Choir Recording

     Andrew and I just returned from Budaka, a small town in Eastern Uganda, where we were recording a few African choirs.  The literacy branch of Wycliffe sent us to go record and take video of several rural choirs with the idea that the best one may receive a sponsorship to the United States.  While touring in the states the choir would be raising money that would go toward the translation of the Old Testament in their native language.
    We took a bus from Kampala to Budaka.  It was a four or five hour journey through mostly undeveloped area.  The bus stopped about halfway for a bathroom break, which consisted of getting off the bus going into the bushes on the left if you are a woman, or the bushes on the right if you are a man.  We eventually made it to Budaka, met a man named James who was coordinating the whole thing and grabbed some food.  Later that night the entire towns power went off and did not come back on until we were leaving a couple days later.
     With or without power we were there to listen to some choirs so thats what we did.  We listened to a total of five and there was one that particularly stood out.  This choir sung and danced with such an enthusiasm and love for the Lord that we could tell they weren't just performing to perform.  In fact, once we had finished recording they continued to sing and dance for another half hour or so, all the while more towns people would gather to listen and even dance as well.  Then a pretty big thunderstorm rolled in so we all went into a school building where they proceeded to play and sing for another hour.  Hopefully this choir will get the opportunity to perform outside of Budaka and raise money for translation.
      It was crazy how much the people welcomed us and thanked us for coming.  They were very appreciative of what we were doing and seemed almost honored that we would come to their town.  After recording, they served us food and thanked us again.  These were pastors and leaders in the community who were making us food and washing our hands, which was a good reminder of how we are called to serve others.