You know that one thing you do that really makes you come alive?
That one thing that refreshes and re-energizes you?
That thing that gets you excited about life and allows others to see you in your element?
I think that happened to me tonight.
Tonight (Feb 4) was the best dance party ever.
The room is small. It’s the same room where 14 of us gather for 3 meals a day. It’s also the same room we have church on Mondays. The tables and chairs are pushed to the side so that there is enough room to dance. The computer and speakers are set up and the playlist ready. Everyone has arrived.
Enia, my new 12 year old friend, calls everyone’s attention to the choreographed dance we are about to perform. It’s Enia, me, Kursti and Kristen Aperfine in a square about to dance the dance we have been working on for 3 weeks. (Actually Kristen learned it 3 hours ago, but she made the cut and was a quick learner).
Me, Enia (left), Kursti (back left) and Kristen
The 8 teenage boys from Beacon of Hope are here and ready to watch and then perform their own dance. It also happens to be Alfredo’s 18thbirthday today! After the dances are finished, we bring him a cookie and sing “Happy Birthday.”
Joshua honoring Alfredo
Then we start off the night of dancing with some Swing! Now let me just say this: I. Love. Swing. Dancing.
It is where my love of dancing began about 7 years ago. And now here I am in the middle of Mozambique, sweating to death because of the heat and humidity (have I mentioned that Colorado has ZERO humidity?), swing dancing and having the time of my life.
Everyone dancin and having a great time
Yesterday we did a whole Swing Dancing lesson taught by myself and Joshua and it was really exciting to watch the boys and everyone else tonight dancing what they learned! But it wasn’t even just about the dancing.
It was about the way others lit up when they accomplished the right step, or the right turn, or the right rhythm.
It was about teaching more lessons than just dancing, it was about teaching respect and honor with something as tangible as dancing.
It was about building these boys into men and teaching them how to step into that role with confidence; and teaching the women to respond with the same respect and honor.
Two passions connected: missions meets dancing.
Dancing = my favorite thing to do.
Jesus = the reason I do anything and have any reason for being.
Me and Joshua teaching swing dancing
How did God know that I needed tonight? I have been feeling a little out of sorts this month: more homesick than usual, physically and emotionally tired/uncomfortable, withdrawn, etc. Dancing makes me come alive and feel so refreshed. I needed to reconnect with this passion of dancing so that I have renewed purpose for the rest of this month…and maybe the rest of my life???
Maybe I am getting ahead of myself, but I am pretty sure I want to remember tonight for a long time. In the meantime, I will continue dancing for Jesus and teaching others the joy of it and see what happens. 🙂
Group shot after dancing
