Out of Africa
I know it's been a while since I updated - my apologies. Life has been busy (when have I said that before?!!) Anyways, in God's timing, and through the generosity of an anonymous donor I have finally touched down in Africa for the first time in my life. Last week I flew to Dakar, Senegal for 4 intense days of photography - a trip that I had a whole of one week to prepare for - CRAZINESS!!! From orphanages, to markets, to medical clinics I came face to face with so many needy people. Words cannot express what is going thru my heart at the moment...as it sorts its way out, perhaps I will come to a point where I can share it. For now, here's some of the pictures captured in our whirlwind tour...hopefully they will give you some breath of an idea of what is happening in our world today, and inspire you to be a difference in the lives of those who have no voice...
posted by The Bean Bag Chair at 11:27 AM
8 Comments:
i remember when i went to mexico for a few weeks and the experience was lifechanging. I saw poverty that i never even knew existed and just the culture seemed so crazy. it was incredible. when i got back people were like "how was mexico?" and i wanted to talk for like 10 hours about what an experience it is, but all they pretty much wanted to talk about was how hot it is there. there were only a couple of people that actually sat and listened to the whole thing. actually, maybe not any. anyways, mexico probably isn't even close to africa in terms of exotic culture, so i can only imagine what it would be like to get back from having an experience of a lifetime and then just getting on with your "normal" life. total culture shock. i can't wait to hear more about what you experienced...and i won't ask you about the weather
I keep coming back to look at your photos... They are so moving and inspiring to me, and I wasnt even there!
Thank you for sharing what you have... and I hope you do share more as God sorts out those thoughts in you!
I want some of those prints...seriously (ooh just an idea...maybe you could sell some of those to raise money to send?! just a thought...)
that last picture had you in it, tell me Anne Marie, how do you take a picture if you are in the picture yourself? I am beggining to question whether you took any of those pictures...
Ha...you've blown my cover Wil! Actually, that shot was taken by an aspiring young photographer at the orphanage. I was teaching her how to use my camera. Not a bad shot eh! The orphan in the picture is also called Anne-Marie if you can imagine...
mabey the people looked needier because you were on a whirlwhind tour.
Ignorance is what helps most North Americans sleep at night. Poverty is global, whether it's physical or spiritual. I saw both in Africa. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to discern need - whether in 4 days or 40. It comes with the realization that they need Jesus as much as they need food. Coming home has hit me harder than I could have imagined...just because I have seen more spiritual poverty in a land of abundance. We can go to church - but until we sacrifice ourselves and start living and loving as Christ, we are nothing but a clanging cymbal to God. One doesn't have to look far to see need...may we not become apathetic to it's vastness.
amen...thanks for the inspiriation. Mmhmmm....I love the pictures. Can you come to Nairobi and take pics of my kids? (although they're pretty good at it themselves) :)
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