When God brought Africa to me...

*I know this blog is quite long in length, so I understand if you don't read it all. If you choose not to read it all, I suggest you at least watch the 4th, 5th, and last video. You will be blessed.

Last week, God brought Africa to me when a friend invited me to hear an Africa Children's Choir sing at Marnatha Chapel. Little did I know, I would love it so much that I would go back to hear it again...and again!  It was nothing short of amazing. I felt like such a creeper, showing up at various churches that I don't normally attend and watching them perform. haha. I will do my best to describe all the emotions I felt, and the impact the people of Africa have on me, but sometimes it's simply unexplainable. I know God has something in store for me that entails Africa in the future. I dream of starting an Orphanage out there one day. A place where people who say "I would love to go to Africa some day" can actually go and experience the culture and joy. Along my journey to and from Africa twice,  I've encountered at least a handful of people who have said such a thing  and triggered this idea in my mind. The people there are amazing, but most of all, I love their hearts for the Lord- which are genuine, true, and God-centered. Times like this really cause me to ponder more about God's future plans for me and Africa. I really think that my deep desire to dance and worship with them must mean something. There is just something about those Africans that catches my heart every time. I want to be around them. I can't stop smiling and stay in their presence as long as possible.I love their accents, too. My favorite part of being in Africa was the praise and worship music as well as the dancing. Recently, the Lord blessed me with another opportunity to enjoy Africa..this time without physically going there! :) He always knows what we need most, and loves to spoil us! A dose of Africa in the states is just what I needed. Thank you, God! 

Before I show you a glimpse of this choir via videos, I would like to clarify something. I know many of you may think I'm crazy. Why would Katie talk so highly of Africa and the people in Africa when she struggled so much both times she went to Africa? I can understand why you'd feel this way and I apologize for giving you this perception. Even though it was challenging for me and I didn't quite do so well being so far from family and friends, the fact is that the people remain the same in this culture. So genuine, so loving, so welcoming, so joyful. They have nothing, yet they love Jesus with everything they do have and thank Him even in the midst of troubles. Now that's Biblical! "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:23 I also can see where you'd get that perspective because when I'm in Africa, I miss home. When I'm home, I miss Africa. And all of you get to hear about it. It must be confusing! 

However, each time I've returned home, it has taken less and less time for me to be open to the idea of returning to Africa. There's just a special place in my heart for Africa and it's indescribable. Maybe one day, when my dream is fulfilled, you can come and visit the Orphanage the Lord provides for me to open in Africa and experience firsthand what I am talking about.  :) I know I am called to go back and do more, but I believe there is more equipping and preparation that needs to happen before I go back to Africa. I believe God has big plans in store for me that involve Africa. And I believe that while I'm waiting for God's perfect timing for my return to Africa, along will come that special someone who will join forces with me as I pursue my dream.

Here are some video clips and photos from the Watoto Africa Children's Choir, from Uganda:

(Down in Africa- The opening song of the Watoto African Children's Choir at Maranatha Chapel, 2011)

(Hallelujah Watoto Style- so much fun!)

(SHINE- This is one of my favorite songs)

(Lord, I Need You- This is my FAVORITE song and video!)

(I Am Not Forgotten- Another fun one!)

After watching the Watoto Children's Choir sing three times, I walked away with some new friends: Paula, Hellen, and Moses. 



The first time I saw Watoto perform, I kept going back to the merchandise table to this same woman. Her name is Paula. She is beautiful and was very sweet to me. She oversees the Tour 50 for Watoto Children's Choir. She was kind enough to get sweet Hellen, my next friend, from backstage, so that I could meet her. At the second show, I was purchasing a necklace, and I asked her if she remembered me. She said she kept thinking "I know this face" but she wasn't sure and was going to ask me. I told her Teacher Katie, and she said Oh, yessss. :) At the third show, she recognized me immediately and was delighted to see me and receive this photo that I printed and gave to her. When sweet Hellen and I walked up to her, she said "I see somebody found Teacher Katie" :)

 

After the first show, Paula was kind enough to go and get a little girl named Hellen for me from backstage so that I could meet her. Helen spoke on stage saying that she had been with Watoto for only 1 year and she is 8 years old. Helen said that she would like to be a Teacher. This melted my heart, of course, and I wanted to meet her and encourage this precious girl on her journey to becoming a Teacher. I had given Helen's chaperon a piece of paper with Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" on it and a note from me: To: Helen Love: Katie from America (Teacher) You can do it! After the second show, I asked Helen if she recognized me and she shook her head no. Then I told her, I'm Teacher Katie, and she smiled and remembered. The third show, she was joyful yet again and especially so when I gave her this photo of us. She was so excited to go show "Auntie Paula" as we walked into the sanctuary to find her. I can still picture the moment I gave this photo to Hellen and the immense joy in her face and the glow in her eyes. She lit up. It was so precious. I wanted to take her home or travel with them. I really hope to connect with her again one day.

 

The third friend I made is named Moses. He is 13 years old. At the second show (left), I went to the sponsorship table during my lingering. I noticed someone was sponsoring sweet Hellen. I was thankful. Having been touched by these children and people in Watoto, I wanted to support someone. I asked the woman if everybody in Watoto 50 tour had been sponsored. She informed me that she only had one child left who had not yet been sponsored by somebody. His name is Moses. I looked over his card, read it, and thought, I must sponsor him! God will provide the money I need each month for him. So, after doing the transaction and filling out the paperwork, the woman went to get Moses so that I could meet him! (At this time, I didn't know I would be back to the night show that same day) At the evening show (right) he recognized me and you can see the joy in his face as we reunited. I told him I would write to him. I told him that I gave Hellen a photo but I asked that we take a photo with my camera so that I could send him one when he returns to Uganda.

The following is a video of Hellen and Moses during the show. I apologize that it is sideways. The important part is the words they are saying. The evening shows are different than the morning, so after I sponsored Moses in the morning, I learned that he also had a speaking part that evening and was excited to catch it on video! 



During the show, I cried a lot. I can't even describe why to be honest. I just think God created a big piece of my heart for Africa. And when He brings moments like this where I get to be in the presence of people who are from Africa, along with all of the above I described that I love, I can't help but cry. I cry to know many people are suffering out there. I cry knowing that God has something big in store for me that involves this beautiful country and these beautiful people. I cry because part of my heart is created for Africa. I am called to go. "For you did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last." John 15:14 For Christians, it's like when you find your calling and God's perfect will for you and you are in it the center of it. When you find what God has created you for, and you are in any sort of nearness to it, it's simply amazing. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me as He is clearly preparing me for it now.

I know to some of you this may seem strange. You might think to yourself, So, this Katie girl, she goes to Africa, gets homesick even with a group of people and comes home after two weeks. Goes back to a different part of Africa, stays longer, gets homesick again, comes back sooner than planned, and still wants to go back. She's crazy! What does she even like about it? It sure seems to me like she's miserable. Well, you're right. It probably looks that way on the outside, but on the inside my heart is burning for Africa. I long to go back, no matter how many challenging things I face every time that I am there. This time though, since having returned, I know that I cannot go back alone unless it is for a short time to the Orphanage I lived at last summer. I need a friend or a life partner to return with me. And I believe God is bringing him to me soon. I just can't get enough of Africa.

So, what's next? Good question. A trip to Israel to see and walk through the places that Jesus walked and talked. I am in a season of solidifying my faith in God and getting to know Jesus more. I believe Israel will be a great conclusion to this significant season by giving me the opportunity to physically be where this man I am pursuing lived and walked thousands of years ago. It does not mean my relationship with God or pursuit of Him will end, just that my season of really solidifying my faith through studying the Word like never before, praying, and strengthening my relationship will end. I will have a better grip of my faith and who Jesus is and why I choose to pursue Him at that point. And although I do not know where in Africa I will go next, or even when, I do know that I made some new friends from Uganda and I would love to go visit the Watoto Village in Kampala, Uganda someday.

HEY!



*Some extra videos from youtube I found of songs that I didn't record are featured below for those who enjoy the videos :)