From Uganda, Watoto Children's Choir Matters

At EMM, we often talk about a world where people look out for one another.  They are grateful, appreciative, joyful, polite, and never take things for granted.  In some ways, it seems like we talk about this so called “world” as though it doesn’t exist.  Rather, it is an utopia, a fairytale, something to strive for but always fall short of.

Well, we found it.  And, we found it in a place that most people (including us) would never think to look…through the eyes of orphaned children from Uganda, Africa. 

Two weeks ago, I had the honor of hosting 2 young boys, Edward and Moses (10 and 12 years old) and their Uncle Steven (27 years old) for five days.  They are part of the Watoto Children’s Choir and were performing on a 6 month concert tour of the western United States.  They had five straight days of performances in Los Angeles, so my home got to be their home for their LA leg. 

Over the five days together, I took them out for lunches and dinners, to the beach, to the Santa Monica pier for a day of rides and video games, to The Grove, etc.  I gave them gifts, painted with them, and even let them have my bedroom while I slept on an air matress.  On paper, it seems like I was one heck of a host and that the exchange was a one way street…me spoiling them.  But, the beauty of it is that it couldn’t be further from the truth.  They gave me things I will never forget…

They thanked me 30 times a day.

They hugged me 15 times a day.

They said “I love you” 5 times a day.

They asked permission for everything, never assuming anything.

They were polite, sweet, happy, grateful, appreciative, and more. 

These two little boys, who lost their parents from HIV/Aids and who, by Western standards, had absolutely nothing, had so much to offer that it was overwhelming.  They showed me the most beautiful side of human beings - the stuff that matters most.  I will never forget these 5 for as long as I live and will probably find myself visiting them in Uganda in the near future.  The “land of nothing,” yet more than we could ever hope for…what an eye-opener.

Edward and Moses…You Matter! Thank you for everything.