While touring with the Choir, the children are exposed to a world of new possibilities. Chaperones, host communities and caring professionals share their wide variety of experiences with the children, exposing them to many new ideas and encouraging them to dream.
After returning to Africa, the African Children’s Choir provides care and education that builds on the unique international exposure the children experienced abroad. The children receive a quality education, leadership training and spiritual ministry at the Music for Life Primary School or at other well-equipped schools in their respective countries. Selection into the African Children’s Choir means a long-term commitment and investment as the children are supported through their secondary and post–secondary education. Scholarships, school visits, camps and counseling are just some examples of the support given.
When they solicited host families for this year's tour at church, we jumped on the opportunity to use this home God has blessed us with to bless His precious African children. We had requested girls since we figured that'd be easier with our own girls, but got a surprise when we picked up our two African children and chaperone and they were all BOYS! Of course, hosting Derrick, James and Uncle Tony was a blessing to us as much as it was to them. The girls got to make friends from another country, another lifestyle and a whole nother culture and were exposed to a life much different than their own. But, most importantly, the learned the important lesson that we are all created perfect in God's intention and that His love is universal.
The boys were very gracious and polite and it was kinda fun being called Uncle and Aunti (their equivalent of Mr. and Mrs.) Their English was fairly well developed and we were able to understand each other and communicate easily (aside from one instance regarding how to cook their egg yolks) They played nicely with the girls and didn't balk one bit about the fact that the two of them were camping out in a very pink, girly, princess room for the night (see, we were totally expecting GIRLS!) Uncle Tony is a past member of the choir who is now serving as a chaperone and it was interesting to hear him share about his experiences in the choir, his travels and his passion for providing for these children the same education and experience that the program provided to him.
After their concert we got briefed on instructions for our time with our guests and met them for
the first time. We headed home where the boys showered and readied for bed. We had a bedtime snack of milk and cookies we'd baked earlier in the day. Then it was time for books, prayers and bedtime. It was a very special experience listening to the boys pray and thank God for all the simple things they have that we so often take for granted here in the States. I will always remember our time with these sweet boys.
The next morning we got up and cooked breakfast. Derrick had shared that his aspiration was to be one day be president while James wanted to be a chef. It wasn't much of a stretch for him to help with preparing breakfast. We had a feast of pancakes, eggs and sausage and afterward I fixed up some lunches while the kids all played outside. Our morning entertainment included an impromtu drumming session with tambourines and Sycely offering her own rendition of the African dances from their perfromance the night before.
We headed out to Kincaid Park to meet up with the other host families and the rest of the choir for some outdoor play and fun. The kids played soccer and played on the playground then we finished up our time with lunch and some group photos. Then it was time to get the boys packed up and drop them off at their tour bus to head off to their next destination and host family. We are so grateful we had the opportunity to be just a small part of the remarkable work God is doing for these children and the nation of Africa.
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