There is no other way to describe Saturday night’s event. It will be remembered for years to come, as the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, the Drakensberg Boys Choir and the Watoto Children’s Choir, performed their hearts out and kept the full house of over 1 000 people absolutely spellbound for two and a half hours.
The Watoto children were undaunted by the enormity of the evening, and the Playhouse, and confidently shared their testimonies of how Jesus has rescued them from a life of no hope, and given them love, hope and a future, telling the captivated audience how they now sing and dance for joy as they know: ‘I are not forgotten – He knows my name’.
The ‘Grand Finale’ was a spectacle, second to none, as all three performed together, along with our internationally renowned Soloist, Linda Bukhosini, who sang an incredibly moving version of ‘My Redeemer lives’.
The evening ended with ‘We are the World’ which had the audience on their feet joining in with one voice. We walked out of the Opera House believing that we really can change the world, one child at a time. We have seen the evidence in these children. (look out for photos of the event which will be posted on the website asap…)
The Name of Jesus was truly glorified and lifted up, in the city of Durban on the 7th May 2011 as He was a year ago, on the 7th April 2010 at the ICC banquet (2 chronicles 7:14).
Tich thanked our very special Premier of KZN, Dr Zweli Mkize, and his wife May, for taking time out of their very hectic schedules to join us, and for helping to set up the evening and future partnership between LIV and the Philharmonic.
Tich also challenged the church, that no longer can we watch the horror of millions of children, living without hope, unfold before us, and do nothing. Now is the time for the church, business and the government to work together to bring hope and a future to these broken young lives. It is time.
Together we can.
Tich and Joan
Tich & Joan, May God be your strength and your guide as you will press on with the Vision. Saturday 07th May 2011 is a night never to be forgotten. When I heard that the Watoto Choir was going to be at our church on the 15th of May 2011, I couldn’t wait. On the morning of the 7th I got a call from on e of the elders at church inviting us to a concert, not just any concert. It was going to be the Watoto Choir. What a great blessing it was to us, to share in celebration what God is doing. It saddened me at first, thinking of where these children were coming from and the circumstances and challenges they had to endure. There’s so many things that we take for granted, but this certainly is an eye opener. I’d love to someday visit the Watoto Village in Uganda, together with my wife. I know that I can’t wait for our very own LIV Village.
God Keep and Bless you and the team.
Nothing captivates more than the glorification of our Lord Jesus and the overflow of His love that indeed changes the world. These children are a witness to it, a love which flows thru God’s people, people such as Tich and Joan Smith and their team. Great stuff guys!
Sounds wonderful-wish we could have been there! God bless you guys-we are praying for you
Hi Denver, Jeff, Gill and Keith, thank you all for your comments and encouragement. It means so much to us as we get closer to our first mothers and children mvoing onto the village. We are excited beyond words as we think about these children struggling out there with a sense of hopelessness, and very soon they will be given a life changing opportunity…
Jeff, pray all going well with you guys in Indonesia and all the work you are doing there.
We were blessed to host the choir at our hotel. The children were so very special – kind, considerate and so well mannered. The adults who travelled with them were so warm and friendly.
Thank you Simi, Tich and Joan for all you are doing for the little one’s in our world. God Bless