Phil Keaggy. Photo by Sean Hagwell
Picture it—an orphan boy wanting so badly to make music that he constructed a makeshift guitar out of a gas can and a block of wood. This is exactly what led Instruments of Joy founder Joshua MacLeod to begin the organization in 2013 after a mission trip to Malawi.
“What would this young musician be capable of if he had a quality musical instrument?” imagined MacLeod. He sent that young man one of the three guitars that was collecting dust in his bonus room and Instruments of Joy has continued to help those in the developing world make a joyful noise ever since.
In its latest efforts to transform the musical soundscape in developing countries and transition people from playing litter to the pick of the litter, Instruments of Joy hopes to hear heaven and nature sing at a March 6 concert featuring multi-Dove Award winner Phil Keaggy. Keaggy will come together with Christian artists Audrey Assad, Buddy Greene (a legendary harmonica player) and Time Jumpers member Jeff Taylor at Springhouse Worship and Arts Center in Smyrna to have fun and raise funds for the charity.
Fransicos Faustiana Elvir in Honduras
Keaggy’s musical experience from 60-plus albums, Assad with a iTunes Christian Breakthrough Album of the Year designation, Greene’s harmonica and writing skills (he wrote the music for iconic Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know?” with accompanying words by Mark Lowry), Taylor’s accordion mastery (the sought-after session musician sometimes saddles up to step in with Western favorites Riders in the Sky on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and beyond) and the artists’ assorted other skills are all sure to be on full display.
“Having some of the best musicians in the world serving musicians in need is a dream come true,” says MacLeod. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase quality musical instruments that will then be distributed by the ministry.
Keyboard recipient William Guevara, educational director and music teacher at the bilingual school Por Los Niños in Honduras expressed “I am very thankful for the donation! You can not imagine how happy I am. We have been working hard and praying a lot for this project. Now, I can say again that God is good and He has answered our prayers. Through these instruments we are giving to our kids the opportunity to develop all their potential and, of course, to explore their artistic background . . . [this] will give them the opportunity to know and understand that music is an amazing way of getting into the presence of our Creator!”
Instrument recipients Josue in Guatemala; Pedro, a teacher at a children’s home in Mexico; and Cristopher in Ecuador
A letter written by the mother of a student in the Dominican Republic who received a flute proclaims “Receive our greetings, I want to share with you that this flute is a gift from God. My child Julio Emanuel who studies at ICA had a broken flute and for many months he asked me and my husband to get a new one. He couldn’t rehearse or play for awhile because we didn’t have the money to buy it. My husband lost his job but we always kept praying to the Lord asking Him for help. We have so much faith in Him. There was a graduation concert at ICA and he had to borrow a flute. He was very discouraged and I asked him not to worry. Not much time happened and the miracle of this flute came to his life. The teacher Maria Elisa shared with us that a ministry gave her flutes. Now our child can go on with his studies.”
“Music makes me feel relaxed, happy, loved and very positive. Especially when I am sad,” sums up thankful electric guitar recipient Carlos Osrio of Honduras.
Instruments of Joy founder Joshua MacLeod
Thus far into the journey, Instruments of Joy has been instrumental in orchestrating the acquisition of approximately 457 total instruments, with 148 sent in 2019 to 57 different countries. In addition to benefit concerts and the like, the organization is open for monthly donors willing to give $20 or $100. A “delivery partner” sends the organization a photo and story for each delivery and that photo and story is then sent to the donor. Repeat the sounding Joy!
Tickets for the Friday, March 6, benefit show are $25 for general admission, $35 for reserved seating and $100 including a VIP meet-and-greet. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Visit brownpapertickets.com/event/4475364 or instrumentsofjoy.org for tickets and more information.
