This past week has without a doubt been the highlight of the last two years of my life. I was honored and totally crazy excited to host the Young Africans at my home church. This group of young people were a part of the African Children's Choir about 10 years ago. Since returning home to Uganda and Kenya, they have been going to school (through the sponsorship of awesome people in the West). They just completed secondary school and are about to begin college and fulfill the dreams God has placed in their hearts. This is the first time Music For Life has brought back a group of kids to show what happens as they grow up in the MFL program after touring as children. It was so exciting to see how God has worked in their lives and the hopes and dreams they have had that are becoming a reality!
My Ugandan manager and friend, Abraham, is tour leader for this group and it was so fun to see him again. Having Abraham and the Young Africans here was better than I ever imagined. I cried when they left. Not so much out of sadness, but the emotion of the whole experience-the joy, the thankfulness, the touching of the deepest recesses of my heart. I came alive again. My eyes sparkled, and I was reminded how much Africa and her people have captured my heart. I need to be involved. I don't know how God will allow me to be a part of the ACC family in the future, but this week re-ignited the flame and my passion came back.
My heart is overwhelmed with joy to see the response of my church family to the choir. The advertising paid off and the community turned out to pack the FBC auditorium. I was thrilled! All the host families were deeply touched and I have gotten reports from people whose lives are forever changed. So many people were able to share first hand this week in something that is so important to me and shaped so much of who I am. I just can't wipe the smile off my face :)
There is a bit of a let down now that they are gone. Even though I know I need to rest, I miss their presence, and I miss the person that I am around them. Lord, help me be inspired and excited each day as I live and serve you, no matter where I am or who I'm with.
