From 13 to 22 September, a training course for choir directors took place at the Bible Centre Arche. The organiser of this course was AGUM (a working group comprising Mennonite congregations in Bolivia). It is an association of around 12 congregations in Bolivia and several new locations where church-planting work is being carried out. These congregations collaborate on projects such as mission, evangelism, training courses, etc. Wolfgang Klippenstein and Andreas Block from the Barntrup congregation in Germany were invited to lead the training. It was a very intensive time for both the trainers and the participants. Lessons began in the mornings after breakfast. Around 20 brothers took part in the beginners’ course during the first half of the programme, whilst the second half—the advanced course—was attended by more than 25 brothers from various Mennonite congregations in Bolivia, who were taught music theory, voice and aural training, conducting and choral work. Lessons continued after a communal lunch, and following a break for dinner, over 150 singers came together in the evening for choir rehearsal as a mixed choir; over the course of the 10 days, they rehearsed a rich programme of choral music. One could sense the joy and motivation among all those involved in glorifying our Lord and God in this way.
On 22 September, two church services were held, during which the programme they had rehearsed was performed as the fruit of the musical work carried out in the congregations. In the morning, the programme was performed in Campo Chihuahua and in the afternoon at the Bible Centre. Many visitors and listeners came to hear the beautiful singing and to glorify God in their hearts. At the Bible Centre, 1,300 chairs had been set up, almost all of which were occupied. Despite the strong wind, which disturbed us somewhat in the large hall, the songs sounded wonderfully beautiful.
The aim of this work is, firstly, to glorify and worship our Lord, and secondly, to bring good spiritual singing into the congregations and make it beloved.
To the Lord alone be the glory for this beautiful and blessed time!
