In 2.5 seconds the heat in the tent suddenly raised to a record 115 degrees. At least it felt like it. 500 faces staring at me in anticipation for—something.
Head pounding.
Hands sweating.
Heart racing.
Hamstrings twitching.
I laughed and casually said, No, no, I can’t possibly, while flashing a look to Matt in desperation. If my eyes could speak they’d scream HELP… SAVE… ME while blinking a frantic Morse code S-O-S. My Matt, oh my sweet, sweet Matt, just smiled and waved his hand like, You’re awesome! Just do it.
Rewind:
In most African churches, dancing is part and parcel of corporate worship. In other words, it ain’t church unless you shake what your momma gave you. F’real.
At Mavuno church the teens have a Holy Spirit Dance Party which includes a deejay, emcee, and—get this—a dance team and leader?! We do choreographed steps to worship songs set to pop beats and rhythmic moves. It’s a blast!!!
Before the second service started, I confessed to Matt that I felt like my talk in first service was HORRIBLE. I felt flat. I felt like I was trying to hit a note out of my range. I felt like Mister Rogers trying to rap like Eminem. As I looked into the faces of the Kenyan teens, I felt like a failure.
Matt told me just to be ME. You are doing great, but they don’t know you. Just start off with YOU so they can trust what you have to say. So I listened to him…
And where did it get me? On stage, in front of the entire second service, with the deejay scratching beats and the teens cheering for me to dance BY MYSELF before the talk continued.
I laughed and casually said, No, no, I can’t possibly, while flashing a look to Matt in desperation. And again, if my eyes could speak they’d scream HELP… SAVE… ME. Matt just smiled and waved his hand like, You’re awesome! Just do it.
With every ounce of strength I could muster up, I began to move to the salsa music the deejay played loudly through the speakers. I moved my hips back and forth and reached deep down into my Puerto Rican soul to find all the rhythm I could. Cheers erupted and hands clapped with joyous familiarity as we joined together like King David to dance like he danced.
Mister Rogers dancing
At the end of the small stint the crowd settled down and for a small second, I felt like a dancing Mister Rogers. Not a Mister Rogers trying to be someone he wasn’t—just being him.
As comfortable as a warm, cardigan sweater and familiar shoes, I felt like I fit in. I felt like Nairobi and I were neighbors. And yes, like Mister Rogers says, it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
Interesting blog, I’m going to spend more time reading about this subject
I needed to create you the very small note to give many thanks once again for the precious tactics you have contributed here. It has been so shockingly generous with you to supply publicly what many people could have marketed as an e book to earn some bucks for their own end, specifically now that you could have tried it in the event you wanted. These things additionally acted as a great way to know that someone else have similar eagerness just like my own to see whole lot more regarding this matter. I’m certain there are some more enjoyable occasions up front for many who look over your blog.
Ohh… Do you want more info for Amy Winehouse Death ?
Awesome read , I’m going to spend more time reading about this topic
you would’ve an very important blog below! would you love to make a number of invite reports on my own weblog?
I am glad to be a visitor of this complete site ! , thanks for this rare info ! .
The following time I learn a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I do know it was my choice to read, however I really thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you may repair in the event you werent too busy looking for attention.
Hi there, I discovered your web site via Google at the same time as looking for a similar matter, your site got here up, it seems to be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
I have a lot of respect when I see content by other people who will be more of an expert when compared with me on this matter. The audience might think that looks effortless, but there is so much going on behind the curtain. Your work is a result of analysis and knowledge on your part and you were very good enough to share all of them with people like me. Thanks.
I arrived at your posting from a different article as well as am really curious about this discovering this, I believe strongly in relation to information not to mention love finding out more in this particular. If achievable, as you obtain expertise, It is rather helpful for my situation. would everyone mind updating your website with more info?
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
Some really great information, Sword lily I detected this.
Hello,I love studying through your weblog, I wanted to depart a little remark to support you and want you a good continuation. Wishing you the most productive of success for your entire running a blog efforts.
How now, brown cow?
Interesting read i think your website is great with informative content which i like to add to my bookmarks. I’d like to share everyone
I am also writing to make you know of the cool experience our child experienced viewing the blog. She realized lots of issues, not to mention how it is like to possess a great giving nature to have most people without hassle know precisely various very confusing subject areas. You really exceeded our own expected results. I appreciate you for providing those helpful, safe, revealing not to mention cool thoughts on this topic to Tanya.
I hope create stop! This is amongst the best web logs Ive actually read. Youve found some upset skill in this article, man. I simply just hope you ought to dont lose your look because youre definitely amongst the coolest bloggers you can get. Please continue the good work because the online world needs someone familiar spreading the phrase.
Thank you a lot for providing individuals with such a breathtaking opportunity to check tips from this blog. It’s always so enjoyable and jam-packed with a great time for me personally and my office friends to search the blog at a minimum 3 times in 7 days to study the latest guides you will have. And indeed, we are certainly fulfilled considering the splendid ideas served by you. Certain 3 ideas in this article are ultimately the very best we have had.
thanks for sharing your thoughts, I haven’t think of this before, keep posting mate!
Hey moron, Scrapebox is your daddy! 😀
I cant believe this
You need to take part in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this web site!
I think this internet site has got some really superb info for everyone : D.
thanks for sharing your thoughts, I haven’t think of this before, keep posting mate!
Just a quick note to thank you for many ideas that actually clear many of our doubts on this field. For many days, I have already been visiting your site and I have always been gaining a new challenge, especially from this article. In fact, words can’t express how much we thank you for the step-by-step report you provide here and so I no longer live in the field of ignorance as far as this topic is concerned. I am truly grateful for your expert ideas as well as support.
I couldn’t agree more. Well Said!
There’s noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made certain good factors in features also.