by Daniel Ivan Tan

The Redeemed Stage’s Funshop – from the keyword “fun” – is a combination of a dancing and an acting workshop. This is how I would describe what a Funshop is to anyone who asks me. And in fact, it is all those things, but apparently, I was missing one important detail.

The whole activity lasted for three days, which meant three long days of strenuous warm-ups, tiring exercises and grueling practices (highly exaggerated of course). We had three hours of sessions per day to perform the tasks which were given us by our two lead trainors: Ate Rache Ragaza and Kuya Bernard “Nio” Manzano, along with their co-trainors, the Metro kids.

During the workshop, we tackled what discipline is, to yourself and as a group, teamwork, trust and building one’s character. They taught us that we should always be ready for anything that might happen on stage, and just roll with what’s going on in that scene, even if some mistakes are made, which are inevitable.

To be honest, at first I thought that the whole workshop would be a disappointment as there were only 14 attendees this year, plus our two teachers. Being one of the oldest there, I couldn’t help but think that it’ll just be another kiddie-fun-fun event packed with games and such. And I was right. But, what I didn’t expect is that I would actually have fun releasing my inner child. Then I remembered one question from my previous devotion. “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then I felt so blessed to see everyone there with so much enthusiasm to serve Christ.

God reminded me that we should be like children, with their passion and their innocence. Like children, we shouldn’t care about the “world”, or the people around them. All we should have in mind is that we are doing our best for the glory of God, which brings us back to that one important detail that I was missing on my definition – Why are we doing this? What is the purpose? It’s all for God. That’s what they taught us in the workshop.

At first, I thought it to be just ordinary lectures, just plain exercises for theater, but now, looking back, I realize that our trainors were implanting life lessons in us. DISCPLINE. TRUST. CONFIDENCE. Those things don’t just apply to theater, they apply to our lives as Christians. And this workshop is one of God’s instruments to remind us how we should live our lives according to his will.

Last May 24, 2009, during the 10 am Sunday service, we had our recital right after the Praise and Worship. Despite the fact that there was only one performance, the congregation was entertained. More importantly, we were able to relay the message of God’s love through that “Identity Skit.” That was, and should always be, the essence of our presentation, the reason why we should do it. In the skit, we showed that it doesn’t matter what you are or what your character is. God loves you for who you are, not for the way you look or the way other people see you. “Sufficient, and true, God loves you for you.”

In conclusion, the Funshop gave me a new perspective of the world: The world is our stage, life is the role we play, everyday is another performance and God is our only Audience.