The clock strikes 0700 and the camp comes to life with people starting to line up for their egg, sausages and bread breakfast. By 0800 everyone is on their way to the main meeting center for the morning devotions. Today the lesson at devotions was realizing the importance of the word of God, as the bible says that God has placed His word even above his Name. This means that if we love God we have to follow and honor His word. Through music, we sing Gods word and it becomes alive in our lives.

Featured Groups: Machete & Khumalo Songsters

The rehearsal sessions consisting of talented songsters started with voice warm ups. Thereafter,  the choir practiced songs in six languages (English, German, Zulu, Shona, Tonga and Chewa), what a wonder! Peter and Venon, the facilitators advised the songsters that the tone they produce had to be that of a great multitude and that they should picture themselves as the multitude singing in heaven. Venon reminded them that the emotions they portrayed singing reflected the response they would receive from the people listening.

The songs started slowly and then as the drum started to beat the songsters began stepping from left to right and you could see from their facial expressions that they could feel the rhythm of the music from the tops of their heads to the soles of their feet, as it should be. Jayne took over the facilitation of one of the songster groups after the coffee break and introduced an exercise that teaches the brain coordination through singing notes while moving their bodies in a downward motion. She emphasised that this would train the brain to concentrate. She then practiced the song “We are not alone” with the group skillfully giving leads of how each part should sound. Abzel, the fourth lead the rehearsal of the song “Ichokwadi Mwari variko” which is Shona for indeed there is a God. Besides the great music, the atmosphere was enhanced by the laughter and jokes being shared inbetween.

The Talent Night

In a place with this level of talent, it was inevitable to host a talent night where this talent could be showcased. In Ndebele, one of the local languages in Zimbabwe they say “Ukutshelwa yikuncitshwa” which translates to that; words do not always capture moments and that it is better to see things with your own eyes that is why we have ensured that there is a video with all the acts from tonight so that you as well may witness what we have seen.

Video is here and below are brief descriptions of the acts.

Zim territorial youth band

The session was kicked off by a Euphonium Duet called Glory which indeed sounded glorious and had the audience clapping intensely at the end, see the video here:

Malawi traditional dance

there is nothing that will wake your spirit like the sound of the African drum. Malawi entered with fire and energy and showcased their traditional dance with even men tying the famous chitenge on their waists. What a dramatic presentation. See video here:

Mighty Brothers

This was a song item presented by six Zambian men in the Chichewa which translates into an invitation for Jesus to come into our lives. The power in their voices was amazing, Hear for yourselves.

Prince and the Improvisation Class

They presented an improvisation jam that had us feeling us like we were in a South African township. Don’t take our word for it, have a listen.

Zimbabwe Three Guy Choir

This three guy group was especially spectacular because of the perfect blend of their voices and the ability of one of them to sing incredibly high! The group consisted of Knowledge Mahwenda, Tapiwa Nyatsanga and Abzel Mukombe, well done guys!

Brass Quartet

This quartet shared choruses from Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe and South Africa to celebrate the diversity. As they played each piece, the locals recognized and sang along.

Skhululukile Dube

What a conclusion of the talent night from a girl from Usher High School with a big voice singing “Jesus at the center”. From the emotion in her voice, you could tell that Jesus is the center of her life and will always be.

If there is one thing that we learned today it’s that indeed language is the universal language of mankind. What you can’t say with words, you can say in song! The talent night ended with a chorus played by the Zimbabwe Territorial Youth Band that got people on their feet up, playing the hosho and the timbrels and dancing. What a night!

The day was rounded up by the good word; Truth, which is what holds our trousers up according to Ephesians 6: 10-18. Our prayer is that God may give us the ability to boldly proclaim the gospel of truth. There are many opportunities to share the word of God and thankfully music is one of these ways.

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