The world just became a lot smaller. My firstborn daughter now lives in China, where she sleeps when I wake, and wakes as I'm going to bed. But when we chat on Skype, it feels like she's still just a bus ride away in NYC. But my separation anxiety and restless nights are nothing compared to the anxiety and despair faced by my many, many sister-mothers in Haiti. Many have children that have not been found; many have children that will never be found. My heart breaks everytime I turn on the news. As a liturgical dance leader with connections to some very precious Haitian dancers in our area (including a member of my own team),their pain has become a part of my heart. But amidst the pain projected daily from the news coverage, I saw one mother who stood out from the rest. She gripped her child with the same agony felt during childbirth, as that 9 year old endured surgery on her damaged leg --- without anesthesia. Then, when it was all over, she hovered over her 3 children on the ground, and smiled with sheer joy into the camera. Why the smile? Because her children were alive, and all she felt was thanksgiving and the certainty that GOD LOVES HER.
Shortly after seeing this, I went up to my 13 year old's bedroom, and just held her head in my arms. Maybe that's part of this epic disaster in Haiti: A call, not to proclaim disparaging judgements as to why something happens to certain people, but rather,to reach out to those far away, and hold those who are close. Because we're all in this same world together. And it's really quite small.

CHRISTMAS is definitely a time to look at the past, present and future, all at the same time. Surely as Mary held the Baby Jesus in her arms, she reflected on all that had transpired, and all that lay ahead, while she yet enjoyed the cuddly warmth of her new born child. Likewise, as we sing songs like "O Come Let Us Adore Him," we are worshipping the newborn Christ, our present Redeemer, and our soon-coming King! Naturally, then, one of the best gifts at Christmas time is the kind that takes you back, moves you forward, and blesses you in the moment, all at the same time.
I am standing next to one of those gifts in this picture! Her name is Ambassador Davida Cotman-El, and she is one of the most significant reasons that I am an anointed dance minister today! When I look back, I see her hands upon my feet, anointing me as Samuel anointed David, and from that day on, I never danced the same. As I look ahead, I see her still dreaming and planning and pursuing the Will of the Father. Davida was always ahead of her time! You wouldn't know it to look at her, but she is my elder by about 15 years! Long before dance ministry leaders were talking about HOLINESS, EMBODYING SCRIPTURE, and the LEVITICAL connection to dance ministry, Davida was already teaching these truths-- and I was honored to have her as a mentor. She is my mentor, my sister and my friend forever--- and notice, those verbs are in the present tense, as is my love for this amazing servant of the Most High God!
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Ambassador Davida resides in San Antonio, TX. She is a licensed minister and has been a leader in dance minstry since 1993. She currently hosts a traveling workshop entitled "The School of Grace." For information on this workshop or other ministry offerings, please contact: theschoolofgrace@yahoo.com

Ministry = Service!

In the dance ministry mentoring programs I've conducted, I always start off by asking, "What does the word ministry mean?" After several false starts, the participants finally come up with the idea of "helping" or "serving." The next question then becomes, "So how does a dance ministry help people?" Hmmmm.... now they're stumped. It blesses people. It's beautiful to watch. It can even deliver God's Word in a moving pictorial form, and that definitely helps people to know God and His Will for their lives. But can a dance ministry team minister in other ways? We've (finally) reached an era where the answer to that is a resounding "YES!" I don't know where we got the idea that dance ministers can or should only dance. This art form is one of the vehicles God uses to share His amazing creativity. But the serious minister of dance cannot spend hours upon hours in His Word and at His Feet (as He pours His anointed choreography in and out), without also sensing the Heart of God, which always involves service to others!
GPDA had the wonderful honor of rendering service to the homeless through the Providence Rescue Mission's 2nd Annual Walk-a-Faith. It was a glorious and chilly day here in Rhode Island -- glorious as we walked, chilly as we danced on the steps of City Hall (Brrrrrrr!), but a concrete reminder that the homeless of our city can't go inside and get warm anytime they want to. I love what Executive Director, Sean Carew said: "It's not for us to discuss the reasons why a person is in the condition they are in... it's simply our job to serve, as Jesus did." And so we walked,and walked,and walked --along with about 75 others from churches all over RI-- to raise money and awareness of their plight, but also to raise up PRAISE to Our Lord and Saviour, who tells us, "Whatever you do for the least of them, you have done it unto Me."(Mathew 25:40) We thank God for the Providence Rescue Mission who demonstrates this scripture everyday, 24/7, and we thank God for the small part we could play in serving others!