Wow. A couple weeks ago, my kids and I attended a concert at our church. It was the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda, Africa. If you’re not familiar with Watoto, it is a project built to help the millions of children affected by the AIDS epidemic. All the kids in the choir are AIDS orphans and each has a story that will break your heart.
What is truly remarkable is that this is not a sad story. I say this because Watoto is also a story of hope and healing. In between amazing singing and choreography, every child had a chance to share his or her story with the audience. And every story ended with a resounding shout of praise to Jesus, who saves us. Each child has found hope, healing and a vision of the future through power of the Cross.
As the kids and I watched, danced and worshipped, we were all incredibly moved by this super talented and wonderfully spiritual group. The kids each found some way to relate to at least one or more of the Watoto kids as they told their story. The fact that most of the kids were very close in age to Trevor and Abby really impacted them. I think they began to process, even if just a little, how very different their lives are from the Watoto kids.
At one point, the performance included a video that depicted life in Uganda – what the kids were rescued from. It was not a pretty sight at all. In fact, we all had tears in our eyes and sweet Trevor was visibly shaken by it. But, it gave us the opportunity to talk about how God has moved in the lives of the kids on stage, and those who created the Watoto project – and that’s the story. That God moves in our hearts to rescue those who cannot help themselves.
When the show ended, the kids hung out around the auditorium and talked with audience members. I had tears when my kids went up and gave hugs to many of the Watoto kids. They wanted them to know how much they enjoyed the show, and that they cared about them.
We purchased a CD of a live performance and have been listening to it ever since – it is a beautiful performance. The whole experience has given us a lot of opportunities to talk about helping others and living life as Jesus wants us to live. It has also reminded all of us how incredibly blessed we are in the life we have and no challenge we may face could compare to what these beautiful children have not only faced, but have boldly overcome.
My hat is off to the organizers of Watoto and everyone involved with this amazing movement. My prayer is that more people will respond to the call and do whatever part they can to help rescue the those who are needy.
www.watoto.com
What is truly remarkable is that this is not a sad story. I say this because Watoto is also a story of hope and healing. In between amazing singing and choreography, every child had a chance to share his or her story with the audience. And every story ended with a resounding shout of praise to Jesus, who saves us. Each child has found hope, healing and a vision of the future through power of the Cross.
As the kids and I watched, danced and worshipped, we were all incredibly moved by this super talented and wonderfully spiritual group. The kids each found some way to relate to at least one or more of the Watoto kids as they told their story. The fact that most of the kids were very close in age to Trevor and Abby really impacted them. I think they began to process, even if just a little, how very different their lives are from the Watoto kids.
At one point, the performance included a video that depicted life in Uganda – what the kids were rescued from. It was not a pretty sight at all. In fact, we all had tears in our eyes and sweet Trevor was visibly shaken by it. But, it gave us the opportunity to talk about how God has moved in the lives of the kids on stage, and those who created the Watoto project – and that’s the story. That God moves in our hearts to rescue those who cannot help themselves.
When the show ended, the kids hung out around the auditorium and talked with audience members. I had tears when my kids went up and gave hugs to many of the Watoto kids. They wanted them to know how much they enjoyed the show, and that they cared about them.We purchased a CD of a live performance and have been listening to it ever since – it is a beautiful performance. The whole experience has given us a lot of opportunities to talk about helping others and living life as Jesus wants us to live. It has also reminded all of us how incredibly blessed we are in the life we have and no challenge we may face could compare to what these beautiful children have not only faced, but have boldly overcome.
My hat is off to the organizers of Watoto and everyone involved with this amazing movement. My prayer is that more people will respond to the call and do whatever part they can to help rescue the those who are needy.
www.watoto.com
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