IN-TUNE A CAPPELLA

It seems like over a decade since the last time I wrote, though I guess everything in this lifetime has a balance and moderation. The end of 2008 happened to be a break period of sorts for the blog…although it was more of a forced break because of the few technical difficulties we experienced with blogger and updating the site, I figure it was a time reserved for reflection and appreciation. That’s not to mean that there was nothing going on with the In-Tuners during that time…on the contrary. In-Tune, in conjunction with our brother group, Final Appeal (formerly AMO Junior) were up and about and here’s just a summary of all the activity…

Teacher Lynda Onimbo, the Nairobi Central SDA Church Ambassadors’ Club patron, decided to throw the two groups an appreciation and thanksgiving party at her house! It was the second Sunday of the month of December and the guys had psyched themselves up for a great time. It was to triple up as a practice session and ministry to the kids who lived around and her immediate neighbours. Getting there a little late proved to be a wise decision as we gave her an opportunity to finish up her preparations as she treated us to some snacks and appetizers. We got introduced to her daughter and the lady who helped her cook as we listened to some acappella music.

The meal was nothing short of legendary…with a conglomeration of delicious dishes of chapatti, stew, chicken and pilau and an assortment of juices and soda. Teacher Lynda left us to our grub for a while as she went to attend a meeting in Church, but we were in good hands…or should I say our hands were full of good things! The guys got to bond and stuff themselves crazy as Joseph got an opportunity to bond with the host’s daughter. It was a matter of time before the gathering turned macho display as the room became a gym class but ironically Joseph won the endurance contest. Jamo defied all odds as Davie and Ted struggled to prove their point that appearance translated to capability. The gym became a studio as the In-Tuners began singing songs and practicing. The height of which proved to be the time Teacher Lynda popped back in from her meeting to find the us in a frenzy of sorts as we went on singing. She recorded our antics and even called the neighbours over just to see who were singing the acappella. All in all it was fun and we deeply appreciated what Ms. Onimbo had done for us.

A week later we were at Juja Senior School for the Form Four Farewell Service which the administration had invited us over for through Ruby and her family. The preacher for the day talked about Daniel and how we should all dare to be like him. He encouraged the students to keep true to God’s word and strive for excellence and success in all that they did, be it responsibility or academics. Their school teacher urged them to stay away from negative influences and uphold their integrity and virtues even as they broke for the December holidays. One could only sense the anticipation the students had to leave school for the festive season, though come to think of it, so did every other Kenyan high-schooler. The December holidays mean gifts, a long break and fun for all…well at least that’s what everyone likes to think.

Before the service was over, there was a presentations session where we took to the stage and sang a few songs with Final Appeal. The icing on the cake was being given an opportunity to witness to non-Seventh day Adventists and have a few boys come up to us and say that we inspired them to sing for the Lord. I was touched when I heard Kemi, Ruby’s sister, narrate to us how that had happened.

The SOJ (Soldiers of Jesus) Club of Pangani Girls High School, through the Church Elder had invited us to their school the following Sunday for their end of year concert that would also be a farewell bid to their candidates as well. The Concert was primarily a play about the choices we make in life and I have to admit it was quite impressive, though a little difficult to follow at the start. I can remember George tapping me over the shoulder half way through and asking me what the play was all about…but at the end of it all, it was great. The leader of the Adventist group at the school, on behalf of the rest, thanked the Elders’ for the wonderful work they had done for them through out the year and also making it possible for groups such as ourselves to go to the school to minister to them.

The next stop happened to be Nairobi Pentecostal Church Valley Road where we had the chance to minister through music unto the Teens Church community. It was amazing to be there again and do our part in witnessing . I guess in the new year, we would like to go a step further by having a preacher accompany us where it would be possible to. A series of concerts followed to sum up 2008. There was the Drama Band Concert which came first, then the Youth Choir Concert and also the Youth Reunion Concert that brought together the original members and founders of the Youth Choir in Nairobi Central Church. I almost forgot to mention the Shower Power Concert that took place right in our Church. Shower Power are this really great acappella group from Zimbabwe who flew in all the way from Harare to minister to us about peace and love, especially after what happened in Kenya during the post election violence of the 2007 General Elections.

The year ended with the Revival Week which found In-Tune split up geographically. Though Chris, Ronnie and Craig were reunited with us, James, George and Anderson were upcountry while the rest of us were either just in Nairobi or its environs. All in all, the holiday season and New Years’ were a truly festive season and as we go into 2009, we pray that the Lord will continue to be with us and see us through all our activities…God bless you all.