Wrapping it Up
Sorry for how slow this took. Between moving into my apartment for school, school starting, and me getting back into the groove of procrastinating for school, I've sidetracked myself many a times.ANYWAY!
Coming back from Music Ministry, it hasn't been that weird adjusting back to life without the team — moving into school has just taken up all my time. But I really do miss the whole atmosphere, the sense of collective purpose. Together, we were Music Ministry, out to sing our hearts out and perform a drama that would hopefully force people to re-evaluate their lives with God.
So why is it different now that I'm back? Do I not feel that sense of purpose?
It's easy to feel like that on missions. But the thing I've forgotten is that everyday is a missions field. The people I meet and interact with, whether they're Christian or not, that doesn't matter. I still need to encourage all of them, building them up.
I think that's one thing this past week's Sunday School was about. It's easy to minister to non-Christians. We do it so they will see Christ's love and want to put their faith in Him. But we forget that our own brothers and sisters need encouragement too. That as rewarding as our work is, it still gets tiring and we all need a little push to keep us going.
I think this is especially applicable to me starting school. The people I meet, the people I see around campus, for now, they're my mission field. That's where God has put me.
Hmm... what else... people keep asking me how Music Ministry was. It's hard to put in words. How do you put into words the things that you've seen, the people that you've met, the things God has put in your heart? It's impossible.
The only word I can find for it is ... AMAZING.
Our last performance in San Diego was probably the ultimate example. There we were, singing songs that most of the congregation didn't know because they couldn't even speak English. But still, to see a sight of Taiwanese, White, and Mexican people all gathered together, it's a taste of heaven.
It reminded me of that time at the Navajo reservation. God has reminded me over and over again just how big His purpose is. It's not limited to me or Harvest LA. There are people all over the states that we've visited that have a burning desire to draw close to God, to have others draw close to Him too. It's AMAZING.
Right after our SD performance, we had a lot of time to just chill at Denny's with the people there. I wish we had more of that. So many amazing people and yet at some churches we barely got to really interact with them. I should have taken advantage of those opportunities. Heh heh... maybe next year if God wills it?
Sorry for this randomness. If I have anything else on my mind that's MM related, I'll post it.
Thanks for all your prayers and reading this blog. You've been a big part of this Ministry. Keep it up!
08/20/2006 No, I didn't forget about Music Ministry. There will be a long update soon enough. Been busy moving into school and looking over Music Ministry photos and whatnot. Be prepared for a new entry and new photos later too
07/27/2006
Hanging with the Navajos
So for a bit of Music Ministry, we went to the Indian reservations in Arizona. Our hosts took us to a lot of amazing sights and sceneries. There was this one place called Lake Powell. You can't really see it from the road because there's a small road that leads to it, but once you get there, it's just so awesome.I was standing there in the rock formations and just thinking about how beautiful God's creation is. With all our technology and artistic skills and everything, we could never create something like all that I saw. And yet, it's so easy for God to create a little place like that.
One night, we went to a church member's house to see the slaughtering of a sheep. And man, it's something you definitely have to see sometime.
Before it happened, Pastor David was reminding us about how Jesus is OUR sacrificial lamb. But until you see an actual lamb being slaughtered, it's hard to picture all of that.
I don't think I'm one usually too affected by "gross" things. But seeing the sheep still twitching even after having its throat cut, knowing that it couldn't cry out because its windpipe was broken, just seeing it tied there on the ground as it bled to death, it's really different.
I really don't know how to describe it. But you could say that it's changed my view about seeing Jesus as our sacrificial lamb.
07/24/2006
Arizona Adversities
Man... since the last post, I have seen some amazing things.So after Texas, we arrived in Arizona, where it's hot but NOT humid... about 115 degrees, no joke. Our first stop was GPCCC and I think it was exactly what we needed. I guess you could say that people haven't responded as we hoped from the previous churches. I'm sure that they were touched and have a lot to think about, but they didn't come up for the alter call and stuff. But at GPCCC, 2 people accepted Christ and at least 15 people rededicated themselves.
It was definitely a very clear reminder from God that He was using us in amazing ways. But at EFC Phoenix, there was a lot of spiritual warfare going on. Some people had been hearing voices that were telling them that they were worthless and having nightmares at night. And even though the performance at EFC Phoenix didn't go as planned, 2 people accepted Christ.
That was an even better reminder from God, that whatever we were doing, no matter how much we sucked or whatever, that He was the guy really taking care of everything.
I think the best part of our experiences in Phoenix was how we reacted to all the adversity that occurred. Instead of blaming each other and fueling flames and wanting to hurt one another, we turned to prayer.
During the performances, we began to pray on the sides when we weren't on stage. People during the drama were constantly laying hands on each other before we got on stage. I often turn a corner during practices and just find two or three people holding each other in prayer.
And it's so apparant that prayer has been changing Music Ministry. We've become a closer group and a more confident group. Regardless of our abilities, God's taking care of us.
07/18/2006
Texas... known for big Hearts too
Sorry for the lack of an update. I had started writing one but now that I look over it, most of it didn't make sense. So here goes a new one.
Since the last time I wrote anything, we drove out to Texas and had performances at EFC NASA and EFC Houston. The drive was long and sometimes hot, but thank God that everything went smoothly and that we arrived safely in Texas.
Man, the people here are so hospitable. The church threw us a bbq on Sunday and we went over to one of the members' house for dinner last night. And some of them have taken time off of work and stuff just to hang out with us. I can't describe just all the little ways they've shown Christ's love to us.
I mean, WE'RE the ones that are supposed to be reflecting Christ's love, you know? It's just amazing the body of believers that exists across the nation.
Anyway... just keep the team in your prayers. We have a lot to grow in all different ways. Reaching out to people, encouraging one another, improving musically... EVERYTHING. When I think of it, we're really nothing. But for some reason, God's chosen us to use us in this way to minister, so that's really exciting too. Because when the time comes, he'll surprise and exceed all our expectations.
07/09/2006
Pumped and Puffed Up
So just a bit over 24 hours before we head off. I haven't started packing yet because my laundry's in the wash right now. But I'm not too worried about packing.
EXCITEMENT'S IN THE AIR! WE'RE LEAVING! Friday's performance at HLA was pretty awesome. It's really encouraging to see kids I've interacted with at church boldly come up and confess that they need to recommit their lives to God. And so many different people came too! Even though our music is loud and our drama has "mature content" it's awesome to see that bits of everything can be applied to people from all different walks of life. Praise God!
Anyway, I had two wisdom teeth pulled out on Saturday. No, I'm not visibly puffy at all, so that's a praise. All I have to say ... is that water tastes different after the surgery. How come everything I drink tastes like BLOOD! HAHAHA just kidding.
Prayers: That I don't forget any clean underwear when I'm packing, that I don't get an infection because of my surgery during the tour, and that I'm able to clean the horrendous mess that is my room before I go.
07/03/2006
Getting those butterflies out
So Irvine on Friday was our first performance. To be truthful, we all had low expectations. We weren't able to run through some things like we had wanted beforehand. Overall, Irvine was meant to be a test, a taste of what a performance on tour would be like.
Even so, I think the entire team agreed that it went pretty well. Granted, we have some kinks to work out still with transitions, lapels, and whatnot. But things went relatively smoothly.
The best part of the night? Going home and reading people's Xangas about what happened, people iming us telling us what God put on their hearts, people emailing us about how the performance touched them.
Keep doing that. It really encourages all of us. Write on your Xangas, im us if you know our sns, and give us a shout to our email. It's efcmusicministry@gmail.com.
Daniel Chou
at a glance
- Home church
- EFC Los Angeles, Living Word Ambassador Church
- Instruments
- guitar
- School
- 2nd year at USC, majoring in public relations, minor in communication design
- Hometown
- Rockville, MD
- Hobbies
- guitar, design, volleyball, eating, sleep, movies, procrastination
- Bible verse
- Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18
- Movies
- Zoolander, Butterfly Effect, Memento
- Favorite Quote
- "Maybe there's more to life than being really, really... really, ridiculously good looking."
my story
Like some others, I was born into a Christian family, but that meant nothing … until I was about 12. It struck me on a Palm Sunday that God is so powerful, and yet, He’s so loving and personal. Often times, I get lost in just one aspect of God. And when I try to look at God in His entirety, it boggles my mind why he would do so much for stupid me, and stupid everyone. But that’s God’s love for us I guess.
I’m most “in tune” with God when it’s just me and my girlfriend (aka guitar) alone in a room with a closed door. I don’t have to worry about how out of tune I sing or how I desperately need to get better at guitar. In that room, it’s just me pouring out my heart to God, worshipping in song.
When Music Ministry stopped by Maryland in 1998 on their “Set Free” tour, it made a huge difference in my life. They planted a seed that was later reaped by that sermon on Palm Sunday. I want to make that same kind of difference. Through Music Ministry, I want to make people excited about worshipping God and living changed lives. Who knows? Maybe some day they’ll be on Music Ministry too.
i confess...
- I have a "Canadian" accent when I sing.
- I'm afraid of the dark.
- I've cracked my voice when singing.
- I open up to others easily.
- I don't use the radio anymore.
- I don't read my Bible everyday.
- There are times when I tune out from God.
- I've hugged a stranger.
- I've cried in public.
- I believe in true love.
- Sometimes I choose other things over quiet times.
- I peek during prayer sometimes.
- I shut others out when I'm sad.
- I've tripped on stage.