I am still elated from this past Saturday night. It was an incredible evening of music and dancing. I listened intently to get to know more about this beautiful new soul I had encountered. Our meeting was definitely not by chance, but divine. No, I was not on a date with some hot guy. I was at a concert, such that I have never been before.
While preparing my Children’s Church lesson about missionary work, I came across a music video from the Watoto Children’s Choir. I was immediately intrigued as African choral is my favorite music genre. No one harmonizes or captures rhythm like African culture. I believe that because their ears are not as tainted by technology as Western culture, the people of Africa are able to tap into the natural ability that God gave humanity to hear the music of creation. The video characterized that ability. At that moment, I wanted to know more about this choir. I went to their website here, and discovered more than I could imagine. The Watoto Children’s choir is more than a choir. They are part of a huge missions ministry!
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called Children of God! And that is what we are!… I John 3:1 NIV
The Watoto Ministry is a “holistic care” ministry for orphaned children and vulnerable women in Uganda. Their purpose is to Rescue people, Raise them to be leaders of the mission to Rebuild their nation. All of the members of the choir are children who have lost one or both of their parents and now live in the Watoto village. They tour the world with their beautiful music, their message of Christ and their story of missions. As I browsed the site, I was floored to find that they were performing only 40 minutes away. I dropped everything to be at that concert. It was so worth it!
Along with the ability to hear the music of God’s creation, the people of Africa are able to praise God with an exuberance that some Americans seem to sneer at in church culture and particular denominations. Those sneers disgust me. American culture cannot fathom the journey that brought these children before them. I watched, and joined in, as the stage became an altar filled with sacrifices of praise in so many forms. Eyes closed, hands lifted, lively shouts and energetic dancing covered the pulpit. These children and leaders were in pure worship in spite of their journeys because they seem to know the awesome wonder of who God is. They were Psalm 150, exemplified.
The best thing about experiencing the Watoto Children’s Choir is being compelled to act. Again, this was not just a concert for me. I was moved to do something. Though I could not sponsor a child, I purchased the album and t-shirt afterwards. Yet, I had to do more. I am so excited to have finally found a mission project with which I want to be involved. I will do continued research to see where I can be of service. For now, I am starting with the post you’re reading, in hopes that you too, will be compelled to act. For more information, I urge you to go to their website www.watoto.com and check out their video below. Pray about what mission work God has for you to do.