Brianna Kester believes her cello was a gift from God.
While preparing for a missions trip to Africa five years ago, her father, Pastor Jim Kester, jokingly told his congregation at First Baptist Church of Oxford that ‘All we need now is some suitcases and a cello.?
A member of the church spoke up and decided to give his daughter her cello, made in a small town in Pennsylvania, so she wouldn’t miss out on her musicianship while in Africa for a year.
Now, her music stand sits alone in the corner of their home, because there is no longer an instrument to play a beautiful tune.
The cello was stolen from First Baptist’s sanctuary on Friday, July 28 sometime in the afternoon, and now Kester is determined to get her instrument back.
Kester said she decided to leave the instrument in the sanctuary over the weekend of July 28 because she had to perform during Sunday’s service.
‘I clean the church on Saturday morning, and when I came (the door) was locked, and nothing looked out of place,? she said.
That is, until she entered the sanctuary.
Kester said she thought maybe somebody was playing a joke on her and moved it or that one of her parents brought it home, but it was gone.
Kester’s mother, Lisa, said they’re assuming the cello was stolen sometime after noon on Friday before the church was locked down for the night because it would be very easy for someone to walk into the church without the secretary knowing.
‘If they came in the back door she’d see them, but if they came in the front’with the air conditioning on’it’s very hard to hear if someone’s in the auditorium,? Kester said.
The cello, which was in a heavy, black case, stands at about 4-feet tall and has a faint mark from a crack on the top, right side panel of the instrument. The bridge of the cello has ‘Chimney’s? printed on it, and a purple bandana, and bow, was also inside the case.
Kester said she misses her cello ‘terribly.?
‘I know that my mom and dad always love it when I sit and play,? she said. ‘I just really miss playing it.?
Kester’s mother said the cello holds special meaning in not only the joy it brings her daughter, but of ‘God’s care in our lives.?
She said if it was time for the cello to leave her daughter’s care, then so be it.
‘From the beginning this wasn’t our cello,? she said. ‘It belonged to God. so, He can move it on if He wants to.?
If anyone knows the whereabouts of the cello or witnessed anything, please call the Kesters at (248) 969-2476 or First Baptist at (248) 628-2911.