Elizabeth Mbugua, in pink, leads a highly choreographed performance by 9 women during the launching of her new Kikuyu Gospel CD , Ndukoime Itura, at the Christ is the Answer church in North Chelmsford, Ma. H.Maina/Ajabu
By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News Listen to Cd track samples here. Use buttons on player to stop or continue.
NORTH CHELMSFORD, Mass. , APRIL 26_Ray Croc, the founder of the popular food chain, McDonalds, was 59 years when he made a decision to buy a small food chain and convert it into what is now a world wide multi-billion dollar cash machine, employing thousands of people.Wikipedia
In a similarly brave move, a 60 year old Kenyan grandmother in Lowell, Mass., only one year older than Croc when he made his big move, decided enough was enough with sitting on her singing talent, well aware of the African saying that "the sun never waits for a King".
Armed with that timeless wisdom, Elizabeth Mbugua, aka Wa-Tony, who is a grandmother of five and a great grandmother of 3, shocked her contemporaries and upcoming youth alike when she led in powerful and relentless dancing during the release of her first gospel music album.
The Cd release took place on Sunday April 11 at the Christ is The Answer Church in North Chelmsford, in a ceremony attended by many other artists, some of whom flew in from as far as Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas and even from California.
Pep talk: Elizabeth Mbugua, with mic, fires up her 3 daughters and grandson, Eddie, slightly before they staged a family performance
The sterling performance inspired a visiting bishop from Kenya to urge Kenyans abroad to realize and exploit their talents regardless of age, instead of copying what friends have just started thus appearing fake in the process.
Changing into colorful and expensive looking dresses after every session of high energy performance, Wa-Tony, who was accompanied by a battery of other equally well dressed mothers and grandmothers, kept drawing guests to their feet with song after song of praise and worship.
Her new CD, done in her native Kikuyu language and titled Ndukoime Itura (Don’t leave the village) , and produced by Eddy Njenga, became an instant hit with many guests, as song after song performed turned out to be great to the amazement of those present.
Listen to sample tracks here.
The event which attracted over 120 guests was hosted by Rev. John and Joanne Wachira, pastors of the CITAC Church, which Wa-Tony is a member.
Preaching during an interlude at the event, the visiting Bishop from Full Glory International church in Kenya, Bishop Stephen Chege, told Kenyans that it is a pity that many people die with their unexploited gifts and talents.
He urged the people to strive to learn the areas that they are gifted in rather than trying everything they see their friends doing.
Rev. John Wachira, congratulates Mbugua
He said that when people do things in the areas they are gifted in, they produce great quality stuff. “If you copy what I do and you are not talented in that, mine will look real, yours will look fake,” he added.
Bishop Chege congratulated Mbugua for her great CD and performance that other older people will find hard to believe.
“I can’t believe these women can dance and dress like that, considering their ages,” commented Rev. Dr. Charles Karanja of PEFA church in Malden while making his remarks at the end of the event.
Speaking during the event, the pastor of the CITAC church, Rev, John Wachira, reiterated Bishop Chege’s sentiments of people dying without discovering and exploiting their talents. “The greatest wealth is in the grave,” lamented Rev. Wachira.
Among the array of women accompanying Wa-tony at the stage for the colorful performance were her two daughters, who are mothers, one great grandmother, three grandmothers and four mothers.
Excited about her mother’s unbelievable performance, one of Mbugua’s daughters, Jane Mbugua,akaWamsosi, gave a moving testimony if the troubles her mother has gone though in life, especially struggling to bring up their family back in Kenya.
She said that looking back at her life selling Githeri at Nairobi city junkyard popularly known as Grogon was a miracle for her to be in America, and was therefore glad to be praising God with songs at her mothers CD launch.
Fan flames of your talents, said Bishop Stephen Chege
During her own speech, Mbugua said that her dreams have come true with the release of the new CD. She told guests that it was always her desire to sing for the lord and used to practice by singing other artists’ songs until she was ready to produce her own.
“People used to call me Julia Lucy in Kenya,” she said, in reference to one of the pioneer gospel artists of olden days well known on Kenyan radio back in the day.
Mbugua said that despite the many problems she has gone though in life, God has never deserted her and she was therefore glad to praise him with songs and dance.
During a recent interview with Ajabu Africa News, Mbugua said that many people know her as the woman who has seen all kinds of problems, in relation to the tragedies and challenges she has over come.
“I have never let these challenges bring me down and I never got sad about myself,” Mbugua told Ajabu. “I depend on God and not man, and so here I am,” she added cheerfully.
During the performance, it was hard to tell the age of Mbugua as she grabbed the microphone and cooed into it, backed by the female backup singers behind her.
Her five-year old grandson, Eddie Mbugua, occasionally swung onto the stage followed by other young children and danced to the tunes from the grandmother.
Zachary Gichuru , the master of ceremonies, predicted others will wake up and produce great works in their own areas
Among the seasoned gospel artists performing at the event included Nancy Karanja from Atlanta and Sarah Mbogo from Lowell.
Two upcoming artists who are planning to release their own CDs soon, Peris Mbaria and Joseph Gitau and his wife, Caroline Gitau also performed to the delight of the crowd.
As the event came to an end other artists could not get to perform because it was late.
“This was an awesome day. From now, I am sure we will see books written, businesses started and many things started because of the challenge we got from Wa-tony,” said Zachary Gichuru, who was the Master of Ceremony.
According to the new artist, many copies of the new Cd had been purchased in advance sales, mostly by peopple who could not make it to the main event. Dozens more were purchased at the launch.
At a price of $15 a copy, many people agreed it was agreat buy for the enternatinemnt and worship value in it.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy for yourself or as a gift for a friend, contact Wa-Tony at (978) 996-4135 or visit the new Ajabu Store at 297 West 6th street, Lowell, MA 01801
