From Arkansas to Texas and So Much In between!!

God has been taking us across the states for His amazing purposes. He took us to Rogers Arkansas where we sang with the choir from First Baptist Church a song reminding us that there are “No orphans of God.”

We then made our way to Knoxville, TN where we had the wonderful blessing of taking part in the Kalu Grace Foundation’s Hope in the Dark Gala. We met and sang with Jars of Clay and their love for God and His work was another encouragement for us. This event raised funds for multiple ventures in Africa including safe drinking water projects, medical needs, building up families and communities, and primarily spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. We even made it on live television to promote what God would be doing that night and the kids sang there heart out “Lift up Jesus, Lift up Jesus Higher” to the many people who might have thought they just tuned in to see their normal  5 o’clock news…surprise!!

We then rushed ourselves to Austin Texas for another event impacting thousands of individuals. We were blessed with the opportunity to take part in the Easter service at Austin Stone church. We sang along with the praise and worship leaders and choir from Austin Stone for a crowd no less than 10,000 strong. The whole body moved together worshipping our risen King! Amen!

We also had an afternoon to play in Austin at one of the host families, The wonderful Mitchell’s,  all together. The children swam, went on egg hunt, had an egg toss, and had the joy of celebrating Auntie Bobbi’s birthday together!! Woooo hooo!!

Since then we have also been to the Hotchkiss’s lake house for a day of rest and play, to a concert in College Station, and to an amazing concert and Blue Bell ice cream tour in Brenham Texas. Life has been busy but sweet. God continues to reign down in His work and bless us with new testimonies each day! 

Please enjoy the pictures below, I hope they will easily match up with the story above!

For Him, 

Kathryn 

Life Lessons from Mwangaza Children

We are seven adults taking care of the Mwangaza children as they tour USA. They call us uncles and aunties, e.g. Uncle Henry, Auntie Kathryn, Auntie Grace. While on tour, we are their parents and they are our children. 

Now, as parents we know that we must teach our children.  We must teach them how to tie their shoes and brush their teeth.  We must teach them their ABC’s and their 1, 2, 3’s.  We must teach them to respect others and make wise choices.  And we must teach them first and foremost the gospel and their need for salvation.  But along the way, we often forget that God gives us children not just so that we could teach them, but so that they could teach us.

Being with the Mwangaza Children makes you realize that “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”

Just looking at these Ugandan children as a case study, you realize that children teach us how to love others regardless of skin color, personality, and abilities.  

They teach us to be real and sincere in our emotions-not being afraid to laugh or to cry when we need to.   

They teach us that status and significance mean nothing compared to kindness and tenderness.  

And they teach us to enjoy life and not worry so much about tomorrow because right now is the moment that really matters.  

-Henry Muguluma

Rejoice with Them that Do Rejoice

A little bit ago, and a couple states now, I was blessed with a very touching moment. One of our girls got the chance to meet her sponsor at the church in which we were performing. Admittedly, I was fighting the tears at the sight of this joyous meeting, but as I walked around near the scene, I noticed one of the other girls in the choir looking at her friend getting to meet her sponsor family.

As this girl was watching her friend get this rare blessing, she had this smile—and a “look” on her whole face—that is a bit unusual to see on someone of her age. I would more expect that look on the face of a parent whose child was receiving something wonderful, but here she was, truly happy for her friend and sharing in that joy.

Romans 12:5 tells us to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Here I was able to see this verse being acted out, and perhaps this should be an encouragement to us all to share in the life experiences of those with whom the Lord has joined us, whether that be sharing in the joy of a friend or doing more than just “feeling sorry” for someone and truly sharing their heartache.

Perhaps it's also good to remember that the Lord can use us in ways we never expect, and to just be obedient to Him. I doubt this girl had any idea I even noticed her doing this, and I wonder what “little” things the Lord will use in our lives if we will only honor Him in them.

-Seth

Mwangaza is Shinning God’s Light in America

It is true that God is reaching the world using America. But it is also true that God is reaching America using Africa. Mwangaza Children’s Choir from Uganda is the proof.

Being on this tour has made me realize that God loves people more than anything. That God loves America just as He loves Africa. That He wants to draw all men, even in America, unto Himself. And that right now, Mwangaza Children's Choir is one of the special tools He is using to reach America.

God's priorities are clear: His kingdom first. God wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth. The truth, that Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The truth that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again, bringins new life to all that believe in Him.

Everywhere we go, God is making the salvation of men Key. Literary in everything we do, big or small, God is changing lives. More than anything else, God is reaching out through the Mwangaza to draw men unto Him.

Individuals and groups are responding. Sinners are repenting - only heaven knows the right count on this. The sick are being delivered - I know 3 people so far who have confessed being healed of body sickness during the concert or when a child prayed for them. Backsliders are returning to the Lord - that list is endless. Churches are being revived. Following the Mwangaza visit to their church or home, some people have started worshipping with hands lifted up, singing and dancing with great joy in church, praying more fervently, committing themselves to missions, etc.

Pastors are being amazed and moved by the Holy Spirit after seeing the children praying fervently in the Spirit, singing loudly in joy, and preaching the good-news with authority.

Host homes - I have been there, I have seen it - (actually, I am crying as I write this part). God is breaking through and releasing His people from bondages unspeakable. I have seen God restoring marriages, recapturing children, commissioning missionaries, embracing the prodigal, healing the sick, changing attitudes, breaking down racism; speaking new life, giving direction, and simply loving His children. I have seen God at work in host families.

Lives are being changed forever. And it is amazing to see.

Please tell Uganda to continue praying for this one thing more than any other: "may the Lord's will be done; nothing more, nothing less, nothing else." And His will is to draw all men unto Himself.

Henry Muguluma

Mwangaza Goes Horseback Riding

America has had many beautiful experiences for us. Horse riding is one of them.

I must confess (like all the Mwangaza children who visited the horse farm), I always thought horse riding consisted of "jump on, kick and go". Friends, was I wrong.

Many thanks to Dena and Scott Little, the owners of Storybook Horse Farm in Alabama. They gave each one of us a chance to have a horse riding experience.

We started by riding dummy horses. We also named our dummy horses. I called mine “K” after a good friend of mine.

At the farm, we realized that there is more to horse keeping than just riding them. Things like feeding horses, horse grooming, horse hoof care, horse injuries, to mention but a few.

The children learnt about miniature horses, sheep, goats and cows. They learnt how to brush a horse. They also made toy horses and some horse shoes before the actual horse riding begun.

While we were at the farm, we learnt that horses may not be the very intelligent of animals but they sure have very big hearts. Actually, I was told that with the proper care and teaching, they can become one of your best friends. (This makes sense especially if you consider the fact that horses are a huge part of America's heritage.)

Well, I agree I am not a Texas cowboy. But hey, who doubts that right now I am the only adult male Ugandan horse-rider on the Mwangaza Choir tour 2011?

-Henry Muguluma

Well as an equestrian enthusiast for most of my life this was an unbelievable blessing for me. Being able to get back on a horse after not having ridden in a few years was an indescribable joy but even more was the joy I experienced from seeing the children’s eyes light up as they hopped on top of Friar Tuck, Baloo, Captain Hook, Humpty Dumpty… and all the other horses in the barn. Even the adults enjoyed a quick ride around the arena.

Storybook Farm is dedicated to therapeutic horseback riding primarily for youth who have experienced difficult life situations and those who have mental and physical disability. It was amazing to see the light of Jesus shining through the Little family as we saw how they dedicate their lives to healing and helping others! It was an unbelievable experience that we will certainly never forget!
-Kathryn Wilson

Mwangaza in the News!

Take a look at this short story from our time in Alabama!

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/videonetwork/859083682001/Mwangaza-Children-s-Choir-performs-in-Greenville