Stephen Reed interviews members of the I Am Children's Home in Uganda about God's work through the Mwamba Children's Choir.

If it's Christian joy and gratitude you need a transfusion of as we approach our national Thanksgiving holiday, you can do no better than to listen to this interview with some of those

involved in putting on the Mwamba Children's Choir of Uganda.

The choir consists of a most lively and very talented group of 7-12 year old boys and girls, whose love for Christ is so evident that it is contagious for those who attend their concerts in their current American tour.

That would be enough to make for a pleasant evening out.  But what blows people away completely is the story behind the choir's joyful, inspirational Christian songs and Ugandan folk dances.

For they are orphans, many of whom have witnessed one or both of their parents die from the catastrophic AIDS epidemic in Africa.   In their short lives, these children have already gone through more than many people here will ever know.

But as the children process their enormous losses, they have still found cause for praising God for giving them a loving, safe home at the I Am Children's Family orphanage.  Here, they learn about God's deep love for them and experience that love through the care and concern the staff has for their needs, including their health and education.

At this Christian orphanage, they can be children again, surrounded by many new brothers and sisters. Click here for more information, including how to sponsor a child there for just a few dollars per month. The orphanage was begun in 1998 by The Rev. Ponsiano and Susan Rwakatale and is an independently and locally run charity based in Kampala, Uganda.  The orphanage currently cares for 200 children.

In an effort to help raise sponsorships for the orphanage and to minister to the wider world, the Mwamba Children's Choir was started in 2008 by Stephen Sekinde to promote talent and change lives through music.  The choir sings in eight different languages.

Mwamba has now released their third album, which you can sample and purchase by going to their Facebook site.   You may also check the choir's touring schedule on this site, with performances scheduled in the Greater D.C. area through December 20th and then in Arizona through January 23rd.  Click here for more information.

Finally, the orphanage has great hopes to build a new school for the orphanage, which can be learned about by clicking here to their regular website. Enjoy this interview and rest in the knowledge that the work of the Triune God continues on all continents, in all places, and with all peoples this Thanksgiving!

We thank our young Christian brothers and sisters from Africa for ministering to us with their God-given talent and joy.  We look forward to their return each year.

Articles on the BreakPoint website are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Chuck Colson or BreakPoint. Outside links are for informational purposes and do not necessarily imply endorsement of their content.

Emily tells a clearly-written, funny, and poignant story

about what her son, Max, has taught her (and her father) in the newly-released

book from Zondervan, Dancing with Max: A Mother and Son Who Broke Free.

As challenging as autism can be, this story is one of hope as God gave the

Colsons the strength and joy to discover what every person has to offer the

rest of us. Chuck describes this book as the most personal book he’s had a

part in since his autobiographical first book, Born Again. Chuck writes a

foreward and afterword to the story written by Emily.

As you’ll hear in this interview, Emily’s counsel for anyone having what

seems like a problem without a solution is to let God lead them one day

at a time. “If this were my last day on earth, what kind of mother would

I want to be?” she found herself asking at a key turning point in her

relationship with her now 19 year old son.

Life may not always go according to our best laid plans. But God is ready to

show us deep joys in the places we wouldn’t expect. This lesson and many

others that will touch your heart as you see how one mother and son not

only survived a tough situation but has emerged victorious with God’s help.

Moreover, this book will challenge your understanding of the handicapped

people in our midst await you by reading this fascinating book about real people

facing real challenges with God. Max Colson gives us another perspective

on God, as he is made in God’s image just like everyone else.

Emily’s book makes the perfect birthday or Christmas gift for someone you know

who is wrestling with a challenge that seems beyond their ability to cope. Or just

anyone who enjoys an inspiring human interest story.

For more information about ordering Dancing With Max, click here.