This is just going to be a very long post.
I hope it doesn't ramble.
After work this evening, I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw a post "RIH Kenya Malene." What?
Is this true?
When did this happen?
Lord?
My heart is heavy. There's a 'thud' ... just a heavy thud somewhere near the middle ...
I never physically "met" Kenya Griffin, artistic director of THAT Amazing Grace Liturgical Dance Company! In the early years of my dance ministry blog, though, she did grant me an interview about her, her dance ministry and her inspiration to the world of dance.
But, boy, did I ever 'experience' her ministry, a truly palpable experience where I felt like the air was being sucked out of the room.
It was August 2008, and I was at a Dancing Preachers Conference in Atlanta. It might have been the first night, I don't remember.
About three or four awesome dance ministries had already ministered: Before the night ended, probably as many as one to two dozen more ministered.
But it was something about that fourth group ... The young ladies in the plain black dresses with the white V neckline, with the red pants or red skirts on under their black dresses and with the red roses in their hair. The song was "Fall On Me." How I wish I was the videoing nut then that I am now. It's hard to explain to people what that experience was like. (Amazing Grace is at 04:42 on this video from Dancing Preachers International 2008.)
The danced. Nope, correction, they ministered. Those young ladies 'took those in that room in' ~ IN ...that was an experience. I've since learned that they are all very skilled, technical dancers who spent probably an hour each week on dance technique ~ BIG DEAL, another hour on The Word, yep, the Bible ~ perfecting and learning. But that dance wasn't even about leaps, or twirls or turns. Every move they made, the most beginning of dancers could have done.
The experience was that the Glory of The Lord, Holy Spirit was soooooooooo all over those dancers and in their very spirit and fiber and being .. (now, I'm sad all over again) ... My brain said, 'this is magical,' 'they are so beautiful,' but my spirit was opened up to the possibility that Holy Spirit was probably the other dancer in that ministry.
Get this ~ and anyone in that crowded room that night might remember: It appeared that after they ministered, the program actually seemed to stall. ... It was as if the host was stumbling and didn't quite know what to do ... I don't even remember what happened in the next few minutes, but all I know that experience taught me what "clatter" is. I just wanted everything to stop and people to stop moving and talking ... I just wanted to 'huddle there.' Rest there ... stay there ... live there ..
The program did eventually move on ... and nothing against the other dance ministers that night, but my soul and spirit were stuck there. ... What-the-world?
It was many, many, many weeks or months later that I was on YouTube and saw a video of that group... that group ... THAT GROUP!
Yes, it was them!
Eventually, I contacted them, the leader, and Ms. Kenya consented to an interview. We chatted. She shared. I soaked it up. Her words and guiding were confirmation for myself.
One iconic dance that she gave the world and dance ministers in particular was "Shower Down ('Rain on Us')."
We "chatted" over social media from time to time ... she would let me know of various events her ministry was hosting. I think she was particularly proud of their outreach dance to mothers on Mother's Day; that just seemed special to hear.
In recent years, I became aware that she was battling cancer.
We "chatted" again over social media, me sharing about a close family member who had also battled that same DIS-ease.
We did not chat much after that ...
Just a week ago, I created a new playlist of Amazing Grace Liturgical Dance Company dance ministries. ... Awesome.
So my heart is heavy ... If you knew Ms. Kenya, yours is, too, I'm sure. My heart goes out to you ...
My heart goes out to her dance ministry sisters: She also showed what true dance ministry camraderie must be like.
My heart goes out to her blood family: I do not know them, but I can only imagine this must be hard for you ...
My heart goes out to her church family, Our Lady of Lourdes in Atlanta. And yes, we talked about dance ministry in the Catholic church! lol!
I just wish people didn't have to die ... But, I remind myself the very next breath, 'to die is to gain' (Philippians 1:21) and that right now, Ms. Kenya is praising and worshipping in glory!
Kenya Griffin, girl, I don't think I ever told you this, but "I love you."
Love you!
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Enjoy the best of Ms. Kenya Griffin and Amazing Grace Liturgical Dance Ministry on YouTube!
She will truly be missed. 🌻
ReplyDeleteYes, she will indeed ....
ReplyDeleteYes, she will indeed ....
ReplyDeleteI just saw this info about Ms. Griffin. In 2008, I did a documentary called Sacred Rituals. Ms. Griffin was kind and generous enough to provide me with dance footage from her company. We had a beautiful exchange and conversation. She was delightful, giving and kind. I saw her dance and was immediately deeply touched. When I saw this info of her transition, I was heart broken. I went back to watch the interview and footage she provided me and cannot begin to process the emotions that swirl. You are truly missed Ms. Griffin. I am grateful for you and remain forever touched by your spirit.
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