I’m a procrastinator packer. I overpack thinking I need everything JUST IN CASE. While I was deciding what I was going to leave, sell, or bring on the Race, I was contemplating over whether I should bring something to drum. I couldn’t imagine going a year without drumming, but I know that this trip is about sacrifice. I asked God if drums was something I needed to sacrifice.
After much debate and prayer, I felt that drums and music is something that I need to bring on this trip as a tool to connect with people. I sold my normal-sized cajo’n and purchased a travel-sized box drum.
When I was in Brazil on a missions trip in the summer of ‘05, I saw for the first time what music has the power to do. We were singing in English and they were singing in Portuguese; two different languages, but one song, one heart, and one voice to the one God. It was beautiful. I saw that music is common to all cultures and has the power to unite.
Something was ignited in me.
Despite so many cultural and language differences, a common thread through EVERY culture is music. I can speak a total of 10 words in Spanish. It intimidates me to start a conversation because I don’t know their language. But I have an instrument. I have something that one can hit and make noise with. I see how people gather because of the sound of music. Music is attractive.
This is a ministry.
Music can express in ways words can’t. I can communicate through my tambor (Spanish for drum. Now 11 words in Spanish).
Music is an avenue of connection for me. It’s a common ground that a relationship can build upon. Many times in my life I doubted and questioned my music ability and if God truly had a place to use it. It was a form of my personal worship to Him, but I desired to use it in ways to express my love for Him and show others His love. God has opened many opportunities for me to use music, but there has also been many doors closed that made me doubt if this was something truly from Him and of use.
God gives us passions, gifts, strengths, and talents to be used to worship Him and to make Him known. He has and continues to show me that I have this passion and talent with music for a reason. Why not use them?
After one week of ministry, I’m seeing the value of bringing the cajo’n.
We have not only united as a team in worship, but we have gone into the public markets, nursing home, hospital, and city dump able to use our gifts and have the honor to sing His love for them.
I may not have a lot, but I’ll use what I can.
