Pastor Scott's Message

I told you the African Children’s Choir would be a joy! Last Sunday evening we had 120 people clapping and leaving with their hearts full. Half of those in attendance were from the community. The 16 kids, ages 8 to 11, shared a bit of their life, their Ugandan culture and whole lot of their faith in Jesus. People were so moved that we raised over $2,000 for the kids. One of the criteria for joining the choir is that the kids would not be able to afford schooling otherwise. The money we gave ensures that they are guaranteed an education through high school. Most in Uganda do not make it that far because of poverty or lack of opportunity. Thank you for being so generous.

A big thanks to Miriam Lee and Sue Schultz who helped me organize this event. They made Sunday dinner and Tuesday lunches. I’d also must recognize the six families who hosted the choir in their homes: Kelly Climer and Lauren Mistler, the Lees, the Buchholzs, the Phelps, the Barberchecks, the Orstadts and the Jonas’. I know in talking to them that they received as much as they gave. The kids were amazing. This was their 50th concert over the last three months. They’ve traveled from Maine down to Alabama and back up again. They average four concerts a week. They will travels 20,000 miles over the course of the tour. Yet the kids were polite, funny, inquisitive, playful and mature. Their chaperones were loving, responsible and faithful.

We had four girls sleep over: Shield, Sanrah, Linnet, and Anishia, along with a married couple, Jade and Steve. They gobbled down the fruit we gave them for an evening snack which is no wonder considering how they danced and sang their hearts out. With a little help from Ron Froesel, we got them to church on Monday where they had school in our youth room. That evening Lauren and Kelly organized a trip to Kirkwood park where the kids played on the playground, splashed in the fountain, and swung on the swings. I played rock, paper, scissors with them. That morphed into a game where on the count of three we all became an animal and had to decide who would be the winner. Then on the count of three we became super heroes. Then on the count of three we became giant bugs. It’s amazing how strong their imagination is without TV and computers. The next morning we brought them back to Glendale. They practiced their singing. The Phelps’ returned the bus driver who appreciated the peace and quiet at their house. At lunch time, Miriam gave them their sack lunches and off they went down the road to Jeff City for the next concert.

I was blessed to know them and I hope you were also. Lord, bless and keep the African Children’s choir.