The Tijuana Choir and Opera
About the Author
Ben spends most of his time working with underprivileged kids in Tijuana, Mexico, encouraging them to continue their education. He's an unofficial member of Iglesia Bautista Monte Horeb, which runs the elementary school, Centro Pedagógico Didaque.
Señora Cynthia (my wife) and I had the pleasure of attending the annual Christmas concert by the Tijuana Choir and Opera. The director and two choir members attend my church. I purchased two tickets for 100 pesos a piece, donned my best button-up, and escorted my date into the (unwashed) king cab.
The concert hall was an unheated, open room with a stage up front. We arrived early, therefore scoring seats (white plastic lawn chairs) third row back. Five minutes before the start, we were handed a sheet of paper containing the night’s program. I scanned down the list, realizing instantly that the majority of the songs were Christian—"O Holy Night," "Unto Us a Child is Born," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," and at least 90 percent of the rest.
Not impressed? Try finding a city choir in the States singing real Christmas hymns! The Seattle Men’s Chorus, for example, has a December concert called Joy! Sounds great, until you read the mission statement:
Seattle Holiday Concert
…to entertain, enlighten, unify and heal our audience and members, using the power of words and music to recognize the value of gay and straight people and their relationships by creating beautiful music and bringing extraordinary productions…
I think we differ in the definition of the word joy. No worries, however; if that concert doesn’t interest you, in February you can catch Captain Smartypants (aka "those nine homosexuals who won’t stop singing"). And this isn’t even The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Chorus (SLGC)!
Where is Jesus the Messiah in Christmas concerts? Clearly not in a major-city choir in the States. And as corrupt of a city Tijuana is, it’s refreshing that Jesus is still the reason for the season.
The Tijuana choir sang with spirited gusto and strength—all without sound technicians, microphones, and speakers, or funding by Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air, American Airlines, American Express, The Boeing Company, Carter Subaru, Flying Fish, Holland America Line, Subaru of America, Target and US Bancorp Foundation (unlike the wonderful Seattle choir).
On the contrary, the Tijuana concert was essentially put on for free—just like the true gift of Christmas.
Captain Smartypants: a Seattle Men’s Chorus Ensemble
December 22nd, 2006 at 6:59 am
I have walked into classrooms in Centeral Asia and prayed with and for the children…. Try that at home.! Its funny how “light” will shine into the “dark places”.
December 22nd, 2006 at 7:33 am
actofkindness,
That’s really neat to hear. And it does seem so backwards. But it appears the U.S. and Canada are really the ones on the move into the dark.
December 22nd, 2006 at 12:24 pm
You know Ben , That is an observation that comes up in the “debriefing ” of every team we take overseas. Now we just need to take that knowledge and turn it into a little boldness. The problem realy hits home when we bring workers here from restricted countries, and when asked to speek in schools, and Gov. agencies, they are asked to leave out the God stuff. It makes me sick!
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:54 am
I know without a doubt that I am supposed to be here in Brazil, doing what I am doing. That being said, I ask: Who is going to reach the Americans for Christ?
December 23rd, 2006 at 8:25 am
Andrew,
I know of one congregation here in Tijuana that is planting churches in the U.S. So far it has been for outreach to the Hispanic community, but maybe their vision will broaden in the coming years :)
December 23rd, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Aaron,
One of my supporting churches is a Spanish-speaking (mostly Mexican) congregation in Florida. One of the most missionary-minded churches I know. Because of their language, they reach out to mostly the Hispanic community, but I would expect that to change in the next few years.
December 23rd, 2006 at 7:23 pm
In the next couple of days we will be having one of our workers and her family from Kyrgyzstan arriving to be missionaries at a small church we work with in Quebec. for them this is the outermost parts of the world.
December 26th, 2006 at 7:58 am
Thanks for commenting fellas–and a belated Merry Christmas as well.
Andrew, that’s really interesting. I probably shouldn’t say this, but I think this is the first time I’ve heard of a Hispanic church supporting a white guy. By the way, your “white shirt” incident post cracked me up.
actofkindness, I’ll be real interested to hear how your new workers assimilate in the coming months.
December 27th, 2006 at 4:23 am
I am supporting you guys at Urbana! :D …
December 27th, 2006 at 6:17 am
Not only do they support us financially, but they are a tremendous encouragement to us as well. We love going back there.
As to the “white shirt” incident, I have learned my lesson. I will never venture outside shirtless again.