Nadira Scruggs takes violin to Africa

Nadira Scruggs brought her rare and expensive violin to Guinea Bissau as part of our Africa Medical Mission to give a international quality performance to people who never would have such an opportunity. In fact, it will be the first time they will have seen and heard live such an exquisite instrument.

"I hope to see light in people's faces, some sort of awe," said the 39-year-old professional musician from Los Angeles at LAX as she waited to board. "This is what God has given me, and so I want to give it to them."

Nadira is part of the eclectic group of 45 heading to West Africa to hit two nations with the love of God manifested in a practical way. There is a pediatrician, a cardiologist, an ob-gyn, some nurses and nursing students and lots of working ants.

And Nadira. How did a violinist join this motley crew of do-gooders?

"When I graduated from high school I was torn between studying music and medicine," she said. "They are both avenues to healing the soul. Obviously people are going to be happier if they are healthy. Music goes straight to the heart. It triggers things you can't express with words. It gets to the mental aspect of the soul, if you're truly listening. It challenges and stretches the mind."

A full time musician now for three years, Nadira has appeared on American Idol, The Voice, X Factor and The Celebration of Gospel with Charlie Wilson on BET channel. By Monday she'll be playing in front of a -- um, how to describe it? -- less-career-launching audience. She'll play in church services.

Nadira is completing her EP and has a single on iTunes, but now she feels it's time simply to give freely and bless people without seeking remuneration and without opportunities to "hit it big."

"I want to get my focus off myself and be more selfless and have my eyes opened to the world," she said. "I want to experience what I've heard other people talk about: helping people in desperate situations and bringing the Lord to them."

This is entry #3 in my chronicles of an African medical mission. To read entry #4, click here.

Or to start with entry #1, go here.