I knew my sister would try all sorts of things, but I never expected her to be able to do this.
When it was time for the special music, I saw my sister step into the aisle with what looked like the samisen, the traditional Okinawan three-stringed banjo-like musical instrument (made of polished ebony, body covered in snakeskin). It sounded nothing like a guitar or banjo however; I could only describe its twangy sound as fitting the distinctly Okinawan island tunes. I mean, I can even pick out the sound of the rounder Okinawan samisen from the sound of the more boxy mainland Japanese samisen (covered in catgut).
But the number being introduced was a hymn. What in the world? I decided to sit back and just watch...listen. And Joyce had managed to transfer all the music from regular sheet music to samisen (they have different "music" too) to be able to play it on that instrument as well! For verses 3-5, the entire congregation joined in, and everybody sang.
I wish my parents could see how God is using my sister's musical gifts, her love for the Okinawans, and then their response of His Love for them! God makes each and every one of us unique and then does with us things, sometimes unthinkable, to glorify Himself. Hallelujah!
What a sweet little surprise!
