God's amazing ways
I was at the very popular Dutch Opwekking (revival) conference this past weekend. (Opwekking is the Dutch equivalent of what Hosanna music used to be: the De facto source of music, chorus for the evangelical, charismatic and pentecostal world and more and more 'traditional' churches ) So you could imagine, that it's BIG with thousands of participants. As one of the artists on a Christian promotion and booking site (www.Christelijkpodium.nl), I got a mail looking for people who were interested to be on the Site's stand. Those who buy into this, will get the chance to promote their own music. I signed up for it, just out of curiousity. I have actually never had a stand for my music ministry except for CD, merchandise tables where I get to sing. I made it there on the Saturday and what did I see a rather small table that would take 2 people behind it and materials for 7 different types of artists , Mime, dance, theatre, puppeteers and One singer (me) :-( Help, I'm drowning here! Nevertheless, I requested a space for my materials which was given. The original plan was to have no more than 3 people on stand promoting their materials at any time, with a schedule. It was neglected quite a few times with 5 at times on hand! Aargh!!! I kept at it and got friendly with my other brothers and sisters and enjoyed the fellowship and networking. We could not sell on stand or perform with electronic equipments. Still, used every opportunity to promote the site and introduce my music. Handed out flyers and business cards when necessary. Had a few interesting conversations.Great crowds, But we didn't stand out. Kids seemed to love the sweets that were available on table though :-) Highlights On the Saturday, a gospel choir I was familiar with (the Friendship Gospel Choir) was going to minister at the tent nearby and asked for reinforcements, I took time off the stand and it was a great blessing singing with them and even being asked to do some of the solos which were well appreciated by the audience at the Celebration of 150 years of the abolition of slavery in Surinam (where sadly, the Dutch ran plantations)! A lady worked up to the stand and on chatting with her, discovered that she was actually interested in getting CDs..$$ tee hee. So, I helped her and sold at least 1 CD! God's surprise present! Now I remember, one of my fellow artists (de Stille profeet (the quiet prophet)) said, wished, prophesied?) that I would get at least I good appointment/Gig out of all my efforts). So yesterday, I left the stand to the snack tent to get some lunch, and on my way back, heard music coming from the tent of one of the radio stations mobile studios and stopped to watch. Immediately I saaw a group of 3 people from my church and greeted. A man then moved closer to us and strangly asked if the group singing were related to us. We said no. One of the singers came 2nd on the TV talent show ' the voice of Holland' One had been to my church to sing and even give vocal lessons. I then told him that I knew some of the rest as I was a singer as well. Then His eyes lit up. You are a singer? I gave him a flyer and right there, he said that he was from a radio station that was at the ground, that he would like to invite me for an interview at their studio! Wow! The Interview I had to wait a for 2 hours after closing our stand and visited the conference hall. Then the interview happened God is awesome! I was able to introduce myself, my music ministry, have 2 songs form my CDs played, Give my salvation testimony and another testimony of God's goodness in my life and even plug the website that brought me there, my personal website and how people can get my music! Wow. GOD is GOOD.