While visiting Randy’s family in Tennessee over Thanksgiving we had the privilege of hearing one of the World Help Children’s Choirs (YouTube Channel).
Randy’s family was also host to two of the girls from Uganda (Ritah and Juliet) and a chaperone. It was a wonderful experience. One of the things that touched me most was the choir singing a song with the theme of thanks called “All Creation” …
We come to You with a heart of thanks, for your love
To be a living sacrifice, brought with love
We come to You with a heart of thanks, for Your love
An offering of all we are, brought with loveAll creation, looks to You
All provision, comes from You
In every sunrise, hope shines through
For Your mercy, we thank YouWe come to You with a song of praise, for Your love
The music of our soul’s delight, brought with love
We come to You with a song of praise, for Your love
Sounds of joy and gratefulness, brought with loveAll creation looks to You
All provision comes from You
In every rhythm we thank You
(In every season we thank You)
For Your love
Many of these children are orphaned, and before the concert began their stories were told through a multimedia slideshow. I read about parents who were lost by AIDS or by car accident or one parent could not support their child so the parent traveled to this home to have their child stay where they were sure their child would be well cared for.
I read how much pain and hardship these children have experienced in their young lives and yet they sang exuberant praise to God and gave thanks. Their stories impacted and challenged me to live with a more grateful heart of praise.
Here are some photos from our time with Ritah and Juliet in Tennessee …
