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Martin’s Blog

Help fund Anastina’s medical bills in Tanzania.

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Donate here.

Since 2003 Rebekah and I (under our charity ‘Voices from the Nations’) have been partnering with the Gogo tribe in central Tanzania. Recording their music has enabled the village to fund water projects and build a medical dispensary. During this process our dear friend and translator, Pastor Seth Gidiony (from the Ha tribe) has been our contact, constant help on the ground and guide through cultural differences. His wife Anastina (who is a medical support nurse) has had a number of health issues over the years and has recently found out she has a tumour in the stomach, and needs an immediate operation. She is also experiencing severe mental and emotional distress. Read More

9. September 2019
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Te-lah-nay stone memorial

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I had read the stories but it was a very moving experience visiting Tom Hendrix’s 30 year journey of building an incredible stone memorial honouring his great great Grandmother, Te-lah-nay. A young Yuchi teenager who was forced to walk to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears. Having grown up by the Singing River in Alabama, the sound drew her back. So after escaping she spent 5 years walking back to her land. Each stone on the memorial wall represents one step of her journey. Also, the shape, height, and width of the wall changes to represent the various obstacles she encountered.

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21. March 2019
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The man who has many answers is often found in the theatre of information where he offers, graciously his findings. While the man who has only questions to comfort himself makes music.

Mary Oliver
29. January 2019
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Be happy while ye'er leevin, for ye'er a lang time died.

Scottish proverb
17. September 2018
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Different perspective on being a musician.

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Reminded today of a quote from a book ‘The Healing Drum” by Yaya Diallo.

“The star system I see in Western popular music goes very much against the standards of conduct for the village musician with which I was raised. The star does not give time to the community but to himself or herself. The star usually seeks to amaze people, not to care for them; to be admired and praised by the anonymous throngs, not to honour distinct individuals whose lives depend on one another in the community. It is forgotten that the reason for playing is to bring well-being to people. This is different from driving fans into ecstasies of overexcitement. Music should not be a means to building a personal cult. That is idolatry. My village tradition teaches that music is a calling greater than the individual. I can give my life to it if I love it. In serving this music, I can share with other people and contribute to their joy and health.”

26. January 2018
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I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown” and he replied “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God, that shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way”, ‘so I went forth and finding the Hand of God and trod gladly into the night’.

Minnie Louise Haskins
8. January 2018
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