living the resurrection in kroo bay...

As I consider living the resurrection more fully, it is the example of my friends in Freetown, Sierra Leone who inspire me with the hope of new life they live out and share in the slum community of Kroo Bay. This article captures my own experiences in Freetown well and my admiration for Noah Tullay and the community there.

The Echo of a Saint: Signs of Hope in a Slum Community by Chris Heuertz

broken-beautiful project

Last night was the opening for the Broken-Beautiful photography project. The photos were taken by youth in Freetown, Sierra Leone and Seal Beach, California. "The images, captured by disposable cameras contemplate the idea of brokenness-beauty. They are witness to the dichotomies in the world of these young artists, and all our lives."

It was great to see the photographs and also see Cami who is visiting from Sierra Leone. The OC Register here did a story on the exhibit! Here is the link...
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/entertainment/abox/article_1737115.php

The Broken-Beautiful Project will be on display at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach through July 28. The photos will then be posted on a Broken-Beautiful web site. In addition, they have put together some books of the images on display. These books are also available for purchase. All funds raised benefit the youth in Sierra Leone through a college fund.

The Broken-Beautiful web site: http://greenarthouse.com/Site/Broken-Beautiful.html

broken & beautiful opening

Check out this web site for more information on a photo art exhibit to benefit youth in Sierra Leone. The opening reception will be held on June 19 from 5:30-9:00 PM at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

Click here to learn more...
http://greenarthouse.com/Site/Broken-Beautiful.html

sierra leone photography project

About a year ago in Sierra Leone all the youth at Lighthouse were given a disposable camera and asked to take 10 pictures of what they found beautiful around them and 10 pictures of what was broken. Some of these youth had never held a camera, but they were able to capture some amazing snap shots of their life. This is their life through their eyes!!

Some friends in California are using this as a way to build awareness for the kids in Sierra Leone and to raise fund for the Lighthouse program. If you are interested in viewing these pictures, go to www.dodgenphotography.com/brokenbeautiful . If you are interested in purchasing prints of what you have seen, I can get you more info. All proceeds will go to support the WMF ministry in Sierra Leone. This is only a temporary site until an official web site is created.

sierra leone pics

I had a great two weeks with Cami, Faye, Noah, and the Sierra Leone community back in January!

Cami, Faye, and I at the beach in Freetown. I admire and respect these two women a ton!

The Kroo Bay kidos at the Saturday Bible Club.

Celebrating Cami's birthday in January!

The Sierra Leonean Servant Team on our day retreat with God!

what's next?

Just another quick one to share what's next after Sierra Leone. I leave Freetown tonight, January 26. I am in London for a few days until I leave for Cape Town South Africa on Tuesday night, January 30. My two-months in Cape Town begins Wednesday morning.

Faye Yu has written some on her blog this past week and a half. Some of her posts include a little more of a taste of my time here....www.fayeinsierraleone.blogspot.com

See you in London or Cape Town!

alive and well in sierra leone!

I know I have been MIA this week in "blogger space"! Internet options and time are more limited here, although there are many more options then there were three and a half years ago. Just a quick post to say all is going well. I am healthy and enjoying my time here with Cami, Faye, and the Sierra Leoneans they serve with and among! Cami and Faye recently kicked-off a Servant Team of five Sierra Leoneans. For four months they will grow, learn, and serve together. I am excited about how God will use this in the ministry here. I also was able to participate in the Bible Club in Kroo Bay on Saturday. Kroo Bay is the poorest slum here in Freetown. About 300 children gather each Saturday for singing, a Bible lesson, food, and much needed first aid and medical attention. I also visited the Lighthouse program on Monday night for the youth they work with in Freetown.

Too much to share in a short amount of internet time. I will share more soon. I will close by giving thanks to God for my time here! I trust He will use the time to continue to build and shape decisions to come!