Singing I love!

Wednesday July 8, 2009
I love to sing, but I think the South Africans love to even more. Better yet, I think music, singing and dancing are at the heart of this magnificent continen. I remember my first visit to Africa was to then Zaire. When our tiny Missionary Aviation plane landed in the first village we visited, the people sang and danced their welcome. I had never experienced that before. Tiredness rom the long journey was washed away in this warm African embrace. One of my sweetest memories was the market in Harare. As I shopped I was singing a new Shona song I learned. The woman from whom I was buying some family gifts recognized it. A huge smile filled her face and she sang it with me. That was a taste of heaven which brings me to my class.
Sometimes I arrive at class to hear the women singing as they sew. In spite of all they face, a song is never far away. Like the slaves in the United States, some of the greatest music comes from the struggle. Music helps to lift the load and fill the heart with hope. I know firsthand because nothing moves my spirit, lifts me from despair and infuses me with hope like music. At the end of class, we pray and sometimes we sing. On Tuesday I felt moved to sing one of the songs I have learned here and as I did, the women began to laugh. Oh I think my voice is ok, but it does not have the depth, passion and strength of theirs, and especially to sing their songs. I happily gave way and let them lead. They have a pattern, a call and response which you can still hear in some churches at home. And then, perhaps because it is the end of long session of class, they began to dance. Well I started to dance too and once they got over their surprise we danced together. The Psalms invite us to praise God with dancing. There is an African proverb that says "The person who has a cheerful heart will discover that joy is always on the increase." I wish my students and you my reader great joy in your life. Music and dancing is a great way to start.