The En-kata choir ready to go to their first concert in Arusha, Tanzania!

Last Friday Pamoja was full of excitement as we prepared for our first concert.

We loaded the choir and our team into three vehicles, and started the half-hour drive into the city of Arusha. I was in the back of the little Nissan Sunny with Mathayo (9 yrs old) and Sifa (14 years old). I taught them how to put seat belts on. I taught them how to take their seat belts off. I taught them about the button that automatically brings the window down, and showed them how to lock the door.

The trip to Arusha Community Church was full of “OH YA YA”s from Sifa and Mathayo. They had never been to the city of Arusha before, and were delighted and overwhelmed by the traffic, the two-story buildings, and our one traffic light!

I left Tanzania on Saturday and flew to Dallas, Texas. The whole journey, I heard Maasai voices in my head “Oh YA YA, OH YA YA!” When the flight attendant asked me if I’d like beef or vegetarian, I could see Sifa’s innocent, bright-eyed smiling face nodding in agreement. When the engines of the airplane started, when the wheels clicked up into their places… in Heathrow airport, watching a toy fly on a string around the ceiling of a store, watching the TV screens flash different times and locations, looking at the symbols and pictures on the doors of the washrooms… when I put my had under the soap dispenser and waved my hands under the tap and the water started running… all I can think is that I must REALLY believe in Holy Spirit, if I’m letting these guys fly across the world without me.

It’s only a few more days now before the choir embarks on this adventure of a lifetime.

Singing about Abraham at Arusha Community Church

And the singing…

And the dancing…

And the sharing…

…will continue on the other side of the ocean!

Check out the tour schedule here to find a concert near you!