by Pip Jackson, Deep Roots Coordinator
Canopy kids had no idea what to expect when we told them we were going to see a musical. “Teacher, will we be staying the night in the theatre?” Even though the kids had watched clips of musical theatre in Deep Roots Class, they couldn’t wrap their minds around what was going to happen. I think they were the most excited about taking a matatu (a bus) into Nairobi for the day…
For the past 7 weeks, I’ve been leading the kids on a journey to experience God as their good father. We’ve talked about how He is pleased with us, how He cares for us, how He is able, and how He is good! He even knows all about us! 2 weeks prior to our theatre adventure, we were learning about how God is always with us. What better way to see how God is with us than by studying the story of Joseph? For 4 days we talked about how God was with Joseph throughout His whole life. From the pit to Pharaoh’s kingdom, God was leading Joseph to do His will-for Joseph’s good and for His glory!
Imagine my surprise when I walked through the mall and saw a poster advertising a local school’s production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! The show was to open in 1 week! God clearly had big plans for Canopy. What are the chances that a school would be doing a production of Joseph?! Even more amazing was that this production would be happening at all. It is rare to find a school in Kenya that teaches the arts, and this one was doing a full musical production?! I posted a picture of the poster to my Instagram, simply because I couldn’t believe that was possible!
A few hours later, I received a message from a friend asking if she could sponsor a field trip for Canopy to see the production. 2 days and a few phone calls later, we had our tickets to the show! Incredible.
We arrived at the Kenya National Theatre dressed in our Sunday best. The kids were amazed at the tall buildings and the giant Mugumo tree in the theatre’s courtyard. A kid and his camel (which the Canopy kids named George) walked by as we waited for the doors of the theatre to open.
The theatre was beautiful. As we walked in, we were met with live music. There’s an orchestra, too?! I was in shock, and the kids were in awe.
Even though the theatre was recently renovated, we were allowed to bring snacks! As I handed out the sodas to the kids, I noticed they weren’t drinking them. I thought they were just being polite and waiting for everyone to have one, but Teacher Linah reminded me that the kids had never had a soda from a can. As soon as I popped one open, I heard, “Wow,” followed by giggles as the kids opened their own.
I loved watching the kids experience live theatre for the first time. After every dance number, John would turn to me, shake his head, and say, “Mmmm.” I knew the kids would enjoy the show. I knew I would LOVE watching them enjoy the show, but I didn’t expect to experience what God had in store for me.
Working at Canopy Life has been a dream I’ve been waiting on for several years. Even before Canopy Life had a name, God was putting the desire in my heart to invest in the kids of Kenya. However, one of the most difficult things I faced as a prepared to move to Kenya was leaving the The Foundation of Arts, my own little theater community in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Mostly, I would miss the community God had blessed me with through the Foundation of Arts (FOA). I also knew I would miss performing and getting swept away in a story as I watched from the audience. Yet, I was sitting in a theatre in Kenya, about to watch a live musical production! From the first note of the Overture, God began shifting my focus from the kids, to what He was doing in my own heart.
I wasn’t expecting a show of this quality. The singing was great! The dancing was great! Parents, students, and faculty were all involved in the production. And… do you remember George the camel? Well, George made his acting debut on stage!
As I watched, I couldn’t believe it was really happening. I felt so loved by my Creator. “I am thousands of miles from home, and my God cares enough to romance me through musical theater?!”
He truly is an abundant Father. He is ABLE to do far more abundantly than all that we can ask or think. He knows our hearts better than anyone ever has or ever will. Sure, he provides what we need, but He’s also a good Father, and he’s in every detail of our lives. He knows exactly how to get my attention and to draw my heart to His.
He did the same for our kids at Canopy. After the show, we asked the kids what they had learned. They couldn’t believe the brothers were happy after they threw Joseph into the pit. “They even pretended to be sad when their Father, Jacob was around, and then when he left, they started dancing!” We watched as Ken retold the scene of Benjamin and the silver cup with tears in his eyes. He felt so bad for Joseph’s younger brother. Sharon learned that she should forgive others just like Joseph forgave his brothers.
We all learned from this incredible experience. It’s been 3 weeks since we went to see the production, but the kids are still asking to listen to the “songs of Joseph.” If you visit Canopy Life, I can almost guarantee they will still be singing, “Go, go, go, Joseph, you know what they say…”
May you learn to dream BIG with your Creator.
