This is Alice during our interview for the documentary. She's 19 years old and an orphan at Rainbow Town.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
War Stories ...
Stories of the atrocities of war ...close your eyes and imagine a childhood where all you know and experience revolves around war. Seeing people be brutally massacred ...limbs being cut off with machettes. Travelling from town to town seeing the bodies of those caught in the crossfire lying on the street. Having nothing the eat or drink. Soldiers harrassing and screaming at you. Does that sound like a fun childhood? No, I didn't think so either but that is the reality for many of the children we're filming at Rainbow Town. They are orphaned because of the war. These images are not my own. They are the images and words I have listened to from Alice, a 19 year old girl, in Rainbow Town.
Tragic isn't it? Yet, Alice wants to be a missionary. Because she believes God has spared her life and blessed her in such a way that life doesn't make since without faith, without courage, without relying on something constant. She is vibrant, beautiful, hard working and loves to sing. She and her friends sing songs of faith, of peace, of God.
This is the atmosphere I've been a part of for the past 2 weeks. The sun may be hot. We may work long hours and eat little. I may not have air conditioning, running water or electricity but I have learned the meaning of dependence. Dependence and rich faith in God. Each child helps each other, serves each other and loves each other. It's the most basic form of community. People are the focus because, unlike Americans, they have so little to distract them. They don't have video games, or games for that matter. They play tag or kick a flat volleyball around on the soccer field. They are happy. They are happy because they have found a contentment that I believe many of us are searching for in material possession. I know I'm guilty. Such a learning experience.
The film is going well. Conditions and events change so much and we've had to be flexible. "Bit by bit" is our mantra. Making the most out of every opportunity. So much to do with so little time. But it's exciting and hopefully we'll capture this experience richly for you to view.
Well, that's it for now.
Tragic isn't it? Yet, Alice wants to be a missionary. Because she believes God has spared her life and blessed her in such a way that life doesn't make since without faith, without courage, without relying on something constant. She is vibrant, beautiful, hard working and loves to sing. She and her friends sing songs of faith, of peace, of God.
This is the atmosphere I've been a part of for the past 2 weeks. The sun may be hot. We may work long hours and eat little. I may not have air conditioning, running water or electricity but I have learned the meaning of dependence. Dependence and rich faith in God. Each child helps each other, serves each other and loves each other. It's the most basic form of community. People are the focus because, unlike Americans, they have so little to distract them. They don't have video games, or games for that matter. They play tag or kick a flat volleyball around on the soccer field. They are happy. They are happy because they have found a contentment that I believe many of us are searching for in material possession. I know I'm guilty. Such a learning experience.
The film is going well. Conditions and events change so much and we've had to be flexible. "Bit by bit" is our mantra. Making the most out of every opportunity. So much to do with so little time. But it's exciting and hopefully we'll capture this experience richly for you to view.
Well, that's it for now.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Gbarnga
Well, I've just spent my first week in Gbarnga at the Rainbow Town orphanage and I've had an amazing time thus far. These kids we're working with are full of amazing stories and a rich faith. Our documentary team has been busy with interviews with Ma Feeta, the elders, a few of the key kids we will follow and the introductions to all the kids. Our days are long and hot and food is not what it's like at home. We don't eat much and what we do it is starch, starch, starch. It will take me a while to eat rice once I get back in the States. But I'm enjoying living the life of a Liberian.
Gbarnga is a country town and considered the "bush". Life is different in this small city compared to the busy life in Monrovia. I've walked through the local meat market and witnessed the most outrageous "somewhat edible but not by westerners" food, played soccer with a flat volleyball in the dirt with some of the young orphan boys, listened to unbelieveable war stories and things these people have lived through, photographed the daily life of these amazing people ...rice paddies, bucket bathes, interesting games, rich music and rich rich faith. These kids are amazing and challenge me daily. The colors are vibrant, the life so different than our own.
We're getting ready to move to our permanent house. There's no running water and we're praying we'll have electricity by the time we move in on Monday. We've been living the good life with occasional fans, electricity, running water and COLD showers...whoo!
I'm usually in the city, Monrovia, on the weekends to continue interviews with NGOs, UNICEF, and the government to add authority to our film. The film is so big and sometimes overwhelming with the amount of work we want to accomplish in these short 6 weeks. So much to do and nothing happens fast in this country. It's not like the US ...because the "system" is not established like the US it takes us forever to get anything done. But all is well.
Okay, enough for now. Take care!
Gbarnga is a country town and considered the "bush". Life is different in this small city compared to the busy life in Monrovia. I've walked through the local meat market and witnessed the most outrageous "somewhat edible but not by westerners" food, played soccer with a flat volleyball in the dirt with some of the young orphan boys, listened to unbelieveable war stories and things these people have lived through, photographed the daily life of these amazing people ...rice paddies, bucket bathes, interesting games, rich music and rich rich faith. These kids are amazing and challenge me daily. The colors are vibrant, the life so different than our own.
We're getting ready to move to our permanent house. There's no running water and we're praying we'll have electricity by the time we move in on Monday. We've been living the good life with occasional fans, electricity, running water and COLD showers...whoo!
I'm usually in the city, Monrovia, on the weekends to continue interviews with NGOs, UNICEF, and the government to add authority to our film. The film is so big and sometimes overwhelming with the amount of work we want to accomplish in these short 6 weeks. So much to do and nothing happens fast in this country. It's not like the US ...because the "system" is not established like the US it takes us forever to get anything done. But all is well.
Okay, enough for now. Take care!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Rainbow Town ...
Hello friends,
Quick update before I head up country to Gbarnga where the Rainbow Town orphanage is located. Four of us are here and we're going to go hard shooting the documentary in the next two weeks. I can't even explain the things I've seen, the people I've talked to and the conditions these people live in. I'm still in the captial city Monrovia and we've had a few days to shoot the city. I've hung out with kids playing soccer in a sand field, I've talked to street vendors who sell anything and everything for money to eat, I've see a gas station that kids run by pouring pink gasoline by hand into your car with gallon mayonaise jugs. Women carrying baskets, water jugs, and furniture on their heads, water wells, waking up to roosters, outrageous thunderstorms, and buildings still carrying the wounds of the war. I also just ate my first authentic African dinner last night consisting of rice and "soup" ....beans and chicken. It was good.
The English here is so different. Imagine someone talking really fast and not pronouncing the ends of words and you have Liberian dialect. The funniest thing is the locals have a hard time understanding our English, but if I mumble and talk faster they can understand me. It's amazing.
Oh the people I've met and the things I've witnessed. I wish I have more time to write but I wanted to update before we head up country where internet is limited. So I hope all is well and I'll talk to you soon!!
Quick update before I head up country to Gbarnga where the Rainbow Town orphanage is located. Four of us are here and we're going to go hard shooting the documentary in the next two weeks. I can't even explain the things I've seen, the people I've talked to and the conditions these people live in. I'm still in the captial city Monrovia and we've had a few days to shoot the city. I've hung out with kids playing soccer in a sand field, I've talked to street vendors who sell anything and everything for money to eat, I've see a gas station that kids run by pouring pink gasoline by hand into your car with gallon mayonaise jugs. Women carrying baskets, water jugs, and furniture on their heads, water wells, waking up to roosters, outrageous thunderstorms, and buildings still carrying the wounds of the war. I also just ate my first authentic African dinner last night consisting of rice and "soup" ....beans and chicken. It was good.
The English here is so different. Imagine someone talking really fast and not pronouncing the ends of words and you have Liberian dialect. The funniest thing is the locals have a hard time understanding our English, but if I mumble and talk faster they can understand me. It's amazing.
Oh the people I've met and the things I've witnessed. I wish I have more time to write but I wanted to update before we head up country where internet is limited. So I hope all is well and I'll talk to you soon!!
Monday, June 11, 2007
This Time Tomorrow ...
...I'll be heading to the airport to leave for my African adventure/job in Liberia!
I can't believe how fast it's approaching but I'm still as excited (or more) than ever! I'm still in the packing mode ...and if you know me, you know it takes me forever to pack! I just sprayed all my clothing with Perminthrin to keep the mosquitos off once I'm there! Hopefully it works! I have one day to get all the small, important things done and run to the bank, walmart, post office, ect. I'm also waiting for our camp water filter since I'm bringing it over with me. I hear this filter is rather large so I'm interested in how I'm going to pack it.
But I'm ready and anxiously awaiting ...
Okay, back to business.
I can't believe how fast it's approaching but I'm still as excited (or more) than ever! I'm still in the packing mode ...and if you know me, you know it takes me forever to pack! I just sprayed all my clothing with Perminthrin to keep the mosquitos off once I'm there! Hopefully it works! I have one day to get all the small, important things done and run to the bank, walmart, post office, ect. I'm also waiting for our camp water filter since I'm bringing it over with me. I hear this filter is rather large so I'm interested in how I'm going to pack it.
But I'm ready and anxiously awaiting ...
Okay, back to business.
Monday, June 4, 2007
One Week Till Departure
Hello Friends!
I just wanted to get a weblog started for everyone to mark in their "Favorites" or "Bookmarks" so you can keep up with me while I'm in Liberia shooting for the Rainbow Town Kids Documentary. Right now I have one week until I fly out. I leave on June 12th and come back on August 3rd. I'll be there for roughly 7 weeks. I'm so pumped!
For those of you who may not know what I'm doing let me invite you into a glimpse of this amazing film documentary I am blessed to be a part of making this summer ...
This summer our team will go to Liberia, West Africa, to capture the story of one courageous woman, Ma Feeta, who rescued 86 orphans who were left to die during the Liberian civil war from 1997 to 2003. She cared for each child during the war by squatting in houses and shelters throughout the countryside, moving frequently as the war demanded. She did not lose one of them, to hunger, to war or to rebelliousness or sickness. During the war, few outside agencies could get in to bring aid; it was too dangerous. But if you say she didn’t have help, she would adamantly disagree. “God sustains us,” she firmly states.
Each orphan has his or her own story as well. Stories containing the horrors of war and the atrocities that accompany it: hunger, homelessness, loss of loved ones and perpetual fear. But what is so amazing was in the midst of unimaginable suffering; each child had an unwavering faith. Both Ma Feeta and the orphans have great hope, hope that God will restore their ravaged nation, hope that they will be free of war, hope that their futures, once in question, will be enriching and significant.
Our goal is to teach 5 orphans to use a video camera to tell their own unique story, as well as, document Ma Feeta and the current conditions of the Rainbow Town and its needs. As the photographer on the film, my responsibilities will be to capture compelling images for the film to be used within the documentary, for marketing and the possible production of an accompanying book. Our hope is to stir Americans and the church into action. We also hope to show the transforming power of Christ in the midst of impossible circumstances.
The documentary is not one for us to benefit. It is not to bring fame to us, but to tell the story of an amazing group of Liberian people. As Christians, our team feels a calling to tell the stories of those who cannot do so themselves. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3. Our goal is to record their history, raise awareness and spark action. Once the film is made, the proceeds of the documentary will be used to help the orphans of Rainbow Town receive a college education and a better life.
You can also read more about the Shine Foundation and the story at: http://shinefoundation.org
Well that's it for now! Check back soon!
I just wanted to get a weblog started for everyone to mark in their "Favorites" or "Bookmarks" so you can keep up with me while I'm in Liberia shooting for the Rainbow Town Kids Documentary. Right now I have one week until I fly out. I leave on June 12th and come back on August 3rd. I'll be there for roughly 7 weeks. I'm so pumped!
For those of you who may not know what I'm doing let me invite you into a glimpse of this amazing film documentary I am blessed to be a part of making this summer ...
This summer our team will go to Liberia, West Africa, to capture the story of one courageous woman, Ma Feeta, who rescued 86 orphans who were left to die during the Liberian civil war from 1997 to 2003. She cared for each child during the war by squatting in houses and shelters throughout the countryside, moving frequently as the war demanded. She did not lose one of them, to hunger, to war or to rebelliousness or sickness. During the war, few outside agencies could get in to bring aid; it was too dangerous. But if you say she didn’t have help, she would adamantly disagree. “God sustains us,” she firmly states.
Each orphan has his or her own story as well. Stories containing the horrors of war and the atrocities that accompany it: hunger, homelessness, loss of loved ones and perpetual fear. But what is so amazing was in the midst of unimaginable suffering; each child had an unwavering faith. Both Ma Feeta and the orphans have great hope, hope that God will restore their ravaged nation, hope that they will be free of war, hope that their futures, once in question, will be enriching and significant.
Our goal is to teach 5 orphans to use a video camera to tell their own unique story, as well as, document Ma Feeta and the current conditions of the Rainbow Town and its needs. As the photographer on the film, my responsibilities will be to capture compelling images for the film to be used within the documentary, for marketing and the possible production of an accompanying book. Our hope is to stir Americans and the church into action. We also hope to show the transforming power of Christ in the midst of impossible circumstances.
The documentary is not one for us to benefit. It is not to bring fame to us, but to tell the story of an amazing group of Liberian people. As Christians, our team feels a calling to tell the stories of those who cannot do so themselves. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3. Our goal is to record their history, raise awareness and spark action. Once the film is made, the proceeds of the documentary will be used to help the orphans of Rainbow Town receive a college education and a better life.
You can also read more about the Shine Foundation and the story at: http://shinefoundation.org
Well that's it for now! Check back soon!
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