Music, Music Everywhere!

We have had two days filled with music galore!  Yesterday, we walked into the bush to Malika Catholic Church for a choir performance.  The walk there is a part of the treat.  There are no cars, just walkers and people on bicycles, with village houses sprinkled along throughout the walk.  Little children came out, smiled and waved, greeting us along the way.   Many tagged along with us for the duration of the walk. When we arrived at the church, we were met with the beautiful sound of the choir exclaiming, "You are welcome."  We were seated and treated to a most blessed array of praise and worship songs.  Songs expressed how blessed we are to be God's children, how amazed we are with His Creation and how Love should be our daily weapon.  Children from the church sat with us, many sitting on our laps, which made everyone smile.  Of course, my Gerald and two of his friends accompanied us.  Gerald served as my "photographer" for the event, as he has learned to use my camera better than I know how to use it! The leader of the choir presented us with gifts.  They gave us a bag of bananas and a bag of rice.  This touched my heart, because I know it was the best they had to give.  The music was our treat and our blessing, but it was important to them to present us with gifts. When we returned to Annie's Lodge, we were treated to a long and delightful night of music.  Both Limbani and Lucias Banda performed.  These are two of the biggest music stars in Malawi and their music has a reggae style to it. They sing as voices of the people, sharing about the woes of poverty, social justice, and promoting love.  I danced and danced.  It is a night I will never forget.  The students had a wonderful time, too. Today, we participated in our first drumming lesson at the school.  Innocent and Ralph, two teachers at the school, taught us about how to make the "du" and "ke" sounds on a drum, and we practiced various patterns.  It was a great time! The music of Malawi, in all of its forms, is full of meaning, message, and passion.  My heart dances each time I hear it.