2 DAYS UNTIL THE MWANGAZA CHOIR RETURNS TO UGANDA!

The Mwangaza Children's Choir has left the US and is en route to their home in Uganda! Mwangaza is an outreach program of Africa Renewal Ministries. The name Mwangaza is a Kiswahili word meaning "Shining Light".   This children’s choir has toured the USA, Netherlands and Germany since 2004. Through song and dance, they share message of hope and the love of Jesus Christ to millions of people they meet . These children are also enrolled in our child development program and are able to share their experiences about being ARM sponsored children. They represent orphans, the poverty stricken, and former street children.

They are such a blessing to other children in our programs and are proof that they believe in the messages they share. Nothing will stop them from reaching out and touching and positively transforming other people’s lives the way theirs have been transformed. The bright colors of their costumes show the gladness and brightness of their hearts. You have only to listen to someone talk about them and you will fall in love with who they are and what they do. When you have heard them sing, their lovely and warm voices will forever bless your heart.

What makes them very fascinating is the love they have for other needy and disadvantaged children as well as their never- ending desire to show the world that they are grateful for what God has done and can do for millions of other people round the world. One of the ways they do this is by sharing their individual testimonies. Because of this, many have been inspired to have faith and hope in God and many who have heard their testimonies devote their lives to Christ.

The choir tour has made it possible for these children to meet new friends and has brought them closer to each other. The current choir has been on tour since January 2011 and returns 6 months later on June 26. It was led by Kathryn Wilson from USA, and representatives from ARM- Henry Muguluma, Grace Nakate and Edith Nakavuma. In preparing to welcome them back from the tour we asked children and staff from our projects to write down what they wanted to say to them. The response showed excitement and many expressed their love and appreciation for these dear friends from the Mwanganza Choir. This is what they had to say:

“Looking forward to having you back”- Joselyn, ARM.

"We are glad to have you back- feel at home" - Mela.

“I can’t wait to see you back!!!”- Jackie.

“Welcome back Ram”- Bethany Nalukenge.

“Welcome back carol”-Bethany.

“Can’t wait to see you!!!”- Liz, ARM.

“Welcome back Unity”

“Welcome back Vatican.”- Kizza.

“Welcome back Ajib Esther with a smile”- Agnes.

“Welcome back Sarah with a peck”- Jackie.

“Welcome back Akol Donnah”- Winnie.

“Welcome back Ajibo and Rebecca”- Esther.

“Mukulikeyo”- Friend.

“Well be back from the USA nicety.”

“Home is smiling for your return.”

“Welcome back home Angella and Ajibo”- Gloria

“We can’t wait- looking forward to seeing you.”

“Well b back all of you from USA.”

“Welcome back Donnah”- Winnie.

“Welcome back all of you”- Patience.

“Welcome back to your homeland” Shibah.

“We awaits for de big smile 4 yr return”

“Hello, welcome back from the USA we are missing you

 and love you a lot.”

“Welcome back from the tour but we miss you!! But you’ve grown.”

“Home is smiling for your return.”

Upon their return, the choir will perform at The American Embassy in the morning and will have a welcome home concert at 2pm at ARM's headquarters on June 27th. Pray with us for the team's safe travels!

Compiled by Liz Baluka, Intern, Communications Office, Gaba, Uganda

Mwangaza Child Hides in Anthill from Rebels

My name is Esther Ajibo.  I am a Mukso.  One day my grandmother was with me at night.  She heard people saying that the rebels are coming.  I think I was six (but now I am 13).  My grandmother started thinking, then she went in the bush; the bush was near our house.  Then she saw an anthill.  She decided to put me that anthill.  So when the rebels came they sat on that anthill.  They started talking, talking, and talking.  I started saying in my heart, that when are these people going?  But they sat on it and one of them said, "Let us check on this anthill, maybe there is a child."  My heart started pumping, and then one of them said, "No, we have to check over there".  But one came and check in there but I was on the left and he checked on the right.

I thank God because he didn't see me so I encourage you that God has a good plan for you.  God had a good plan for me.  Now I am in America telling people how good He is.  GOD HAS A GOOD PLAN FOR YOU!

What an amazing young lady Esther is!  We look forward to seeing her future unfold!  Africa Renewal Ministries has developed an intentional follow-up program for these children that have traveled in order to provide a smooth re-entry into Ugandan life.  We have made them unique. We have opened their eyes, unleashed their potential and given them a stronger passion for a different life and to impact the world. 

Friends, we need your help to keep our long-term follow-up strategy a success, in addition to what is already being done to help and support these children (by their sponsors). There are additional costs that will go into their over-all well-being, education, leadership training, counseling, and the continual development of their music.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 by June 20. We have received almost 20% to date. Time is of the essence.  While this amount may seem overwhelming, we have faith that if each family could raise or make a gift of $100, it would be a huge step toward achieving this goal.   We wait with excited anticipation to see how the Lord will provide!

Thank you SO MUCH for investing in the lives of children like Esther!! 

Online gift-giving is secure and easy

  Simply Click HERE and give to the Mwangaza Fund

Why Mwangaza Speaks For Children Affected By Poverty (Part 2)

This particular blog has been hard to write. I have sat up for over two hours wondering what to exactly write. My heart is torn between a lot of things. One of these is the reality of where Mwangaza Children’s Choir comes from, the people who sent us here and the children we speak for – not just in Uganda but in Africa as a whole.


And so, even though I am sure I wrote so much about children in poverty in my last post, I really feel I need to write some more on this issue. (Yet, I ask myself, haven’t people heard enough about Africa? Maybe, maybe not! )

Anyway, the awful truth is that in many places, children are the faces of poverty in Africa.

Although people of all ages suffer from extreme poverty and hunger, children suffer the most in Africa especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Uganda. In other words, poverty carries the faces of innocent little children in these parts of the world.

The problem gets even worse as you move from the big cities and towns to the poor villages where many of the children registered or sponsored by Africa Renewal Ministries come from. The majority of this poor population is made up of poor subsistence farm just to feed themselves and their families. However, about one in every five of these people live in a country affected by warfare. War destroys families and farms leaving most people with nothing at all but extreme poverty and starvation. Famine follows wars in most cases in Africa.  poverty in Africa facts.

In conflict-torn countries, the capacity of rural people to make a livelihood has been dramatically curtailed by warfare, and per capita food production has plummeted.  facts: war and famine in Africa

Because of war, diseases, extreme poverty and famine, most children are left alone in this cruel world with no parents, no grandparents, no siblings, and no blood relatives at all to take care of them. Most children have lost their parents to the deadly HIV/AIDS. Others have lost their parents to war and their grandparents, to extreme poverty. facts: poverty and hunger in Africa

In Africa, there are the rural poor and the urban poor most of which stay in slums. I grew up in slums. But I am not alone.

About 50% of the African population lives in slums. From the outskirts of Johannesburg in South Africa to the interior of Kibera (Africa’s largest and worst slum) in Kenya, life is a living hell for most African slum residents. Uganda has Kisenyi, Makerere Kivulu, Kawempe and Katoogo as some of dreadful slums.

Some of the children advocated for by Mwangaza Children’s Choir or those that are currently sponsored by Africa Renewal Ministries come from such slums. Actually some of the children travelling with the Mwangaza children’s choir live in these very slums.

Slum houses in Africa are mostly self-built mud houses roofed with rusty corrugated sheets and wooden boards. Slum houses have little or no planning at all. Poor basic sanitation and poor basic services. There are open dumps and open sewage. 

Most slums have no electricity and no pipe borne water. Fires are very common in African slums. There no good hospitals and no good schools.  Most children in many African slums do not go to school and most get no medical attention when needed.

In some slums, there are just few chemist shops around most of which sell cheap and expired drugs. Majority of the children in several African slums have lost either one or both parents. Because of the high illiteracy rate, HIV/AIDS kills in record numbers in African slums mostly women and children.

African slums are mostly lawless areas with low security or no protection at all and violence is very common very common in most African slums.


-Henry 

Why Mwangaza Speaks For Children Affected By Poverty

Everywhere we go, we share the good news that JESUS CHRIST is “the Hope of the Nations.” Also, we speak about Jesus’ message of reaching out to the poor, for example, the poor children in Uganda.


These children are also known as the children in need, the needy children or the children at risk. Here are some disturbing Facts About Children and Poverty.

Health Care and Nutrition

· Measles, malaria and diarrhea are three of the biggest killers of children — yet all are preventable or treatable. 

· In sub-Saharan Africa, measles takes the life of a child nearly every minute of every day. An effective measles vaccine costs as little as $1 per child. (source: WHO)

· More than 30 million children in the world are not immunized against treatable or preventable diseases 

· HIV/AIDS has created more than 14 million orphans — 92 percent of them live in Africa. 

· A child dies every three seconds from AIDS and extreme poverty, often before their fifth birthday.

· Six million children under five die every year as a result of hunger. Also, every year six million children die from malnutrition before their fifth birthday. (sources: UNICEF, WHO) 

· More than 800 million people go to bed hungry every day, 300 million are children. (global stats: UNAIDS)

· Nearly one third of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are underweight. (source: UNICEF) 

· Between 12 and 16 million African children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. (source: World Vision) 

· Nearly 2 million children under 14 years old are HIV positive in sub - Saharan Africa. (source: Avert )

· 43% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have safe, accessible drinking water. (source: UNICEF)

Education

· 134 million children between the ages of 7 to 18 have never been to school. 

· Girls are more likely to go without schooling than boys — in the Middle East and North Africa, girls are three times more likely than boys to be denied education 

· For every 100 boys there are only 83 girls enrolled at primary school. (AU: Stats: Poverty in Africa)

· Only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and one in three of those does not complete school. (African Union: Poverty in Africa statistics) 

Exploitation 

· In the last decade, more than 2 million children have died as a direct result of armed conflict. 

· More than 300,000 child soldiers are exploited in armed conflicts in over 30 countries around the world. 

· 2 million children are believed to be exploited through the commercial sex trade. 

· 200,000 child slaves are sold every year in Africa. There are an estimated 8,000 girl-slaves in West Africa alone. (sources: BBC 5 October, 2001 & Anti-Slavery Society)

For Mwangaza, these facts are not just figures they read or hear about. These facts are lives they see every day. They are the needy friends who cannot go to school in their own village or in the next village. They are the orphans living next door. They are their bothers and sisters and cousins and nephews and nieces who cannot smile because there is basically nothing to smile about. They are the sad friends of someone they know.


Actually, for Mwangaza children, these facts are the facts of their own lives. They too have only been rescued from this hopeless life by the grace of God working through someone who decided to sponsor a needy child in Uganda. And so, the Mwangaza Children Choir just can’t help singing about the grace of God and about the need to extend this grace to the other many needy children in Uganda and all around the world!

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

The "Shining Light" Illuminates the Path to 11 Concerts!

*While the choir was in NC, Christin Howard was introduced to them.  Here is her story:

           I am a 2^nd grade teacher, and everyday I teach children … but what the children in the Mwangaza Children’s Choir have taught me over the past month is more than I could have ever imagined! 

          I first saw them practice on January 20^th and I was truly amazed at what I saw and heard from the children and their leaders!  I decided then that I would set a goal for myself of going to 10 concerts.  Well, I exceeded my goal and was able to go to 11 concerts so far!  From Asheboro to Sparta, with five cities in between, I was able to travel and experience the love of God through the Mwangaza Children’s Choir.  

 Each and every time, the choir puts on an outstanding concert … but in reality, each concert is more like an awe-inspiring worship service!  Hearing the word of God spoken through these children’s voices is absolutely inspiring to me.  They show God’s love on their sweet, smiling faces, in their dance movements, and through their caring hearts. 

The Mwangaza children and their leaders worship our Lord with everything they have.  They give their all to Him everyday, and spending time with these children who are so excited to share about God has been such a blessing to me.  They have shown me how to sing to the Lord, they have tried to teach me how to dance to the Lord, they have taught me how to have a powerful devotion with God, and they have prayed with me to our Lord.   These children really are the hands and feet of God, spreading his love wherever they go.  The Holy Spirit is alive and working in all of them, and they want nothing more than to share that with us!  They have taught me how to really love and worship the Lord.  What have they taught you about God’s love?

It was bitter sweet to say bye to them after their last North Carolina concert (until June).  They will be traveling to other states to share the joy of the Lord.  These children truly are shining a light of God’s love through their presence in every city they visit.  How perfect is it that Mwangaza means “shining light”?  

A Blog Post by Henry Muguluma!

Our first concert was on January 21 at Goler Memorial AME Zion Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a beautiful and amazing African-American church in America with a pastor who is from Liberia, Rev. Dr. Seth Lartey. It was so amazing to so see how our new friends connected with Mwangaza, and even Africa.   For some, it was a celebration of God through song, music and dancing.  For some, it was just the children being themselves before the concert even began.  Dr. Lartey’s daughter helped served the meal prior to the concert and her mother, Mrs. Lartey, told the congregation that her daughter was amazed at how well disciplined the children were, and that she wanted to go to Africa!

It was a beautiful experience to see God bless us in so many ways with such a tremendous beginning  with the US Tour and we feel His presence with us.  God is at work.  Pictures soon to follow!!!

From Henry Muguluma

Assistant Tour Director

Next Generation Leadership Program Coordinator, ARM

US Tour Staff Awaiting the Arrival of the Choir!

We are all here in the Advance, NC area preparing for the Ugandans to arrive! We are all very excited and filled with anticipation. Bobbi arrived on January 2nd from Washington State and the rest of the local team has gathered to make preparations for the arrival of our Ugandan brothers and sisters.

2011 US Team (Kathryn, Bobbi, Caroline, & Seth)

Although the choir is arriving latter than expected due to technical difficulties we are waiting on the Lord and we know His plan is perfect.

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
 Isaiah 40:31

MWANGAZA CHOIR MEETS U.S. AMBASSADOR

Africa Renewal Ministries is proud to report that for the first time ever, the Mwangaza Children’s Choir was invited to sing for the US Ambassador at the American Embassy in Kampala, Uganda.  The Ambassador and embassy staff were delighted to meet the children and get a first-hand preview of the Choir’s upcoming US tour.

 

Following is a comment from one of the US Embassy staff about the choir’s meeting with the Ambassador:  ”It was a great time with the Ambassador and with the Deputy Chief of Mission. I was surprised because all the choirs that have come through have never had this special treatment; the Ambassador even delayed his lunch just to catch a moment with the children and also hear them sing.  Everyone was wowed!  I had goose bumps all over my arms as they sang “America the Beautiful”.

The Choir will arrive in North Carolina, USA on January 3^rd where they will kick off the 2011 Hope For The Nations Tour.  Currently the tour has concert dates booked in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, and Illinois.  This will mark the Choir’s first time in the southeast USA and they are so excited to spread the message of Light and Hope through song and dance.

If you would like more information on the Choir’s tour dates, please visit the Mwangaza Children's Choir website.  For information on booking a date for your church, please email:  michelle@mwangazachoir.org

WE WANT TO SEE YOU!!!

Do you live in NC, SC, TN, GA, or KY?  This year's choir is FABULOUS and we would LOVE to come minister to your church through song, dance, and the redemptive story of Christ!!

Please email Michelle Speas, National Partnership Director, Michelle@mwangazachoir.org for more info or to book a date!!

Endorsements & Recognition

"Joy radiates from the faces of the Mwangaza Children’s Choir like early dew on an open field. These boys and girls captivated the hearts our church and took them to the presence of God."
                                                - Max Lucado, Oak Hills Church


"The Choir’s performance was the highlight of our recent board meeting. I pray that the Lord would continue to use Africa Renewal Ministries to bring hope and lasting help to the people of East Africa…Many thanks for sharing your amazing ministry with us."
                    – James D. Daly, President Focus on the Family



Mwangaza Children’s Choir has also performed live at the Dove Awards and for President George H. W. Bush and the Governor of Texas. The choir has recorded with Michael W. Smith, Nicole C. Mullen and Chris Tomlin.

Mwangaza is the Swahili word for
 “shining light.”

Mwangaza (pronounced m-wahn-GAH-zah) Children’s Choir is dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song, dance and testimony. To help bridge cultural and language barriers, the majority of each Mwangaza concert is performed in English.

The choir’s members – some of whom are orphans – come from diverse and often life-threatening pasts, but God has brought healing to their lives and has given them real hope for the future. As a result, they have blossomed in terms of their musical talent, personal character,maturity and spiritual life.