From the first note we heard sung around a campfire, we were captured by the sound of MAPED’s En-kata choir. As we got to know them better, it was the message they were singing that amazed us. With no outside input, they felt to combine evangelism with community development as one integrated package. The Gospel, women’s rights, water needs, education needs, and HIV/ AIDS prevention were all to be taught through a choir which would sing and dance the messages of hope and change into the hearts of their people.

One day Yona and Maliaki appeared at Pamoja Ministries’ base with the single copy of a CD that someone had sponsored. The acappella songs were captivating and we agreed to partner with them to distribute the CD, “Sauti Ya WaMaasai.” The proceeds from that first CD have enabled them to register MAPED as an NGO in Tanzania. We partnered with them again on the “En‑kata, A Time For Singing” photobook and a nine-week American tour promoting both the book and album. Following the successful tour, Josh Nickel, an experienced sound engineer, came and led the production of The En-kata Choir’s second album, “Hope of the Maasai”—the first album to be recorded by Kahawa Records.

Pamoja’s relationship has continued with MAPED and the En-kata Choir on the basis of friendship and partnership contracts, and has become a model relationship for us in so many ways. Little did we know how much God had in mind with the relationship between these two groups of people. For MAPED, it has led to international ministry opportunities and the ability to build a school for their children. For Pamoja Ministries, it has led to the creation of Kahawa Records. We are confident that these Maasai voices of hope will lead to a new idea of development and discipleship for listeners in Maasailand, across East Africa, and around the world.

The music of The En-kata Choir can be purchased from Pamoja Ministries or on iTunes. You can also tell the world you like The En-kata Choir on Facebook at www.facebook.com/enkatachoir.