It had been over 2 decades since I danced with 24/7 Danceforce as a high-schooler.
When we graduated and most of my friends went to the mainland to pursue a professional career in dance, I didn’t believe I could make it and stayed in Hawai`i and focused on going to college.
Fast forward to this month, our beloved Director, Marcelo Pacleb, was having his 100th concert and called all of the 24/7 alumni to come home for what would be his final concert serving as the Director.
I saw it as a rare opportunity to revisit a chapter of my life I enjoyed as a teenager, but through the eyes of an experienced grown woman who had since learned how much dance played a positive role in my life. I wanted to thank my Director and all my past teachers, choreographers, parents, volunteers, and friends for that impact, with greater understanding now, by showing up.
From reuniting with old friends and making new ones at rehearsals to the deja vu moments of intense concert rehearsal week, the same familiar feelings of God’s presence in my body and in the theatre returned. Only this time, it was solidified as I learned for sure that Marcelo, really was a believer. He had always planted the seed with worship songs in our dances and a prayer before the show, but I don’t remember him ever talking about God as much as he does now. Before the last show, as we gathered for our prayer circle, I truly saw just how big of a witness He was, giving all the glory to God and sharing His testimony of how God gave him and gave all of us, 24/7 Danceforce.
What a blessing to realize that I, who knew of God then and didn’t have a relationship with Him, had a role model who walked with Him then and still does.
Thank you, Marcelo, for using dance, 24/7, and the people God has placed around us, to share His goodness and how He has never failed us.
Finding peace by piece:
Sometimes, when we are younger, we feel peace but don’t quite know where it’s coming from. As we gain experience and time passes, we may be fortunate enough to learn who, along our journey, were a piece in the part of our growth and walk with God.
“Let them praise his name with dancing…” -Psalm 149:3
