Gospel music sings out hope to Nozomi Project

This past week we have loved seeing how gospel music has encouraged our Nozomi staff in great ways!  

Over the past twenty years, the genre of gospel music has grown tremendously popular across Japan.  Most Japanese will tell you how much they loved the movie Sister Act when it came out in the theatres, and since then it has popped up in both secular and Christian circles.  

It was a great privilege last week to have Ken Taylor come and share with our Nozomi Project staff.  Ken and his wife Bola have been credited with helping to start the rise in popularity of gospel as they established many gospel choirs across Japan the last twenty years.  

Last year, Nozomi Project partnered with the Taylors in donating to several cancer awareness causes in Japan, particularly as Bola spent her last few months on earth debilitated by cancer.  It was Bola's wish that the proceeds from her memorial concert be given to the Nozomi Project; last week Ken was able to present this amazing generous gift to our staff in an incredibly touching staff meeting.  We are thankful for the Taylor family and how they have used music to bring hope and joy to so many; and for this latest wonderful donation to the Nozomi Project in honor of Bola.

Then this past Saturday, Nozomi Project set up a special sale for a large gospel choir from Osaka (Kansai Gospel Choir) that was visiting and singing in this region. These new friends LOVE Nozomi Project, and we love them!

 They had a great short time shopping, and at the end we were the fortunate recipients of one of their beautiful gospel songs, accapella style. 

For information on how you too can give hope by donating to the Nozomi Project, please visit us here.