What a Whirlwind...First Week of Concerts....First Week of Host Families!!!

     The first week with host families has been unbelievable! The kids have all been overwhelmed with the open hearts and homes of the individuals we have all been staying with. No belly has been left any less then over stuffed after each meal and the games have abounded. Below are a few examples.  For the boys the motor-less tractor worked well as race car, although it needed the entire team's effort to get it rolling.

We also had girls gathering in their tea hats for dinner! How beautiful!

With a new host family every three nights who knows what surprises we will have in the weeks to come!

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

— Ephesians 3:16 

-Kathryn

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

The Joys of Working with Children

Children can be wonderful, and the group of them we have are no exceptions. I've had a couple great moments with the choir I would like to share.

The first occurred one morning as we were loading the drums in the van, with some of the boys helping the adults load up. One boy was having some trouble with a drum, when I heard another advise him, "put it on your head!" As I turned, I saw him carrying the drum to the car...on his head. It may have been a simple moment, but it put a smile on my face.

The second occurred one evening as we were about to go back to our quarters. As I was getting in my van to drive us "home," I was asked "Can we sing for you?" Of course I said yes, and then I was simply amazed by a full concert going on in my van. Just from what I heard that night let me encourage anyone who reads this to come see these children sing: you will be both blessed and amazed!

Transportation...and Rolling Concert Venue!

-Seth (Photo thanks to Caroline)