In my previous post, written on the morning of the African voyage, I asked myself why I was going. There could be so many answers such as Because we're going to record some sick tracks, Because Luke is coming along, Because Jack and Annie asked me (did they?), or Because I just want to go. Maybe the closest answer would be that I would really like to go on a mission trip at least once every year since my life-changing trip to Cambodia last summer.
@ 3rd Annual River of Life Youth Conference West Africa
(Click it to join the PARTY!)
The first morning as we were having breakfast together, each of us shared our various expectations of this trip and what we wanted to see or gain from this journey. I did not know what to expect besides the mission to record some original songs from this part of the world, take it back, produce them and let the world hear the sound. I also was really expecting to see some crazy healing and miracles to take place during our stay here in Lome, Togo.
Celebrating Pastor Jame's Birthday! Delicious meal!
(Click it to see the A-Team!)
In General
During the first day, we visited the local prison, went on a radio station, and also performed "Friend of God" in French and promoted the youth conference on the most popular TV talk show here in Togo. The youth conference took place over the next four days. And I have never been so physically tired and drenched like I had during this African trip. Every day is jam-packed with things to do, especially to record their songs, take loads of pictures, video recording, speak at workshops... But it was so worth all the sweat (literally!). I love how they worship God -- their love for Him displayed on their countenances. Just seeing their hunger and desire to receive drove me on to give out everything I have, knowing I might not have much to offer but my poorly-spoken French, my hugs, and my love for these beautiful people on the other side of the world.
Annie with a lady healed of stomach pain right after prayer!
(Click it to see the resemblance of their love.)
People in Togo
Lome is the capital of Togo, though not as "modern" as Ghana or Benin's capitals, people DO use internet, they DO surf the web and send emails at "internet cafes". I should not have presumed that the people in Africa are not educated and poor and have to walk miles to draw water from wells. In this city, people do get educated, and it only costs an university student $80 USD to to receive a year of college education! Yes, most of the people in the country are still living in the villages (which I will share about later in the post), living day after day under harsh conditions; however, seeing these educated youth and young adults at the conference, I saw them as the hope of the future of Togo, and their contribution to this nation will then provide for their fellow Togolese living in poor villages.
@ village, this guy remembered Jack
because he went to the Youth Conference!
(Click it to feel the joy through this picture.)
Deliverance Session
Speaking of signs, wonders, and miracles, something really interesting happened during the morning session on the last day of the conference. To be honest, I was really expecting to lay hands of the sick, blind, deaf, mute, lame, and see God's healing power fall upon them and thus set them free from these bondages. However, I saw nothing of these sort AT ALL. (I know, what a bummer!) God had something else planned (of course, always better than our plan..). During that session, pastor Clement was sharing (in their local language, EWE, with English and also French live translation), and he called two people to come up and sit on the stage. I thought he was going to honor them, but after he finished his sharing and gave out an alter call, I finally knew why he called these two people up on the stage.
Then, for the next hour and half, I felt like I was watching the movie "Furious Love" right in front of my eyes -- they were having a deliverance session on a hot, sweaty Saturday morning. There were people on the stage and off the stage being delivered. Many Africans would worship different idols and seek counseling from witchdoctors or practice voodoo rituals, and thus trading their souls, even the lives of their families with the enemy without fulling knowing what they had done.
One of the two people called on the stage was a young girl, probably 18 years of age, needed four adults to hold her down so that the pastor could anoint her with oil. And eventually, they even cut off her hair! Later on we found out why: the demonic spirits wouldn't let her go and they were still clinging onto her hair, which let to freedom, and a free haircut. That was one of the most intense time I have ever been in: people screaming, shaking, dancing, worshiping, spinning, but in the end, all things had to bow down to the Lordship of God, the King of Kings, and the Holy Spirit. In the US, we hold powerful night services, but in Africa, who cares if it is bright or dark, God is the same all the time! Total awesomeness.
One of the two people called on the stage was a young girl, probably 18 years of age, needed four adults to hold her down so that the pastor could anoint her with oil. And eventually, they even cut off her hair! Later on we found out why: the demonic spirits wouldn't let her go and they were still clinging onto her hair, which let to freedom, and a free haircut. That was one of the most intense time I have ever been in: people screaming, shaking, dancing, worshiping, spinning, but in the end, all things had to bow down to the Lordship of God, the King of Kings, and the Holy Spirit. In the US, we hold powerful night services, but in Africa, who cares if it is bright or dark, God is the same all the time! Total awesomeness.
After that crazy session, I realized that the people in Africa must see signs, wonders, miracles ALL THE TIME because the battle in the spirit is so real, and they are definitely even more experienced in praying for these crazy things. So my craving for healing, signs, wonders, and deliverance stopped after having a live deliverance movie played right in front of my eyes. It was certainly quite an interesting experience that I rarely would encounter here in the West.
Village Experience
Very much like what we would see on TV--poor villages lacking all kinds of resources with villagers walking for miles to retrieve water from wells. It's a different world out there. Words cannot describe how in need these people are, yet I see something more precious in them that I do not have: DESPERATION. I use the word "precious" because I realize the way they pray and their mentality while praying are coming from the deepest part of their soul. They understand EXACTLY what it means to be "hungry", to be "thirsty", and thus asking God to "give them this day their daily bread" is not some words they have to reiterate before their meals. I see their faith to believe because they have nothing else to lose and no one else to look to.
I shared with one of the young adults from the church in the city, "You know, Julius, this is the place where Jesus would visit. I finally see the reason why." The villages is the main harvest field--many believed in voodoo, witchcraft, or Islam also because they want to have something to hold on to. And we can offer that firm Foundation that always stands, a Tower of refuge to hide, Cloud by day, Fire by night, and a Well that never runs dry.
Last But Not Least
Despite all the workshops, all the visits, and all the recording sessions, what I could give out was actually one thing--LOVE. Who cares about the language barriers, culture collisions, and reality shocks? Luke shared with me after the trip that he loves to LOVE the people in West Africa, and he found a way to love beyond words, and to see the smiles on their faces and just to know that they are loved is enough. I can't agree with him more. After all, my primary mission is not to preach, nor teach, nor provide... these are all great but they come secondary to LOVE, which is my commandment. My friends and family, do you love to LOVE? My encouragement for everyone is that don't wait until you are ready, or when you can finally speak a foreign language to GO, we sure weren't ready (hah...) for whatever was going to happen, but out willing hearts wanted to go.
So there you have it--my long entry summarizing my voyage to a land of harvest, beauty, and God's workmanships created to do His will and advance His Kingdom upon the earth. I give thanks to God, who provided me and our team with financial blessings from our friends and family (that's YOU!) all over the nations. Thank you for your prayer support also... it's definitely a battlefield there and your prayers empowered us to keep walking in the frontline!
And the Magnificent Seven (myself included): James, Wenshian, Grace, Jack, Annie, and Luke. Though the trip was physically tiring, we still managed to have some fun moments at the villages, tranquil moments at the pool, and stressful moments at the airport. I love you all, and I learned a lot from you during the trip (sweet magic tricks, Luke...)! I can't wait for my next mission trip. Now... it's time to work on some amazing African music! Stay tuned for the West African Sound~
ps. Dubai Layover
Our team stopped by Dubai for an extra day during our transfer flight back to the States. Going from the lowest places on the planet (African villages) to the richest city in the world was quite an experience for all of us. There are people suffering, and there are also people taking a vacation at a seven-star hotel, and I felt that God's telling me that they are no difference in His eyes--all His children, all His beloved, and I should be content and thankful for everything I have.
Luke's our lady-magnet... check out his dance moves!
(Click it to see his muscles/her beautiful smile.)
Village Experience
Very much like what we would see on TV--poor villages lacking all kinds of resources with villagers walking for miles to retrieve water from wells. It's a different world out there. Words cannot describe how in need these people are, yet I see something more precious in them that I do not have: DESPERATION. I use the word "precious" because I realize the way they pray and their mentality while praying are coming from the deepest part of their soul. They understand EXACTLY what it means to be "hungry", to be "thirsty", and thus asking God to "give them this day their daily bread" is not some words they have to reiterate before their meals. I see their faith to believe because they have nothing else to lose and no one else to look to.
I shared with one of the young adults from the church in the city, "You know, Julius, this is the place where Jesus would visit. I finally see the reason why." The villages is the main harvest field--many believed in voodoo, witchcraft, or Islam also because they want to have something to hold on to. And we can offer that firm Foundation that always stands, a Tower of refuge to hide, Cloud by day, Fire by night, and a Well that never runs dry.
Of course the van had to get stuck in the mud...
Can't have a fun trip without some mud-fun!
(Click it to see how I single-handedly pushed it out... not)
Last But Not Least
Despite all the workshops, all the visits, and all the recording sessions, what I could give out was actually one thing--LOVE. Who cares about the language barriers, culture collisions, and reality shocks? Luke shared with me after the trip that he loves to LOVE the people in West Africa, and he found a way to love beyond words, and to see the smiles on their faces and just to know that they are loved is enough. I can't agree with him more. After all, my primary mission is not to preach, nor teach, nor provide... these are all great but they come secondary to LOVE, which is my commandment. My friends and family, do you love to LOVE? My encouragement for everyone is that don't wait until you are ready, or when you can finally speak a foreign language to GO, we sure weren't ready (hah...) for whatever was going to happen, but out willing hearts wanted to go.
Grace, Wenshian, and James telling YOU to GO!
Well... probably just James =D
(Click it to see Jame's awesomeness close-up.)
So there you have it--my long entry summarizing my voyage to a land of harvest, beauty, and God's workmanships created to do His will and advance His Kingdom upon the earth. I give thanks to God, who provided me and our team with financial blessings from our friends and family (that's YOU!) all over the nations. Thank you for your prayer support also... it's definitely a battlefield there and your prayers empowered us to keep walking in the frontline!
And the Magnificent Seven (myself included): James, Wenshian, Grace, Jack, Annie, and Luke. Though the trip was physically tiring, we still managed to have some fun moments at the villages, tranquil moments at the pool, and stressful moments at the airport. I love you all, and I learned a lot from you during the trip (sweet magic tricks, Luke...)! I can't wait for my next mission trip. Now... it's time to work on some amazing African music! Stay tuned for the West African Sound~
Be blessed by God and be a blessing to others!
Johnny
ps. Dubai Layover
Our team stopped by Dubai for an extra day during our transfer flight back to the States. Going from the lowest places on the planet (African villages) to the richest city in the world was quite an experience for all of us. There are people suffering, and there are also people taking a vacation at a seven-star hotel, and I felt that God's telling me that they are no difference in His eyes--all His children, all His beloved, and I should be content and thankful for everything I have.
View from our beautiful hotel on the 40th floor. Incredible.
(Click it to see how twisted this building looks. Ha.)
Be joyful always.
Pray without ceasing.
Give thanks in all circumstances,
For this is God's will for You in Christ Jesus.
-1 Thessalonians 5:16~18-
Hate to say goodbye to Togo...
Thus we all had some FAN MILK before we departed!
We'll be back just to have s'more of those!
(Fan Milk is the most amazing milk ice cream ever...OMG)
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