Who's really in charge here?

It was an experience like none I can remember in my directorial career.  The office was in the basement of a parking garage.  An armed guard stood at the entrance.  The waiting room was filled with various religious statues.  Not various as in Buddha next to Mary next to Jesus - all Catholic in nature.

Even with the armed guard at the door the experience could have taken place in North America, but the religious statues were a big reminder - "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."  (Of course, I've never actually been to Kansas....)  Now maybe the statues would have been there if I was at an Arch Diocese or something, but that's the thing - I was at the mall here in our town.  (Which probably shouldn't be called a town with a population of more than 650,000...)

Really the whole experience was kind of surreal, one of those parts of living here that I haven't had cause to get used to.  (The background is this:  as a creative arts department we are trying to get more involved with the community.  It was suggested to us that we try to perform during the Christmas season at this mall.)  I was going in there with my very American mindset.  I was concerned about being a representative of a Christian school, wanting to sing sacred music, and that they might just say no.  I went armed with videos of last year's choir and band and a mentally prepared (because this was to be all in Spanish of course) explanation of our desires.  After all, in most instances if I were walking into an American establishment with those conditions I would have cause for my concerns.

Those were instantly set at rest when I stared into the face of a lit up smiling saint of some sort.  I still could not imagine what would follow however.  We were dealing with the person we thought was in charge (I say we because I thankfully had a friend and parent of a choir alum along to help in any translation emergencies,) and after the usual greetings we sat and showed her the video.  It was difficult to tell from her face what her opinion was, and I was getting my proud director speech mentally ready.  That's when the real boss walked in.

First we realized that she was friends (or rather volleyball teammates) with one of our teachers at school - easy to tell since she had been referenced in a conversation earlier in the week as about to have a baby.  She greeted us with the traditional friendly kiss, not usual for a business meeting I don't think, and sat down to business.  At this point the secretary very excitedly told her she had to watch the video we had brought and started to talk about how good they were.  (Proud speech cancelled and replaced by proud smile.)

The conversation from there was a bit hard to follow for me at times, we went from talking about music to cancer to volleyball and back again a few times, but I can sum it up for y'all.  The first thing we were asked is if we would be willing to perform for Children's Day.  That was an easy "I don't think so" for me as Children's Day is next week.  The boss responded by telling me that it wouldn't have to be perfect (to which the parent snickered because she and many of you know me better than that.)  This opened up a conversation about how we train our students to treat performances as something that they are offering to God as a thank you for giving them talents.  That turned into a conversation about how her daughter is an artist and isn't getting any of that training.  That turned into how important we believe discipleship, and discipleship of artists as Christian artists is.  That turned into her asking us if when we perform (so now I guess we are approved) we could have a sign that talks about our beliefs and values for everyone to see.  Seriously - in a mall - they want us to talk about Jesus at Christmas.  How exciting!  (They were appalled to hear that in the USA that would be a very rare occurrence.  Not surprising considering most stores in malls here have nativity scenes in their windows - I should have thought of that.)

It was so humbling to see how God had orchestrated this entire thing.  It turns out that, as always, He is who was really in charge.  It was excited to hear that Abigail made all her friends stop and pray with her when it was time for the meeting.  It was uplifting to have a parent be so supportive of the program that she would give up her morning to come with me.

We left there with not only the opportunity to perform at Christmas (two times, with them doing publicity) but also an offer to do a few songs in costume before our show in November and have a ticket booth there for a weekend, and a request to prepare something for next Children's Day, bring our art classes there, have the ballet students perform, and other stuff that I can't remember.  But above all we can sing our sacred music, and they actually want us to talk about our beliefs and values.  Another day when I am absolutely enthralled with the ministry God has called me too, and the way He shows himself to me in ways that I totally get.

Thanks for your support and encouragement which is allowing us to be part of such great happenings!

Joy

And yes, I find it amusing that this morning Kenneth wrote about our seemingly boring existence (not that any day here is ever actually boring...)