TAYA

Asia, Part 3: Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭

My team & Ben & Bo jetted to Manila for a hot minute & were joined by some dear friends new & old who came into town to help us tell the story of what we’ve been up to the last few years since we left Australia. More on that later (!!)

We personally learnt a lot in the lead up to this night (!!) & in the days following.
If you think we’ve got anything figured out please don’t be fooled; we are learning to listen, laugh, forgive quickly, apologise when we get it wrong & celebrate always. We always say that even if no one come's to these nights (Ben’s heart might skip ha) don’t worry, we'll still worship Jesus and have the most fun doing so. I often think our rehearsals/soundchecks are the sweetest of times & maybe 'cos they’re just meant for Jesus, but if people do join us later on, it's always still humbling & an honour 🙂

An added weighty moment for us was when we got to highlight the work of Sanghaya Foundation, Inc. a NFP close to our ❤️ & one we're personally partnering with here in Manila.
Thank you Flo, Marvin, Clay, the ladies on the booths, your entire team who showed up to share God at work in your midst even when facing difficult realities. Your faith, discipleship & love is deeply challenging & tangibly felt; we see Jesus in you, Matthew 25 in action.

A big thank you to my team who helped outwork what I felt God had placed on the inside, always ready to go wherever we feel lead to tread 💜

For all who came out to worship with us -thank you so much! 🥹
We pray your hearts were burning as we worshipped the King Of The Universe, that you heard Him audibly or via promptings of His Spirit & that you walked out with the assurance of His faithfulness towards you, as evidenced in His Son, Jesus!
Manila - you're still one of my top 2 favourite places to get to lead worship in all the world - ‘till next time!🇵🇭💜

📸 ,

Asia, Part Two: Matsuyama, Nihon🇯🇵

Random fact: I studied Japanese in school for 11 years & learnt how to use chopsticks as a 5 year old at school and can sing an old japanese pop song (almost every word) that was burned into my memory from said school days, and as such, have always wanted to visit Nihon.
You can imagine my delight when we got an invitation to go, as a family, to lead worship alongside Will Graham preaching the gospel with our Billy Graham Evangelistic Association family!
In a country where christians make up LESS THAN 2% of the entire population the need was felt and so was the nervous-excitement as the 2 day celebration approached - if 500 people showed up to hear the gospel everyone would be stoked.

Miraculously 1,700 people came and we watched as God’s Presence shifted the atmosphere, Jesus was lifted up, Holy Spirit convicted and He drew men, women and children unto Himself.
What a profound night, so humbling and we got to witness it twice.
What felt like a cherry on top was that my sweet translater — I’m not fluent, not by anyyy means haha, just got good pronuciation because I like accents ) — was actually a part of the City Campus in Sydney, Australia before I attended and later worked there and although our paths had never crossed until now, it felt like a sweet nod from God.

He knows, He see’s and He is the Master Creator and Story-Weaver indeed.
Nihon, it was an honour to be on your shores and watch as God set your hearts and lives a-light for the glory of His name.
May You continue to be bold in your faith and in Your boast/shout of Jesus!
May You love Jesus with all your heart and then subsequently others from that overflow, till next time 💜… 日本よ、心の底から感謝します。私たちを受け入れてくださり、そして、その全身全霊をもってイエス様を礼拝してくださり、本当にありがとうございます。イエス様は、そのすべてを受け取るにふさわしいお方であり、それ以上の賛美を受けるに値するお方なのです。