"...You shall love your neighbor as yourself...."
~Mark 12:31

An Interesting, Adventurous, Purposeful Turn

“My home country of Uganda is one of the most beautiful in all of Africa!”

These were the first words on a sponsorship letter Saint John’s member Lynne Dobson received in 2001 from Brenda Akello, a young Ugandan student she sponsored in the African Children's Choir program. Lynne's first visit to Uganda was in 2008 when she traveled there as a photographer with a medical team. It was then that she finally met Brenda, who was 15 at the time, In 2009, Lynne donated to fund the program’s Lake Victoria primary school buildings and dorms: doors, floors, and windows. 

Ever since that first powerful trip 16 years ago, Lynne has been traveling to Uganda, funding non-profit projects for education, disability, water and women's maternal and reproductive healthcare — and doing photography. “If someone comes into your life,” she says, “it is God nudging you to pay attention for the profound lesson emerging. Every time I have paid attention, my life takes an interesting, adventurous, purposeful turn.”

By supporting the African Children’s Choir, Lynne helps children learn a new language and achieve a travel education in a faith-based program. When they are in the United States, they see National Parks, great American cities, tall mountains, and long beaches. Lynne says she sees the children’s confidence grow the more people they meet and the more places they go.

And we, too, grow when we meet them and hear their powerful music and captivating stories. “In Africa, there is a spiritual belief called ubuntu, which means we are all connected as parts of a whole, that we cannot thrive or survive without deep connections with other people. Each of us has a responsibility to care for others as much as we care for ourselves. It's a manifestation of that light that reflects back upon us when we shine it on others,” Lynne says.

Bishop Desmond Tutu describes ubuntu as "the proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that we belong to a greater whole and that we are diminished when others are humiliated, oppressed, or tortured." One way of saying it is: I am because we are.

On December 8, the second week of Advent with a focus on Peace, the African Children’s Choir #53 will lead worship at Saint John’s at both services. This is the choir program’s 40th year in existence! We look forward to celebrating with them.

While Lynne travels to Uganda most years, she recognizes that “it takes all kinds of seed sowers.” The African Children’s Choir will take up an offering and sell merchandise after the worship service if you are interested in supporting them in that way. You will also have an opportunity to thank the children for singing with us.

Sunday will be filled with joyful hymns from a beautiful culture. I hope you will join us. Bring a friend. Maybe this will spark an interesting, adventurous, purposeful turn in you.

African Children's Choir at Saint John's
Sunday, December 8, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services

The African Children’s Choir will lead us in worship on Sunday, December 8 at both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services with their Just As I Am concert. This concert combines traditional hymns with African cultural sounds and a stunning story of God’s faithfulness in their lives. An offering will be taken up for the Music for Life Institute.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the choir's needs while they are visiting Saint John's, please reach out to Pastor Hilary at .

Tags: mission, african children's choir