After three months on the road, Watoto's Restore Tour: Child Soldier No More has in vast ways impacted the lives of the children on the team. And as we wait for the opening live event tonight, here are some beautiful testimonies from the children.
"I have learned how to serve other people like taking care of the little ones and the sick around me,” says 14-year-old Leonard. He adds, "Today if someone hurts me, I know how to cool my temper and to accept an apology.”
He is also grateful for the adults on the team for helping him improve on his academic work while on tour, the reason he excelled in the previous academic term.
15-year-old Filder was only 9 years old when rebels abducted her and her friend at lunchtime from the schoolyard, where they were playing. After spending one year and seven months helping to care for children born in the bush, she escaped in the confusion of the rebel camp when they came under attack by the government soldiers. Today, Filder is studying tailoring and fashion design at Hope Senior School in a beautiful Watoto children’s village. She also has a mom and siblings who care for her. Filder is a beautiful face to look out for in the production.
Geoffrey, another teenager on the team was abducted at the tender age of 12, along with his brother and father. They were forcefully drafted into the rebel army. Geoffrey experienced the horror of watching his brother being shot as he tried to escape. After serving as a child soldier for a year, Geoffrey was shot in battle and left behind. He was later found and rescued by government forces. Today, he is a studious pupil in secondary school at Watoto’s Suubi Children’s Village and looking forward to the day when he will be able to care for his remaining family members.
In one of the closing acts, the choir gives a powerful rendition of Chris Tomlin’s song titled "Our God", attesting to the undeniable truth that Our God is stronger, greater, higher than any other and awesome in power.
Click here to find the full schedule of production at Watoto Church this weekend (6th to 9th January '11).
