BLAST 2006 - Day 5

Blast is coming to an end. It’s been fun, feeding, tiring (in a good way) and a total blast in every respect. Everyone I’ve interviewed or talked to about it has said how much they’ve enjoyed it so far, how they didn’t think it would top last year’s yet it has, and how they wish it wouldn’t end.

Day five started off with more rock’em sock’em inspiration, performed by several different bands. There was lots of “Shake, Shake” and other action songs, a lot of people getting up on stage to dance and do the actions… a great way to get the adrenaline going and the spirit flowing!

The morning class for junior teens was a sobering class called “Called and Chosen” covering the very sobering aspects of our obedience and dedication to the Lord. At the same time the senior teens were having a class about the law of love, covering its practical application in everyday life.

While this was going on the staff were having a feeding and inspiring class about the Holy Spirit, followed by a prayer for an infilling of the Holy Spirit. I got a few reactions afterwards:

Micah, 22 (BLAST security)

H: What was your reaction to the refilling of the Holy Spirit event?

M: Wow! I wish I could do that everyday! I wish that it wasn’t just a once in awhile thing but we could feel the spirit that strong everyday, to be able to humble ourselves, die daily, and feel that mind-meld with the Lord and his spirit flowing through us all the time.

H: Do you think it’ll make a difference when you get back home, in your daily life?

M: I think so, but I know I will have to be determined to keep it up. To dig into the Word and be desperate to not let my spirit slack or slide. ▲

Iman, 25 (BLAST team leader)

H: Can you tell me how the Holy Spirit refilling was for you?

I: Very heavy! As I was standing in line for my turn to receive the infilling, I could feel the spirit very heavy in the room. I had a spiritual experience a couple of years ago where I could feel a weight, well not really a weight, just a presence coming down on me, and when I got to the front of the line this morning and kneeled down, I felt that it was just very heavy for me. After Esther prayed for me I went back my seat and there were others sitting around me who had also just been prayed for. And I wept… tears of joy and happiness, those around me were doing the same. It was such a special and moving time and I really felt that from here on out it’s going to be nowhere but up! ▲

The evening activity was a rock concert, and it rocked hard! Vas, Godfrey, Chris and John P got up to do a set. The atmosphere in the room was electric and it was easy to just “let go” in the spirit and be borne up and away by the music and the energy and spirit flowing freely.

Thus the final full day of BLAST came and went. There’s only half a day left. It’s the last, but not the least.

Click for a few pics from day five.

BLAST 2006 - Day 4, Talent Night

Day four's evening activity is one that the teens have been looking forward to in equal measures of anticipation and dread: talent night. For something different I decided to live-blog this event, and hopefully give you a portal into the craziness that is the teenage mind.

8:30 – Everyone’s getting settled (and a few desperate ones are still rehearsing!!!) Fifi’s up on stage playing around on the keyboard. It’s rather lovely-sounding.

(Aaaaaand my computer’s being hijacked by a horde of teen girls who need it to practice their dance number. They need something that can play MP3s...)

OK, I’m back. I’m very sorry to say that I had to shut down the girls rehearsal so I could get my laptop back to my seat—and just in time for the first act…

Oh wait, they’ve brought out Micah Rivers. Today is his birthday and he’s been called on stage to help “setup” (Micah is one of the staff setup guys for BLAST). He’s brought onstage and everyone breaks out in “Happy Birthday” for him before a pile of screaming teens swarm him onstage. Now that’s the way to celebrate a birthday!

8:40 – First act of the night… It’s Paco and the mariachitas! There’s six girls in cowboy hats and sombrero in their somewhere. They’re getting all Oklahoma on us, but the song’s in Spanish. They’re shaking it pretty hard.

“Outrageous,” Mike declares it when they’re done!

8:52 – Jasmine, Lisa and girls come out to do a skit. It’s about Sean Sheep whose come over for the first time to visit the Family home. Needless to say, everything is in shambles. Bratty kids and distracted teens… basically your steering council’s worst nightmare. It’s funny. After losing their sheep they realize their mistake and pray for forgiveness, all before breaking out into a line dance to the tune of “there’s gonna be a change in this world” before acting out the right way to go about having their sheep over.

9:00 – Conchita—a girl’s song and dance team is going to perform… and it’s an a cappella version of “I’m a little teapot”. Short and sweet, but the crowd loves it anyway.

9:02 – Alf is on stage. He’s carrying what looks like a tree branch and an air guitar. Oh wait, and some carnival beads. Now Blind Stevie is playing a doleful dirge while Alf complains about not having any friends. Ohhhhhh, they’re trees! And they’re trying to fight an awful weed. They claim a key promise and the weed dies. Now one of the teen boys is playing electic guitar while Alf plays his air-guitar… “we’re living in the garden of love” now they’re throwing glow sticks into the crowd, and the carnival beads. Oh people love these guys!

9:05 – Gorditas Calientes, girls who are dressed up like fat Mexicans, and a few peasant girls. They look hilarious as they sing “Juanita Tequila” while playing spoons and whatnot.

9:08 – Rain and team, Emily’s on stage with another teen girl, they’re the most colorful bunch you’ve ever seen, wearing all colors, patterns and styles. Oh, they’re going to sing “Where would we be without love.”

9:13 – And we have another skit called “what not to do in Sadville”. It’s a teen boys group. It’s all dialogue and it’s pretty darn funny.

9:16 – It’s a group called “New World’s to Conquer”… but the curtain is still closed. Ah, I hear a sound check. A band maybe? Whoa, there’s a chick in front of the curtain in leather pants. It’s “Earthquake” complete with teeny-bopper dancers. I think Blind Stevie’s behind the curtain singing while she mimes it. It’s fun!

9:20 – Oaxaca: men in tribal wear and carrying bongos. “In the ancient lands of New Zealand, many savage tribes roamed the lands” (the boys come out in tribal-wear and the crowd goes nuts… it’s a funny story… oh now they’re doing their war dance… they’re learning that making war is just no fun. It’s over and the crowd goes nuts again.

9:24 – we give a big hand for the light man then it starts the Catwalk 2006—Family wear. Regular clothes, for outreach and home life. The narration is clever and funny, all Zoolander all the time. “Out on a first date? shop at Ross!” “Ever thought of wearing cargo shorts on a first date? Well John has, and he makes it look good!” “Looking sharp and ready for a day of subscribing, notice Michelle’s purse stuffed full with the monthly mag!” It’s really funny dialogue! Oh wait, now it’s swimwear! The applause on this one is wild. Definitely a crowd favorite so far.

9:32 – Fire and Ice are on, but they’ve closed the curtain…

9:35 – Nope, it’s not fire and ice. One of the teens walks into the light. He stands there for a moment in the lone spotlight. Suddenly a horde rushes from one side of the stage to the other. They’re so fast, if you blinked you’d miss them. The boy is left lying on the floor, battered and broken. Uncle Mark walks slowly onto the stage with a sign, it says… it says… “TAKE JESUS NOW!” and the skit is over. Brilliant and short and hilarious, an instant classic.

9:37 – Now it’s Fire and Ice. Oh they’re doing the song “Fire and Ice”. It’s funny and the teen boy in particular is hilarious. Now he’s gone and it’s just the girls doing their dance number. The crowd likes it. One of the girls comes back on stage to inform us that the girl playing “the girl” from the song is the sister of Joy from the “Fire and Ice” music video.

9:42 – Mike P comes on stage and asks all the girls to come forward. Unsurprisingly he asks all the guys to move back. It's a rap number to all the girls, Gabe and Mike kicking it old school. They start up and the girls whoop and holler. The rap is pretty tight sounding. Mike starts kicking it in Spanish! The crowds go nuts. Whoops, the music goes dead halfway through, the crowd demands more! Ah, here we go. Oh. A teen has just rushed the stage in his boxers and disappeared behind the curtain. Hmmm. Music is back and the show goes on. They rap their tribute to the ladies, and it’s one the crowd pleaser of the night.

9:47 – Maya and the girls come out to do an Indian song/dance called Balangi or something. They can't seem to stop laughing, and it’s over fast.

9:51 – Twelve girls just came on the stage, shouted a slogan and then made the word BLAST with their bodies. Now they’ve made a gospel express and choo-chooed off the stage.

9:53 – Three girls just brought a scribbled piece of “artwork” onto the stage. It’s their “hidden” talent, and we’re assured that “there’s a lot more where that came from.” They walk off the stage, the audience cracks up.

9:55 – the curtain opens on a set of midgets. The arms are legs… they sing “three men were walking on the wall.” I don’t think this act ever gets old, a true staple of any Family talent night.

9:58 – Another girls group comes on the stage. They’re wearing saris or something. The light’s are dim… the music starts… a bit of Goa trance starts up. They’re belly dancing and they’re good at it! The crowd loves it. Wait… it turns into a Latin number. When they shake their hips hundreds of little silver bells chime. It’s a class act! The crowds are silent as they move to the music, they have everyone mesmerized. Then it’s over and the crowd goes nuts.

10:05 – It’s a girls group… didn’t catch the name. They’re looking lovely, posed to start their dance… but there’s no music. Ah, here it is. It’s a Swedish rap??? Or… something. They can’t stop laughing though. Heh.

10:08 – This crazy group of guys dancing to the song “The Lord Shall Fight For You” There wearing sheets and stars on their chests. Some oppressors are hassling some Family member, while others pray for him… suddenly the music stops, and “time” stops too while the angels move in and rearrange the “demons” in a strange pose. Then the music starts again and “time” starts too, the crowd is giving these guys a standing ovation. Loudest cheers of the night. That was wild.

10:15 – Mike’s announcing the final act. It’s the Von Trapp Family singers! The curtains are closed, then they open on… the Von Trapp family. Wearing… highland wear? They sing “So long, farewell” and the crowd is choking with laughter. It’s another standing ovation.

And then it’s over… we’ve seen weird, wonderful, amazing, and just flatout bizarre. Mike MC declares is an eleven, on a scale of one to ten. And the show is over.

Click for pics from this event. Please excuse the fact that some of the pics aren't the best, and some acts don't have any photos. Things just moved too fast on this crazy/fun evening!

BLAST 2006 - Day 4

By day four everyone had the schedule down pretty well, and the teens rose and looked forward eagerly to whatever the day would bring.

The morning inspiration was a special one, because it was time to announce the stats and accomplishments of all of the attendees. To qualify to attend BLAST, each teen attendee had a certain number of Activated subscriptions to get, souls to win, classes to give, etc. Each one handed in their stats at check-in time on the first day, and this morning’s inspiration was time to announce all that the Lord had accomplished through each attendee, as well as announce the shiners in each category.

After playing some songs for awhile, Mike, Haven and Godfrey stopped playing and announced that they were getting the feeling that the Lord wanted someone to have the guitars they were playing on. It was at this point that it was revealed that the top three shiners would be receiving their very own… guitar! The three were called to the front to receive their prize to much applause. After this Mike went over all of the stats that everyone had helped make, as well as announcing the top-three in each category.


Here’s a few numbers to crunch from the AIP for BLAST 2006:

Total souls saved: 28,310

• By Junior teens: 13,423
• By Senior teens: 14,887

Total mags distributed: 16,631

• By Junior teens: 9,399
• By Senior teens: 7,232

Total subscriptions: 671

• By Junior teens: 321
• By Senior teens: 350

So not only has BLAST been a major blessing and strengthening time for our teens, but it’s helped bring many to Jesus and has borne lasting fruit. The impact will be felt for a long time to come throughout the region. Praise the Lord!

The morning class for Juniors was called “On the Attack” given by Joe and Miguel from Guatemala. They put together a power-packed and enjoyable multimedia presentation that focused on the spiritual warfare, knowing our helpers and hinderers and much more.

Besides the usual get-out activities, some of the groups used that time to finalize their talent night presentations. The talent night was a highlight of last year’s BLAST, and this year the teens are looking forward to it more than ever. I’ll blog about the Talent Night in a separate post, with pictures and commentary on each act.

Once the talent night was over, the staff met again in the main auditorium for some passing of the guitar and some low-key but special songs. There were old Family favorites and even a few new songs that no one had heard before. It was nice to have this relaxing time after all of the excitement of the day.

So that’s day four in a nutshell. Of course, the highlight of today was the Talent Night, and I’ve covered that in a separate post that is coming up ASAP! One last note is that day four was also Micah Rivers birthday. He was one of our faithful setup staff, and he was called onto the stage to help "setup" some equipment. Of course it was all a ruse to get him up front so everyone could sing Happy Birthday to him mere seconds before a horde of the teens rushed the staged to give him one big group hug. Certainly a memorable birthday, to be sure. Happy Birthday Micah, hope this new year's a BLAST!

Click for photos of day four.

BLAST 2006 - Day 3

The Amistad home band (who I blogged about previously) were the band to get us on our feet and pumped up with morning inspiration. I really like these guys, because their energy and the Lord’s spirit really punched through and got everyone on their feet. One of the final songs was a hard rock number called “Defender” written by Blind Stevie, and it was a very power-packed and meaningful song.

The morning class was a famous one given by Phil Q (he’s given it at several retreats) called “Rich Man, Poor Man” and it covers topics that relate to the Endtime, big oil and capitalist society.

While the junior and senior teens were in the main auditorium, the staff were in a nearby meeting room to have our first staff-only class of the BLAST. It was given by Miguel and it was on the subject of Spiritual Power—a fascinating study of existing Word that focuses on all of the spiritual power that can be ours if we study and make ourselves masters in the art of using the new weapons. He touched on the point that all of the weapons are linked together, and how it’s important to be well-versed in each of them. It was only part one of the class, but it was very feeding and enjoyed by all.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in the usual: getout (a highlight) and preparations by each team for the upcoming talent night. Everyone's been scheming to make their talent performance excellent, and I'll live-blog that event tomorrow night. The one other event that everyone was looking forward to today was the evening graduation and prom. It’s a formal event and everyone’s planning and preparing to look their best.

It started off with Ginny from the FED board giving a speech about all that each of the graduates (there were thirteen) had gone through to get to graduation, the sacrifices, perseverance and just plain hard work. One thing I can say for the BLAST crowd of 2006: they love to clap. For everything! They clapped for Ginny, a lot. They clapped and screamed and cheered as each graduate was called to the podium to receive their class ring and prophecies, they clapped when a video tribute to all of our teachers was played on the projector… and they clapped when all of the YA and SGA staff who were there were asked to stand up, for all we’ve done to get through our educations and become the man or woman of God that He’s called us to be. It was a very fun, exciting and also moving event. When it was over the cake was brought out (I estimated it at 3 by 5 feet in size) snacks, drinks, then a dance. Truly a memorable event!

Click to see Graduation/prom photos.

Once our dear teens were safely tucked in, the staff met in a smaller hall for some refreshments and some hilarious games. It's been inspiring to fellowship with other like-minded and dedicated peers. Stay tuned for more news and pics, same time tomorrow. We love you all! It's a revolution... for JESUS!

Click to see general event photos from Day 3.

--Hobbyns

BLAST 2006 - Day 2

Miguel and Mike kicked off the morning inspiration with a small talk from Miguel about the different types of live music that move us. There are the big rock-style inspirations where the teens can mosh and jump up and down and wave their hands in the air, and then there’s the more simple but no less powerful inspirations with just guitars and the words and the spirit flowing strong through the crowd. Mike and Miguel then went on to play a lot of the inspirational favorites of the Family to get the crowds moving.

While the teens were rocking out, the room captains were in a special meeting to go over aspects of talking to and training teens. This is going to be a daily event, going over issues that relate to training and relating to teens. It’s going to go a long way in training people for when they return to their homes.

The morning classes were divided up by Jr teen and Sr teen/staff. The Juniors moved over to another hall to have a power-packed class titled “Too young to be a disciple?” led by Alex and Natalie, while the seniors and staff attended a class led by Pedro about witnessing in the main auditorium, titled “You can too!” His class covered topics such as learning to be able to answer any questions that may come up, not just through study of the Word and our doctrines, but through being filled with the Spirit. He touched on the uniqueness of our message, overcoming obstacles in giving classes, covering controversial or difficult topics, how to avoid familiarity with your close Active members and sheep, and much much more. The presentation was filled with audience participation and was enjoyed by all.

As the teens were waiting to move to the lunch hall I asked one of the juniors more about their morning class:

Hobbyns: Tell me about yourself?

Amy: My name is Amy, I’m fourteen and I live in one of the homes in Mexico City.

H: Tell me how the class was for you? What was it about?

A: It was super cool. It was about being professional disciples at any age.

H: How did the class speak to you personally? What were your thoughts after it was over?

A: Just that even though I’m someone younger I can still go witnessing and win lots souls… I can be a professional at what I do, and I’m looking forward to doing that when I get back home. ▲

The afternoon was all about the sports, baby! With swimming, basketball, volleyball, and gym, there was no shortage of fun to be had by all the teens (and staff). I usually take advantage of that time to slip away to blog these posts. Once getout ends, in the time between the end of getout and before dinner starts, each of the captains get some time with their team, discussing the classes of the day and getting to know each other better. It's a really good time of "bringing it home" and a good way to relax and wind down before dinner.

The evening activity was especially fun! During the afternoon the musicians began to arrive for a night of live Latin music. Pedro, Jerry Paladino, Clara, Andrew V and co. all kept the teens on their feet for hours of awesome Latin music. I'm not sure where teens get their boundless energy, but after hours of getout and activities (and presumably a lot of late nights in their rooms talking) they can still get up on a stage and dance for two hours straight! When bedtime arrived they had a hard time stopping, but stop they did and head for their beds. This left the staff time to prepare for an evening class on Etiquette. Everyone was required to come looking and smelling nice for our etiquette class. The class started off with a skit giving examples for dance-night etiquette (mostly what not to do in a hilarious skit done by Steven of Amber). After that Miguel announced that the real reason for our class was so that we could put our etiquette training into action by... having a dance! The stage was cleared and a late night of dancing began.

Throughout the camp the Lord's spirit has been flowing unabated, and so far it's been a time of wonderful refilling, fellowship and training. The Lord is so good to all of us for making this event possible, and the effect it’s going to have on the field as a whole will be felt for a long time to come.

Click here for the photos from day 2. They're from several different cameras so they're not necessarily in order.

BLAST 2006 - Day 1

BLAST: Battle Lords Attacking Satan’s Territory. This is the event of the year if you’re a teen in Mexico and Central America. Over 120 teens and about 70 staff congregated in Central Mexico for five days of refilling, fellowship, and just generally having the time of their lives.

Day one is always hectic. Always. The afternoon was spent with everyone arriving and checking into the camp, going through security and being assigned to rooms and room captains. This year there are over fifty YA/SGA room captains who are responsible for about three teens each. They'll be with their teen teams throughout the day, will be responsible for them, and will have the chance each day to spend personal time with their teens; what's called "bringing it home" time, when they can discuss the days classes, what they mean to each teen personally, and generally just try and "put skin" on everything that was covered.

This year we have an auditorium to hold our classes, rock concerts and other activities. The evening kicked off with a short keynote address given by Mike and Liz, outlining the camp rules and schedule, then it was time to rock! The first act of the night: the teens from the Amistad home in Monterrey rocked hard, with Richie (16) on drums, Sammy (14) on guitar, Martin (17) on bass, and Stevie (YA) and Tony (SGA) on vocals and guitar. I’d heard a little bit about this band, that Tony had taken it on himself to teach these teens musical instruments and pour into them this way. After the set I grabbed Tony to ask a few questions:

Hobbyns: I’d heard previously that you took it on yourself to teach these teens music and put together a band. How did that come about?

Tony: I like music and it’s one of the best ways to witness, especially here in Mexico. Everyone loves music so I said to them “let’s do it, let’s get out there and witness this way” and then we could reach people we’ve never been able to reach before.

H: So you started teaching the teens basic instruments. Did they know how to play at all when you started?

T: No, they didn’t. We started from scratch (laughing).

H: And how long did you teach them and put this band together?

T: About a year a half.

H: What exactly motivated you to do that for the teens?

T: I guess… well I always wished that someone would have done that for me. So I started teaching them, I mean, I started learning to play when I was twenty. Some of these guys starting out when they’re fourteen… they’re going to be amazing by the time they reach twenty! ▲

I had to agree, since these guys were already sounding tight. There were more performers that evening, then lights out for the teens. Once they were settled the staff and JT Board members were able to meet in the massive courtyard under the stars. We had a few songs before going over camp guidelines for the staff and outlining what events the staff could look forward to over the coming days.

And that's the first day! Short, sweet, and leaving everyone ready for way, way more! Click here to go to a gallery of photos from Day 1. There will be more galleries and more posts as the days go by.

It really is a BLAST!

—Hobbyns

THEY ARE UP! for real

Well the BLAST 2005 photos are being uploaded on the JT FLICKR. If you haven't yet been sent an invite, please write miguel.velazquezluna@gmail.com today, and we will get you in there, viewing and downloading pics as soon as we can!

If you do have acces to the JT FLICKR album then check it every once in a while as it is regularly being updated with pictures of recent activities. The album is only visible to friends and family, so if you know of a friend who attended BLAST 2005 and would also like to view them.. tell him/her to write in!

Lastly, if you have any pics of recent activies in your area you would like to share with all... you know were to send them.

January 19th activity

It’s been a loooooong time, yes… much too long.

But we’re back with some photos! I know it doesn’t excuse the absence or make it all better, heh… but as you can all no doubt attest, the end of the year always brings with it a whirlwind of activity and then the New Year quite often ushers in the winds of change.

Change! We love it! Yes we do.

Having said that, we now bring you the photos of the first JT Mexico City area fellowship/activity day! Big shout out to Liz for heading it up, (We love you! You are so beautiful!!) and all of the cool people at the CTC who helped make it possible. We love you guys and promise to continue behaving so you will have us back. Please?

The afore mentioned activity, though short, was charged and lot’s of fun. Folks arrived between 1:00 and 2:00 (thank you for being on time!) and we kicked off somewhere around 2:30ish with one of those bottle breaking inspirations (it was the theme); singing, jumping, shouting, laughing and mucho dancing! (Good measure, pressed down, shaken together…!) Throw in praise activities, (better luck next time with the charades guys…heh!) and then a good 3 hours of sports and fellowship.

There was volleyball, basketball and soccer, but enough said… the pictures told it all.

Stay tuned for February 2nd boys and girls, you know where to find us.

¡Dios los Bendiga y sigan adelante por Jesús!

If you would like to see all the pickchuuurs from this acctivity, write today to:
miguel.velazquezluna@gmail.com and request access to view them... it's worth it!!!

PHOTOS!

B.L.A.S.T. 2005 photos for you all are on their way!

We have not had the opportunity to update this, sorry guys! But Lord willing you should have a cool Web photo album up here in a few days with all kinds of pics.


Un abrazo a todos!

OUR GRAND DAY OUT

Sharon (14) and Claire (14) Mexico

“We might as well try,” we told ourselves as we approached the small appliance store. Our Activating hadn’t been going so well, we had very few points, and we we’re feeling very discouraged and uninspired. The lady we were hoping to talk to had helped us before by fixing some of our vacuum cleaners. We personally had never met her before, so we prayed and claimed the keys of activated for her to get a subscription. We noticed that right outside of the store there was a groovy, posh, obviously very expensive, niftykeeno looking Jeep. We started talking to the man who owned it, and he started bragging about it, telling us how it was 1 out of 6 of that particular type in all of Mexico. It turned out that the man was the husband of the lady we were hoping to speak to. We started talking with her and told her about the camp and the subscription. She was super sweet and said, “ Where do I sign? “.

After that we went around the block to a panaderia that was owned by a man who wanted to help us with bread, but couldn’t because he was already helping four other organizations. We decided to offer him the activated and after stumbling through our rusty lines he also subscribed

The really cool thing about that day was that the Lord had told us that he was going to do something special for us that day, and that we shouldn’t worry about getting all our points. But that if we just went out by faith and witnessed he would provide all our points and do the miracle