Behind the Scenes, A Reflection on “A Night of Music and Missions”

I created Echoes of Hope: A Night of Music and Missions to formally document a moment where several parts of my journey came together. This was the first time I structured an event around music as a means of fundraising and mission awareness, and I approached it with intention rather than experimentation.

I wanted to show how music could support understanding the arts and impact in other countries, and explain how my mission back to Kenya could be explained in a way people could relate to and support by someone they already knew. I wanted the evening to feel grounded and accessible, with music serving as a bridge to missions, rather than a showcase.

The idea for this approach originated in June 2025, when I had the opportunity to practice piano at a local church, as I did not own a piano at the time. I went there simply because I missed playing. Returning to the piano brought comfort and familiarity, as it had long been a place where I could release pressure and express what I could not always articulate with words.

During that season of practice, the Lord gave me the idea of using music to support mission work. At that point, it was not a strategy, only a direction that required time and clarity. Over the following months, I worked through what it would take to shape that idea responsibly.

Classical piano was my deliberate choice because it represents the foundation of my musical journey and the skill I already possess. I presented the music alongside a mission presentation to establish credibility and context. Many people were unaware of my musical background because those skills were more visible earlier in my life. Bringing them forward again allowed the work to be seen more fully and honestly.

The balance mattered to me. I wanted people to understand that my skills are real and developed, and that my purpose for missions is intentional rather than aspirational. I have already traveled to Kenya, worked in the same area where my skills apply, and seen documented results. The music and the mission belonged in the same space.

Between June and November 2025, I planned the event with care, supported by family and friends. When the event took place in November 2025, it combined a classical piano program with a presentation outlining mission work beginning in 2018 and the direction ahead.

When I performed, I felt prepared. The size of the audience did not matter. I showed up to do what I believed I had been instructed to do, and I did so with peace.

When I spoke about past missions, I also shared something that matters deeply to me. African Americans are needed and wanted in Africa. There is openness, recognition, and space for meaningful contribution. We are not returning without purpose.

This event mattered to me because I took the initiative and was led by His Holy Spirit to run with the idea, use my musical skills, and work towards making it a reality when the concept of event planning was uncommon for me. I believe that this event marked a moment of accountability rather than the completion of a project. The mission is just beginning. I am at the cusp of something new. As I continue to prepare for my future work in Kenya, this mission event remains a reminder that a mission can be achieved, documented, and make a lasting impact on those who experience the journey and support it as well.