Let’s get something straight right off the bat: I love Relient K. Like, I would classify their music as crucial in my development as a human being. Their songs are not only clever and catchy but also honest and heartfelt with a message that reflects their lives as believers. When I listen to their music, I feel like I’m looking into their souls. I have been a huge fan since I was 12 and saw them several times in Tulsa when I was in middle school/high school.
Imagine my surprise when my team was driving to Olongapo a couple weeks ago, and I saw a banner hanging at a mall that said, “Relient K Rocks the Ayala Malls.”
…….
Hold up.
DID THAT JUST SAY RELIENT K IS PLAYING IN THE PHILIPPINES WHILE WE ARE HERE ON THE WORLD RACE??
My enthusiasm was met with skepticism about the existence of said banner, so on the way back, I was INTENT on searching for the same sign. As we passed it, we saw the date for the concert, and realized it would take place during our Debrief in the Philippines. (Debrief is a time where AIM staff comes out and checks in on the squad. We have conversations about how the month went and meet as a squad to worship and spend time sharing with each other.)
At this point, I’m like, “That concert is four days after my birthday, so we’re going. Obviously.”
Team Lovestruck is totally on board because they also love Relient K.
Fast forward to Debrief. Saturday, some of us went to the mall to figure out the public transportation route, check out the venue, and buy our tickets in advance. Sunday is the big day. AIM staff changed the Sunday night schedule specifically so we could go to this concert.
On Sunday, three other girls and myself headed to the mall in the early afternoon to make sure we got there in plenty of time. We met a really cool Filipino worship pastor named Paul who helped us navigate the route and actually bought our train tickets for us.
The rest of the group made it by the skin of their teeth, just before the concert started.
Commence concert.
Relient K rocked the Ayala mall. It was so awesome. With each song, every person walked down their own memory lane. We jumped and danced and even the guys screamed like middle school girls. We seriously had so much fun being silly and singing along with our Filipino counterparts in the audience at the mall.
After the show, we decided to wait around for a little while. I had tweeted at Relient K earlier in the week and told them there would be American missionaries seeing their show in the Philippines, hoping they would see it and want to meet us.
As we waited, they were doing their “meet and greet” with the audience members who had acquired meet-and-greet passes. One of the Filipino girls I had befriended in the audience told the band about us, and they waved at us waiting on the side of the stage. It was awkward for everyone, but we continued to wait.
Rachel from team Chainless joked, “We’re going to meet them. I’m really good at meeting bands.”
As six giant white Americans, we didn’t exactly blend in.
As the crowd dispersed, their road manager came over and subtly said, “If you guys want to come around to the side, I can bring you backstage for a little bit.”
…..
I’M SORRY WHAT
Be chill. Act natural, guys. Be normal.
We were the essence of cool as we walked around the barricade to the backstage area. We walked in and introduced ourselves, explaining that we were the missionaries who tweeted at them, and we’re from all different states in the U.S.
We proceeded to have conversations with them about their lives and our lives and what we’re doing on the World Race and where we’re from and where they’re from and what they’ve experienced in Manila.
They were really genuine, great guys, and it was so much fun talking to them. They were exactly how I imagined them to be. Actually cool people. And we were cool people. And we could probably be best friends if life was different. I have loved their music so much for so long, it was like I was talking to someone I already knew.
We prayed for them before we left and wished them safe travels back to the U.S. as they start a tour (in Tulsa!) in November.
Sometimes tenacity and patience pay off, and it feels like the stars align. But ultimately, it was God who orchestrated this for us, and it was such a tremendous blessing to end our time in the Philippines this way.
My teammate Karen informed us later that she prayed we could meet them. God answers prayers, people. Even if you think they’re silly.
God loves us. God loves Relient K.
Rock on.
