Dear Friends and Family,
Wow, it has been forever since I last informed you of anything that has been happening in my life. Several exciting and fun things have happened since the last time I wrote. We have started our Journey of Hope tour and will be continuing with this tour style until May. We have also visited the Columbus Zoo and seen an Alpaca Farm. Finally, there will be several shows near most of you and I would love to see some of your shining faces.
This new tour, Journey of Hope, only performs in theaters and there are so many more exciting changes for the children to make. Throughout the whole show, children are changing costumes and props. They even perform a dance tutorial that shows the cultural dances from five countries. These countries include Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Sudan and South Africa. This is also an educational time in the show for all ages to experience African culture. Most people think that all African dances and songs are the same, but every country has their own style and way of expressing themselves. I would encourage each of you to see a show. The choir has been in the area for awhile. I apologize for not informing everyone. We will however, be back in Michigan and Ohio the end of April and beginning of May. Look at our website for upcoming shows in your area: africanchildrenschoir.com. Just a heads up though, I know we will be in Detroit on April 23. I hope to see some of you soon.
Even though this tour is very intense, we have had a few days to relax and spend with host families. This Easter weekend we stayed with some families in Marysville, OH where we went to the Columbus Zoo. We were even able to share Easter Sunday in a church without performing. The Columbus Zoo is one of the largest Zoos in America, complete with lions, tigers and bears. The children were amazed by the variety of animals from all over the world. The zoo was broken into each continent and the animals were placed within their specific region, which just shows how many animals are really present. We saw Elephants from Asia and Africa as well as giant bats and my favorite animal was the Gibbons. These monkeys have arms as long as their bodies and swing halfway across a 30 foot cage in one bound. They also could swell up their necks and make the most obnoxious drum like sound. Each size monkey created a different pitch, and when yelling at the same time, they even created a consistently rhythmic song. I was fascinated with this display and tried to get people to clap along to the rhythm, sadly it didn’t go too well.
Along with just seeing animals at the zoo, we were also fortunate enough to visit an alpaca farm. Many Blessing Alpaca Farm is owned and operated by a chaperone’s dad. The children were able to pet the alpacas as well as lead them around the pasture. They rode a horse for the first time and even got to drive a tractor for a hay ride. It was just a wonderful day to be at a farm and relax. To top it all off, I was able to meet up with one of my cousins there, who I hadn’t seen in three years.
I do have so more exciting news that I cannot forget to mention. Choir 34’s tour is being extended. These children have really grown into my family and I love them all so dearly, the thought of them continuing on tour without me seems so sad. In August the children will be traveling to the UK to do a small tour there before heading home. I cannot wait for this exciting new step and to see the children’s faces as they have the chance to see another country, where most people never have that opportunity. Needless to say this new step will take much prayer and organization. Bless pray for the finances and peace of mind to continue with my children and give them encouragement and support. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for God’s support and blessing, this mission would never be possible without you.
My God bless all of you as well and give you all your needs.
