NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - For the members of a children’s choir at a church in Northwest Miami-Dade, the show went on as scheduled, days after, they said, burglars stole about $30,000 worth of musical instruments they used.
Congregants at Bethesda Church Ministries’ Sunday service may have appeared cheerful, but some of the younger members said they were feeling really disappointed. “This is what’s going on inside right now. It sounds plain,” said bass player Joseph Lamothe. “That’s not what you’re expecting for a Sunday service.”
The group told 7News someone broke into the house of worship sometime on Tuesday and got away with about $30,000 in drums, guitars and mixers. “The drum kit, they took it, and the snare [drum],” Lamothe told a 7News crew earlier in the week.
Choir singer Qodeschka Gaspard said she sorely misses the instruments. “Without the music, you know, all you really hear is my voice,” she said. “You need a beat, you need a bass, you need a guitar. You need something to keep us moving.”
What’s keeping them moving right now is hope. They hope to raise at least $17,000 to replace the basics before they can raise the entire $30,000 needed to replace everything.
“We’re not going to be discouraged for that. We’re going to keep the vision,” said the Rev. Maxon Gaspard, the church’s senior pastor.
Until they can afford to make the purchases, they refuse to have their faith shaken and are determined to keep the music going. “Something low, but we’re expecting something high, and God will do that for us,” said Lamothe.
The church has set up a GoFundMe page. If you would like to make a donation, go to www.gofundme.com/2ehcg2k.
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