Do you sing and dance when you feel joy?
As webmistress for our church, I update the website and social media pages, and place Facebook ads when necessary. That means researching images and videos when we're hosting special guests such as the Watoto Children's Choir out of Uganda, East Africa, who will be appearing at the Glenavon Hall this Friday, March 18th.
As I watched their video I was drawn to the abandonment with which they sing and dance. This is not your normal children's choir...
They reminded me of King David in 2 Samuel 6 when he is bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jersulam and we read in verses 14 & 15: "Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets."
Did you see that...dancing with all his might. With his arms waving and knees raised high? Yes, I can picture it, because that's the way the Watoto kids do it . . . Spirit-filled and dancing with joy.
But it wasn't always like this for the Watoto kids. On their website, I read, "Imagine a new Africa. Reborn, revived, rebuilt. The all-new production, Oh What Love, by the Watoto Children’s Choir, presents the vitality of the new Africa. Its vibrance, urban sound and colour takes you on an emotional journey from utter despair to joyous celebration, as the children share their stories."
From utter despair to joyous celebration... The fact that these children are part of the Watoto holistic organization means that before they were rescued they were part of the 4,000 children who were orphans, former child soldiers, or born to rebel leaders during the civil war. Today, Watoto has over 3000 of these children in their care. But Watoto isn't just the children. It restores dignity to women in "vulnerable" situations, empowering them with literacy, business and practical skills which ensure their own children have a better future.
When was the last time you sang or danced with joy? Join us at the Glenavon Hall on March 18th and see for yourself.
No cost, but free will offering will be taken for this wishing to offer support.
