When I learned about Stella’s on-going struggles trying to retrieve her two children from Cameroon, I thought I should organize a fundraising concert for her. The timing was terrible for me, but I thought I must do it. I don’t know why, it was weird, but it was such a strong urge in myself, and I had to follow my intuition. I thought I would regret if I didn’t.

Timing could not be worse. It was already close to June. Summer generally is not a good time to plan concerts. People are often away for holidays. Moreover, I was having a nerve recking organ concert on June 8. I had no choice but to hold the fundraiser on the 16th. Having two different concerts on consecutive weekends is insane. When do you get to practice? How do you manage rehearsals? Super busy and super heavy pressure…. However, I had the feeling it would be alright and everything would be fine, and I trusted that. I contacted some performers, selected some effective music pieces for the program, created flyers, posted posters…. I just couldn’t handle all the pieces I wanted to play accompaniment for…so decided to ask my pianist friend K to help me.

Stella came to Canada 5 years ago with a nanny visa. Soon after she arrived she knocked on the door of the church I was working as the music director. It was about 8:30 on a Sunday morning. I was practicing for the day’s worship service. I remember that day vividly, because I was so surprised to see a visitor from Africa at the door so early in the morning. She introduced herself to Neil and me. She told us that she herself had children, ages 5 and 6, in Cameroon.

Her plan was to work in Canada for five years or so to obtain an immigrant visa, then bring her children to Canada. I was so impressed for her braveness and patience. It surely sounded like a long term project.

Her life in Canada for the next 5 years was not easy. Her employment was unstable and she was often not treated by her employers rightly. She was taken advantage of and lost her job a few times. Moreover, a war started in Cameroon and her children’s safety became a serious concern. Despite various challenges, her perseverance supported by her strong faith was absolutely amazing. If it was me, I would have given up long ago, and gone back to my own country.

So the concert was on June 16. The audience reaction was so encouraging. Many people looked deeply moved. Some people had tears in their eyes. The concert seemed to have successfully communicated some heartfelt “hope and love” to people.

Some people kindly bought tickets even they knew they weren’t coming. Many people made donations for her and some wrote cheques for amazing amounts of money (the largest one was for $5,000!!) 100% of all proceeds and donations went to Stella. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness.

The concert perhaps helped to create a sense of togetherness and purpose….in some sense like an old fashioned community we may have long forgotten. We all worked towards the happy, safe, and hopeful future of Stella and her children.

Thank you to the fellow musicians who shared their gifts for free.

Thank you Lord, for giving me the opportunity to utilize Your gift, giving me some intuition, and guiding me through.

ステラの連続する苦悩を聞いた時、本能的にファンドレイジングのコンサートをしようと思った。タイミングがこれ以上ないほど悪いんだけど今しなければ後でものすごく後悔すると思った。なんだか不思議なんだけどその時すご〜く強くそう思ったんだよね。自分に与えられた音楽の能力を誰かの役に立てるように使わなければ申し訳ないと思った。ただ、夏が迫っているので日にちがない。仕方なく私のオルガンのコンサートの1週間後にすることに決めた。二つの異なるコンサートをたて続けにするとなんて正気の沙汰ではない。忙しさもプレッシャーも倍になる。第一いつ練習するの？どうやってリハーサルの時間を作るの？でも何とかなる、上手くいくような気がした。演奏者に連絡を取って趣旨を理解してもらって、効果的なプログラムを組んで、チラシを作ってポスターを貼って…。でもどうしても伴奏の練習が間に合わなくてピアニストのお友達のKさんに手伝ってもらうことにした。

ステラは5年前にアフリカのカメルーンから子守(ナニー)のワークビザでカナダに来た。着いてすぐに彼女は私が当時音楽デイレクターをしていた教会の門を叩いた。日曜日の朝8:30ごろだった。ちょうど私はその日の礼拝のための練習をしていて突然のアフリカからの訪問者にビックリしたのでよく覚えている。聞けば彼女自身5歳と6歳の子供がいるという。永住権を取って子供達を呼び寄せたいと聞いて、気の遠くなるようなイバラの道と彼女の勇気に驚嘆した。それから5年間、彼女のカナダ生活も楽ではなかった。雇用主が何度も変わったり、当然であるべき人権が無視されたり、大変な試練ばかりだった。その上カメルーンでは戦争が始まり、子供たちの命も危うくなった。どんな試練に出会っても、どんなに心配で不安に押しつぶされそうになっても、しっかりとした信仰を持って忍耐強く努力を続ける彼女の姿は驚くばかり。私ならとっくに諦めて子供の元に帰っていただろうと思うのに…。

コンサートは6月16日に行われた。私が思うに何よりも聞いてくださったお客様の反応が素晴らしかったと思う。大勢の人が感動の面持ちで上気して目が潤んでいたように思う。当日都合が悪い方達も切符を買ってサポートしてくれたり、沢山の人が寄付してくれたり、驚くような高額の小切手を切ってくれた人がいたり、何と言って感謝したらよいのか…。心から嬉しかった。

コンサートの役割は音楽を通してみんなの心を一つにして何とかしてステラをいっしょに助けようという気持ちの高揚を作ったということなのかもしれない。何の報酬もなく一緒に演奏してくれた仲間に感謝。そして何よりも、私にこんな機会をくれて、直感をくれて、励ましガイドしくれた神さまに感謝。