The Sound of Music

If you recall, Indonesia was the land of karaoke. Invariably, after the speeches and presentations ended, the silver mike was brought out, and everyone, no matter what his voice sounded like, was entitled to time on center stage. One Christmas, Allan and I even rendered our version of the familiar carol, which we called “Jungle Bells.” It’s a different story here in Angola----party central. They crank it up almost every Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night starting around 8 p.m., and it doesn’t let up ‘til sun up, usually around 6 a.m. And as The Seuss would say, “Oh the noise, oh the noise, oh the noise, noise, noise, noise!” Now if we can hear the music three or four blocks away, think what it’s like for my friend who lives across the street from the park! Sometimes putting a pillow over our heads helps, at least until we fall asleep. Tell me, who can dance that long? Or how can they leave the party with their hearing in tact? On a brighter note, I have had the opportunity to participate in the music at the International church where we attend. It’s a joy to watch the Africans worship! No holds barred. They sing contemporary Christian music, as well as songs that were contemporary 10 years ago, in addition to crooning some of the hymns of the faith. By the way, we found the hymnals that the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Texas, discarded 30 years ago! I get to be the “hymn leader” two times a month and to sing in duets, quartets, and even a solo. The hymns sound great a cappella, which I much prefer to times when the band jumps in and pounds out the Salvation Army one-two, one-two count. Who would have thought I would be leading worship in Africa????