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"...to encourage, inspire and give hope to people, challenging them to be honest with themselves, making room for God
to bring emotional, physical and spiritual healing...." |
1. Opening message from Kelita |
Dear Friends,
As we continue to face 'interesting times' I hope that the spring is at least springing wherever you are right now and that your spirits are being lifted. It's amazing what a few tulips and daffodils will do.
I am experiencing an over all air of gratefulness exuding from people these days as the term "job security" is long gone. It appears we are actually re-examining our vast wealth and extreme liberties which we have so greatly taken for granted. Being in music my whole life I have never had the privilege of a steady paycheque, benefits, maternity leave, or a health plan, so in many ways nothing much has changed for me, although my bookings are very much suffering these past several months. Life as an artist has always been tenuous. I have been guilty of hoarding, for obvious reasons, but I have finally, I think, learned to let go over these past few years and trust way more when it comes to giving.
 In the past while I have been approached by two different people asking for money. One, by a well dressed man who spoke broken English outside the store where I buy groceries. He told me he needed to feed his family. The other by an unshaven homeless man underneath the Gardiner Express way in Toronto, also looking for sustenance, perhaps not of the edible kind.
At first I gave the beggar downtown a toonie, but then a voice in my head more than uttered, "is that it" and quickly before the light changed I reached deeper inside my purse and handed him a twenty dollar bill. He appeared surprised, smiled, took the twenty and said "God bless you". I sensed he may be looking for more than food but I thought why shouldn't he enjoy himself, after all it was Friday! I think the homeless man prepared me for the well dressed Polish father who more than deserved my twenty just for the sheer nerve of demoralizing himself in broad day light amongst other shoppers, many who refuted his efforts.
The contrast between the two men was quite different and yet my heart went out equally to both of them. What I gave them was truly just a very small token but once again I was reminded of how rich I am. Try giving out twenties because it really does feel better to give than to receive. Most of us won't even miss it!
Love and peace
Kelita
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2. Heavenly Night - $120,000 Donated |
 Since beginning this humanitarian initiative in 2007, which brings awareness and aid to young girls in Cambodia rescued from the child sex trade, we have been able to raise and donate $120,000!! This is more than I ever dreamed. I continue to be in awe of how the vision has captured so many people's hearts here in Canada for these precious young girls in Cambodia. These funds have primarily come from Ontario, BC, and Alberta. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am so personally grateful of all who have supported our efforts.
I am very happy to announce that another "Heavenly Night" concert will be staged December 5, 2009 at The Meeting House in Oakville ON, where the initiative was first launched. Stay tuned for more updates as that develops. We are currently seeking private and corporate sponsors for the costs of the evening so that once again ALL money raised will go DIRECTLY to the girls. Please email pinkdove@heavenlynight.org or visit the website to make a donation.
We also have Heavenly Night T - shirts arriving in July! The female design comes in adult and children sizes plus there are unisex t-shirts and a limited number of hoodies. Check the website soon and order yours!
The Heavenly Night website has been recently updated, thanks to Websurf Media, with photos from Calgary's concert, plus many links to TV clips and resources that will keep you updated and educated in the area of child exploitation.
Please visit the Ratanak website to listen to Brian McConaghy being interviewed on The Drew Marshall Show. Brian is an expert in the field of child exploitation, both in Canada & Internationally, and here he speaks about the restoration work being done with the girls in Cambodia. This is very informative and will give you a realistic picture of why Heavenly Night exists. Brian has had a huge impact on my life and the work of Heavenly Night.
Please keep sharing this information to help raise awareness. Please pray for those who are currently enslaved and the many who are working in the area of child exploitation.
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3. Heart & Soul Music - New CD |
I am booked to record a new "unplugged" CD this summer out in BC with producer Roy Salmond at his award winning facility Whitewater Studios in Surrey. It is for me, a dream come true! For years I have wanted to record a singer/songwriter album full of tunes in the form in which they were written, just me and the piano. Included on the CD will be some old favorites, and some brand new ones which will include a song inspired by a 12 year old rescued girl I met while in Cambodia. Plans are in the works to have a music video that will accompany this song entitled "Bella". I am also working on a completely redesigned personal website to launch as well. Stay tuned for details!
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May 8 - TV Appearance
I will be appearing on 100 Huntley's "Full Circle" this Friday. It's the Canadian faith based version of "The View". It's the Mother's Day segment and I will be co-hosting with the other women on the couch as well as singing "Deep Need" the song dedicated to my own mom, who passed away when I was only fifteen. Visit www.crossroadstv.ca for details.
June 4 - Ontario Prayer Breakfast at Royal York Hotel, Toronto
I will be singing at this annual breakfast which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The keynote speaker is Dale Lang, pastor and father who lost his son several years ago in a high school shooting in Taber, Alberta. Visit www.ontarioprayerbreakfast.com for details.
June 13 - Girl's Night Out Region Wide, Belleville ON
This is a larger version of the popular women's event Girls Night Out, and takes place from noon - 5 p.m. If this event doesn't showcase the various hats I wear then I don't know what does. I will be emceeing, singing and leading worship, doing comedy, hosting the game show GNO Feud, and speaking about children who have been sexually exploited. This is a great day jammed packed with both a light hearted and more serious side. There is an opportunity as well, to invest in the well being of children who are at risk. The featured guest is million selling author and speaker Shannon Ethridge from Texas. Visit www.gnolive.ca for details.
June 18-20 - WRITE Canada, Guelph ON
This is the yearly conference for Canadian Christian writers and publishers. New and aspiring authors come to learn from the best in their field. I have the privilege of being the worship leader for the weekend and will also be taking in the conference. Perhaps this will be the incentive I need to complete the book that I have been writing on and off for the past several years! Visit www.writecanada.org for details.
A few more dates in Ontario...
May 24 - The Meeting House
Leading worship at 8:15, 10:00 and 11:45 a.m.
2700 Bristol Circle, Oakville, ON L6H 6E1
www.themeetinghouse.ca
May 26 - Queensway Baptist Ladies Night
7:00 p.m. at Queensway Baptist Church
950 Islington Avenue, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 4P6
www.queenswaybaptist.com
June 7 - Oakville
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Hosted by St. James Parish, Oakville Catholic Women's League
Community Luncheon at Mo's Family Restaurant, 467 Speers Road, Unit B, Oakville
Cost: $25.00, Contact: Pauline Houlahan at 905-337-0548
www.stjamesparish.ca
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All Contents Copyright © 2009 Heart and Soul Music. All Rights Reserved. Newsletter design by Websurf Media
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