You Just Can't Stop the Music...

We joined ourselves to a small group of crew from the ship traveling to the concert. It is said that "Madagascar is not Africa" but this afternoon had me wondering. We arrived at 2:45 pm. The hall held a few dozen of other Mercy Ships crew and a handful of locals. The concert started right on time - about 3:40 pm. We heard from a local choir, a choir of children from a local orphanage, a very long greeting from the assistant community administrator, then a spectacular choir formed from members of the Day Crew serving aboard the ship. these workers are local Malagasy that serve as translators, kitchen and housekeeping help.

I thought the concert was over. It was now 5 pm and we were to have another in a special series presented by a speaker from California. However, the feature group now took the stage. the TGC - Tana Gospel Choir, started to sing and their music and presentation was incredible. Here is a YouTube link to one of their songs. www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7MXziL-Ne8   If this doesn't work just search TGC Madagascar.

Halfway through their first song a thunderstorm knocked out the power in the entire city. Gone was the sound system - microphones, synthesizer, electric guitar, bass guitar and piano. In the dark, by the light of a few cellphones, they carried on with an incredible acapella presentation. From there, they added drums, saxophone, trombone and accordion and carried on for almost an hour. By then, someone had found a generator and the concert (party) carried on with all the sound but no lights. Not long afterwards a portable light was found for the stage.

The local Malagasy knew this group well. They sang, danced, clapped as the improvised concert unfolded It was an incredible blessing to be a part of their excitement and exuberance. Money raised from this concert was to be used to assist those from remote parts of the country to be able to travel to the ship for surgery. The Africa Mercy will leave Madagascar in early June but is set to return August 10th for another 10 months.

Now almost 7:30pm, black outside, huge puddles everywhere we journeyed back to the ship. Supper was long over, but there was some leftover pizza and a few molasses cookies from dinner. An amazing experience! the highlight of my journey so far.