Thursday, November 13, 2008

Talent Shows- Jungle Style

We've got talent!

Since everyone enjoyed Jackie's letter, I decided to share one of her childhood memories.



Missionary familes have a lot of talent. If you've ever been at a missions conference before you know what I'm talking about. Mr. Missionary stands up and introduces his large family. They are imaculatly dressed and perfectly behaved. Mr. Missionary calls Mrs. Missionary and all the Little Missionaries up to the platform where they sing a song. Oh, but they dont just sing a song because every single one of their children (all eleven of them) can play a different instrument, and play it well. They sing with harmony, and then, after the song, because it wasn't cute enough, the Youngest Missionary (about six months old or so) recites Psalm 23. Most missionary families are like that, great voices, and amazing music abilities.

Then there was the Vernoy family. We all have decent voices....sometimes. Depends on what mood we're in I guess. As for playing instruments? Dream on. We were too busy reading books to learn an instrument, plus we lived in the Amazon and there's a shortage of piano teachers out there. Not to mention pianos.

So, in many missions conferences we sat and watched yet another amazingly talented Super Missionary family sing lovely songs in multiple languages. Then it was our turn to do something. But what?

It's not that we didn't have talent! Oh, we have talent. We even held talent shows in the jungle...the Indians loved them! They were usually held on weekends, when our house was especially full. They would start crowding in, thumbing through our old National Geographic magazines, and then some brave soul would ask my sister, Jewel, if she could do a one handed cartwheel. Always eager to please, Jewel begin to tumble about the living room which would bring on a chorus of "ooh's" and "aahs." Not to be outdone, Jayde would impersonate Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, or do the split on the cement floor. The split was always a great big hit. Indians are strong, and muscular, but not flexible AT ALL. Flexibilty is something everyone in my family is blessed with, and the Indians were always impressed. I would sit with my legs crossed "indian style" and then walk on my knees, or put lay flat on the floor, face down, with my legs behind my head. This made quite an impression. The talent show was only getting started! When my mom's turn came she would raise one eyebrow, or while standing with one foot pointed forward, twist the other foot completly back. I share that talent as well, but would let her preform it since I already had so many others. :-) Joshua always added a colorful piece to the show with his accurate impersanation of the village witch doctor, which always brought lots of laughs. My Dad was the biggest hit when he would stand in a doorway, his back towards the barefoot audience, and hug himself with his arms. They thought that was hilarous!

We would continue with our antics, my hog calls, Jewel shimming up the center pole of the house, Jayde throwing her legs over her arms and walking on her hands (it's really hard to explain,you have to see it) Yes, our talent shows were very cool. The coolest thing going on in that village anway.

As "cool" as we thought we were, we just didn't think churches would appreciate our kind of talent during their conferences. I can picture it now. The pastor gets behind the pulpit, "Why, thank you Super Missionary Family for that lovely rendition of Amazing Grace in five langues,with twelve different instruments. Truly a blessing. And now, our next family, the Vernoys, will be doing their hog calls, and their youngest will finish off by swinging from the rafters while singing 'Crazy' in her Patsy Cline voice."

Hmm...doens't seem very likely. What usually happened was my dad would stand up, introduce and say, "We just dont' sing...but we have some stories we could tell you!" Or, as one missionary friend put it, "I would sing a special for you, but it would probably be more special if I didn't!"

11 comments:

Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said...

HILARIOUS! I don't know, you might raise quite a bit of money for instruments that way LOL! Now you're telling me those poor "abused kids" had to do without a full organ in the jungle as well??! The thought!

Betty said...

LOL! Your family sounds like a lot of fun!

Mountain Mama said...

I love this post!! Sometimes we read a post and it just makes our heart smile. This one sure did that for me. I also scrolled down and read your daughter's letter. She put the complainer in her place, and did it in such a wonderful way!

Anonymous said...

Patsy Cline!! Now you're talking! I'd love to hear that singing.

Anonymous said...

I wish more missionary families swung from rafters and did the splits at church conferences! Much more entertaining than yet another rendition of "Amazing Grace" in 12 part harmony in matching pinafores and well...I know you get the picture!

Such fun memories you have. :-)

grammy said...

Loved it! I get some Christmas letters from families some of them are pastors families) that must be as talented as the ones discribed. We always get a run down of every straight A report card, award, special music, speaking engagement..you get the idea. They think way to much of them selves me thinks. We laugh and so does everyone else that reads it. It has been my goal to NOT write a Christmas letter like that. We all want to brag a little, but when is it to much?

Z said...

This is great! You gave all those natives such marvelous memories and now we get to hear about them......
what a blessing for everyone!

WomanHonorThyself said...

aw sounds like good ole fashioned fun girl! heh

Findalis said...

Not just Missionary families, but non-missionary families have talent shows too. It's a great way to entertain yourselves on a camping trip when it is raining, or when the electricity is down.

Gecko said...

jm, you should try these things out, they may like it and you could be "trend setters", lol

It's my pleasure to be of help and to encourage your daughter with her photography, she has some great shots. Just holler if there's anything I can do, regards Pam

Baptist Girl said...

It's what is behind the heart of the matter.The Family, laughter, joy you all share is evident.

I have heard many many folks in church (including myself) that have a voice just is not the best and yet you look at the love they have for the Lord in their facial expressions and that takes away from the sound of their voice that makes you smile. They are singing with joy in their heart and it just makes them shine.