Garments of Praise is a ministry set up by Watermelon to provide instruments to orphans worldwide free of charge.
So Far: 6 guitars have been given to orphans overseas!
The Story
It is said that “Great things are wound up with all things little.” Who but God could have known that this guitar, made from a gas can in poverty-stricken Malawi, would serve as a catalyst to provide musical instruments to orphans worldwide?
In Nov 2007, Joshua MacLeod, founder of Watermelon Ministries, was travelling in Africa alongside other ministries when he visited an orphanage. As he letter wrote in a letter to his supporters:
“As I stood in this orphanage in Malawi, this young man played his heart out on a homemade guitar made out of a gas can. Living in Nashville, you get to know when someone is a good musician or not…he was a good musician! As I looked at his guitar, my eyes began to water and I was horrified that such a good musician had such a poor instrument. On the other hand the quality of his heart was clearly seen on his face.”
Having watched the effect music had on the young children, seeing their faces light up with joy as they clapped and danced to the music provided by this gas can guitar, Joshua decided to start Garments of Praise to raise money in order to provide orphans with musical instruments—something they’d never be able to afford for themselves.
This dream of providing orphans with musical instruments is now being realized…and you can get involved!
The Need
We need your money, your “like new” instruments, and your time.
How it works
Garments of Praise, a branch of Watermelon Ministries, oversees the collecting and purchasing of instruments as well as arranging the safe travel of these instruments through our various partner organizations already travelling to orphanages world-wide.
We make sure that the received instruments are connected in some way with either sharing the gospel or a music ministry.
Your donations can include:
- New or “like new” instruments
- Cash (used to purchase new instruments)
Updates
October 31, 2008: We sent 5 guitars to the orphanage
October 1, 2008: We sent one guitar to el hogar para niñas La Granja, a girl’s home in Santiago, Chile.
Contact
Please contact Joy Shind, brianjoy7[at]yahoo.com, or via phone (615) 585-0303 if you’d like help raise funds or donate instruments for Garment of Praise.
