Parachute!

Parachute so deserves a post. For those who dont know, its a music festival with around 30,000 people attending. They have 8-9 stages with different bands playing simultaneously, so you get to go to whatever you like, over 700 musicians were present. Its HUGE. Heard alot about it, but was never really motivated to go even with the well known bands there. This year I decided to go as I'm free and not working yet... Good decision that turned out to be.

Wasnt expecting too much, but I did keep an open heart. Its like camp atmosphere, when you're away from your surrounding and its just you and God (amongst 30,000 people). It was awesome being in front of such annointed bands and meeting God there. It was a time of refreshing and healing for me. I know its a big moment when I start crying and twice it happened (of course none of the boys saw... had to keep my reputation ;)

First time was just overwhelmed by God's love as Parachute band played "Mercy", that is such an annointed song. I was standing in front of the others (Ivan, Philip and Steph), and just felt his love cover me and reassure me. It was great. Second time, was during "Surrender All", another annointed song. Felt God asking me to give it all up to him, my concerns, my worries... How I enjoy his presence.

Then there were the preachers, three of them and all very diff. Excellent messages. Reggie Dabbs was good, one of the funniest prechers I've ever met. During his session, which was more evangelistic, so many responded, it was great. I personally like Charlotte the best though, she's from UK and just blunt yet brilliant. Its the type you need to push/encourage people to do things. She preached Jonah from a totally diff angle than I've ever heard.

I'm also inspired to play the guitar better, Leigh Nash (from sixpence none the richer) sang with only a guitarist, and he was brilliant. So inspired to play more and improve myself, just hope I'll get time to do it. Also Leigh Nash had a sore throat yet continued to sing... I was so touched by that, she didnt want to dissapoint anyone after travelling so far. That's the main reason why I'm singing with a sore thriat for prayer meeting and for caregroup, whereas normally I'd have pulled out and gotten replaced by now.

So after four days and three nigths of parachute, I returned darker than ever (everything was outdoors) and with a sore throat. I thoroughly enjoyed the time there, I wish we didnt have to walk so far to showers and the discomfort of tents, but overall I'd do it again. Will just see how things go next year before I decide anything though. But yeah, praise God for such a wonderful time there.