I’ve never seen anything like it. Haven’t been in a scenario since. It’s November, 2011. I’m in Nicaragua at a Church whose building is an old, single-screen movie theater. The seating is the same, minus maybe a few of the rows up front. A large stage erects directly before the place a viewing panel would normally be. What happens next continues to blow my mind, even to this very day.
We were wrapping up a youth conference in a town a few hours away. Friends of my friend invited us to their evening service. We were encouraged to share. Along the drive was some discussion amongst the three of us around whether or not the Lord was communicating anything concerning this evening. “Nothing”, we added. This seemed strange to me. Normally, I would hear… something.
Scott is our point man. So now it’s up to him. I don’t remember much about the worship that preceded the ceremony. I do recall the introduction of our mission team along with the awkward tension that seemed to originate from Scott’s speech. Did he not know what to say or was he hearing something which was difficult to articulate? Finally, he falls dead silent.
One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three. It was lumbering. I kid you not. Maybe it wasn’t as long as it felt. Could have been 30 seconds. Could have been 5. Everything’s exaggerated when the norm is for speakers to be talking while they’re staring out at you. Scott was not. And just when you think you can’t handle another moment…
With one arm raised in the air, Scott bursts into the microphone, “Wooooooooooo! Wooooooooooo!” Even before the second “Wooo…!” the worship team is bolting back to the stage. The rest of the church floods the open area up front. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a party going on up in here!
It was crazy! People are filled with laughter. With joy. We’re worshiping at the top of our lungs (in Spanish). And if there was someone in the room not dancing, I’m pretty sure they weren’t breathing either. I believe this lasts somewhere between 30 and 40 minutes before settling down. The mic is given back to Scott. And I swear to you. He does exactly. What he did. Before… “Wooooooooooo! Wooooooooooo!”
Round 2 is no runner-up. What’s funny, is that in the midst of such celebratory awesomeness is that I’m still learning deep, impactful lessons. Here I am on a mission trip in a foreign country. My time here is short. Money isn’t growing on any trees near me. I should be taking this very seriously. And I have. I am. Now here I am on stage peering out at a crowd who appear to be ushering me to do what? Stage dive? This is the flesh.
“This is the flesh? Right? Right, Lord? (internal dialogue)” In this moment, amidst all this crazy, beautifully organized chaos, I hear God whisper something I will never forget. “Son, the only way you’ll be in the flesh right now is if you don’t rejoice while I’m rejoicing.” Buen viaje.
Click the link below to sample some of the excitement from this night
Unmatched night in my experience!!!!!! Thanks for sharing Ken. Lord, do it again!!!!
Thank you for sharing this Ken; many times we find ourselves in a situation requiring more courage and trust than we’ve been presented with previous. I believe these are on the upswing for many.