This was the last date of our trip to Singapore, Cambodia and Indonesia, and once again, I found myself excited about what was in store as we loaded in the evening before the gig. It was great to see such a well-equipped lighting rig, to meet the really helpful local crew, and to learn from Baz and the guys  that I have a lot more to learn about coffee. Even better, was that I had the venue to myself after sound check to program some lights. It is clear now however, that I was not quite as alone as I thought, as I now write this with no less than 27 mosquito bites!

The next morning provided some excitement as we got in our convoy of minivans and made our way to the venue with the aid of police motorbike escorts, lights flashing and sirens on, speeding ahead clearing the way, and taking us down the wrong side of the road (If there is such a thing in Indonesia).

The D boys were once again on excellent form, playing two blistering sets, highlights for me were ‘Rain Down’ (I love lighting that song), and new songs, ‘God Is Smiling’, and ‘We Give You Praise’, which are just so massive and yet intimate that they always send shivers down my spine. I can’t help but think I am extremely blessed to be travelling, making great new friends, seeing so many people led into the presence of God, and seeing their lives changed forever.

This was our first time to Cambodia. We were part of a Joyce Meyer mission to Phnom Penh but this time things weren't going too smoothly. The government were very touchy about us being there and were repeatedly shutting down the events at the last minute. One night we were playing when the police pulled the power. I didn't feel we were finished so I got on the front row of the crowd with my acoustic and we sang for 40 minutes in complete darkness. I'll remember that beautiful sound of the Cambodian people forever. No-one would leave and so Joyce Meyer preached on the steps outside with our infamous red megaphone, you had to be there to believe it! Again, poverty everywhere, heightened by visiting a rubbish dump where kids were eeking out a living, trying to earn 50 cents a day. There is always joy to be found in the midst of human suffering which is a constant suprise. You can find God anywhere if you look hard enough and there he was on the faces of these children.

We left Cambodia with a degree of frustration but we know we'll go back someday to carry on the job we started.

Much Love, Martin Smith

KC - singaporean bass playing friend

What happens when you stage the “godfather” of contemporary Christian worship music alongside a bunch of “maverick-rockers” whose hearts are totally sold out to Jesus?

This year’s Festival of Praise (FOP) in Singapore featured the two heavyweights of Christian music—Don Moen and Delirious?. The Double “Ds” (Don and Delirious?) are celebrated artistes in their own right with many accolades under their belts, having written many famous worship songs and captivated millions of people all around the world with their music.

Many say that Don is for the older generation (since they grew up singing his songs) while Delirious? appeals to the youth of today with their brand of cutting edge music. I beg to differ. For this FOP event, I think Don is for the youth, for them to understand, through his songs, what the faith of their fathers is all about. Delirious? however, is for the fathers of faith, to show them where God is heading next.

So the possibilities of how God would work through them were vast: there was a crowd of some 12,000 people every night over three days, 12- to 72-year-olds, from various churches across denominations, the fathers of faith in Singapore gathering together with the youth of today, standing shoulder to shoulder ... a momentous event.  

Delirious transported the congregation into the throne room of heaven with their brave music and anointed playing. The songs echoed unconventional lyrics that many worshippers felt connected with but never could quite find those words to express on their own. Tears welled up in the eyes of many as they were visibly touched by the presence of God. On the last night, as the boys ended their set with the poignant song “Our God Reigns”, Don came up to the stage and spontaneously played his violin to the chorus tune of “Our God Reigns”. It was a moving moment for many as they witnessed the father and sons of Christian music playing as one. There was such a tremendous respect and love between both bands.
That was what made the music so powerful.
That was what made the worship real.

To me, the message for the night was preached through that act of unity which bridged two generations. And as I witnessed the young and old worshiping God together, I know without a doubt that the words echoed by Martin were true at that instant: “God is smiling over us today”.