The SIFA African Children's Choir

My church had a very special guest this past Sunday...
The SIFA African Children's Choir.
They sat in reserved seats in the front of the church, and they all wore the matching tops and bottoms of African style clothing. They were straight from Uganda, East Africa, and they were in our presence to perform for us.
During the time of greeting, I smiled and shook a couple of their hands. They seemed nervous, and reserved- until they got onto the stage to do what they came to do.
What they loved to do.
The word Sifa is Swahili for praise, and believe me- they did exactly that.
The performance was beautiful...the children had so much energy, and their smiles shined from the front to the back of the church. They did dances as they sung, and I wondered why American choirs don't do the same...
We just stand up there and sing, rock, maybe dance one Sunday out of a year...haha.
These children were so joyous...
Exactly what captivated me most about these children...the joy that they had within themselves. They were full of it.

Some of you may get joy and happiness confused, so let me take the chance to unconfuse ya...

Happiness is circumstantial...something good happens, and you become happy.

Joy...
well joy is so much more than that.
The world cannot give you joy.
You can have a million dollars in the bank, be swiming in money and all other kinds appealing materials, but the world can't give you joy, nor take it away.
I believe joy comes from a stable relationship with God...embracing blessings, and realizing that when you're down, God's up to something.

These children were all orphans. One, or both of their parents died, and this was just a handful to represent their fellow orphans and suffering children who not only lived in Uganda, but Africa as a whole- the place where AIDS is the #1 killer of the people. Even after enduring the countless horrors and losses in their young lives, they still remain filled with joy.
It was amazing.
The children were amazing.
God is amazing.

Joy cometh in the morning.
Be encouraged.

Peace & Blessings
Lu