just a quick note to say that all is well! we landed in bulawayo yesterday and made it through airport security with no problems. Praise the Lord! We’re touring around bulawayo, meeting lots of people and having a great time so far. I’m really looking forward to this afternoon because we’re going to go do some home visits. It should be a good day!
ok, gotta go get some pizza :)
please keep praying for us!
After 24 hours of travelling, door to door – I’m finally in Africa!! My friend, Adam (videographer) & I are staying at the home of a lovely couple who live here with their 4 kids. The Lockwoods have fed us and are giving us warm beds and hot showers before our flight to Bulawayo tomorrow morning. They are such a blessing!!
The trip has been good so far – pretty uneventful (which is just the way I like it). I slept quite a bit and even got to watch Harry Potter 5 – so all in all it was a good flight :) We’re still praying for an easy time getting through customs tomorrow in Zim – so lift us up if you think of it.
Ok, off to be a nice social guest again! I couldn’t resist the internet access while it was available :)
Holy Cow! I’m actually sitting in the airport, getting ready to go! I can’t believe it’s finally here – I’m finally going to Zimbabwe! I’m so excited, can you tell? There’s been so much happening in preparation for this trip, I don’t even know where to begin…
First of all, I’ve got some amazing news! This trip now has a double purpose. First and foremost, I’m going to be documenting the work of Forgotten Voices International in Zimbabwe. We’re working on a documentary as well as taking photos for that FVI can use to share their story and raise support. I love what FVI is doing and I’m so thrilled to be a part of it. And if that’s not reason enough to be excited about this trip – there’s more!
Ryan of FVI met a woman a few weeks ago who has an amazing vision. Lisa‘s vision is a series of children’s books that would tell the stories of children from various countries. Each book would represent one child, one country, one theme (i.e. hope) and would hopefully be used by parents and teachers to encourage, inspire, and teach children about other cultures. Her vision is just amazing and even extends to eventually doing a book on every country in the world! Well, she has decided to do the first book with FVI about a child in Zimbabwe. And, she just happens to need a photographer to supply the art for the book. So, Ryan sent her to me and as it turns out, she loves my work! (*blushing*) So, my second purpose for this trip is to document the story of one child and create the art for the first book!! Lisa wants consistency throughout the series, so I also may have the opportunity to do more of these. That means, I’m really going to get to travel the world and photograph children with amazing stories! It just blows my mind that this is happening! I have been praying for an opportunity like this for FIVE YEARS and now God is providing the way! It’s just the most amazing thing EVER! Thank you Lord!!
Well, now I’m REALLY excited – I just got myself all pumped up for this trip! Too bad it’ll be another 40 or so hours before I get there :)
I’m going to try to update this blog as often as possible with news from Zimbabwe, so stay posted!!! Thanks so much for going on this journey with me – and for all of the incredible support you all have given me! You all are such a blessing!
Zimbabwe has one of the worst economies in the world. With the highest inflation rate in the world, over 80% unemployment, a corrupt government, and a skyrocketing AIDS epidemic – the situation seems to be hopeless. For no one is this more true than the children who have been orphaned by AIDS and are left to survive on their own. These orphans have voices that have been all but forgotten. My friend, Ryan Keith has a heart to help these children, and so he began an organization called Forgotten Voices International (FVI) to do just that. FVI works with leaders in Zimbabwe to develop Local Action Plans. In working with local leaders, they are sending orphans to school, starting farms, providing HIV tests, offering grief counseling, supplying vitamins, and developing skills in the local community.
So, this Fall (October 25 – November 7), I will be traveling to Zimbabwe with Ryan and my good friend, videographer Adam Merritt. Our mission is to document the work of FVI, to tell the story of these children, and to help make their voices heard!! We will be traveling through the country photographing & videotaping the work that FVI is doing and those who are serving and being served by the ministry. I am so excited to be using my gifts in this way! As many of you know, my passion is documentary Missions Photography – and this trip is exactly that! It is such a blessing to feel like I’ll be doing exactly what I know God has called me to do. I cannot wait to be a part of this trip!
Though there are just a few of us going on this trip, we can’t do it alone – WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
We desperately need your prayers. Prayers for our safety, prayers for God to open up doors and create opportunities to connect with people, prayers for this picky eater to eat whatever she’s served :) Prayers for Zimbabwe, and for the work being done there. Prayers for the documentary we’re shooting, and for the impact it may have on these kids. All sorts of prayers!
We also need financial support. Each of us needs to raise $3500 to cover our expenses on this trip. If you would like to contribute to the trip costs, please download this form, and send it with your check to the address on the form (a church in PA is handling all of our support for us). If you’d like to support me personally, and you don’t care about tax deductions, you can also send a check directly to me at the address below with Zimbabwe in the memo. All contributions will go directly to the costs incurred preparing for and going on this amazing trip. Please prayerfully consider supporting us financially! 
If you’d like to follow along with us while we’re on our trip, I hope to be able to make updates on the blog. You can also keep track of us through Ryan’s blog as well! If you’d like more information about the trip, or have any questions, or just want to send some love – leave a comment below, call or email me! I can’t wait to see what God will do with this opportunity, and I hope you will partner with us!
