hear people trying so hard to sing along in english with strong spanish accents. Language difference or not we were all there to worship together and praise the lord and that was powerfull.

Exhausted, at about 10:30 we finally left the church and each went our own way to try to find a way home since the buses were no longer running by the church. Rose and I ended up walking a good half hour and then taking a bus with a few other people from our church. I finally fell into bed a little after midnight and fell asleep still fully dressed in clothes still a little damp from all of the jumping and screaming at the concernt.

Even though Hillsong isn't exactly my favorite christian band and I didn't always understand the words that were being said, I could understand the expressions and tears that I saw in the peoples eyes around me during the concert. It's beautiful to be able to look into somebody's eyes and see how much they love God. Worshipping together, as a body of Christ, has so much power. Language limitations or not Gods love transcends all the barriers of this world.