Music ministry blog

Ushiku Morning Mommies!#4

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 03:21:18 -0800

Got to bed around midnight and woke up at 3am. That’s just how it is and probably will be. I’ve learned to deal with it better. It will be a long drive to the church for the workshop so I can sleep going up and coming back.

Now this is only my second time working with this (new fad sweeping the country) morning mommies choir group at Midorino church but this group is directed by Junko Ito, one of the main directors and leaders with HGF so that just means there won’t be any issues. Also, whatever I was going to teach or add to the workshop songs, this would be my last opportunity to change or augment. The songs were going to be recorded for the band and for a meeting coming up with the leaders of the Taiko drums group. I had to get it right!

I couldn’t have picked a better group to get it done with. All the parts, dynamics, attitude and just flat out sangin’ was there. What a good time but went over by 20 minutes. I had to this time for the recording but it was all good.

Afterwards we had our usual “Meet, Greet and Eat” fellowship time. I always look forward to it because this is all about relationships. This is the time where questions are asked, testimonies are shared and salvation is explained. Or, doors are simply opened to be able to do all or some of that at a later time. Praise HIm!

Next up, Tsurukawadai!

Blessings!

Nakahara #3

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 00:09:40 -0800

Just over a week after arriving in Japan and jet lag hasn’t kicked in just yet. I’m still running off adrenaline of being back in Japan. Time for Shinagawa the “bass playing” Sensei and the crew at Nakahara Church. Also, is you listen to the new “HGF Live” you’ll hear mostly the children of Shinagawa-Sensei singing on “I Know Jesus Loves Me.” So special!

Of course the focus is to finish on time. That’s going to be my “mantra” in the rest of the workshops. Teaching, explaining and finishing on time. The first couple I was being a little too meticulous on some parts but keep in mind this is my first attempt at re-arranging and teaching a Japanese song plus a song that’s going to be in collaboration with the Taiko Drums again. Fun but challenging, very challenging!

With the Nakahara group I was able to finish just a little over time but I got through everything and enough for them to be comfortable, singing with confidence. That’s what I need everyone to walk away with! There’s also that man named Jesus as well I want them to leave with. Couldn’t leave Him out!

Afterwards went to dinner with Sensei and his daughter and even though I was hungry, I didn’t eat a lot because of how late it was. I’m trying to be good. I only ordered 2 dinners with dessert but washed down with a coke zero! Yes!

Next up, Ushiku morning mommies choir.

Blessings!

Koriyama Regional Godo

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:14:30 -0800

The first of 4 regional concerts and the first time in Koriyama. Now the host choir at Grace Chapel church is used to going out and being part of events in the area. They are very visible in the community breaking down walls and always exploring creative forms of outreach. I first started going into the public schools here in Koriyama and took part in a dinner and concert very similar to the gospel brunch at the House of Blues. So, it’s going to be a good time and the Mighty Name will be proclaimed!

After sound check was over we went out the Hall to get dressed and it was amazing to see the line of people waiting to come inside was all the way down the hall. They only expected 200-250 and almost doubled that. To say standing room only wouldn’t paint the picture properly. Let’s just say maybe a little elbow room but what I saw was all the Saints, coming together in unity, on one accord and the presence of the Lord was here! I could feel Him in the atmosphere! Y’all know what I’m saying....

I could easily run out of adjectives in describing the concert. It was indeed all that and a double, double from Inn N Out. (with onions of course) Yes, some people were more involved than others but I don’t believe anyone walked away disappointed or unhappy. It was truly a praise and worship experience from the kids choir to the main choir.

Lastly there was this girl there name Lisa Leuschner who’s come from TLC church in Aptos, Ca that’s helping with the workshops and putting on vocal clinics. This is my first time ever hearing or working with her and this girl has some major skills! She was a finalist on American Idol a few years back. In my book she’s the winner!

Blessings!

Momomidai Elementary School

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:48:42 -0800

Well time to get back on Shinkansen from Akita to Koriyama but there was a little twist involved. I had to change trains in Sendai and if you’ve been following the blog you may recall a few times when I’ve gotten on the wrong trains. It’s been more than a few but I’ve only mentioned a couple. I made it on the right train and pulled into Koriyama right on time. I was picked up by Toyomi-Sensai and her crew from Koriyama Grace Garden Chapel. We went to the church, loaded up the vans and away we went to the school.

This is a very prestigious school in this community and the connection is one of the choir members. She is a new teacher at this school and truly understands the importance of impacting kids during the foundational years and if that foundation is the “Rock’ and/or a “Firm” Foundation, well Hallelujah!

If you’ve watched the video you can see how hyped, excited and ready they were and that was just the teachers! I don’t know what to say about the kids! It was just a powerful, spiritual, emotional, life changing experience. I really didn’t want to stop.

Some people will think, “that’s just the smile of a child” or “any excuse to get out of classwork is a good excuse.” The kids didn’t understand what they were singing and dancing to. Out of sight, out of mind.

To all of that I could say a whole lot but my main response is going back to my calling....The Lord told me to lift Him up and He would do the rest! He said, plant the “seed.”

Blessings!

Iwaya Elementary School

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:47:21 -0800

I made it to Akita and was surprised how cold it was not! It’s usually snow everywhere and freezing when I come here at this time of year. Well, hallelujah anyhow!

Here we are at the first gospel music workshop at a PUBLIC Elementary school in Japan. I’ll say that again, someone may have missed it. PUBLIC Elementary school! God has opened this door and I marvel at His power in being able to do this. Some may think I’m just conducting fun and play time but not much else. That’s not it. They are playing and having fun but I’m planting a gospel seed of joy and happiness that’s encouraging and uplifting the hearts, minds and souls of precious lives. They are jumping, laughing, dancing and singing songs like, Can’t Nobody do Me Like Jesus” “Oh Happy Day” Praise The Lord With Me” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

Some may say, “they don’t understand what you are saying and they are singing.” I revert back to my calling. The Lord told me to “lift Him up” and He would do the rest. He will take me to unfamiliar and unusual places but just trust and obey! That’s the simplistic form of it. It gets a little deeper and I will cover it as I continue on in the workshops.

Keep this in mind, we’re in a secular venue, in unity, singing praise to God! I usually sing 2-3 songs but we sang 5 songs together and they sang one more to me. They didn’t want to stop and neither did I! The praises went up and the blessings were surely spread around! The principal was even dancing and singing with everyone and that never happens!!!!

These are the kinds of events that can be a turning point in a child’s life. The really good part about it is it’s not about me but about the Almighty!

Blessings!

Akita #2

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:06:51 -0800

Today is (was) Thanksgiving! I am truly thankful to be with my family. Plenty of fun, plenty of love and plenty of food! Maybe not the food I’m used to but just to be able to see the smiles on everyone’s face as I walked in and saw the spread on the table was more satisfaction than any turkey, dressings, mac and cheese, yams, cranberry sauce, broccoli casserole, honey baked ham, brisket, greens, sweet potato pie, rolls, corn bread.....
What were we talking about?

After the feast it was workshop time and I was excited to get started because this is an established group with a few new comers. I didn’t get completely through both songs in Sendai so I was determined to do it this time. I knew I couldn’t spend as long on the introduction and mindset for the material so I would have enough time to finish.

Well, I was able to get further along but still not a complete job where everyone will be comfortable and confident in singing the material. I realize I’m having too much fun with the Japanese song and I could move things along a bit faster but I like the reactions and excitement of everyone as we are learning. It’s taking me between an hour 15 and one hour and 30 minutes to finish. I have to cut it down to one hour or less.

Although we made it to the end because there are some really good singers in the group that can pick up fast, I left out a few things so I must re-evaluate the session time. Yes, I’ve got homework to do.

There is always fellowship time after the workshops and this is something I always look forward to. The way we are spreading the gospel is really relationship based so his is that quality time to plant some good seed!

Next up Koriyama!

Blessings!

Sendai (Oh Me, Oh My!)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:59:42 -0800

This is an old picture. I ran over time and didn’t have time to take a picture with the group!

Here we go with the first of 18 workshops! I’m really excited to see how everything is going to work out because one of the songs I’m introducing to the workshop participants is my first attempt at rearranging a Korean/Japanese song and on the demo I sang the background with one of my choir members. (Emi Kato) It is so funny to hear me singing in a different language. (on purpose) Maybe one of these days I’ll post it.

Before traveling to Sendai I went with Ken to rehearse with one of the newest church choirs in the HGF network. This was another choir filled with Japanese moms that have pre-school and kindergarten aged kids and they rehearse weekday mornings. I see a real trend happening with the popularity of these type choirs. They are starting to spring up in a lot of the areas and it’s creating a new and fresh outreach for ministries.

Afterwards it was time to go meet Ayako at the train station. She was going to make sure I got on the right Shinkansen (Bullet Train). Everything went smoothly and I arrived in Sendai and picked up by John Barrett who is a choir director and professional singer in Sendai. He’s Jamaican but has been in Sendai for some years now so he is very fluent in Japanese.

I checked into the hotel, a very nice one I must say and after a short rest we drove to the community center for the workshop. This is the first of 18 and I am excited about teaching the new material to hear how it will sound. The Sendai groups are some of the more advanced groups due the popularity of gospel choirs there. The city also has a “gospel fest” each year. The whole community comes out and supports it. It’s awesome, I was able to be apart of it last year.

The workshop started and I my focus was to not talk as much but do more teaching. I explain things as I’m going through them. The song that I re-arranged “Kimi Wa” was the first one up. Some people will be familiar with this song because it is a very popular Christian song in Japan and Korea. I had everyone who knew it sing it the original way and then I let them hear the new version that has a toe tapper feel to it.

It’s a strange reaction at first. Some are wondering, how did he do it and I’m sure some are wondering why did he do it. I explained you can put any words to music but my focus was to keep the spiritual integrity of this powerful and moving song. Yes I want people sing, dance, rock, clap and be excited but if the don’t understand why they are moving and the reason why they are singing, I’ve messed up.

At the end of teaching it I was very pleased at the results and everyone really seemed to vibe with it. However, it took too long for me to teach it and I only had 15 minutes left to teach the other one. I ran through part of it and it really sounded good but not enough of the song for people to feel confident about singing later in one of the concerts. I’ve got homework to do.

Next stop, Akita.

Blessings!

Back HOME in Japan!

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:05:09 -0800

Yes, I’m back home in Japan. I’m a long way from Long Beach, already missing Althea-san and oh God, no turkey, dressings or red velvet corn bread! Well, it was supposed to be Red Velvet Cake but either my sister put too much or not enough of something and she created another delight! (allegedly) So, you all just think about me when you’re throwing down for Thanksgiving!

First of all let me welcome the new readers to this blog. Thank you for coming and please know that you probably won’t understand my humor and writing abilities initially but just give it a few days and if that doesn’t work, please give it one more week and I guarantee you’ll be even more confused than when you first started. Just pray for me! Also, I invite you to read some of the older posts to try and get a since of what I’m doing and how God must have a sense of humor by sending someone as nutty and crazy as I am to Japan!

I love coming to Japan, I love the food, I love the landscape, I’m intrigued with regards to the history, I really love the people, I have so much fun but that’s not why I’m here. The Lord called me, I heard and obeyed! I’m here planting seeds through the vehicle of what they term as, “Black Gospel Music.”
I teach gospel music workshops to individuals, choirs, directors, musicians and anyone else who wants to come get their collective Praise on! God has even opened the door for me to go into public elementary schools and plant that same gospel seed! That is truly amazing but so is He! It’s not about me! I’ll say that again, it’s not about me but all about He! They say the winds and sea obey Him! I can’t even get a second packet of ketchup at Jonathan’s.

It is indeed a move of God happening here in Japan and He is using all sorts of ways and means to reach His people. I’m not here singing, teaching, dancing (allegedly) or sharing for enjoyment but that some if not all would be saved! Less than one percent of the population here are confessed Christians.

I’ll explain more as I update the posts so please enjoy.

Blessings!

SEOUL FOR REAL!

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:10:45 -0700

Ray and the Soul Singers! I call them “Soul Sangin’ Sistas!”

I’m catching up on my blog updates so just look at the dates and you’ll know what’s current and what’s old. This is from my recent trip to Japan and Seoul, So Korea.

As usual what am I doing? I’m in Seoul, So Korea because I was invited to come and minister in song at Onnuri Church as part of their Bi-annual Missions Conference. (OMC) I believe this is my 6th trip to Seoul so I have an established relationship with Onnuri church that will most surely go to another level in the near future. There’s a mutual respect and support of calling, vision and passion. Explain later!

But before I came to Seoul I had a stop-over in Japan for one day. Since I was coming through Japan on my way to Seoul Ken came up with this idea for me to come to Tokyo unannounced to attend the HGF (Hallelujah Gospel Family Choir) directors meeting which just happened to be on the Monday I arrived at Narita airport in Japan. The plan was for me to get on a bus from the airport to Tokorozawa, then take the train into Higashi Kurume, (all by myself-never happened before) come to Matsukawa Place into the guest room, wait for Ken to call me and appear live via Skype to greet and encourage everyone. Now the last part is normal. I usually appear (in my pajamas) around 4am our time over Skype in the meeting to talk to everyone so that’s nothing new. It’s all that other stuff that had me awake at nights because I get lost sometimes where I live so just imagine in a foreign country. Well, I finally said “nothing from nothing leaves nothing” so I was game. Little did we know it would take several miracles to pull this off!

So again, here is the deal: I needed to arrive in Narita, go through immigration, get my luggage, go through customs, get a bus ticket for Tokorozawa station by 4:40pm and then get on the train for Higashi Kurume. (you’ll hear that name a few times. I like to say it) If anything didn’t go accordingly, I wouldn’t make the meeting in time before everyone had to leave and it wouldn’t be a productive stopover.

Well, the plane got in late around 3:50pm but we still couldn’t pull into the gate because another plane that had been delayed was still there. I said, Lord if I’m gonna make it, this plane has to leave. It finally left but I didn’t get off the plane until 4:10pm. I only had 30 minutes to make it to the bus! I have never made just through immigration in 30 minutes! As soon as I could I ran off the plane rushed through the airport to get to immigration. I thought to myself, “there’s no way I make it.” As I was running I kept saying over and over “Lord please help me make” and I arrived at immigration at 4:20pm, saw the lines, closed my eyes and for some unknown reason, they sent me through the VIP lane. I went through immigration in 3 minutes!

Okay, off to pick up my luggage. I got there at 4:25pm and all I could do is just stand and wait. My luggage wasn’t coming out and I said Lord, I’ve come this far, please don’t let the journey end here!” 4:32pm I see my luggage, I grab it and rushed towards customs and of course, they asked to look inside one of my bags! I couldn’t look upset or agitated or they would pick up on that and inquire more of what I’m here for, where I’m going and stuff like that. I calmly opened my bag, and was able to walk out at 4:36pm. I had 4 minutes to make it. I ran to the bus counter and said, “please help me, please help me!”
I told them I had to make the 4;40pm bus and the ticket agent’s eyes opened up extremely wide and she went as fast as she could, gave me the ticket and said hurry! I ran out the door at 4:39pm with 3 pieces of luggage and I could see the bus in the distance but it was still a long ways away. I ran as long as i could and had to stop and start walking to catch my breath.

Oh no! I could see the ramp agent getting ready to wave the off so I started to run again and as his hand went up I asked one more time, “Lord please!” In mid wave something turned turned his head in my direction and I said wait!!!!!! He put his arm down and came to help me, so I made it!!!!! I sat down on the bus and said, “Hallelujah!”

That’s not where the story ends. I made to Tokorozawa station with plenty of time to make to Higashi Kurume but discovered I didn’t have time to go to the currency exchange window and I wasn’t sure if the Suica card had enough credit on it for the train ride. If it didn’t I wasn’t going to be able to get on the train and I wasn’t fluent enough to speak with someone in the staion to help. Well Lord, here we go again! I know you didn’t bring me this far to leave me now. As sweat was rolling down my face, I walked up to the gate, swiped the card and all was good!

I pulled out the instructions Ken gave me to make sure I got on the right train and yes D Peters, I got on the wrong train! In big bold letters, Ken said, “do not get on the express! It won’t stop at Higashi Kurume!” I don’t know how I did it but I got on the express! At this point I sat down on my luggage and wanted to cry! I did! I cried out, “well Lord, one more miracle please! I then called Bola to let her know the bad news and not to wait for me because i’m on the wrong train. I told her which one and she said, “don’t worry.”

Can you believe I just happened to be on the only express train that stops in Higashi Kurume at that time! I made it!!!!!!!! I made it!!!!!!

Godo Concert

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:31:43 -0700

The big day, although some may think the day before the big day is the actual big day because, that’s the day we relax, cool down, chill out, take it easy, and go to Sento. Of course! When I’m in one of the baths at the Sento I’m able to run through the whole concert in my mind while soothing bubbles take me to a serene state of animated suspension. Or maybe I need to try decaf but, I digress....

This was going to be a very monumental concert based on an HGF first! the “Fusion of Cultures.” Yes, the “Fusion of Cultures!” What is the “Fusion of Cultures” I’m talking about? Black Gospel and a Wadaiko Troupe! (Japanese style drums)

It was categorized as a musical extravaganza, a powerful display of unity and more importantly, a Spiritual Blast! As stated by Ken Taylor:

What a glorious day of celebration with over 300 choir members coming from all over Japan. It was truly a celebration of the hard work of each choir member (3 months of practice). A celebration of coming together as a family (now over 35 church-based choir-communities). And especially a celebration of Jesus Christ (every song lifted up the name of Jesus!).

The bottom line? All the people, in unity, on one accord, singing praise to God. A fresh anointing fell from Heaven, the people rejoiced, were glad, hearts and minds were changed.

At the end it seemed like no one wanted to leave. You just wanted it to continue. Well, it makes you look forward to next time but keep in mind with all the aforementioned. If there were 700-800 total people at the concert, 90-95% was non-Christian! So one of the main focuses now is what I call, “ATB.” After the Benediction! Now what? Time for the follow up, follow through, phone calls, emails, text messages, anyone still have a beeper! Build on the new relationships, friendships and partnerships established. Most importantly, cultivate the gospel seeds that were planted!

Blessings!