A children's choir hailing from Uganda have spent the last week in Carlisle, delivering two sensational performances in front of a big audience in the border city.
On Tuesday May 7 and Wednesday May 8, children from the Abaana New Life Choir dazzled at the Elim Community Church.
Arguably the best-dressed music group to ever visit Cumbria, the children performed a number of religious hits in English and Ugandan, as well as a traditional Ugandan dance which enthralled the audience.
Abaana is a Christian charity bringing hope to children in Africa by building schools, sponsoring children, rescuing kids from the streets and more, and was set up 25 years ago by Northern Irishman Scott Baxter, who was just 18 at the time.
Scott was in attendance at the Elim Community Church and paid tribute to the wonderful welcome that he, and the children, received in Carlisle.
He said: "It's been beautiful in Carlisle, we've really enjoyed being here. It's a wonderful city, with so much greenery. We've also loved being in a mixed community, the African community here have really enjoyed the choir, and the choir really enjoyed them.
"The response has been fantastic, we've been so encouraged to hear how people have been touched by the choir, and have responded with donations as well."
In between performances, a video screen shared emotional messages, with the story of 13-year-old Akram proving particularly powerful, as he described how he was forced to eat out of restaurant bins and live on the streets before being saved by Abaana. He then introduced himself on stage, receiving lots of support from the audience.
Pastor David Allen added: "It's just been absolutely amazing to have the Abaana choir with us over the last couple of days. They've blessed us so much.
"My wife and I Esther, who lead the church here in Carlisle, have many years of experience out in Uganda with the Abaana choirs and it's just amazing what they are doing and how they are really impacting their own communities by being part of this choir and blessing us with their beautiful singing."
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