Angels Camp, CA…A couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure to catch one of the last concerts performed (Outside) before they started their journey to get back home to Uganda. Their’s is a heartwarming COVID-19 story. The normal plan for the Amani Choir is for them to come over to the U.S. every other year for a series of concerts as outreach and to support their ministry in Uganda.

As the story goes (At least the version we were told) they were scheduled to perform at Copper Canyon Baptist Church just at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. As you may recall the first case in our area was in Copperopolis as the Copperopolis Elementary School. The school also happens to be where Copperopolis Canyon Church meets. So Pastor Sean Paulson called Pastor Shawn McCamey from Refuge in Angels Camp and asked if they might be able to stay there for the night.

“Of course and no problem” was the answer that led to a memory filled 4 months of Refuge Church in Angels Camp truly becoming a refuge in the COVID-19 storm for the 30 young souls from Uganda. What was supposed to be a temporary stop became a new home for them.

They are heading now across the country I believe as their flight leaves from the Washington, DC area. If you can help them fill the gaps in tier budget to get back to Uganda details from their GoFundme page is below…

“The Amani Children’s Choir (part of Light Africa Ministries) desperately needs your help to return home to Uganda. The choir came to the US in November 2019 to raise funds to benefit the children of Uganda by performing concerts in various venues. In late March 2020, due to the Covid-19 virus, all of their concerts for the remainder of their year-long tour were cancelled and they have been sheltered in place in Angels Camp, CA ever since. Because Uganda closed their borders, they have been unable to return home since then as well. Now, they have the opportunity to return home, but only at great cost ($90,000) due to Uganda government restrictions requiring them to use a specific airline and be quarantined for 14 days in Uganda government specified locations.

The choir’s visa’s run out at the end of September 2020 and can’t be extended without further concert bookings, which are still prevented due to Covid-19. So remaining in the US is not an option for them either.

We are raising money for Light Africa to pay their expenses (airline cost, quarantine housing cost, and food) so that they can return to their families in Uganda. Any donation will help get them home. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause.

More information about Light Africa Ministries: We provide educational opportunity for the children of Uganda and meet their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. Provide individual child support through sponsorships. We build and run schools in Uganda, provide vocational training, as well as Church planting and support. See our websites at www.lightafrica.org and www.amanichoir.org.”