Only a few days...

There are only a few days left before we leave for Africa for our first trip in the 100 Words of Hope Project. There has been a lot of work go into this trip and we are excited to finally be at the point of actually doing what it is that we have3 prepared for so long for. As a rule, I try to refrain from having expectations for things like this apart from expecting things to go as I have planned. However, we do expect to come away from this trip with renewed insights into the role of photography in generating hope for families affected by AIDS as well as other opportunities for creative people to connect their work with global need.

Since shooting at Adventure, we have been approach by other people with ideas for using their own giftedness to shed light into places darkened by poverty and sickness. It is great to see the effect this project has on those around us, helping others rethink about ways they can give back through their own gifts and talents. It will be exciting to chase down some of these ideas with the perspective that comes with having taken pictures of 2500 people in Africa!

I got a call today from my friend Troy who is a student at Milligan College. He called to ask if it was ok for him to distribute some flyers he had made that promoted 1000 Words of Hope on campus this week for a missions emphasis going on there. I am amazed and overwhelmingly grateful for this support. I talked with Elizabeth in the car after I hung up the phone about the impact of displays of support like Troy's. It means so much to have someone step out and support this work with the resources at hand. Thinkgs like this help to confirm and reassure us that our work and preparation is more than a crazy idea we dreamt up on our own.

Another friend of mine, Andy, has a band in St. Louis. He was on an internet radio station tonight promoting upcoming gigs and a recording that is in the works. He has been on me to listen to a song that he wrote about our project, and they played it live tonight. It was cool again to feel the support of good friends getting behind this project.

We are so thankful to all who are keeping up with us by checking out our blog. We intend to update the blog while in Africa. So there will be more to read while we are away. Please be praying for our safety and that all our equipment makes it there and works for the shoots. Pray for us personally as we endure a long two weeks far away from our daughter Zoe. We miss her already and we are not even separated! Finally pray that God will prepare the hearts of potential donors that we will contact once we return so that this project can continue beyond this trip.

We have tossed out the goal of photographing 10,000 peopel over 4 trips in 2008. For this to happen we will rely all the more to the spiritual, moral, and financial support of others. We are so thankful so the support we have received thus far and we are excited to see how God will work through pictures we will be taking on this trip and those to come in 2008.