"The edited version of this article appeared in the Dallas Morning News Neighbors, Richardson and White Rock editions, 1/27/2007."
LHPC hosted the touring African Children’s Choir on Friday night, January 19, to a packed house. The choir is made up of 25 children from ages 6 – 11 who are wonderful singers and dancers as well as energetic, warm, and friendly tiny Ambassadors of Uganda. They represent thousands of Africa’s most vulnerable children, and the choirs efforts help to fund education for many of their family and friends at home. The tour stop in Lake Highlands was arranged by LHPC Director of Music Ministries and Contemporary Worship, Peyton Strouth. “My reasoning for asking them to come was two fold: First for Mission to help them; second for Mission to help us.” Strouth wanted to find a way for us to hear and sing the music from around the world and also to interact and visit with people of other cultures. His goal was certainly accomplished on Friday night.
From the crew who served the choir dinner before their performance, ”The Fellowship Committee was awarded one of the most touching gifts ever! After dinner, the children gathered, sang “May the Lord Bless You and Keep You” and then each child went to each member of the committee and hugged us! What an incredible experience it was for all of us – not one dry eye.” Cris Emrich, LHPC Member
As a congregation, many of us had the opportunity to serve as Host Families for a small group of three children (who happily all slept in
one bed) and an adult chaperone, who served as part of the staff or tech crew. “Our hearts are forever touched by the children of Uganda. The children were kind, polite and grateful. Is it possible to fall in love with a child in less than 24 hours?” Lisa Matz, LHPC Member
“We had four boys...they were disciplined, polite, loving, inquisitive. They loved watching the clothes washing machine agitate and drawing pictures. When they left today, they had made their beds and left us hand written notes of thanks, hidden so we would find them after they had gone.” Cinda Koch, LHPC Member
Each family who opened their homes to these wonderful children and their caring chaperones are forever changed. Our eyes have been opened to the desperate plight of children in Africa, but our hearts have been warmed by the small arms that wrapped us in huge hugs and the small voices that spoke “Thank you Uncle and Auntie” so many times.
To host the choir was a rare opportunity; one that we will never forget, and hope to do again. For more information on the choir or upcoming tour dates visit
www.africanchildrenschoir.com.
Zoe Jacobie
LHPC Publicity
View Photo's from African Children's Concert at LHPC 
