The Trombone – Another Story 0f Africa

LaToya and I talking and NO(!) I am not pregnant -that would
be 3 passports and all our money

Months ago I was blogging how Emma and Dw took a trombone and some trumpets with them to Africa this past July. A woman at church had asked Emma if she would rather have money to go on her trip in July or trombones and trumpets to take. Emma said, “Please buy trumpets and trombones for the street boys of African Hearts.” This sweet woman had done just that! She went to the pawn shops and found several. Emma was elated!

So Emma and Dw packed them all up and carried them to Uganda. They gave them to the young men at African Hearts.

African Hearts is a ministry to the street boys of Kampala. It is an amazing ministry. So many children live on the streets and the need is HUGE! So after much time of building trust, they eventually invite them to come off the streets and live with them at African Hearts.

Emma and Dw spent time with them while there and “adopted” the three leaders as our sons: LaToya, Tony and Junior. LaToya, Tony and Junior had as youngsters lived on the streets of Kampala. They know first hand what it is like!! Eventually each of these three godly young men came to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and together started a ministry called African Hearts. They have seen these young street boys come into their home and have had the joy of watching God radically change their lives forever.

There are also two young American women, in their 20’s who came to Uganda a few years back. Both fell in love with the ministry of African Hearts and have ministered there. Jess (pictured) is still there and Abbie is currently back in the states paying off school loans and then will be headed back to Uganda soon. I just love these two young women. They could be doing anything – BUT they are ministering to little boys in desperate need of love, care and the understanding of a God who loves them so much!! Jess and Abbie work out of the second African Hearts home which we also visited (pictures of that will be coming soon). This second home is for younger boys and is out in the Ssenge village where I spoke to the church of Ssenge.

At African Hearts in the city they teach them how to learn to play a brass instrument, which is really an occupation in Uganda. They do not have enough instruments for all the boys, but they take turns and play their hearts out. They are VERY good and I was so blessed to hear them. But they didn’t just play for me, they put on a show!! Acrobatics and dancing and playing – it made me cry!!

I told the story back in July of the trombone and trumpets going to Africa and amazingly, one of you wrote to me. The story about one of you lurkers who came out of hiding to share your trombone is here. I could not wait to take your trombone to the boys of African Hearts. Our second day in Africa Emma, Graham and I were able to go with Tony to see the ministry of African Hearts and present the trombone to them. They cheered and did flips and celebrated your generousity dear friend in Arizona who with the help of your mom-in-law in Missouri made it all possible!! You guys totally rock!

And for the record, if anyone has a spare trombone or trumpet laying around your attic that you are willing to part with – ship it to us and Dw will totally take it next trip!! OR if you don’t have one laying around but want to search out the pawn shops in your area for one (or two) we would be thrilled for that as well!! There are so many ways to minister to the orphan and the joy that comes – Oh Yippee Jesus!

3 thoughts on “The Trombone – Another Story 0f Africa

  1. Music – God uses it to change hearts! Changing hearts, he changes a life! Changing a life he changes a community, then a nation! Wow!

  2. Hi! My comment is not really a comment but a question. As we prepare for our 1st adoption (from China), I have been hit lately with crazy fears. A lot of it is because we are doing a transracial adoption. It seems lately I have been coming across blogs and articles written by such angry adult transracial adoptees. I believe the evil one is using it to invoke fear in me.

    I’m not sure the make up of your family (bio vs. adopted). Are any of your adopted children of “adult” age/mentality….and do you have some encouragement for me?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>