News & Views
DNAers serve at the Notting Hill Carnival
written by Daniella Yateman
published on 12th August 2003
The Notting Hill Carnival 2003 was one of the most amazing experiences of DNA. Ten of us descended to Notting Hill wondering what we were going to do and how. Over the 5 days we went onto 2 different estates to do a low-key roadshow to basically just bless the local community with a good day out. This was awesome providing a free day - it just blew people away. The really cool thing was that we knew that this was a small part of something that the local churches were doing.
During the Carnival itself I was based outside the kicking Salvation Army Sound system ("His Majesty Sound system" as the MC on the mike called it). I don't know much about ragga and hip hop music but what I do know the blokes on the sound system were great!! Everyone around was enjoying the music and when they started telling people about Jesus it felt normal and relaxed. People around stayed and listened to what they had to say and I didn't hear a single person heckling- the atmosphere was just really peaceful and relaxed.
On the Monday of the Carnival I was at a different venue but the message was still clear - Jesus loves to have fun! The street party with huge crowds doing the "carwash" really displayed this. The theme of the carnival for the churches together was "the party never stops" cos us Christians are going to continue partuing throughout eternity. If heaven is half as good as the worship at the Notting Hill Carnival I am going to have fun! God did many miracles and many people heard about God in a language that they understand. Brilliant!
Daniella Yateman
