WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR

A lot can happen in 25 years. In that time, we’ve sent 100 choirs around the world. From these choirs, we’ve seen children grow and live their dreams. We’ve also met thousands of people who’ve joined us in rescuing Africa’s future leaders. We think that’s something to celebrate.

Our friend Martin Smith helped lead worship at our 25-Year Silver Jubilee celebration in Kampala. As we worshiped, we looked back, thanking God for how far He’s taken us. We also looked forward, praying and believing for the next 25 years.

2012, Watoto’s Children’s Choir meeting Her Majesty, the Queen of England.

It’s important to remember where you started. Back in 1994, Gary and Marilyn Skinner took a step of faith to tell the Watoto story around the world. Imagine traveling with a dozen children, who’ve never left their home, to perform in America. In the early days, Gary would drive a yellow school bus, in the winter, with no heater. That’s how the Watoto Children’s Choir was born. And today on almost every day of the year, the choir is performing somewhere in the world. When we look at our humble beginnings and where we are now, we can only say it’s because of God.

Since the “school bus days”, our choirs have met Her Majesty, the Queen of England, performed for the President of the United States and visited almost every major parliament in the world. The education our kids receive while on tour is second to none. Imagine a school field trip where you visit Buckingham Palace and curtsey before the Queen.

Yet, as remarkable as those moments have been, we cherish the times we’ve met ordinary people in their moment of pain. It’s amazing how Jesus heals. Often he brings healing to our deepest wounds when we reach out to help others. Our children tell us that when they share their stories and worship their Savior, it helps restore their broken hearts.

When people see our children from Uganda, with their hearts healed and their dreams restored, when they see how God has placed the forgotten and abandoned in loving families—they can’t help but realize that this same God cares for them too.

2003, Watoto’s Children’s Choir meeting President George Bush.

BEATRICE’S STORY

It’s been 25 years since the Watoto Children’s Choir began. Several of those “cute kids” who were singing and dancing on stages are now adults, and many of them are beginning to take their place as leaders in our world. Including beautiful, vibrant Beatrice.

“I thought I was the only one in darkness. But when we told our stories on tour, I realized that I wasn’t alone and that there’s a God who can change everything.”

Beatrice with her Watoto mom, Susan.

With a quiet strength and dignity, Beatrice recalls that she was abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army when she was just nine years old. That’s when her childhood ended. In the short time she was in the bush, Beatrice saw violence and death. She was beaten, kept hungry and given the life of a slave.

One night, Beatrice and her friend put their fear aside, and faith in action, as they bravely made the choice to escape. Hearts pounding, they ran until their feet were swollen and bleeding, and their strength gave out. They found a hiding place to sleep, but Beatrice couldn’t stop coughing. Her friend covered Beatrice’s mouth to silence the noise, knowing any sound could lead to their recapture, which would mean certain death. In the morning, they found a road and their way back to their village. But life for Beatrice had changed.

Ostracized by her community, Beatrice was embraced by Watoto and given a new home and the love of a family. Her Watoto mother helped her process what had happened and find hope again. In 2010, Beatrice was selected to take part in the Restore tour, one of our choirs that focused on the stories of former child soldiers.

“The tour really helped me start to heal. Telling my story and forgiving the rebels made me feel like heavy stones were lifted from my heart. When I released all that bitterness, I felt light. And after the Restore tour, I began to believe in myself.”

Today, Beatrice is in the final year of her hotel management course. Once a child that went hungry in the bush, she’s become a young adult passionate about feeding and caring for others. Beatrice is now a Ugandan leader, changing her world and lifting others up with her.

Beatrice shows off a plate of beef curry.

WE WILL GO

We’re honored to share the good news of Jesus around the world. At the heart of the Watoto Children’s Choir is a message carried by our children of God’s unfailing love. It’s what each of them have experienced in their own lives—He places abandoned and forgotten children in families full of love.

In September 2018, our Watoto Children’s Choir began touring and performing songs from our latest album, “We Will Go.”

Through this tour, we’re answering the call to go into the world and bring a story of hope to all who are lost and hurting. As we worship and thank God, we have the incredible opportunity to say to those we meet and watch us perform, “Jesus loves you. Every good thing he has done in my life, can happen for you. There is forgiveness, there is joy, there is a bright tomorrow—both in Africa and right here where you live.”

Like Africa, the production is vibrant and colorful, taking you on an emotional journey from utter despair to joyous celebration. As the children share their personal testimonies and worship God, people are able to see firsthand the power of Jesus’ love transforming lives around the world.