Houston Community College asked Mwangaza to come to their recording studio and film a 30-minute segment that will air on the college’s cable television station later this spring. It was a good experience and change of pace for the choir to perform in a studio.

This is a brief clip of what the tv show will air… (the tour director was not informed she would be on television that day so excuse her appearance )



Thank you to HCC for inviting the choir to come! Stay tuned on finding out when the full segment will air on television and online!

Mwangaza was asked to appear on the local CBS affiliate morning show Great Day SA yesterday. The kids were able to perform and answer some questions. The station people were so nice to the kids and made them feel welcome, so the recording was a good experience. It was the first time the kids have been on tv during the tour, so it was exciting (although many of them did not understand what was going on during the filming!).

Mwangaza on Great Day SA

The Mwangaza team is in San Antonio this week, so we missed the larger quantities of snow that most cities north of us in Texas received, but the kids were able to experience roughly 20 minutes of snow! They ran outside and got to experience snowfall for the first time – it didn’t stick and lasted a very short time – but it was exciting for the kids! Maybe we’ll get to see some more before the weather warms up…

Perfect activity for a rainy day in Houston – the Children’s Museum of Houston. On a cold, rainy, February day, going to the museum was a refreshing break for the Mwangaza kids from rehearsals and classes! A glimpse of the fun activities at the museum…

Thank you SHERRON WATKINS for planning this fun day!

Here are some examples of thank-you notes, words of encouragement, praises and positive feedback from individuals who have been able to meet the choir children, see them in concert:

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Hi!

This is Lindsey from River Oaks Baptist school (ROBS 7th grader) in Houston, Texas. I would like to let you know that your choir did a amazing job at church today! I thank you so much for coming to our church to worship God. The rest of the day, all we talked about was how great your choir is. I wish I could learn all of the great dance moves they did and all of the talented voices. I wish yall good luck on your journey through America! Thank you so much and I wish to see you next year.

- Lindsey, student in Houston

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We have totally adored “our” four girls and will be so sorry to seem them go. Our empty-nester home will be a much more dull place when they are gone.

- Cathryn, host family in Houston

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Hello, i am a student at First Presbyterian School, and i just wanted to let you know that when you sang for us it was the highlight of my day! it was beautiful. i could go on but i just wanted to say that you are all awe-inspiring and great role-models.

Thank you so much for coming to First Pres!!!

- Rock, student in Houston

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Thank yall so much!! Love your singing!

- Asheton, student in Boerne

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Is anyone else already in the throws of withdrawal anxiety? We have been so blessed by this experience and can’t believe that our new friends have already moved on, undoubtedly to bless other families. Looking forward to being with them again…

- Tim, host family in Houston

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This group of kids is truely amazing. They came to my school yesterday and it was literally the best performance we have had at our school!!! Today I talked to a few of them when they came back to our campus to watch a soccer game, and as you can see I took a picture with Kevin and it is now my profile picture! I love you guys so much!!!

- Shelby, student in Houston (posted to Mwangaza facebook group page)

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I can testify that these are in fact the most precious children on this earth! I got the pleasure of seeing them perform about 8 songs last Sunday — we were shocked by their talent. Hanging out with Mwangaza children looks NOTHING like hanging out with American kids. We walk in to find them gathered ’round the piano, singing, laughing, talking…Mrs. Evans flicked the den lights on and they gave a resounding “Thank You!” as if a feast had just been placed before them. We couldn’t play outside due to weather so they grabbed their yarns and knitted like man women around the fire.
But for the best part: I had heard about their daily devotional time — twice daily, to be exact. I requested that they do it earlier in the evening so my friend and I could partake in the wonder. There truly aren’t words to express how amazingly beautiful their childlike devotion to God really is. They all ran upstairs to get their bibles and then raised their hands, begging to be chosen to “preach” for that particular worship session. One of the girls, Anisha went first, reading Psalm 111:6 I believe. After reading the verse, she went off about what it meant…”With God EVERYTHING is possible. NOTHING stands in His way. WHATEVER He says will come to fruition. If he says you will be a QUEEN OR A KING, NOTHING or nO ONE can stop this…Praise God!!!” And they all gave a resounding, “AMEN!!!” This went on for several minutes before they broke out in joyous praise, singing “Our God is an Awesome God”. WOW

- Allison, friend of a host family in Houston

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The children truly are a blessing to those who are able to see them in concert, but especially those who are able to spend time with them and see their personalities, character and spirits!

One thing is for sure… Ugandans know how to pray. Not just Ugandan adults, but 7 year-old Ugandan children who might seem timid and shy, but the moment they open their mouth to pray and praise, there is no discretion.

The children always have an evening devotional before they go to bed and the host families are invited to join in on that time if they would like. The children’s devotional format is to sing some praise and worship songs, have individual prayer time, then a couple of the children will “preach” – as they say. That involves the child reading a passage in the Bible and explaining to the group what that means. Without fail, the first time members of a host family witness a devotional, their jaws drop slightly, their eyes become big, smiles on their faces and often tears well up in their eyes. The reaction is always the same – amazement at the children’s Biblical knowledge, maturity and ability to express their thoughts in clear English. The response is not meant to glorify the children, but the joy of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit is transparent in the children.

It is a time spent with host families that is priceless and  intimate – something that can inspire us mzungus (word  for “white person” in luganda) to get rid of our  inhibitions and speak to the Lord with child-like  enthusiasm and vigor.

A SACS host mom – who also happens to be a great professional photographer – took some wonderful pictures of the choir! The children are so photogenic and these capture their precious spirits. They are great keepsakes for the kids to have, so THANK YOU JENNIFER!

What better way to take a break from choir rehearsals than to explore Natural Bridge Caverns?

The whole Mwangaza team (except for one sick choir girl) in Natural Bridge Caverns.

Mwangaza children experienced their first field trip today when we ventured down under to the caverns of Texas. San Antonio Christian Schools coordinated this wonderful day of fun, to which we are so grateful! Mwangaza is scheduled to sing at SACS Thursday, Jan. 28 for morning student chapels and a full evening concert, so today was a day of R&R for the kiddos. They had a blast and since they had never heard of or seen a cavern, it was especially exciting.

Highlights:

1) When the whole group stopped and the choir sang “Magnify” in one area of the cavern that has exceptional acoustics!

2) One of the girls saying, “Auntie, are we at the very bottom of the Earth?”

3) Another girl saying, “This field trip is a blessing from God.”

4) Watching one of the boys drink from the “Tavern Water Fountain,” then spit out the water onto the cavern formations… does that count as touching? Did I mention touching is the cardinal sin of cavern behavior?

Everyone enjoying a delicious KFC meal before going to the caverns.

Mwangaza kids and SACS high school students who accompanied on the field trip.

Suppose you were between the ages of seven and 13, had barely left your rural village in Uganda, flew 8,000+ miles across the world (without your family), English was your second or third language and you were planted in the middle of Texas to live. You would no doubt experience culture shock, fatigue, have constant questions running through your mind, question the odd behaviors of this new culture and experience a lot of “firsts.” Here’s to name a few that the Mwangaza kiddos have encountered…

- plane rides

- water fountains

- hot showers

- automatic faucets, toilets, soap and paper towel dispensers

- spaghetti, strawberries, pickles, ice cream sandwiches & sundaes, fajitas, ice, cheese, hamburgers

- being asked to sign autographs

- grocery stories and mega-stores like Target & Walmart

- Western homes with amenities such as central air conditioning

- field trips

- themselves singing on an album!

- large dogs

- nerf guns

- socializing during meals

- washing machines, dryers and dishwashers

- home swimming pools & hot tubs

- multiple lane highways

It’s been such a blessing to be around such child-like joy and excitement in daily activities! The children have handled their severe change in environment so gracefully and with maturity.

The children hug the loved "Aunt Loreen" after arriving to the U.S.!

Mwangaza girls waiting for their bags and meeting all of the people who came to greet the Ugandan team.

The choir getting bombarded after their first concert with congratulatory hugs and praises!

The kids experiencing spaghetti/pasta for the first time at Camp T Bar M.

Choir children going through an American school cafeteria lunch line.

Thank you to all of the host families thus far who have graciously and unselfishly given up their homes, time and efforts to take care of Mwangaza children and leaders! You are truly a blessing and make the tour possible. This is just the beginning of the amazing families who are willing to take in Mwangaza members…