Uncle Aaron is one of the wonderful student interns we had this year with His Little Feet. Aaron worked as our main sound technician, loaded and unloaded our equipment, cared for the boys in host homes, and served in any other way that was asked of him. Our desire is for the Lord to speak to you through what Aaron shares below about a meaningful time in our tour.
“Blessed be the Name of the Lord...Blessed be Your Name”
This song brings to remembrance many experiences in the last year of my life, but two of the most significant moments have been while on tour with these 15 incredible children.
The first time I heard the children worshiping, apart from concert time and time spent in the Church at Ellerslie, was early in the tour back on campus at Ellerslie. I walked into the two-story dorm the kids call home here in the US and I immediately heard a sweet and powerful sound coming from what we call the “book nook” upstairs: children singing at the top of their lungs. At first, I didn't know why they were singing, or even what they were singing in Creole, but after a few minutes of listening I heard a song in English that I recognized... “Blessed Be Your Name”.
Now, I've heard this song hundreds of times in many different situations, but to me this time was completely different from any other instance. This time the singing was coupled with tears from 15 young Haitian hearts crying out to the God who rescued them from tough times in their past and has now given them the opportunity to be a voice for millions across the world. Curiosity led me up the stairs in the dorm to witness this moving time of worship firsthand. I found that the worship time was officially led by Francia (one of our incredible chaperones from Haiti) but was also contributed to by all, even our youngest little boy, Johnson. I looked around the book nook at these 15 kids all singing at the top of their lungs- some with tears streaming down their cheeks and some with their faces on the ground in reverence and passionate love to our Jesus. I had never seen anything like it before in my life. It was then that the song “Blessed Be Your Name” took on a deeper, more personal meaning for me.
As I listened to the words they sang I was moved beyond words. To hear these children (many of whom have lost very dear loved ones at a very young age) singing: “...You give and take away...my heart will choose to say...Lord, blessed be your name...” rocked me to tears. It was truly a life-changing moment for me...and those moments just kept on coming!
Another moment that really sticks out to me on tour is when we were in South Carolina in late March and we received the news that one of the Mamis who these kids have known and grown up with at the children's home in Haiti had suddenly passed away. We had decided to tell the kids after a Saturday evening concert, right before one of our most hectic Sundays on tour- the Sunday when Mike and Christa were flying out to Ethiopia to select the kids for next year's choir.
As you could imagine, the kids were incredibly heartbroken to hear the news of their dear Mami and friend passing away and that night was filled with many tears and memories. The next day we had 3 morning concerts at one location and one evening concert at another church. I don't think any of us as staff knew what to expect from the kids. Would they be able to smile and be joyful on stage? Or would they break down at every thought of this dear one they missed so much? Would they be comforted by the thought of their Mami basking in the glory of our great Lord? All we could do was be there for the kids and pray that Jesus would receive glory for all that was to come of this.
We continued with the concerts and the kids did quite well with the morning performances. The Lord had sure performed a great work! But what impacted me most from that Sunday was the evening concert. The day was long and tiring and was wearing on us all and with Mike and Christa gone, the responsibilities had been doubled for many of us. But oh, our God's grace is so sufficient and his love is so good!
That night I watched as the Holy Spirit came upon the kids in power at that small church in South Carolina. I watched as their faces were illuminated by the love of our Great King. I stood back in tears and in awe when the kids all started that powerful song once more: “Blessed be the name of the Lord...you give and take away...my heart will choose to say...Lord, blessed be your name!” Oh what unexplainable joy and emotion filled the room when those words rang out! It seemed as if all of the children had just touched the hem of Jesus' garment and had been relieved from the pain and aching they were experiencing and were filled with the life-changing joy of knowing that Jesus had saved them from a lifetime of hurt and confusion. I was struck speechless, as were nearly all in the room as we watched the glory of the Lord descend upon the faces of 15 children worshiping their Savior.
After the concert nearly every person there came up to me and said that they had never seen such a powerful presentation and display of Christ's heart for his children, and all I could say was: “Neither had I!” The Lord had proven himself faithful and true once again, even in the hardest of circumstances! As I began to tear down the set, James walked back into the room having come from greeting many of those who had witnessed the concert, and we both just stared at each other with tears in our eyes-speechless after having experiencing what took place that night. The only words we could say were “Oh Jesus! You are so good!”
How can we keep from blessing your name, oh Jesus?
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name!
- Matt Redman
Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!
-Psalm 72:19
...The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
-Job 1:21b
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
-Matthew 18:3
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
What God Taught Me
As the 2010-2011 tour draws to a close, it is amazing to see the work God has done in and through the lives of the 15 children who are a part of the His Little Feet children’s choir.
Today, we asked the His Little Feet children to summarize what God has been teaching them this past year, and how they have grown spiritually because of it. Here are some of their responses…
Cassandra, 13 - God is teaching me how to be nice to people.
Moise, 10 - I’m learning to know Jesus.
Nephthalie, 10 - God is making my heart thankful for His sacrifice for us.
Esterline, 12 - I have learned from God how to love my enemies.
Johnson, 7 – I have learned what it means to believe in Jesus Christ.
Falencia, 10 - God is teaching me about respect.
Dianelie, 7 - God is teaching me how to listen and obey. I am also learning about being a Christian and not fighting with my friends.
Daphney, 14 - God is helping me to be patient.
Djoulie, 8 - I’m learning how to become a Christian.
Praise God for the many works he is doing in these children’s lives! May we all continue to seek after Him and learn to be more like Christ – no matter how old we are!
Please remember to keep these children in your prayers as they return home to Haiti very soon. Pray that God will continue to develop their faith and trust in Him, and that they will be used to bring glory to His name throughout their lives.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes Me.” – Matthew 18: 1-2
Today, we asked the His Little Feet children to summarize what God has been teaching them this past year, and how they have grown spiritually because of it. Here are some of their responses…
Cassandra, 13 - God is teaching me how to be nice to people.
Moise, 10 - I’m learning to know Jesus.
Nephthalie, 10 - God is making my heart thankful for His sacrifice for us.
Esterline, 12 - I have learned from God how to love my enemies.
Johnson, 7 – I have learned what it means to believe in Jesus Christ.
Falencia, 10 - God is teaching me about respect.
Dianelie, 7 - God is teaching me how to listen and obey. I am also learning about being a Christian and not fighting with my friends.
Daphney, 14 - God is helping me to be patient.
Djoulie, 8 - I’m learning how to become a Christian.
Praise God for the many works he is doing in these children’s lives! May we all continue to seek after Him and learn to be more like Christ – no matter how old we are!
Please remember to keep these children in your prayers as they return home to Haiti very soon. Pray that God will continue to develop their faith and trust in Him, and that they will be used to bring glory to His name throughout their lives.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes Me.” – Matthew 18: 1-2
Monday, May 9, 2011
From Auntie Rachel
Auntie Rachel is another one of the wonderful traveling staff for His Little Feet. In this entry she shares about one of the team’s fondest memories of the 2010-2011 tour.
A Day at the Hahns’
As the sun shines brightly and the warm breeze blows, it feels like summer has finally arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska. The whole team loves coming to stay with Uncle Dick and Auntie Jane, Uncle Mikey’s parents. It is a time of rest even though we have several concerts in the area over the weekend. Auntie Jane’s hospitable heart quickly makes everyone as comfortable as if they were in their own home.
On a typical afternoon, the girls are most likely in the basement braiding each other’s hair while the boys are lined up on the basketball court engaged in a lively game of Knockout. But there is a special activity that everyone is looking forward to today. After lunch, Auntie Jane is giving bread-baking lessons to the girls and revealing some of her time-tested secrets for banana bread, which is a favorite with all.
The boys also had a special time with Uncle Dick recently. He is a collector of watches, and the boys enjoyed an outing with him to Target where they each were able to pick out a new watch.
The most memorable moments at Uncle Dick and Auntie Jane’s home are the sweet, one-on-one times with the children that we as a staff begin to cherish more and more as the end approaches. As I am finishing up writing this blog entry, 10-year-old Falencia came to sit next to me and with her sweet smile asks me to wish everyone a “Happy Mother’s Day!”
“But let all those that put their trust in you rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them; let them also that love your name be joyful in you.”
Psalm 5:11
A Day at the Hahns’
As the sun shines brightly and the warm breeze blows, it feels like summer has finally arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska. The whole team loves coming to stay with Uncle Dick and Auntie Jane, Uncle Mikey’s parents. It is a time of rest even though we have several concerts in the area over the weekend. Auntie Jane’s hospitable heart quickly makes everyone as comfortable as if they were in their own home.
On a typical afternoon, the girls are most likely in the basement braiding each other’s hair while the boys are lined up on the basketball court engaged in a lively game of Knockout. But there is a special activity that everyone is looking forward to today. After lunch, Auntie Jane is giving bread-baking lessons to the girls and revealing some of her time-tested secrets for banana bread, which is a favorite with all.
The boys also had a special time with Uncle Dick recently. He is a collector of watches, and the boys enjoyed an outing with him to Target where they each were able to pick out a new watch.
The most memorable moments at Uncle Dick and Auntie Jane’s home are the sweet, one-on-one times with the children that we as a staff begin to cherish more and more as the end approaches. As I am finishing up writing this blog entry, 10-year-old Falencia came to sit next to me and with her sweet smile asks me to wish everyone a “Happy Mother’s Day!”
“But let all those that put their trust in you rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them; let them also that love your name be joyful in you.”
Psalm 5:11
Monday, May 2, 2011
Going Back Home
This blog post is written by our newest His Little Feet staff member, Jeff Dillon!
For anyone who has left something of significance behind – perhaps a church, a school or a town – there is nothing more emotional than making a trip back home.
This past Sunday, I received an opportunity to go back “home” in a special way. As the newest member of the His Little Feet team, I was able to return to the church of my childhood, Sherwood Park Baptist Church in Greeley, Colorado, for a His Little Feet choir performance.
When I was a kid, I sang in a children’s choir myself. It was called “Son Light Company,” and was directed by my mom. I was definitely not the star singer. But I enjoyed standing up on that stage, praising God with the Sherwood community.
And here I was, years later, returning as a small part of another children’s choir (don’t worry - I’m not singing anymore). What an amazing journey God has me on!
Seeing the 15 incredible kids of His Little Feet singing up on that same stage Sunday morning brought out a lot of emotions in me – but most of all I felt extraordinarily blessed.
I am blessed having been raised in a church community that encouraged me and welcomed me throughout my life – and continues to do so today (even on short notice and when I have 15 Haitian kids in tow).
I am blessed to bring my wife Becca and all my new friends at His Little Feet to meet this community. Introducing them to people who saw me grow up firsthand was a meaningful opportunity.
And I am also incredibly blessed to now be a part of His Little Feet. It is so clear to me how God is using these children to profoundly impact the lives of people all across the country, as well as improve the lives of vulnerable children all around the world.
So today, I am thankful for Sherwood Park Baptist, along with the dozens of other churches like it who have opened their doors and hearts to the His Little Feet choir this past year.
And I am also thankful for the 15 children of His Little Feet, who this past Sunday again reminded me of a powerful truth. One of the songs the kids share at each performance, “I Belong,” reminds us that nothing on earth or in heaven can separate us from God’s love.
What a reassuring thought it is that, no matter where this life takes us, in Christ’s love we all can find our way back home.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
For anyone who has left something of significance behind – perhaps a church, a school or a town – there is nothing more emotional than making a trip back home.
This past Sunday, I received an opportunity to go back “home” in a special way. As the newest member of the His Little Feet team, I was able to return to the church of my childhood, Sherwood Park Baptist Church in Greeley, Colorado, for a His Little Feet choir performance.
When I was a kid, I sang in a children’s choir myself. It was called “Son Light Company,” and was directed by my mom. I was definitely not the star singer. But I enjoyed standing up on that stage, praising God with the Sherwood community.
And here I was, years later, returning as a small part of another children’s choir (don’t worry - I’m not singing anymore). What an amazing journey God has me on!
Seeing the 15 incredible kids of His Little Feet singing up on that same stage Sunday morning brought out a lot of emotions in me – but most of all I felt extraordinarily blessed.
I am blessed having been raised in a church community that encouraged me and welcomed me throughout my life – and continues to do so today (even on short notice and when I have 15 Haitian kids in tow).
I am blessed to bring my wife Becca and all my new friends at His Little Feet to meet this community. Introducing them to people who saw me grow up firsthand was a meaningful opportunity.
And I am also incredibly blessed to now be a part of His Little Feet. It is so clear to me how God is using these children to profoundly impact the lives of people all across the country, as well as improve the lives of vulnerable children all around the world.
So today, I am thankful for Sherwood Park Baptist, along with the dozens of other churches like it who have opened their doors and hearts to the His Little Feet choir this past year.
And I am also thankful for the 15 children of His Little Feet, who this past Sunday again reminded me of a powerful truth. One of the songs the kids share at each performance, “I Belong,” reminds us that nothing on earth or in heaven can separate us from God’s love.
What a reassuring thought it is that, no matter where this life takes us, in Christ’s love we all can find our way back home.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
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