Today’s song is one of the first videos I ever posted. Recorded in Odisha, India in 2013, this video is an example of “the early days” when I was using only handheld equipment that was still new to me – you will even see a “restart” on this recording that was caused by my mistakes, not the performer’s!
Why dig into the archives from my early days in the field? Because during this COVID19 crisis God has allowed me to invest in people who are interested in careers combining music, arts and mission – people who are preparing to begin their first days in the field. How? I am teaching occasional classes for Liberty University’s online graduate program in ethnomusicology. Of the 70 students in the program, over 30% are interested in pursuing a ministry path similar to ours. Mary Lu and I are eager to be able to connect these student to indigenous ministries that need their help. We hope to be able to identify potential mentees and then mentor them on-location through our various international projects, with the possibility of transitioning these projects over to their leadership for completion. In this way, my part-time teaching role could eventually lead to significant kingdom impact!
Today’s recording was part of our early work with Freedom to Lead (FTL) with whom we served from 2010 to 2018. We learned so much – both from them and with them – as we helped local artists create curricular songs for The Garden Project leadership development program. God has been gracious to develop and grow us through such ministry partnerships and we are eager to help develop and grow these students (and soon graduates) to embrace the ministries God has in mind for them.
Enjoy!