Martin's World

Understanding Music: Rhythm and Beat

2012-01-23T15:01:00.000-08:00

How to Memorize Lyrics of a Song -wikiHow

2012-01-23T06:04:00.000-08:00

Edited byBen Rubenstein and 44 others

Memorizing the lyrics of a song is not an easy task for most people. But with a little time and effort, you will come to know every word of the song. Whether you will be able to sing it is another story. Memorizing song lyrics can be very hard but all you need is practice, practice, practice and soon you will know every word to a song backward and forth.

1
Find the song and the lyrics. By having the song on a CD, iPod, or on your computer, you will quickly be able to pick up on the rhythm, which will aid you a lot when you memorize the actual lyrics. However, a sheet with the lyrics of the song is also important; this way, you know exactly what the words are, as lyrics can be hard to hear sometimes. Remember that practice does not make perfect. It's perfect practice that makes perfect. If you practice it again and again with the wrong words, it's hard to break yourself from that habit you've formed.

2
Starting from the beginning, memorize the first line. Cover it up and say it out loud. When you are done, check to see if you got it right. If you did, add the next line. If not, try again. Over time, you will be able to keep adding lines until you know the whole song.
3
Play the song with the music while you sing along. See if you have the words memorized correctly. Try recording it and listening - watch for breaks or pauses where you might need to spend more time.
4
Write down the lyrics on a notebook. Do this after listening to it a couple of times,and you should be able to memorize it better
5
Alternatively, just listen to the song repeatedly. Go over the lyrics in your head as you listen.
6
Finally, try it without the music. If you can do this by now, congratulations! If not then just keep on trying. You'll get there in the end!
7
Do a search for the lyrics online. Make sure that where you get the lyrics from are the same. Sometimes different websites give you different information. Try to look them up on the artists website or the play or shows website. They will be correct there. After listening to the song one time, you could always find the lyrics on a lyrics-site such as www.songmeanings.net and print them out.
8
Go to YouTube and see if the song is there in karaoke style.
9
Listen to the song while you are sleeping. Even though you aren't conscious, your brain will take in the information. Before bed, read over the lyrics a few times before reading a book or watching TV.
10
Whenever you have free time, look over the lyrics.
11
Try to find emotions in the song. It might make you feel bewildered and lost, but then someone finds you. If you find some sort of emotional link to the song, that song defines you, and the lyrics become important to you.
12
Practice the lyrics in front of other people,different people each time if you can. That way you will get used to singing them in front of a crowd. When you are alone it is easier to remember the words, when you're in front of people it may be harder to remember lyrics due to nervousness or shyness.
13
When you are sure of yourself, have a sort of dress rehearsal or a small performance. This helps if you are going to perform for a show, concert, etc.
14
After you have the chorus down, start focusing on the song's intro-verse. Whenever the song appears on the radio, and your friends just jump right in, don't feel pressured. If you get the intro-verse down, then when it comes on you'll be able to sing the first lines with everyone else. Plus if you can do that, they automatically assume you know the entire song (thus they stop listening so critically).

Note: This process should only take about 2 to 3 days, but this depends on the memory of the person attempting to learn the lyrics and the length of the song.
It's best if you actually like this song you want to memorize. Get familiar with the rhythm and lyrics by humming along to it when you hear it, print out the lyrics, then graduate to singing along. Voila! By a week, at most, you should be a seasoned expert.

15
And remember, have fun. If you forget your words on the day, don't worry just 'Hum' them and it'll all be fine!
16
If you are trying to remember it and then recite it, do the same thing, before you know it, you'll be singing/reciting the song or phrase perfectly without stops.
17
Practice!

When things go wrong...

2011-12-21T05:26:00.001-08:00

Last night was meant to be the last appearance of the Happy Singers youth choir under my direction.

We had a decent number of singers show up as we prepared to minister at a Christmas programme in the little town of Koudekerk. Our manager, a dear lady (from the Salvation Army) mostly arranges our gigs and this time, I got to discover right there that our audience was a 100 percent women group! It was some women association with average age of 50?? Nothing wrong except I´d prepared for songs that would have mostly appealed to a younger audience... Well, we got started with our soundcheck and they were already enjoying it. This would be good I thought. The first of the 4 segments where we came up to sing went ok.Then the second and disaster struck..Firstly, in the middle of the first song, our keyboardist seemed to have this glassy look (later found out, he had a mental blackout). Then there was this song Kirk Franklin´s Jesus is the Reason that we´d been working on for about a month and were all looking forward to. I played the backing track on the way to the venue in my car and was getting the girls in the car to sing along. Now it came to the pioint where we were to sing it. I even announced it.

The CD was nowhere to be found! Was not in the Player, not in the 2 bags I brought with me.. Had to switch over to another song. Then before the next segment, searched frantically, went back to the car, enlisted my daughter to check along with me, no success!

The singers wondered. Then our keyboardist said, he would just play it and I concurred. Braced myself, trusted God and sing it we did.the ladies were enjoying the Come on put your hands together bit and the singers were like angels... gloria. The ´jinx´was broken. By the time we sang the last segment, it was a revived atmosphere and I took a brave step and requested them to get off the chairs and stand with us as we sang ´You are good´ a la Israel houghton and it was an incredible sight, all the middle aged women and grandmas stood up sang, waved and swayed with us. I even heard later, that some climb up the chairs to sing and sway!!! What a picture. Our GOD is awesome. I thank him for the last hurrah and look forward to next year.

Grateful: Can't but be...

2011-10-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

The things we take for granted! Just last Friday, I came back from Istanbul, Turkey.( Beautiful, historical, crowded and never sleeping city by the way!)
It was a trip with a stop over ar Munich, and the trip there was with astop at Frankfurt. That's 4 plane flights. What a month September has been for me. It started with a trip for training in London from 5 -6. (2 flights). A trip to Windsor, Canada via Detriot, MI for my sisters renewal of vows after 10 years of wedlock from 15- 20 (4 flights) And then a trip with my daughter to London, working on school issues (2 flights. Grand total Drum roll!
12 times in the plane and live to tell the tale. Yea, food was mostly not much to talk about, stewards/esses not always polite BUT come to think of all the terrible things you hear off in the news and read about of crashes, accidents and we can be grateful for God's protection and keeping. Through the storms, turbulences we emerge and acknowledge his greatness.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Psalms 23:4 - the Bible

We are heroes...

2011-08-29T14:07:00.000-07:00

It is said in China that one must walk the Great Wall to be known as a hero. And as our guide Rogin said, the woman who does is an 'Iron Lady'. So introducing The hero and the Iron lady :-) my wife and I that is! We made it; actually climbed the wall of China. We had just 8 days of vacation in China. Most of it in Shanghai and as my daughter had an old school mate that relocated back to Beijing China, I decided to surprise her with an opportunity to see her friend after 7 years! And while we are at it, why not go in 'style' I had read and heard of the speedy trains of China and booked a trip on one of those from Shanghai to Beijing. The Hongqiao station was almost like an airport itself, huge! These trains are fast! You notice nothing but in a short while, thanks to the neon display inside the carriage, we could see ourselves averaging more than 300 km/h throughout most of the ride. We were met at the Beijing South train terminal by my daughter's friend and mother. Reunion..This trip to China was really amazing, as I myself met an old friend from London at a church where I sung in Shanghai( He had been living in China for more than a year unknown to me). Then the taxi. Hint: Always have your destination written in Chinese otherwise the drivers can't really help you. A few phone calls, explanations from our Chinese friends later, and we could proceed to our service apartment as they are called here.
A homely spacious apartment.
The next day we met our privately hired taxi and guide. A half day was all we had, so it was the Wall, the great wall of China. Apparently called the Long Wall of 10000 Li in real Chinese 万里长城 Wànlǐ Chángchéng and then the 2008 Olympic stadium: the bird's nest and the cube.
The climb up the wall was dogged by our usual Chinese 'fans' who wanted to get on photographs with us. We were almost an attraction as well. We obliged most and made our way from tower to tower all with varying level of steepness. We had chosen the Bandaling which was one of the best preserved we were told, but also crowded at times. No problem, we came to China and want to see Chinese people. and indeed, we had our fill. Now I have an idea of what stars have to deal with... But we made it as far as we could upwards and then made a descent. There we had to take it slow. Towards the end I saw a very tall African american and judging from their t-shirts I noticed they were from Georgetown University and told my wife, he must be a basketball-er, and indeed we saw more with similar tops. I greeted them but little did I know that the next day, this group of players would make it to papers and TV all over the world and of course YouTube for all the wrong reasons, NOT the basketball BUT the brawling that took place 10 minutes to the end of the game during their 'friendly match with a Chinese team!

Man! Should have taken a photograph with them...

BU YAO! Being a tourist in China

2011-08-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Before I left on a holiday trip to China, I had done a bit of research on useful phrases: Ni Hao! Being the commonest that you could say morning noon and night and anytime and serves for your hello, how are you etc. However, as any tourist or obvious non Chinese looking person like us will come to discover, you are an easy target for the fall out of commercialism. Everyone wants to make a buck – by hook or crook! The day started with very heavy rain and thunderstorms that seemed to come out of nowhere. No problems, we were still in our dazed jet lagged state and needed some more sleep.

Time was 10.am but our bodies were saying 6am. We eventually got out of our hotel around 5.00PM and decided to visit the Bund which we´d heard and read was the place to see, especially in the evening.

On our way we caught a few glances from passers-by and just smiled. Shanghai is a very busy looking place. People always on the move; families, friends, lovers, cars and cars and cars! Signs were ubiquitous in Chinese calligraphy and sometimes with an English subtitle (Thankfully). So we located a post office! Walked in to buy stamps and that did not go well as the young man could hardly understand my needs and we left empty handed. As we went further and approached the centre of Shanghai, the amount of people increased tremendously. It was a sea of heads. Then loads of shops, restaurants and stores and the bright lights, this was Shanghai, the real business city of China! Then it started as a trickle as we moved on, one person approached us and offered to sell us watches, we politely declined, but he persisted. I dug into my pocket and found my piece of paper with Chinese phrases and remembered the way to emphatically say no ... bu yao! I said it and he just moved off before you could say Jack Robinson! Wow! It works! After then, you got all kinds of people trying to sell things to us: men, women, young and old at every turn. I had a weapon and every Chinese sales person, hustler understood clearly to mean NO! And an emphatic capital N, O / Go away/ I am not interested. My day was made and I learnt the best lesson of the day. We kept on walking and even stopped to have a very good meal at a pizza hut restaurant which ended up doing Chinese food as well!
Passing through the Nanjing road we finally made it to the Bund. Aah! What a feast for the eyes, the towers, lit up buildings and loads of people as far as the eyes can see. It was worth the long walk. Some may manage to blend with the locals but a family of 4 black people amongst a crowd of Chinese and Asian people, couldn´t be more obvious. Fingers pointing, smiles, whispers, and secret photographs from some and a few pretending to look at their IPods while taking photos of us. One of my daughters took it back to them by asking if they wanted a photo at times and took a few pictures with them. We seem to be Stars in the midst of mere mortals 
A great day, that will never to be forgotten.

I lurve travel...

2011-07-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

... oh yes I do. With some programme I seem to have travelled to some 15% of the world. And it just continues. The long train rides, the drives across American freeways, sleeping on the Stenaline ship, crossing the north sea, and aah the airports: going along the dutyfree shops, watching people walking up and down, the brief chat at the checking in counter, all before the flight itself. And what did God do, only to bless me with a job that requires travel, a ministry that may involve travel every now and then and the holiday trips!

The last 2 weeks have been something else: First a ministry trip to a conference in Nashville, a few days at Atlanta, then a stopover on the way back at London for a couple of days for my secular job. 9 days away from my dear family and a few days later it is Paris by train for a one day business trip! Great, met loads of new musical friends,sang at an open mike event, met an old friend, who happens to be a great sound engineer (he helped to record some tracks for a coming album), met my sister´s friend who is expecting her first baby after 9 years of marriage (Glory), visited my Aunt and family in London and paid galleries Laffayete in Paris a visit after 10 years! It was fun and I thank God for his protection through it all, BUT it could be tiring, my body´s feeling the long flights, and train ride and long drives.
Should go to bed now...yawn.

Guess what next month, it´s China with the family on vacation!

Strange Experiences and Heaven

2011-06-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

Just need to write something. It´s been a while. What can I say. God´s been good. All kinds of experiences in the last few months. The strangest being a TV teenage swap program we took part in. Er.. my 15 year old daughter! Many have asked us how we ended op taking part in it. Well, a company responsible for filming the swaps contacted our teenage choir manager, with a view to having 3 kids from a christian family background. Though we are a gospel choir, we had always been open to all kids. So it wasn´t to be assumed that all the teens came from a Christian home. We informed the group, and a few volunteered but all but one gradually pettered off with an excuse or the other and guess what, that was my daughter!

Then it all started: The emails and telephone calls, all kinds of arrangements. The first visit to the house for the pre-screening. It became obvious that my daughter, follows me into the world of the busy life! some activity or more every day of the week! The teenager to swap with here will have a lot on her hands. Eventually, it took place and My daughter ended up in a city 2 hours away and her counterpart showed up in our house, same age 15 But a mother of and almost 1 year old child!!! No spoilers, but it was quite an experience. The 4 days of filming will be squeezed into 25 minutes of fast paced TV watching sometime in September or October. Was I scared for my child. Actually no, and I encouraged my dear wife so. We´ve invested 15 years of teaching, correcting, praying for, trying our best to live by example, getting them into the book of books - da Bible. It´s time to sit back and see how they cope, and I am proud of her and thank God for the experience. (The teenage swap .. Puberruil is on the dutch national TV, produced by the KRO network)

This weekend I´ll be in London at a programme called Home Coming, it´s quite unique, a sort of an alumni meeting. It´s a meeting to fellowship for loads of us who have moved on in the last 15 odd years to another country like me or even to other churches, but can come together and remember some good foundations and share the love of Christ. I am always of one stroong opinion; no matter what church you end up with, if you do have that relationship with Jesus, we will all meet in the One heaven. Heaven´s got no segments, quarters, boroughs, china towns et.c We´ve got to learn to live with one another! If you´ve got a problem there, then you have some time to start practicing here on Earth!

Different strokes... different folks...

2011-02-14T05:06:00.000-08:00

Had an interesting, challenging and at the same time rewarding time of ministry in music yesterday with the Happy Singers teen choir that I direct. Long story as usual. We got invited to a themed service evening at this Dutch reformed church (gereformeerd) in the city of Leiden where I live. Good news was that it was the closest venue to my house that I've ever had :-) The rest is another story. The church is actually beautiful from the inside, but from the outside, well...

Communication was hardgoing with the leadership of the church. We send a list of songs, asked for their lithurgy, but got nothing back. I did get to hear that a song
was left out but the order of singing of those which were left was not communicated.
We got there and the inside of the church will give the famous St. Anna's church in jerusalem a run for it's money in the echo/accoustics stakes! Wow! For instumental music, that was a potential problem, both keyboard and microphones. Then there were no monitor speakers. We had to make do with general speakers from behind the choir.

Previous email by the minister stating that they were not used to 'our' kind of gospel music did not fully sink in until we faced this reality. We did our best to cope with the situation plus 4 out a possible 15 singers not showing up ! But guess what God is still good, if your focus and heart is the right place. Ministry is the people. Reception appeared 'lukewarm' but on asking them to stand and join us in the rousing 'You are good' a la Israel Houghton, they could not stand up quickly enough. The place came alive! At the end the Minister and many of the congregation left with beaming smiles and gave compliments. Still, one dear saint walked up to me and gave 'constructive critic' You choir's name may need to be changed, another, I listen to a lot of Gospel music ; brooklyn tabernacle, Oslo gospel, but I could not match what you were singing to the projected lyrics, another (janitor)we are not used to this kind of music, just metered psalms, and one man actually walked out complaining that such music does not fit what he expects of their church lithugie..However, one said that we transformed their normally sedate church service and people went home with gladness

People are just different!

Easing into it...

2011-01-14T07:22:00.000-08:00

After the madness and flurry of new year resolutions. We now settle into reality! I really hardly made them. I just do it (Nike: no pun intended). Have been looking into Proverbs 16 of recent. man makes loads of plans, but the Lord is the one who helps us make it happen. I am trusting the Lord with all my heart; for understanding, for guidance down/up the right path. I'll do what is necessary and I'll be victorious.
One day at a time!

Come let us adore who?

2010-12-21T05:22:00.000-08:00

The other day, I was watching CNN's new and there was the sad story of people stuck at airports and even somebody said I just want to be able to hug my daughter (in the states) for Christmas. I can also imaging loads of people running helter skelter trying to get a present or presents for family and friends or business associates. The film 'Jingle Bells' with Arnold Schwarzenegger in a battle of titans to get a toy for his son! Then you hear , it's going to be a bad Christmas because shopkeepers will make less money due to 'bad' weather ie snow!

None of all that for me. I feel this year a peace in my heart in the midst of it all.
After all it is O come let us adore HIM! The King of kings,the Lord of lords and the Prince of peace. It's all about him, not the santa, not even the family gathering (while nice though) not the parties. Heaven holds it's breath, while God comes to be amongst and become one of us. Glory to the new born king. May you experience his peace at this time. SHALOM

God was listening to us...things happen

2010-09-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes as they say, it doesn't rain, but pours! Was in Zagreb, Croatia recently on a business trip and It all started well. I checked in, got my boarding pass and passed through immigrations. Then it all started. The lady at the check-in desk had told me that my gate was D-08 and circled it on the boarding card as usual. Our conversation was all done in nederlands (Dutch) which I speak very well, but somewhere, somehow in the language section of the brain, a miscommunication occured, I thought it was G-08: D (pronounced day) and G (pronounced ghay) got mixed up. I headed for G-08 and just before getting there, even stopped to get some snack to eat and something to drink. On getting to G-08, the display board did not show Zagreb, I checked the boarding pass and it hit me- wrong gate! The only problem was this was in the complete opposite direction to the D gate and the clock was ticking. I half walked, ran and made it there using a trolley to carry my baggage. Phew! Then took off my coat, placed it into my travelling bag, went though security check, tried to board then panic! Where is my boarding pass? Checked in my suit pocket and other pockets. I resigned to asking for a new boarding pass, when ît occured to me to open my travelling bag and check my coat, lo and behold, the pass! Boarded and passed through to the sitting area. Just when I though it was all over, it hit me, where is the drink I bought? It was left in the trolley outside the security area...

Day 2 woes

We went through the conference. On the evening before departure, I was spread out, chilling out, not fully dressed. I had as a matter of habit, put the chain lock on the door. Suddenly, someone tried to come in. I made a sound, and shut the door. A few moments later on re-opening the door, it happened to be a worker trying to checking in someone else into the same room! He appologised. Then the phone started ringing. A receptionist went on about how I should have checked out and I was overstaying? I argued that I was checked in for 2 nights and she like wanted proof. That rilled me. Went down and it happened to have been their mistake She apologised profusely. I returned to my room. The phone went again. This time their PR person apologising. a short while later, a buzz on the door, and it was a waiter with a bottle of 2006 wine with chocolates! They really made an effort. I told him I do not drink, but accepted it to show that all was forgiven. what a night!

Day 3 not again

Was set to leave for the airport at 6.45 am, and went to check out. The lady was confused as whether I paid for the previous day and extended my stay. We agreed, she'll sort it out and send me an email. I need good news please! We got to the airport (with some colleagues) There was a looong queue to the check in counter. Resigned to going through with it, we joined the queue. This colleague of mine and I were chatting and saw that some destinations were being called and people allowed to move elsewhere for a quicker checking. We expressed a wish to have the same for Amsterdam. A few SECONDs after that, we heard Amsterdam called out and we could quickly check in too, then my colleague (a lady) remarked ''God was listening to us'' a happy ending :-)

Time out and time in...

2010-09-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

Just came back from vacation with my family of 4 Catherine (wife) and my 2 daughters Jane and Fiona. Have a wonderful time together. Most of the time at least. Moved around 4 cities Tampa, Atlanta, Tallahassee and finally Orlando. At least 3 days in each. 18 hours in total of driving. Extreme heat at first, then just normal summer comfortable hot. Did the CNN towers and Word of Coca Cola (Atlanta) , Universal Studios, Disney Epcot and the Holy Land Experience parks .
Fun and rest. Good for me and for the family. Still, couldn't resist taking time out to see the studio and work on coming music. Watch this space. The Lord has been blessing me with some wonderful songs, ideas for songs and I was glad to find this cool musician/ producer Andre Forbes, who just 'happens' to live in tallahassee where my aunty lives. God has a way of sending ministry help your way if he has put you on a mission. I hardly play and instrument, my voice is my gift and for someone to come your way who can 'feel' you and understand the music playing in your heart and put it down nicely; That is a tremenduos blessing. In 5 hours spread over 2 days, we were able to set the music frame for 4 songs and I am excited about that. That was time in well spent!

Adventures in Israel: DAY 9 Public bar-mitsvah and the final party

2010-05-01T03:49:00.000-07:00

The jews have always been looked at with this curious look and some of their culture and tradition have gradually become common knowledge. I do remember watching Bar-Mitsvahs on TV (American) always in a synagogue , mostly by invitation I would guess, but nothing prepared me from our encounter on our free day yesterday the 29th which happens to be the day before the netherlands celebrates the queens day. Well, as we arrived at old city of jerusalem again, just by the Jaffa Gate, we saw a group of people and then the Shofar was blown,this signifies the begining of celebrations,a call. Then it gradually became obvious, this was a joyful procession towards the western wall
.

PRESS PLAY

Getting there, we saw people in every corner of the plain. There must have been at least 12 different boys celebrating their Bar/Mitzvah with their families . Sisters, friends stayed behind a fence and threw sweets and made some screaming sounds. Sweets were also being shared on trays to anybody. They were all dressed in the necessary attire and wow was it colourful and moving to experience this feast!

We took time to visit the Bookshops around the area too.
In the evening we had a final celebratory gathering to look back on 9 amazing days as we get ready to fly back to the netherlands the next day. We sang, gave public recognition to those who had worked so hard to lead, take care of matters and there were dances wrapped up by the song days of Elijah! This is an unforgettable experience. I´ll recommend a visit to Israel to anyone and everyone. It will bless you and probably change a bit of our attitudes and witness the miracle of an oppressed people try to have and existence and actually blooming and growing.

Note: This ends the reports on the Israel trip. We since arrived yesterday back in the Netherlands.

Adventures in Israel: DAY 8 - Never Forget and healing by the beach!

2010-04-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

You've heard the stories and read about it and interestingly, some even try to deny it ever happened! Yesterday we started by visiting YAD VASHEM, which is the official momorial in Israel to the Holocaust, where 6 million Jews were killed, murdered, gassed during the 2nd world war. You could see a film collage of how life was before the unfortunate event and then the gradually progression of events that led to almost complete annihilation of a particular people, just for being different. I laboured through the winding paths and the hall of names where you looked up and saw in a spiral pictures of people who lost their lives brought it all home. You heard a sniff from practically everyone of our group that came out. By the time we then went into the Hall of remebrance where you saw the names of some on the floor, the eternal flame, now regarded as a holy place, the tap works got turned on. Couldn't hold the tears.

BETHLEHEM

We then moved on to visit the birth place of Jesus where it all begun. This was the wierdest part of our trip for various reasons. First our guide could NOT follow us into Bethlehem. She had to be dropped before, and once we got in, another guide jumped aboard. Coming through the entrance, the reason became clear! Citizens of Israel (read Israel Jews) were not welcome in Bethlehem! Well, we need to rejoice that we at least could see the place. We saw the wall of separation, but then visited the place believed to be where Jesus was born, where a church (of the nativity) now stands. Rebuild by different people, it has the Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic sides to it. Like our guide said, if you lived in modern day Bethlehem, you'll get to Celebrate Christmas three times! Kid's delight :-) It is an area under the Palestine government, not too much to see but then new buildings and the major attraction being the nativity square where Christmas eve is celbrated in december and the Church.

Final Healing service at Ashdod

Ashdod is the fifth-largest city in Israel, located in the Southern District of the country, on the Mediterranean coast, with a population of 210,000. Ashdod is an important regional industrial centre. The Port of Ashdod is Israel's largest port accounting for 60% of the country's imported goods.(Wikipedia)and has a great beach! We got back quickly to the hotel to change and were on our way to Ashdod. For once this was flad land as we were used to in the Netherlands. No hills or mountains. We saw that it was the market day and man was the place theming with people. Here we had the last of the 3 planned services. First we were treated to a big dinner 3 course meal 210 of us! The service:The pastor Avi prochter said a few things. This was the first time in their history that they held a service outside their church walls, and the hall was full, well some party was going on downstairs :-( Secondly the mayor of ashdod would have been their but for previous engagements and sent his greetings welcoming us to the city and that they would be building resorts and new hotels to host more christians in the future! This was unheard off. Pastor Zijlstra sent a message back acknowledging the gestures. There were lots of Russian Jews and Ethiopian Jew present, all evidences of the Aliyah (return of jews from other countries to their homeland) And the service was powerfull- great music, and I was asked once again to sing a special )by the way I have literally sung a song as solo or led the group in songs every day since we came here, it is a miracle I still have a voice to sing. God has been faithfull and helped me indeed. This time I sang again the song `He is Jehovah´ Contrary to what happens when i sing this in Holland, everyone was on their feet singing along and dancing along.What a sight! Again we gave an offering to be a blessing to the work of the messianic jewish congregation and loads were headed by God. Notable and funny was seeing deaf people who got healed suddenly trying to adjust to the presence of sound again. And an invitation was made for people who will acknowledge Jesus (Yeshua) as their saviour some 15 people came out to do that. This was unheard of in Israel, as people normally do this secretely. We thank God for this breakthrough .

Adventures in Israel: DAY SEVEN - Dedication and Salty swimming!

2010-04-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in life you get inspired by other people, and sometimes you are used to inspire others. It is a great thing either way. A brother (fellow pilgrim) drew my attention to the happenings since we started our trip. I was supposed to be in a Bus ONE, but a day before we were told where to be in the preparatory meeting, I was 'shifted' to bus FIVE! On Bus 5, once we arrived in Israel, I entered the Bus and unlike me, rather than sitting in one of the forward seats, ended up in one of the seats at the back. Here comes the crunch, I could have been moved to bus TWO or bus SIX. (Those Buses and the people in them did not make the trip as a result of the Volcano eruption travel disruption). At the back of the Bus, I seemed to have hit it off with all the people surrounding me, said a word that has really encouraged them, helped them discover what God's call or plan for them could be, brought a smile et.c THAT is what I call being used to inspire others and God ordained fate!

Today, we made a trip to MASADA. What about that? This was a place where a terrible thing happened. The last part of Israel standing up to the Roman invaders, after Jerusalem the capital had fallen in 70AD. The end result was that these brave Jews when confronted at the very end with the possibility of being captured and being mercilessly punished by the Romans, decided NEVER! and sadly, killed one another till the last person topped himself! Horribly history but showed how people showed courage and defiance till the very end.Inspiring. Till Today, the Israeli army has the practice of having a swearing in on top of the Masada fortress, and state that Masada will never be taken again and dedicated themselves to the fact to be ready to die literally for their country! Wow. We got there and had to get to the top of this table like mountain via a cable car.
We were led around by our guide to see the palace that Herod built and what the Romans made of it afterwards, creating a luxurious settlement. Then had a very short service here and got on our knees,pledged allegiance and dedicated ourselves to God and God's people - Israel as bible believing Christians. That was something.

The Dead Sea and Scrolls
Fast forward to the last century. Qumran, where Beduin shepherds discovered the earliest bible scrolls ever, the dead sea scrolls. We drove past it on our way and came back to visit it and see how the Essenes sect lived as well and the caves. BUT, we went to this spa at the Dead sea. I have heard of it but now I have seen it. It is true, you float on it and it is SALTY! I put my hands in the water and what did I come up with big lumps of salt crystals. I heard that 33% of the water is salt. I laid me down back and front easy, for someone who is not an Olympic material swimmer :-)We had to wash off the salty water and then had a regular swim in the swimming pool. And then we went back to our hotel.

As we have been doing almost every day, we held a debrief and prayed together after dinner. One more major activity day. This has been momentuous.

DAY SIX: What the camp Davids, Oslo etc could not do...Proclamation

2010-04-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

PRESS PLAY

Yesterday we had another service, this time in the Messianic Jewish congegation at Dugit under Pastor Avi Mizrachi. Won't bore anyone with further details of the fantastic band, the impressive violinist, the healing of literally everyone that came forward for prayer et.c BUT at the begining of the service Pastor Avi, a Jesus believing Jew called up an Arab Pastor, who lead a Jesus believing israel-arab congegation and together made a gift presentation of a shawl to Pastor Jan Zijlstra (Christian from the Netherlands). They opened it up and put it on Pastor Jan. He then came in the middle of the two Jew and Arab and put his arms round them. What a PICTURE!Jew Christian and Arab United in Yeshua Amachia (Jesus the messiah). Wow!What the politians could not achieve, we HAVE in Christ!

PRESS PLAY

TODAY 26/04/2010

This was a day we all looked forward to with various reasons. We had a stategic plan and you must keep those to youself mostly, before you get sabotaged. Will come to that.

We started the day, by heading for the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. This is the place you did not know about, discovered by an English fellow and bought off a Greek that wanted to develop it to something else, but had no water source. It's supposed to be the tomb that Jesus was laid in . Wow. The garden is beautiful and you can sit, pray, meditate. We actually held a communion service there. It is an EMPTY grave, Jesus rose, we believe. And then, Just across the road is Golgotha mountain. Speechless!

PROCLAIMATION and a T-SHIRT
We went for Lunch, yea, some Schoarma (Pitta bread, filled with some chicken and vegetables) and some had de Fallafel (always vegetarian) and at this eating place, the manager always tried to address us in Dutch(language of Holland) but really? ends up speaking german to us. Dutch and Deutsch(German) eh.. not the same thing. I finished eating and took a short walk round the corner. On returning back to the cafe, was stopped by this muslim store owner, sitting down and praying with his beads. He saw my T-shirt and asked where it was from, I said the Netherlands, and he read what we had written on the back ISRAEL we love you, then proceeded to say , I believe you are a smart person (well?) But if you love some people , doesn't that me that you do not love the others? I smelt 'trouble' and excused myself that I've got no political agenda. Asked his name . He was Ibrahim, and I could hardly get a word in, he was going on about occupation, and the danger of openly supporting Israel in some areas, and even if we were on a Godly mission, it should be in our hearts only, by this time another man came by. I told him I can always express my love for anybody even my wife, and that I loved Ibrahim too! he smiled and laughed and I just walked away . Phew! What if I had told him, we were planning to go as a group of 250 Christians from the Netherlands to the Jaffa gate in the Jerusalem wall and PROCLAIM our love and support for ISRAEL as most Bible believing christians will and should probably do???? WELL, That is what we DID! We went quietly to the Jaffa gate, made the long climb via the Ramparts to the top lined up in three rows and made proclaimations, sung, Blew Shofars (Jewish Horns), waved Israeli and Dutch flags and released 10 meter high banners from the Top of the wall, DECLARING: Israel we love you, Israel we are praying for you and for the PEACE of Jerusalem. And what amazing scenes of Joy and celebrations! Then , we made this Looong walk on the walls. The wall is solid and broad. Thank God, no accidents of any kind. I can now call myself like my mother did. A JERUSALEM Pilgrim. Glory to God! 2 more days and we'll be home. Keep reading. Shalom !

Adventures in Israel: DAY FIVE - Rest and Healing

2010-04-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

We had a rest day today. Had breakfast and lunch at our Kibbutz hotel. Really glad I have an internet connection here. Have been able to make some 177 photes available on a site for family at home to watch. Yesterday, something interesting happened. I always wanted to take a photograph with an Israeli soldier. It sounded like some kind of dare. So at one of the gates, while our lady guide was explaining a few things to the group, I saw one bent over an army truck door and chatting away to some colleagues, so I went over and explained that I really would like to take a photo with him. He first goes to me, well, the problem is if I do this then more people will want to do the same, but he later conceded to allow one with me and no more. Was I glad. Got one of my co pilgrims and the deed was done. Hey, follow your dream :-) .

Service in Tel Aviv Tonight, there will be a healing service in Tel Aviv and we believe that God will do wonderous things again. Looking forward to it

Adventures in Israel: DAY THREE and FOUR - Jordan: The source, Yerusalaim and Shabatt

2010-04-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

Big day today. We were at the the Source of the Jordan and after a few places moved on to jerusalem. O Jerusalem. The Western wall, the last remain part of the old Jewish temple. (called sometimes the wailing wall) and the prayers and the orthodox Jews Wow wow and wow. It is awesome to think that Jesus came here quite a few times and taught, drove off money changers and quite a bit of drama leading to his eventual cruxifiction took place here. We visited the Western wall while it was still not filled with too many people, BUT our Jewish brothers mainly were there praying and meditating. Tables for study and books. Shaking their heads back and forth and close to the beginning of the Sabdath started to sing and increased the intesity.

Day Four

It's Saturday. There is something about this Shabatt /Sabbath. It is very serious business here. It is REST for creative activity we learnt. Even Lifts are customised! You have the Shabatt lift that starts and goes to every floor without you having to select the floor you are cgoing to. Got back to my room after our outings and met an unmade bed in the hotel. Called reception and duh.. they nicely explained that it was shabatt! Today , after eating we headed for the Old city of Jerusalem again, got first to the mount of Olives (which is on the Arabic side while Mt. Scopus is on the Jewish side) and visited quite a few places: first stopping to take a group photograph. No mean feat with 200 plus people! Then I saw a panoramic view of the golden city, Breathtaking. It blows your mind. This is the city that is the source of lots of contoversy, is fought over and is a 'holy city' all in one.

We then descended the steep steps into the valley. You could see tombstones of people that wanted to be buried them to be the first to ressurect! We visited as well Bethesda were Jesus healed the man who'd been sick for 38 years, and Gethsemane garden (Jesus prayed and dripped sweat of blood here. We visited the Santa Anna Church and I had the priviledge with Sisiter Esther Tims and Pastor Zijlstra to lead the 200 plus group in a few songs in this church with amazing accoustics!We then went through the Via Dolarosa and even the traditional place for the last supper with the disciples. Very moving

Adventures in Israel: DAY TWO - Walking on water

2010-04-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

Yawn! about 5.30 am (4.30 am C.E.T in my head) the birds started chirping 3 or 4 different species and never stopped! Talk about a wake up call and the origin of the early bird. We are in the Jordan valley area and really a nature reserve. The flowers and vegetation are a feast for the eyes. Had our first breakfast and started our first journey at 8.30 on the way to Ein Gev, a resort where another group was staying. After a song a short word of welcome from Pastor Zijlstra, we moved out and headed for Capernaum where a few things took place in the bible, involving Jesus, and then moved to visit the mountain of the beatitudes where the famous blessed are the ... words were said to have been spoken by Jesus to the crowd, but the fun was yet to come. After seeing quite a few places, churches and synagogues of old, which were really impressive for the stone work and the peep into history, we moved to see the Sea of Galilee and had our lunch close by. Most of us took the fish dish which featured the 'peter fish' quite nice. We visited Tiberias and actually got on the sea by boat like Jesus would have done! A group of about 250 on 3 big boats . On our boat, something happened that brought a tear to a few faces. The flags of the Netherlands and Israel were raised in that order AND accompanied by the national anthems. That was moving. Then our boats which all started in a staggered manner gradually came together and were placed side by side hooked by ropes. And we had a time of celebration in the middle of the sea of Galilee. I got a shock and a first in my life, being called upon to lead the people in the 3 boats in a song of celebration. Wow! We sung 'He's the Mighty one of Israel' lustily with two guitars backing me and half way through got a boost as one of the Israelis on the Boat brought out a drum and followed us giving solidness to the music . Amazing. Then, Brother Hans shared a word on the storm in your life and how that with Jesus you can overcome. Then we sung again. Only to have a band on the boat called the Hava Nagilla band really get everyone dancing with a couple of songs. This is definitely a high point.

Service on the mount.
Just when I was recovering from the beautiful time we had at Galilee, we had a an early dinner and headed off to a planned service at the Mount Carmel church in Haifa. Well, this was a drive up the same Mount Carmel where the showdown took place between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. We arrived just about when the praise service started and filled the church and wow! what a feast, what a celebration!- the Israeli way. With solid music and dance. The worship leader Karen Davis was just amazing. We all from the Netherlands gave an offering to encourage the work of the church. Then I sang a special and my did the people go along with me. That set the stage nicely and Pastor Zijlstra preached in Dutch, while Brother Hans translated to English and somebody translated to Russian. At the end of his sermon, he invited a few people to be prayed for. They all got healed without exception. What a night! loads experienced healing from God. And people responded to the call to start a relationship with Jesus. At least 10 people came forward. It's almost 1 am, time for bed.

Adventures in Israel: DAY ONE - The arrival

2010-04-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

Arrived at the airport for 11:00 to see loads of our fellow travellers.
Also a few faces from church who I did not know were on the trip, well
with expected 300 plus in number, how could you know everyone?
The queue snaked round a few crowd control poles, till we got to the first checking.
A dear Israeli lady introduced herself and I expected her to begin with the customary questions but no, on looking at my passport discovered I was British, born in London, confirmed that and smiled, flipped through the pages and we both agreed
that I travelled a lot, seeing the numerous stamps from my twice yearly foray in the
US and a few other non EU countries. Then she had this look on her face, saw my second name - that doesn't look English, and she then said ' what mean this name' I explained that it was Nigerian, then she had to go and check with someone else.
Don't blame her. What with the crazy Nigerian boy who wanted to blow up a plane the last time! Then a gentleman came back with her and asked more questions. I however produced a joker :-) We have from work, a special card similar to ones used by people who work with embassies with special privileges. That must have helped and then confirmation of my pastor as well as how often I went to church and how long I had been a member of the church! Then, they were satisfied. Phew! A few questions about my baggage and my ticked and box got stickers and I was allowed to
check in. Ah the joys of flying. The flight was uneventful. Arrived at Ben Gurion airport at 7.25 PM (Israeli time C.E.T +1) and after collecting baggage and some getting Shekels off the ATMs moved into our buses by number and left the beautiful airport at 8.PM. We had a 2 hour drive to our lodging place- a kibbutz .This is actually one of the first kibbutz build in Modern day Israel, in 1920! It is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and is called Kibbutz Degania Bet. We were welcome with some fruit juices and fresh dates. A taste of the Mediterranean. The rooms look just like your regular guesthouse. Now to sleep.

Time to fly...

2010-04-20T23:56:00.000-07:00

After 2 days of uncertainty what with the domino effect of the volcanic ash from the unpronouceable place .. I gather its 'AY-YAH-FJET-LA-YO-KUTL' in Iceland, I get to flay todat to Israel with our group of 325 Christian brothers and sisters! Glory to God. It's onna be a trip of a lifetime. Lost 2 out of 12, not bad considering many round the world experiencing travel misery. Strangely enough. I was very peaceful about it. God indeed fills us with perfect peace if we keep our eyes on Him. Real peace really is not the absence of war, but rest in the midst it, or the potential to erupt.
It's like being in the centre of the storm. Thank God for his Shalom-wholeness- the I'm cared for, whole, feeling.

Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) (Sephardic Hebrew/Israeli Hebrew: Shalom; Ashkenazi Hebrew/Yiddish: Sholem or Shulem) is a Hebrew word meaning peace, completeness, and welfare and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye.[1][2][3] As it does in English, it can refer to either peace between two entities (especially between man and God or between two countries), or to the well-being, welfare or safety of an individual or a group of individuals.

Off to Israel in April...Shalom

2010-03-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

People always seem to have this must do before I die list, and you cannot
even begin to imagine what is on some people's list. Everyone's got a right to their own fantasies right? America or bust was one for me at a very yong impressionable age. Now I visit between 1 to 4 times a year. There's hardly a day/week that passes without the country of Israel getting a mention in the press.Sadly, the contents are not exactly flattering and for 'gullible' public, israelis must be these monsters and oppressive people, Israel must be some war zone. People equally have their very strong opinions on her as well and that is not my place to start another arguement. My mother has been to israel twice as a pilgrim and I lurved the photographs. This was in the 80's. I have since always had the dream (a la Martin Luther King) to visit this place of historical and more importantly to me spiritual significance. For the bible reading and loving people like me, the fact is that Jews (love em or hate em) are people with a convenant and via them and through Jesus, we become people of a convenant. I'll like to visit my spiritual roots then. I am so excited and looking forward to this. We'll be making this trip with some 350 people from the Netherlands and My senior pastor who's also an evangelist will be holding healing meetings in 3 messianic jewish churches! That will be something as we believe to see Jesus the Jew and the Christ manifest himself in miracles amongs our Jewish brothers and sisters in Tel Aviv, Ashdod and haifa. And of course some tourist visits, the Jaffa Gate, Sea of Galilie, the Jordan river et. c

I should hopefully go in full daily blog mode when I get there. Is Israel on your list of would like to visit? have you already been? What's on your list of must dos?
Shalom my firend.

New year, new beginings, new grounds..

2010-01-25T06:15:00.000-08:00

1st blog of the year . yeah! The year's already started and thank God, we made it. Now let's get down to business. You come to appreciate God's goodness when you see the horrors of the recent happenings in Haiti. I pray that the people recover and can get back to some 'normalcy' of life again and build afresh.

I'll never have imagined this, but the Rainbow Gospel singers that I am part of has been invited to be part of the final of the SBS Popstars talent search finale in the Netherlands. That on SBS 6, National TV! We would be providing background vocals to the participants for one of their songs. Thank God for exposure. if you're in the Netherlands. It will be on Friday the 29th of january at 20.30hrs.

This is going to be an exciting year. Had 2 concerts on saturday. And the Happy Singers youth gospel choir under my leadership celebrates 10 years of existence this year. On Sunday the 31st, we'll be celebrating at the Salvation Army church (Het leger des heils). I am grateful
Groenesteeg 66, Leiden at the 10.00am service

Count your blessings...

2009-12-28T08:07:00.000-08:00

name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done" the ol' hymn says. Was with my family at a restaurant on Christmas evening, and I asked my children out of the blues what the high points of the year has been to them. I then started writing them down in point form on the napkin and going round the table we realised how many great things God had done for us. Both got prizes for educational achievement at school for the second year running. Went on quite a few international school trips and returned safely everytime. Scored distinctions in music exams. I
did some personal maths and realised that I been on 12 trips some for my secular job, some for ministry in the UK, the US, Canada and Nigeria for music ministry purposes that meant being on 30 planes! And with all the stories we hear and see, returned safely all through... God is good. Of course, there were the tough times, but I can look back at the blessings and that blows the bad times off into the sea of forgetfulness.

The circle of life: Happy Anniversary !

2009-11-10T01:06:00.000-08:00

The bible nicely says teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom... Today is my wedding anniversary and I thank God for it. It's 19 year of all the great stuff, the mushy stuff, the loving thing, the children thing and agreements and disagreements BUT we came through and we are still standing. Nothing like love standing the test of time, not just a fleeting, spur of the moment thing. Thank God for the grace, especially in these days and age. We trudge on and hope to see our teenage children grow up and move on. It's the circle of life...

Another song from my past that still blesses me

2009-09-22T02:13:00.000-07:00

Heard this song many years ago and stumbled across it again.
Just read the lyrics .. very revealing

Why Me
Kris Kristofferson
Written by Kris Kristofferson
Published by Resaca Music

Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I've known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you've shown.

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.

Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
I can try to repay
All I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you.

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.

2009-08-26T00:46:00.001-07:00

Just came back from our Happy singers teen choir weekend 2 city UK tour. Played at a packed out concert on the 22nd in Basildon, and in an Anglican/episcopal church in Kilburn, London on the 23rd.
Being our first ever trip to minister outside the Netherlands where we are based, I am completely overwhelmed by the great reception we got. The singers loved ever minute and man, was I proud of them all, all the rehearsals .

And this must be among the nicest feedback I've ever got, and I thank God for it

hi Martin

Thank you again for the privilege of watching you perform and be a part of last night.

I would like you to extend my thanks also to the Happy Singers. I was unaware that they were performing as such a big part of the concert and have therefore this morning added them to the band of my hat. I would like you to tell them it was an honour to watch their professionalism and commitment to each other as a group. I have learnt a lot of things during this time, and watching them perform as a choir and see their confidence and ability was a pleasure and an experience I hope to learn much from.

Prayers for all your future endeavours and theirs too

Shelly x

See Photos http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=300998&id=811360446&l=7c2c56769c

United in happiness

Happy singers visit the UK and dreams

2009-08-10T23:46:00.000-07:00

On the 22nd and 23rd of August 2009 the Happy singers make their first ever visit to sing in the UK and outside the Netherlands' base for that matter. I feel very excited about this. I have been priviledged to be choir director for this bunch of teenagers for close to 9 years now and in that time, we've sang all over the Netherlands, in churches, concerts, and festivals ,won the odd award there and even been on National TV a few times. I give God the glory. Have always dreamt of taken them with me outside the country till the door opened to make this a reality . This is a group under the Salvation Army that started with the desire to make something good out of a bunch of growing kids from various sometime dysfuntional backgrounds and grew over the years.

I was invited to sing at this concert and there were questions about how many were coming, of course I said off hand, just me in my usual solo thinking, God had another plan. On a particular day while on a plane flying back from an engagement in the US, an idea suddenly came in my head to aske the organiser if I could bring a choir, the rest as they say is history. Never give up on a dream.

See http://www.funmiwilliams.com/events.htmand http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=109935391731

Nigeria we hail thee ...

2009-08-05T05:45:00.000-07:00

Just made a trip back from the great country Nigeria, in West Africa for those who don't know. Went with my whole family of 4 for 2 reasons to celebrate my father's birthday and have a short holliday. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and actually enjoyed the stay better than previous visits. My daughters will echo that sentiment. I decided to play tourist this time and was snapping happy with my new camera. The last time I visited was about 3 and a half years ago. This time the passage through immigrations was quite smooth.

I visited 3 cities ; Lagos (the commercial capital), Akure (upcoming city in teh west) and Abuja (the country's capital). As much as I would have liked to do the public transport, extended family and friends arranged for vehicles to take us around which has it's merits: air condition, and not having to pay :-).The only exception was the hire of the hotel cars (the drop) that are charged per hour. We stayed at 3 different hotels. African Garden Lodge in Lagos, Owena Motels in Akure and Angeles Hotel, Garki, Abuja.

The good stuff.
There seems to be a great effort to make places easier to find. Streets have been properly names and sign posted. New bus systems seem to be running. Traffic lights in place and actually working and being obeyed ! ATM machines all over. I actually dared to use them and did 4 times with my Visa card and got money every time. All this in Lagos and other cities as well. Not all perfect but should be commended. We visited the Bar beach( restored)nice and watched a film at Silverbird Galeria, Vistoria Island.

Hotels.
I actually made reservations from abroad for the 3 hotels. And it all went well bar one. Owena motel messed up. My booking for the 20th of July was set in June 20 in error, so we had to make do with 2 rooms in place of the suite as requested. Wierd, as I have never had to make a reservation with them before, and always walked in a got the desired room. Hotel food as usual was expensive, so we ate out at times, and that's no problem with more chique restaurants like Tantalizers eager to serve you with a range of snacks and rice, pasta and traditional Nigerian meals.

Airports

We took an internal flight to Abuja from Lagos with Aero and you can actually see available flights online
and book flights online, except that my 'foreign' visa and mastercard were not accepted, so I had to get a Nigerian friend to do it with his card and paid him back. And indeed, you pay much less by booking online. compare 8000 Naira one way to 16000 Naira for the same flight on the day !Did I talk about the new regional/local airport called MM2. It's beautiful. My kids loved the look. It's modern and has good shops and eating facilities and working toilets. Nice. It's looking better than the international even!

Abuja.

Is this in Nigeria ? Questions my kids were asking. Being a new city relatively and a bit of good maintenance, had good roads, less traffic. Beautiful houses. Driving to the City centre, you see a skyline that reminds you of Atlanta, Georgia! Hope, this beauty spreads around. We went to an attaction part Wonderland and had fun. Visited the arts and crafts village and saw the usual beautiful craft. Thankfully I have learnt to bargain, got some good deals. English football/soccer has a strong foothold here. Got a calabash with my fav club Arsenal hand painted. Now in a pride of place in my sitting room.

Working in progress. Roads in Lagos are stil BAD, with loads of portholes. On the road from Lagos to Akure, lots of check points. I sat in front and kept a straight face, and we never paid a single bribe to anyone. I wonder . Power cuts. No change, I'm afraid. I hear the responsible body is no longer NEPA, but some Power Holding Company (which gave cheeky people fuel for some interesting interpretations)Mosquitos! Nothing you can do about that. Had our insect repelant on and took the anti- malarials. To be fore warned my old primary scholl teach chanted is to be fore armed .

Great trip. Aah skipped my ministry in word and song at the Chapel of his presence , Isolo. That was a blast. God bless Pastor Dr. Boyo for his invitation and hospitality. He even took us to the Sheraton for a buffet. And what a spread. Lagos, see you again in couple of years...

Michael Jackson dead !

2009-06-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

Not being an early to bed person, yeasterday was an exception, struggled through watching the only soap series I really care about watching when I can. Eastenders I went to bed at 11.30pm . Little did I know that history was in the making many miles away: the passing of a star. Yea. I admit it I was a fan of Michael too in my youth, who wasn't ? He was only the best then. I did the 'Off the wall' thing, watched the thriller movie again and again and the concept is still one of the best. Dunno about Bad . He was talented, and mad the moonwalk popular. My peers were to be seen 'backslidding' in those days, before I saw that as a bad word on becoming a serious christian! Only wish he made peace with God, and then he can enjoy eternity with Him after all his earthly troubles. Sold some 750 million albums and still end up broke chased by creditors . Be loved by millions and still be lonely.

Miracles happen: Lost but found

2009-06-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

We drum it in our children's eyes; be careful how much details you give away on the web, the internet, the net. What with the advent of all the social networking sites. They start out innocent and have caused a bit of heartache here and there. However, some of us just can not afford to be out of that scene, being an artist albeit independent and wanting to engage with the 'fans' known and prospective. So it all started meny years ago when I signed up on the original MP3.com and now a search for my name will fill pages on end.

For once , my internet presence found a great use today. I have an office contact number for music business purposes, and while visiting the hospital today for a check up, dropped my debit card accidentally and did not realise it till my dear wife called and asked if my card was with me. I laughed and then panic set in. It was found by a stranger, who , yeah you guessed it (or not) checked on the web via the public phone book and found my number to call. I thank God, that it did not fall into wrong hands and people who'll love to steal. Thank God for the good sises of the Internet .

Need a break

2009-06-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

It's almost holliday season. At some stage the good 'ol body screams out for a break. I think mine is doing so. But wait,
there are lots of stuff on da table to deal with first aaaargh.
We move on and his Grace is sufficient for us. Have you ever wished
for a 4 day working week :-) Have had a very tiring last 7 days. slept late every nighexcept for yesterday, and my did I feel refreshed. Thank you lord for your 7th day break. It works .

Singing in the streets !

2009-04-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Was with the Friendship gospel choir at an open air concert, and sang some of the solos and man what a concert. I hate to use the word show, as that is of course the technical term, but christians have this not well hidden 'agenda' to reach the world for Jesus . Why not? Some one said once, if you don't stand for anything, you gonna fall for anything. I stand for God and for his glory in a world that's going haywire at times. It was beautiful to see the market crowd in Doetinchem, the Netherlands where we sung really enjoying the concert. Two touching incidents to me. A gentleman on an electronic wheelchair. He knew that he could not stand up and dance like the rest of us, bar Jesus saying 'Stand up and walk...' He turned his wheelchair to a dancing machine and twirled it around so beautifully and skillfully. Secondly, There were these little kids who sat raptuously watching, clapping all the way. One of the mums had to go and pickup up her child, who was kick and screaming and just did not want to leave. Aaw..

My adventure in showcasing

2009-03-27T05:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, at the CIA Summit, Christian Independent Alliance conference that is,We had this artist showcase when loads of independent artists got their 15 mins of fame amonst their peers. It was interesting. I was priviledged to get a slot too and had been looking forward to it but the course of things just hardly run smoothly !

Once I got to know that I would be singing. I got working on what songs to sing in 15minutes. Tricky, I sing a wide variety of styles. Some styles just bring out a particular message out better than others. So, I sing everything except rock and rap.
No offence to anybody, just saying what has worked for me.

Then I decided, that I was going to use one of the songs on my latest album that was a duet with the lovely singer Jaime Thietten. At first, she was going to be in the Bahamas singing on a cruise ship in the period of the conference, and then, she discovered that she might be able to make the showcase on Thursday. Yea. One week before the conference, she had to have an operation to have a cyst removed from her upper lip! Aw! and that for a singer !! So, it's prayers for healing. I was advised to prepare a plan B. never did, but held on secretly in hope.

And glory to God, she recovered well enough to sing with me. I did 3 songs. The people loved it. Ah the people: There were two stages for the showcase, One for bands, and the other for singers/songwriters. You can imagine where we were. The crowd grew and shrunk. The possibility to singing to a room with a couple of people was looming. Panic, panic. Not necessary. Meeting a few people the day before, who learnt I came all the way from the Nethetrlands to the US, and those who'd heard me before seemed to have made some want to be there when my turn came up, and the place was almost full when we sang. Glorious. And a plus, I had an old acquaintance, a classmate of my sisters from university who happens to be local in Nashville come up to be there to watch. That made my day.

We stand alone

2009-03-23T01:55:00.000-07:00

On the way to Nashville. My bags are being packed . I'm ready to go. I hope to come back with an award. When you get nominated for an award and have a few other nominees,
It is always tricky to assume. It boils down to the subjective choice of a panel. Here's praying somebody loves my smiling face that launched a thousand ships ! To be nominated is already good, but hey, we need to get to the next level. Good to great. So help me God. I am quite looking forward too to the opportunity to showcase my music in Nashville before fellow artists and distinguished industry people in the audience.. That's life. Give it always your best shot.

Yesterday, I took the praise and worship for an evening service at my church and all
the 10 singers to be background vocals just did not show up for one reason or the other ! I just went on regardless with the keyboardist and bass guitarist. It also happened to be one of those nights when we couldn't get a drummer. The pastor even offered to sing along, but we politely declined. What do you know. It went well. Praise to his name. A team is great, but each member of the team must learn the art of being secure to stand on your own with God at the end of the day. The icing on the cake for me, was that I had decided to do a solo/special, which was not originally planned in the service schedule. So I got the track ready with the Sound engineer. Told the senior pastor about the song, which he said he agreed in principle. So before he preached, he asked me to sing the song. It the song made popular by Byron Cage (Gospel artist) called The presence of the Lord is here and my did God show up. The church was turned upside down, the congregation really got into it and you could see my senior pastor all beaming from ear to ear ! Guess what, at the end of the service, he asked for an encore !

The Happy Singers strike again

2009-03-16T04:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Sunday morning was the 1st gig of the Happy singers youth gospel choir. It took place at a Salvation army church in The Hague, in the Netherlands. Many were really, really blessed and
were full of praises at the end of the service where we got to minister some 8 songs ! It could have well been a concert.

Yes. Who are the Happy singers. Just a group of kids brought together by our local Salvation Army church,
as a choir, for which I am choir director. Just over 8 years ago, I was approached by the youth leader of our local Salvation army church (in Leiden, Holland) through a dear brother in the praise team of my church. They had
had a bunch of kids from various dysfunctional homes. No dad, no mum , no parent, et. c and tried to make
something of their lives, with after school support, providing things for recreation and a kid's club.And as they aproached
12 and up, these became inadequate. Then someone came up with the idea, let's form a choir ! Sounds like Sister Act 2:-)
They asked the kids for a name, and settled on The happy singers .. Next, music ? They found a old friend of
one of the salvation Army officer's who was a gifted pianist, and also had the flexibility of playing latin music . the 60 + year old gentleman agreed to play (IIlvio Pietersz is his name by the way) but said that he wasn't used to working with kids. They needed a choir director. This is how I came into the picture.

To do or not to do ? I couldn't just take this. I asked for time to think and pray about it. I was then head of the music dept in my church, barely started my itinerant music ministry but eventually agreed under the conditions, that I couldn't raise a choir singing Dutch kidpraise songs. I was a gospel artist and will teah the kids gospel music. They agreed and the rest is as they say history. God's grace is indeed enough for us. I have seen kids grow up in the group to be confident individuals that will sing with the best of them. I even remember, a troublesome boy who had ADHD , that God really calmed down to make him find his place in society and relate better to people. In the last 8 years, some have grown up
and left, and many more join . Averaging about 20 these day. We've been to choir festivals , gospel festivals, all kinds of churches , weddings and someone re^cently wanted us to sing at their funeral ! (We decided against it for the little one's sake) and we have and invitation later this year to even sing at a youth correction center ! And have been a TV a few times here in the Netherlands. God is good and to HIM be all the glory. Even though, I never though about the usual what's in it for me, God has used it to open doors of personal ministry too. I almost always get asked to sing a song on my own as well , and get asked back, not to talk of my CD sales there as well.

May God help us to take opportunities at the right time. It will work out for our good.

Martin Adu announced as a finalist for the 2009 MOMENTUM AWARDS.

2009-03-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Martin Adu announced as a finalist for the 2009 MOMENTUM AWARDS.

Leading independent Christian organization to announce winners at their annual CIA Summit conference, March 28, 2009

Indieheaven.com/The Christian Independent Alliance, the leading organization for Christian independent musicians announces the finalists of the 2009 MOMENTUM AWARDS. The Momentum Awards, now in its 4th year, is the premier award recognition program for Christian independent artists. Previous award winners have seen opportunities for advancement in their music and mission because of the recognition the awards garner. Some have moved into the CCM Industry, while others have continued to see success as independent artists.

Indieheaven president, Keith Mohr states, "as the music industry continues to change and more and more artists are either staying independent or going back to their independent roots, it is important to recognize the pursuit of excellence in this growing industry. The basis for the Momentum Awards is not competition, but comrades applauding and encouraging one another to create momentum in their music missions. We teach indies that momentum is paramount to success as an independent artist."

Martin Adu is a music minister,an inspirational gospel music artist based in Leiden, the Netherlands at the Levensstroom Gemeente (Livingstream church).He started
singing at the age of 9 and has in the last 20 years a varied experience in leading choirs, conducting gospel music workshops and as guest soloist in different churches,
conferences and concerts in the Netherlands, Germany, England,France, Nigeria, Ireland, Canada and the USA,

Contact: Martin Adu, www.martinadu.com, +51 71 521 7597, info@martinadu.com
For more information about the CIA Summit and the MOMENTUM AWARDS, visit: http://www.ciasummit.com

About Indieheaven
Indieheaven.com is a Christian independent musicians resource agency dedicated to the advancement of independent Christian musicians and the independent Christian music scene. Indieheaven.com partners with its members to help them increase the scope of their music missions, providing: tools, distribution (100% going to the artist), mentoring, community, and other services. For more information, visit http://www.indieheaven.com

About Christian Independent Alliance
The CIAlliance is a staff department of Artists in Christian Testimony Intl, and is dedicated to Christian musicians, singers, bands, songwriters and others, who are impacting people with their music and message worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.cialliance.org

Nominated finalist in Indieheaven Momentum Awards Inspirational Artist of the year

2009-03-03T23:16:00.000-08:00

This came as a surprise. I have been a member of the Indieheaven group which encourages independent non-label artists as myself . The roster really has some formidable artists, and this is an honour from God. I will be in Nashville at the end of the month for the Awards, and who knows, may come back across the Atlantic with one ! See press release here below . Glory to God

http://www.ciasummit.com/2008/03/30/2008-momentum-awards-winners-announced/

Coko - Look At Me Lyrics

2009-02-14T02:53:00.000-08:00

Coko - Look At Me Lyrics

Look at me
I have been set free
All my sins are washed away
My nights turned to day
All because Christ has set me free

You wonder how he could love me so
I'll never know
For your love has given me security
now I'm so happy, I'm happy

Look at me
I have been set free
All my sins are washed away
My nights turned to day
All because Christ has set me free

You wonder how he could love me so
I'll never, never, never know
Mhmmmhm
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
For you preciour love (Precious Love)
Has given me security
now I'm so happy, I'm really happy

Look at me
I have been set free
All my sins are washed away
My nights turned to day
All because Christ has set me free

christ has set me free(x24)

Somebody say free (Free)
I been set free (I been set free)
Say free (Free)
You can't stop me (You can't stop me)
Free (Free)
(Free)
(Free)
(Free)
(Free)

Resolutions !!!!

2009-01-08T02:06:00.000-08:00

Most people I've talked to seemed to have stopped making them. I guess it's the human moral weakness and the inability ? to start and stick with things. I hardly make them myself though, but last Sunday we got challenged in church about really meaning to give God the 100% of ourselves we've promised all these years , not 80 , not 75 not 50.. He gave us all in Christ Jesus, why give anything less. So help me God, if there is a resolution for me, this is it !

Music on garageband.com

2009-01-03T02:20:00.000-08:00

First waves.. My newest single is track of the day today

listen and enjoy

New CD released: More than wonderful EP

2008-12-21T05:06:00.000-08:00

After a long wait, I finaly got to releasing a new CD. It's more of an EP. Always been intrigued about what an EP meant. Thanks to the internet, could carry out a bit of 'research' and found the following

EP Noun
an extended-play gramophone record, which is 7 inches in diameter and has a longer recording on each side than a single does..

But then we do not use records anymore these days. I must be one of the last generation to. My kids have never had one in their hands or played it. CDs they can relate to.. But then Wikipedia gave a more detailed description.

An extended play (EP) is a vinyl record, CD, or music download which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as an LP. Usually, an EP has around 10–28 minutes of music, a single has up to 10 minutes, and an album has 30–80 minutes. Mini-LPs generally contain 20–30 minutes of music.[1] In the United Kingdom, the Official Chart Company defines a cut off between EP and album classification at 25 minutes length or four tracks (plus alternative versions of featured songs).[2][3]

Aaah! That will do nicely. I am not ready with enough tracks to fill a whole LP album, and landed with the idea for an EP. Brilliant. My new EP's got 6 tracks and checks in at about 30 mins . sample here at www.indieheaven.com/artists/martinadu

You lift me up...Stuck in a lift ?

2008-09-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

says the inspirational song. A very nice one actually. Last saturday, I was out shopping with me wife at one of our local supermarket stores here in the Netherlands. Digros. We drove allthe way up the winding car garage, as it seems everyone had the same idea: do some shopping on your free saturday. So, parking the car on the 8th floor !, we now made our way to go downstairs. I saw a couple where the lady decided to go down the stairs, even though her partner would have liked to use the lift instead, he followed her. On the contrary, I thought, well, we should use the lift, but my dear wife, (now don't blame her after a tiring week, preferred the lift) We got in with a couple and their 2 children, an some 4 or 5 other People. Lift started downwards then disaster. It stopped just after the 4th floor . Actually between the 4th and 3 rd. help ! One of the kids began to cry and was reassured by the mum. I tried to slow my breathing before an attach of 'claustrophobia' set in ( I have been a sufferer previously) and then reached for the alarm as well as someone else.

This was uncharted territory for me. I have heard of it and maybe watched too many films with people stuck in lifts. Not a great experience. We all started chatting, all complete strangers :-)After some 5 - 10 mins, we had a voice letting us know that they were walking on it. However, all attempts to reset the lift system failed. So, they prised the doors open, and we had to climb out and I was able to lend a hand in helping people up. That feels good. Afterwards we stumbled across one of thge people in the store and smiled at one another. I guess we become acquaintances for life .

Ever got stuck in a lift before? let's hear about it

What you lookin' at ???

2008-09-17T05:45:00.000-07:00

The things you have to get used to in life at times. I do quite a bit of travel. Sometimes to countries outside western Europe. No problem with that you'd say. However, I happened to
have travelled to Skopje in the (Former Yugoslav Republic) of Macedonia. What are you doing
there ? work :-)

This seems to be one of those places where they seem not to have encountered people of a different colour. In the Balkans, they have enough troubles fighting themselves . As I took a
long walk up the Stone Bridge which crosses the river Wawa ?? to the 'Albanian' side. I got
All kinds of curious looks. young girls looked and gigled. Old women just stared. A few young boys looked so bemused. Then a few older guys passed by and dared to comment ! "African people " he said as they passed by. I said back charmingly .. "Aren't they just wonderful ?"

Calling all African people ... Macedonia waits for you LOL a million times

Olympic Yelling competion

2008-08-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

Been yelling at the TV a lot recently, well this past weekend. Please pince me and remind me
that the sportsmen/women can't hear me:-) It's that time again which shows up every 4 years
the OLYMPICS. Not exactly what you'll call the sportsman myself, but an avid sports fan, thanks
to the TV. I have always had a go, when my dear wife and Kids are cheering on from TV until this
weekend, during the coxless 4 men rowing race by Great Britain when the BBC commentator actually
said, where ever you just shout out and encourage the rowers (my paraphrase) .. We took that up
and yelled commen Britain, common guys and guess what, they rowed faster and overtook the Aussies
and won the Gold medal . We jumped up and had a family hug. It works !! LOL

Happy Singers in Utrecht when things go wrong

2008-05-21T01:58:00.000-07:00

Our dear youth gospel choir was in the Life Word Christian centre in Utrecht recently to minister. It went well, but not without hiccups. They say, sometimes, it just doesn't rain, it pours.

Almost every area had something wrong going on.. We were planning to try out running a DVD on the background while singing for the first time, but the connection to the beamer wasn't working and took long phone calls to resolve. The Piano was configured in such a way that it was

3 - 4 tones higher, and songs were unsingable (is that a word ?) 2 different keyboards later, our Pianist Ilvio could play. Half of the group in a bus did a bit of drive around and arrived half an hour later than arranged ! How much can a man take, but we went on and sang and the people were blessed but with much less sound check as I will. Thank God for his grace. It is sufficient for us. God never promised a life without any issues but the strength to deal with them with HIM on our side. We've got the victory.

The 2 week American tour with a 100 man choir !! FULL REPORT Part 2

2008-05-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

Aah Atlanta: What do you do when a singing engagement is cancelled and you
have time in your hands , and your' stuck with a female population of around 90 ?
Go shopping :-) We spend the late afternoon in one of Atlanta's shopping malls. It
is America- land of the shopping malls.

On the 14th of April (Monday), we paid homage to one of the most important figures
in modern day black history, yes you guessed it. Martin Luther King. He is from Atlanta,

and is buried there. So we paid a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and I made my version of the famous I have a dream speech at the tombstones of Martin and Wife Corretta.Very moving exhibition and displays. That evening we zang at the Atlanta Union Mission, which helps ex-drug addicts reintergrate back into society. That was something. 40 -50 MAN audience. I mean all men. We barely had space to take the whole choir and no stage but it was wonderful to see them all singing along and being blessed. That was unforgetable.

Tuesday the 15th, we had our only free day, so we took time out to see family. Off to Augusta Georgia, where my brother in law (Doctor) lives with a rental car. Why did I live my GPS back at home :-( We made 3.5 hour trip of a 2.5 hour trip and the return trip was not better, when sports took over and all roads led to the sports arena, and lots of roads were blocked. Motorists' nightmare, but we were glad to see family away from our home across the Atlantic.

On the way to Charlotte, NC. We packed our stuff on Wednesday, the 16th and made our way to Charlotte in North Carolina state. Smooth ride with one stop to eat. What a beautiful city. Calmer, appears cleaner. There seems to be a crown on all road signs , then our guide begins to tell the story. Charlotte is named, we are told after the wife of an English King, George III . It is also known as 'queen city'. Directly to our 2nd hotel, we went. The Omni. Now, that's luxurious . I love it and would recommend it with a shopping center under it . Churches everywhere . It's flowing with the milk and honey. Apparently the 2nd biggest financial centre (center) of America, second to new York, of course. Lots of construction work and banks, but God is at work too.

The CHARLOTTE SEGMENT:

to be continued...

The 2 week American tour with a 100 man choir !! FULL REPORT Part 1

2008-05-06T03:45:00.000-07:00

After 2 years of planning and 1 year of saving, hours of personal rehearsal and 2 major rehearsals and 3 meet and greets, we finally got on the road on the 11th of April with a 100 man choir, 3 man band and 1 choir director. Must've done well in maths at school. This was going to be the longest single on the road experience I had so far and with my dear wife Catherine in tow, who by the way sings too. Met her in a choir years ago and proposed to her after one of the rehearsals :-) . Here we were on this tour with the Friendship Gospel choir from the Netherlands where we are based.

We arrived safely at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport in the afternoon of the 11th. Not exactly a warm sunny welcome. Glad we had jackets with us. The airport live up to it's reputation of being the busiest airport in the world ! http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/busiestairports.htm

Were we glad to finally see outside the airport and place our baggage in the tour buses . There were 2 of them and the drivers were very friendly and professional, both floridians . From there straight to our hotel The Holiday inn Atlanta downtown (The 1st of 3 in the 2 weeks) . The location was great as major attractions were within walking distance; Georgia International Convention Center, CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park , World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Dome and the newly opened Georgia Aquarium. We came here to sing okay not for vacation, I had to remind myself and my dear wife. We had a joint welcome dinner that evening to settle in together with the group and pass out important information. From the next day, it was work bar a one free day.

Atlanta segment: We only got to do 2 of the 3 planned stops in Atlanta. The first was the Big Bethel AME Church . This is a church that has existed since the 1800 as an African american church and It was a blessing to be there and soak up the anointed atmosphere. We had a workshop on the saturday (12) with Edith Castelyn (our choir director) teaching some songs in a workshop and the loacl Minister of Music Re. Vernon Jones teaching us some songs as well. We ended up being the choir for the day in the service and singing even onrehearsed songs . One wierd thing though is that we were requested to sing Great is thy faithfulness in the Dutch language which we obliged (never dreamed that will happen) Must have been exotic to the listener hearing Groot is uw trouw O heer, conducted by their music minister who didn't understand a word , but hey, music is a UNIVERSAL language right ?!

Wow! When the service started, I was in a dream world. For those not used to services, It was similar to what you could see on films as Fighting temptations, the blues brothers (without the acrobatics) , the diary of an angry black woman et.c But that does not prepare you for the live experience. I must say it was one I'll cherish for ever. It was an honour (honor (American)) to be able to sing in such a service with so much history . The song Total praise ( Richard smallwood) soared and was heavenly. Glorious.

We were able to minister 2 of our songs : Just having church (Chester baldwin) and Lord we magnify your name ( Luther Barnes) and they were well received. I gathered later, comments among some congregants (those white folks can sang ) Now, that's a great compliment with our 90 % white membership from the Netherlands ! The church showed great hospitality and provideded lunch not only after the rehearsal the previous day, but also on the sunday. Then, we got to tour the City of Atlanta in tourist mode. Our 2nd stop at Calvary Baptist church did not happen due to communication and confirmation issues :-( but we rested and in the evening, met again to go over the days experience. Many wiped a tear from the emotions of such an encounter with the african american church and I believe a touch of their hearts. This set the scene for the rest of the tour.

...To be continued

Thankful : Birthday boy 2008

2008-05-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

It's that day again when I thank God for yet another year. Do you know that somebody somewhere in the world or even in your neighbourhood did not make it to this day. I am grateful to God for this priviledge, now what am I gonna do with it ?? I choose to serve Him who suffered for me, died for me and rose so that I can have and live life. And I am decided to live life to it's fullest : John 10:10 is the key ( Quote from the Best selling book of all time)

DAy 1 in America Tour

2008-04-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

Ja jetlag. Werd op 4 uur wakker en slaap was weg, toen begon ik met laptop te spelen. Probeerde een internet verbinding te maken via de WIFI, maar dat scheen moeilijker te zijn dan verwacht. Maar goed, naar een paar belletjes naar receptie en de leverancier was het opgelost ! heerlijk eten met scrambled eggs and toast ..lekker. Dan, op weg naar onze eerste afspraak De Big AME church waar we een bijzonder workshop hadden met Rev Vernon Jones en Edith natuurlijk. We wisselden van de ene naar de andere dirigent(e) een nog meer songs o.a. een lied van Kirk Franklin en een paar klassieke kerklieden zoal 'Groot is uw trouw o Heer' Mooi. WE hadden ook 40 leden van die kerk onder ons die hebben meegezongen. gezellig ! Dan kwam aan het eind een verrassing. De kerk verzorgde een lekkere maaltijd voor onze alle, maar ja we hadden 45 minuten de tijd om te eten, en dan op stadtour van Atlanta met een gids. Heb ik niet meegedaan ik moet even

Coming to America!!!

2008-03-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

Some opportunities are just too good to miss. In about 12 days I will be in the US as part of a gospel choir on a 2 state tour: Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. It promises to be fun, a lot of work and a great opportunity to minister in song. We should be in quite a few African-American churches in the area. All invited.

APRIL
13th :- On tour with Friendship gospel choir
Venue: Big Bethel African Church, 220 Auburn Avenue, Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Time : 11am - 1:00pm
14th :- On tour with Friendship gospel choir
Venue: Atlanta Union Mission Time : 7:00pm - 8:30pm
15th :- On tour with Friendship gospel choir
Venue: Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 2755 Campbellton Road S.W., Atlanta, GA 30311 Time : 7:00pm - 9:00pm
17th :- On tour with Friendship gospel choir
Venue: Friendship Missionary Church, 3400 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216 Time : 7:00pm 9:00pm
18th :- On tour with Friendship gospel choir
Venue: New life Fellowship Center, 1337 Samuel St., Charlotte, NC 28206 Time : 7:00pm - 8:30pm
20th :- On tour with Friendship gospel choir
Venue: Silver mount Baptist Church, 501 W Arrowood Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217 Time : 9:45am -12:00pm

For those who thing gospel music is the preserve of a particular 'ethnic' group. This will be an eye opener. The 100 man choir singing black gospel music is 90 % 'white !!!! and does it sound great
Listen here : http://www.blackgospel.nl/disco.htm

My 100th Hyves friend /The Networking crazzze

2008-03-04T02:11:00.000-08:00

Networking sites are the craze these days, and as an emerging artist , you just want to be where it's happening. It's all bout reaching the people innit ? I'm signed up in myspace, shoutlife, Hi5, Bluebet, Facebook, Hyves.nl and can be found on quite a few music sites phew ! I got the 100th person today on this site called Hyves.nl another networking site that is very popular in the Netherlands. It finally occured to me that the expression Hyves might be referring to a bee hive .. Duh !

here's to more networking and beyond !

Handling compliments

2008-02-04T05:33:00.000-08:00

.. can be difficult, but I've learnt in the years of music ministry and growing up
and going through school as not mr. popular to take them in stride. I have learnt
to be grounded and realise that it is God who takes the nobodies and makes them
somebodies, who takes the foolish of the world and uses them to confound the wise,
who gives uis the power, who turns the 'stone that the builders rejected' into the
cornerstone !

So when the compliments started flowing just before service yesterday night.. 'My
can you sing !, Are you the singer ? wow ! et. c, I just thanks the dear ladies politely,
and give God the glory for his 'gift' afterall, he made it all happen, I cannot gloat.

May we learn to remain humble, then we'll enjoy a loooong time at the top.

Leading worship at Not-your- Church

2008-01-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

Here is a a thank you email I got from my last foray into leading worship with
the worship team of a church in Leidschendam. It so sweet, and I feel honoured
seeing what God produced in such circumstances..

Many thanks
From: Bill Laughlin
Sent:
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:19:52 AM
To: Martin Adu (martin_adu@hotmail.com)
Cc:

Martin,

Everyone I have talked to about last Sunday thought the worship was magnificent (and so do I). It was such a beautiful combination and sequence of songs and hymns that brought us into the presence of God. Thanks so much for your sensitivity, flexibility, and leadership. I look forward to your next time with us.

Warmly in Christ,
Bill

Bill Laughlin
Senior Pastor
Trinity Baptist International Church
Gruttolaan 23
2261 ET Leidschendam
The Netherlands

Website: http://www.trinitychurch.nl

My song used in Youtube video ??!

2008-01-21T15:13:00.001-08:00

Stumbled across one of my songs 'So good' from the album So good to know used as background music for a promotional you tube video ..Great

De Levensstroom, op TV WEST

2008-01-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

Lieve mensen op onze blog, in deze drukke tijden , zou ik het bijna vergeten.Maar morgenochtend om 10 uur start, de eerste tv uitzending , van de Levensstroomgemeente(onze kerk), op TV WEST.Elke zondag,vanaf morgen, zullen we er te zien zijn.Joshua TVDe Levensstroom is ook op Joshua TV te zien. Omroep Salto in Amsterdam heeft op zijn Amsterdamse zender A2, zendtijd vrijgemaakt voor Joshua TV. Vanaf januari zult u de nieuwe tv-diensten elke woensdag om 14.00 uur, ook op Joshua TV kunnen zien.Heerlijke tijden zullen aan breken, maar als je kunt, moet je toch ook eens een dienst,live bijwonen, dit is echt een belevenis.Woon je niet in de omgeving van Leiderdorp, op vrijdag 11 januari, zal onze voorganger, Jan Zijlstra een grote genezingscampagne houdden, in Sporthal "De Peppel"in Ede.Op 8 februari, is hij ook in de WRZV hallen in Zwolle.Het is super om de Heer te dienen en ik ben dankbaar,dat wij deel uit maken van deze gemeente.Welkom, kom en neem anderen mee.Iedereen een heerlijke zondag.

Disney

2008-01-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

Happy singers youth choir on TV ...

2007-12-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

Was surfing today and at the EO (evangelisch omroep) for the undutchables. A major TV network here and saw an ad for our (me and the happy singers choir) appearance on a christian game show. It was great fun taping it and the suspence waS killing . Stuff of good TV . the programme is called the 'Omega Code' The goal is to break the code

See

http://www.eo.nl/programma/omegacode/2007-2008/page/-/episode.esp?broadcast=8910621

and watch this special christmas edition on NED 3 channel at 16.42 hours..

Can't wait to go on holidays

2007-12-14T03:08:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year. You've worked all year long, and you
just have no more desire to go to the office. can you feel me. One
more week an then, it's sunshine state !!! My children are definitely looking forward
to the Disney world part of it :-)))

And what about this Happy Holidays business yeuk ! have a merry, blessed, exciting Christmas.
Jesus is the reason for da season ! take it or leave it. It's all about him and gusess what he loves YOU..

I get my first ever Music Award !!! Glory..

2007-12-14T02:57:00.000-08:00

Martin Adu was awarded the CAMfest 2007 International recognition of musical excellence at the recently concluded CAMfest 2007 showcase in Dublin, Ireland. CAM standing for Christian Artists and Musicians held a showcase descibed as a christian 'X Factor' in the republic of Ireland, Europe. I was invited to be part of the jury for the talent hunt, and also sing as well. But to get an award , nope that was a shock. Glory to God for his blessings and the honour. God never stops surprisîng us.

For more details see http://www.corporatephases.com/showcasewinner.html

AARON SHUST

2007-03-07T00:53:00.000-08:00

AARON SHUST

new kid on da block

2006-10-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

Redeemer Martin Adu

On Youtube Hurray.. Singing at a church in Canada.. The Dutch language sounded funny to them ..

Now a 2 day breather

2006-06-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

After the fast and furious flow of the daily football march diet,
we can rest.. Really ? The calm before the storm. Not over till it's over. Friday
the 30th begins the quarter-finals.

Now we've separated the boys from the Men, can we see some good football, and
may Daniels come to judgement and may England win the World cup :-))))

Survived the 1st month

2006-01-31T06:03:00.000-08:00

, pinch, pinch.. My little girls have this thing about the first of a month and pinch themselves as if to say, we're still here. The first month of the year is always tough for most people especially in the finance department. After sqandering the december christmas bonus on what is and what nots, you could barely wait till the end of January. Well, we made it to the end of January. It's been okay I would say. My dairy is getting fuller and I have to regretfully turn down a few oppotunities( only got one body and one life) but thank God for opportunities, gigs to sing at .

Aaah the sun is shinning ..But I bet it will be cold under. Don't you just wish you had a designer weather ?? Dream on. The One upstairs turns it on .

Got to gooooo

Someone's got X- Factor ???

2006-01-17T01:50:00.000-08:00

You need to understand dutch to read this review.. Okay get an unline translator :-)))))

De onmisbare X-factor
11-11-2005 - Marcia Over: Martin Adu
Datum: 2 oktober 2005Locatie: Levensstroomgemeente te Leiderdorp http://www.levensstroom.nlWebsite: http://www.martinadu.comStijl: worship, gospelDE ONMISBARE X-FACTORZangkwaliteit, performance, muzikaliteit en inhoudelijkheid, allemaal aspecten die het optreden van een artiest kunnen maken tot een hilarische Idols voorronde-imitatie of tot een ware bron van inspiratie. Dat laatste geldt voor zanger Martin Adu. Hij is namelijk begenadigd met de sierende X-factor, de zalving van God over zijn zang. Tijdens de genezings- en bevrijdingsdienst in de gemeente van evangelist Jan Zijlstra, brengt Martin Adu zijn versie van het in 1905 geboren nummer 'His eye is on the sparrow' geloofwaardig ten gehore. Meteen komen de zielen tot rust en worden zorgen overgegeven aan God. De zang van Martin is overtuigend, rustig, warm, volwassen en op een prettige manier eenvoudig. De ware overtuigingskracht van het 'optreden' zit in de ruimte die wordt geboden aan de kracht en vrede van God zelf. Kleine onzuiverheden in de zang zijn hierdoor niet storend of vallen daardoor in het niet. Het is te merken dat Martin echt beleeft en gelooft wat hij zingt. Daardoor geloven de mensen in de zaal het ook: "Let not your heart be troubled. His tender word I hear. And resting on His goodness, I loose my doubts and fears".Ook al zingt Martin op de avond maar één lied. Het is genoeg om geestelijk opgebouwd naar huis te gaan.door Marcia

Are you superstitious ??

2006-01-14T02:38:00.000-08:00

Superstitious. Huh?? All the craze about Friday the 13th. It was a great day for. Must be crazily blessed meself. I consider every day the day that the Lord has made, and so be it. Like someone I know used to say , the devil never made a day ! I got a good feeling about today though. I slept well last night and woke up with alarm this morning and my what a prayertime !

Anybody out there had a wierd friday the 13th ???"£2@£

Nominated for awards ???

2006-01-12T02:25:00.000-08:00

Nice 'foggy' day today in the Netherlands. Driving is such a joy !! Made it to the office. Thank God. I recently found out on one of the website I am registered on for independent christian musicians that I have been nominated in 3 categories for the 'Momentum Awards' Wow! Never happened before in my life. This will be a great year. It will be nice to win . Don't you ? then give us your vote

Male Vocalist of the Year
Inspirational Artist of the Year
Urban Gospel Artist of the Year

See
http://www.indieheaven.com/go.idh?section=mawards

Not all singers/musicians get to be under the wings of the Labels. It is great to see a site catering to other interests - The independent hard working, self financing ones. My dear friend NIYI has done a fantastic job on my new website Http://www.martinadu.com . God bless him

That's enough for today man! back to work.
Ciao..

Lazy blogger returns

2006-01-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas was great in London as well as the ushering in of 2006. With Cath (wife) and My girls. Now we are back home in the netherlands. Home well, adopted home. familiar surroundings. The weather was not any better than London's. Nice and cold !! I am a winter person if that exists as an appelation. I sweat buckets in warm weather. my web site is now looking cool with the revamping www.martinadu.com

uugh! Attach on London

2005-07-08T01:19:00.000-07:00

How horrible ! How low can people get. Attacking plain civilians going about their day's business to make an honest living. My heart goes out to families that have lost people estimated 53, and more than 700. Being a Londoner living abroad, had to be calling every one I knew, Family and friends. Thankfully, they were all ok.

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1188309,00.html

Prague - A blast

2005-07-08T01:11:00.000-07:00

Returned Monday night from Prague. What a trip. Soloing with a background gospel choir of 100 is a wonderful thing. And my is Prague beautiful. Couldn't get enough of it. Made a visit to 'Coffee Heaven' I recommend it.

Will be in Leipzig and Prague

2005-06-10T05:09:00.000-07:00

I am really looking forward to this. Ministering the gospel in music to the Czechs! and our
friends in Leipzig. www.martinadu.com/events.htm

MP3.com.au - Australia's most popular Music Service Provider

2005-06-01T01:55:00.000-07:00

MP3.com.au - Australia's most popular Music Service Provider

Sill in the top 20 here good !!

A new day

2005-06-01T01:45:00.000-07:00

Gotta try my hand at this new tech. God is good.
Spread the word in every way possible.

The sun is shining