4 AM. wake up call

The noise was weak at first, just barely penetrating my dream. I awoke when I realized that the chanting and singing was not part of my dream, but was actually happening. My eyes popped open and I quickly sat up in bed, coming to full alert. The room was nearly pitch-dark, and I fumbled around trying to find my phone. Not just to see the time, but to bring a little light to the darkness. The readout was 4:15 am. HUH???? Clearly the singing and praying, not chanting as I first thought, was coming from the other room. Who in their right mind would be singing and praying at 4:15am? I soon realized it was the children. The 24 members of the Asante Children’s Choir up way before dawn singing and praying. I wasn’t really sure what to think.

I sat in the dark room wondering what would have them up praying, but immediately grasped it must be serious. They continued with the prayer and singing till about 5am. It got quiet again, and eventually I fell back to sleep, but still I wondered.

Later that day Barbara explained. They were crying and pouring their hearts out to God for his provision so that they could come to the US in the winter to tour and sing. And they got up every day at 4am (except Sunday) to do it. After they finished praying, they did their household chores and ran out the door by 6:30am to make it to school on time. Such faith, such determination! Would I ever be so devoted to something that it would drag me out of bed in the dark at 4am? I honestly don’t know.

I think my heart is a bit more like the rich man Jesus spoke of. The man asked what must I do to follow you Lord? At first it was easy, just a bit of a lifestyle change. But then Jesus told him to give all his money away. The rich man bitterly walked away, for he surely loved his money more than he loved God. Sometimes I think I love sleep a lot more than I love God. Getting up at 4am to pray seems unfathomable to me. I hope during the time I spent with the Asante Choir, even a drop of their passion rubs off on me. I hope that you can see first-hand the amazing beauty of the faithfulness of these 24 children.

Danielle programs director