Worship under a starless sky

The last Saturday of every month, the Heart of Worship team holds a worship night for all who are interested. It is a time where we gather as hungry hearts, full hearts, aching hearts. Hearts that are wanting to lift High the Name of the one who Satisfies and Heals our hearts. 

Well this season of life has been CRAZY and a "crispy" feeling has been a sort of epidemic. So instead of doing intense preparation for our monthly worship night, we decided to, just as a team, enter into nature and around a fire, have a night of Worship. 

There were no microphones, no speakers, no set program. Just worship as it came. Hearts that were tired, dry - finding rest and refreshment by surrendering it all to Him. 

We ended night with this as the cry of our hearts 

"As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 

My soul thirst for God, for the living God." 

                                                                      Psalm 42:1-2b

As the Deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee

You alone are my hearts' desire and I long to worship Thee

You alone are my Strength, my Shield

To You alone does my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship Thee...

                                                                                                          -Lyrics by Martin J. Nystrom

Faces

These are some of the faces that add to the richness of my life. 

And behind each one of these faces, there is a story.

A story of joy, pain, triumph, failure.

 But in all of these stories, God has shown His Hand Strong - even if it takes a lifetime or longer to see it.

There are many more faces, more stories that make my life burst with Joy.

Some faces are in Uganda, some are in other ends of this world. 

But to make that distance not so far, this I hope. As Ann once said, "In heaven, lets talk long..."

Wednesday Favorites...

Music with the Special Needs Program – one of the highlights of my Wednesdays.

A class of absolute treasures, these students love life, love being together, and love singing praises to Jesus.

A month ago, we decided to compose a song – still Untitled, but now known by all.

The words are simple. A song about God’s love.

Anjagalannyo, tumwagalannyo

(He Loves Me, We love Him)

Ayagala (insert Student’s name) leero, enkya, mirembe gyonna

(He Loves (insert Student’s name) today, tomorrow, and forever

When we first composed this song, we finished and were silent for a moment. Then, Kakande (a student/helper/headboy) opens his mouth with utter worship and mutters, “Anjagalannyo.” All the while, nodding in agreement.

I could feel the tears coming – How much these kids challenge me in my Walk, in my Worship - in my Love for the Father.

Wednesday favorites – Entering into a time of Worship as we abandon our hearts to His love.

Celebration!

October 7th - High heels, driving in circles, running in front of a parade, singing for the President. 

I look back on that day and it not seems more like a crazy movie than actual life.

As to how we got here… To make a long story short…

New Hope Uganda was asked to bring a choir to sing for the 

50^th Golden Jubilee Thanksgiving Celebration in Kampala…

Uniforms were made…

Performance tracks were recorded…

Backup vocals were recorded…

Practices were had…

Choreography was added…

Meetings were attended…

And now that brings us up to October 7^th – the Day of the Celebration

The Capital city of Kampala was busy and many streets were blocked off as we entered town. So, with 19 kids, all carrying their uniforms, we raced downtown, all the while running in front of a parade in order to get to our destination.

Uniforms were thrown on, teeth were brushed, hair was combed, and then we raced back up the hill to our bus which took us to the final destination – the place of the celebration.

Fancy dresses, polished shoes, high heels, nervous stomachs. All a part of the day.

With our soundcheck complete, we began our wait - our wait for the celebration to begin.

 A Celebration that was brought about to give Thanks to God for how He has brought Uganda thus far, but now to rededicate this Nation to God.

As our children sang their songs – songs truly magnifying God’s name – I was moved to tears that these children – some of whom the world meant for nothing – but now these very ones were singing before the Leaders of their Country. And proclaiming their Love for the Lord not only publicly, in front of their whole nation.

I was BEYOND proud of these kids.

The day was long, but filled with memories that I believe will be etched into their minds forever.

Here is a picture from the day – were only able to take photos before the event started, so here we are, waiting in our seats after our soundcheck.

October 9^th was Uganda’s Official 50^th Birthday

We came together as a community for a celebration.

The choir that presented at the Golden Jubilee was given the opportunity to sing for the 

New Hope Family.

One of our youngest vocalists :)

Pure Joy

Blowing the Shofar of Celebration 

The Choir
 Minus 4 members

All photo credits go to John and Janessa Biedler – THANK YOU!!!!!