A Key element for any Bible School, either in the USA or abroad, is music. Parent’s love to come see their little ones singing and dancing the typically high energy songs typical of Vacation Bible School. Children are predisposed, in my humble opinion, to want to learn through music and enjoy burning some energy. Children in Tanzania are especially drawn to music and dancing along. Add to this the use of videos featuring all the dance moves and different types of kids putting on the show and our kids will sit mesmerized and many start doing the motions involuntarily. So this particular blog will be heavy on videos because pictures can’t do it justice. I wish I had video of the students waiting on their turn to participate in the Games station just outside the music room reacting to a song by doing the dance motions.

I am reminded of how Jesus said unless you are like a little child you cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven (paraphrased) but as I watch the kids in the music station, I see their wonder, their excitement and their love come through. It is untainted by the struggles of this thing called life. It is joyous. In fact that was a word used often by the team. They were amazed by the infectious joy of our students as I am everyday I am blessed to be here with them.

If you are a long time fan of my blog or have just suffered through it and my talks, you may recognize the young man center of the front row. That is Haji. I often tell his story as an example of how this school is more than just about education. Haji has a rough life, when I first met him he was 2 or 3 years old walking 2 miles with his plastic cup to get some porridge at the church preschool. He was withdrawn and sullen. Now he is joyous and laughing all the time with his two meals a day and chances to be a kid on our playground and being surrounded by love in a place where kids don’t always get loved on a lot. Not that their parents don’t love them, just after a certain age they are supposed to be working not getting hugged. Haji loves to sing and has often been recognized by teachers for singing louder than anyone else. I love seeing him front and center.

The leader for this room was Carol. She amazed me with her energy to spend hours getting these kids singing and dancing. Like everyone on this team it was easy to see her infectious joy in the music station.

In that last video you can see Caroline, our preunity preschool teacher, very involved with the routine. She really took to the music room and constantly showing off her skills as well. Center is Grace, who just graduated from our Standard 7 and will be headed to Secondary school next year. She and several Standard 7 students came back to assist our team.