Unplanned Ministry

Shot in South Africa a couple of years ago. A not so fun situation made good. Just now put it together with imovie.

Change of Seasons

Phoenixville, PA--I've always known what the next step would be. What I did not know was when and where. I even knew when it happened it would be very quick. To my surprise it brought me right back home to PA.

Some things have changed a lot and other things are very much the same. I would say there is just enough of both to help with the transition and to keep things interesting.

I've moved back to PA the end of August to teach photography at Valley Forge Christian College. They just added a Digital Media major a few years back. It has been a challenge, mostly taking things that I have done for years and learning how to communicate it in a way that others can understand and duplicate. I love teaching but I also have a greater appreciation for the teachers I have had in the past...for all the work that they put into their classes!

Now just in case you are thinking how am I going to stay still. The answer is I won't be. I am already planning two trips this summer. One back to Africa with my church, the other will hopefully be to Asia with OneHope. I've seen too much not to want more. God has put so much on my heart that I have to keep going and making a difference wherever I can.

Something that I am looking to grow is the business aspect of my photography. And so as soon as the semester winds down in a few weeks I will be adding to my website, working on marketing and taking a more active role in that area. I have a lot of ideas for books and prints and more... The nature of this blog may change to be more photo-oriented but I think I will always chronicle my travels. I like the new season that I am in and I can't wait to see it completely unfold.

Lessons from Africa

Niamey, Niger--I've traveled a lot the last three years but nothing prepared me for the W. African bush. It truly was a blessing and a gift from God. The end of September I flew to Burkina Faso and Niger on assignment from OneHope to photograph and interview churches who had been formed by using OneHope materials. The faces and the stories will be forever etched in my heart. I visited places with names like Ouagadougou and Ufuamou. I thought, "I've been to Haiti, this will be easy..." I was wrong, conditions are different. There are places in this world where people think they are entitled to have what they have or to be given their fair share but then there is this part of Africa where they keep living with nothing and do not expect a handout, they do what they can to just to survive. They do not get any media attention even though there is drought and starvation in one area and flooding and clean water issues in another. Where wild animals attack and travel is difficult. The heat and dust are a way of life that most outside cannot fathom. There were times on this trip that I felt like I had stepped into the pages of National Geographic but after talking with the people and praying with them I realized it came down to one thing...the love of God sets all people free regardless of possessions or entitlement or lack thereof.

Our travel team in Niger, consisted of two pastors, a young bible student and myself. We would travel from Niamey to the small towns in our 4-wheel drive vehicle and pick-up the local pastor or someone from the village that we were about to visit. After leaving town a typical trip would start down roads between the mud brick homes of town, into “the bush”, down the red dirt roads through river beds and sand patches, and finally narrow paths through corn fields. Sometimes we had to leave the vehicle and walk short distances through the corn to another area that usually contained a structure made of sticks, although a few of them did have metal roof canopies but no walls. It wouldn’t take long for villagers to begin walking out to greet us and assemble in the church. They would heat up the box drums by a fire to make them good and tight and soon began singing to the beat of their drums. They sang songs of gratefulness and of God’s goodness, some to a very African beat and others were the hymns of old in their own language. After a short meeting where our team spoke and prayed, the congregation would gather outside under the tree or they stayed under their roofs in the shade where we would interview several of the people.

We went to village after village in the middle of the bush where people were hungry for the Word. Person after person would tell us how they used to sacrifice to idols, how they were very sick and angry but then they saw a film that showed them something better. They now worship the One who heals all their diseases and takes away their nightmares and brings peace to their souls. Other were bound by the rituals of Islam, a stronghold in the area and a bondage that has entrapped them, leaving them without knowing true hope. A couple of ladies opened my eyes when I asked them what the difference was between their old way of life and now and they said, "fellowship". They were now free to meet and talk with others, to encourage one another and love each other. They said before they were bound into a world that was controlled and isolated and subject to criticism. Many receive persecution for their faith which is why I cannot mention them by name but they are resolute and would not think of turning back.

The last two villages will stand out as being in one of the "uttermost" places. We were on the Niger/Nigeria border speaking with a tribe that did not have a formal church yet but were in the beginning stages. When several teens responded to the message. Then they began to ask questions such as if they didn’t read how will they learn more about the Lord? And if they accepted Jesus do they need to pray like the Muslims? And how can they grow? They received wise council but it was also agreed upon to send several of them to a four month training to learn how to read so that they could bring the scripture to others. There also were three Christian young men working in the area at a medical clinic and EHFC who will work with these new believers until a pastor can be found. Then as we were finishing up at this village another chief sent a guy to ask if we would come speak to his village. So we went, and presented the gospel to them for the very first time. Our team spoke directly to this chief while the entire tribe gathered around to listen. Several responded and I am pretty sure they will be getting the opportunity to view the GodMan film in the very near future.

All of these people live off the land by farming and raising animals. Most do not read. They do not live by the clock just the light of day and night. They do not live in fancy houses, just a small shelter for protection. Most walk to town on market days but if they are fortunate they may own a donkey or a bicycle or a motorcycle. They are very family oriented and when one member accepts Christ they all do and when one village comes to Christ the next one is interested which is why one young pastor we met was pastoring 10 churches. He was exhausted and my heart went out to him, but it made me realize that we have something that everyone needs because God is love, and that makes all the difference.

Photos can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch or on Facebook

Viva Colombia

Bogota, Colombia--Our taxi climbed the narrow roads up the mountain-side until we could not drive any further. We then hiked part of the mountainside, escorted by the children to a small blue house, seemingly on top of the world. These were simple homes that dotted the hillside, much like the ones described in the Peru story below, made of wood, bricks, metal and any scrap of material to keep the wind out, where life is hard but the views are amazing. There we met Ricardo and his fiancee, Milena, founders of a young ministry to the children of this area. Together they feed and care for the little ones; making meals, helping them with homework and even washing clothes if needed. They also do Bible lesson with them and teach them to be warriors for the Lord. It was refreshing and encouraging to hear these young ones pray. We also met Steven and Leidy, who were only seven and nine but had already been exposed to violence, sex, and drugs. They talked about their life now that they had someone to help look after them while their mother was working in the city as a recycler. We spent several days with them, playing, laughing and talking. It was hard to head back down the mountain the last time. Our prayers will be with this group as they work for transformation even in the high places. 

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  "Come lets have coffee" Pastor Carlos, the foundation leader says as we head to the kitchen where there is a table off to the side for the adults. The rest of the large room is part industrial-sized kitchen and part dining room for the 700 or so kids that come in at various times throughout the day to receive a meal, help with their homework, a little love and attention and the Word of God. When I hear the words of Bob Hoskins original OneHope mandate to reach all the children in the world and to save them from drugs, poverty, violence, prostitution and the evils of this world, I will think of this place because these children in this place have truely been saved from these very things. Child after child that we interviewed (Anderson, Pamela, William, and more) told these very stories but also had renewed hope for their future and a sparkle in their eye. The difference was God's vision in the heart of a man, who was obedient, and the Word of God. What a privilege to witness true transformation and to bring encouragement.

During our many coffee breaks over the course of 4 days Pastor Carlos told many stories of miraculous provision but there is one story that I would like to retell...he told us of a time a few years ago that his treasurer was robbed as he was walking down the street with foundation funds, a few days later their building was broken into--food and supplies were taken. Another couple days pass and they were robbed again. The pastor was distraught and so he took these matters to the Lord in prayer. And that is when the Lord reminded him that he still had his most valuable assets, that they had not been taken...the children. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but the Word of the Lord remains and those to whom He has his hand upon are saved.

Click here to see more Colombia photos

Next up...Burkina Faso and Niger in West Africa.

Be the Light

Lima Peru--Imagine walking up a dirt path, a dirt stairway actually, where wood and tin shacks are literally on top of one another, where clean water, and bathroom facilities are not an option. Where cooking and clothes washing are not with shiny new appliances but the old fashion way, on a tiny one pot burner and by hand. Where the floor of your one room home is sand and not at all level, the tin roof doesn't entirely cover you from the outside. Where the air quality is so bad you feel the burning in the back of your throat. This location could be many places around the world, but on this occasion it was the outskirts of Lima, Peru.

Heading back to Peru where my exposure to OneHope began was a bit of a surprise but it was a good surprise. Someone was needed to take a team at the last minute. We worked with a new group of people in new areas of the city. We got to see first-hand Peruvian independence celebrations in the schools and the festive preparations around the city. We got to do evangelism events in several parks that involved drama and soccer. And we got to go to some forgotten places: a community called Pachacutec, tucked away between the hills and the sea, just beyond the acrid petroleum plants. We also got to hike up a barren hill on the outskirts of Lima to visit a small church outcropped on the hill in between dozens of wooden shacks to bring good news to the children that called that hill home. This trip brought back a lot of good memories of my first trip to the same city six years prior and more than anything it amazed me how things had come full circle as I near the end of my assignment.

There are so many opportunities to show the love of Jesus all around us if we just open our eyes to them. I have been privileged to go to some amazing places but the further I go the more burdened I get for those at home. It doesn't take much to show love, care or concern. Go spend some time with the kids in your neighborhood, play soccer with them, help them with homework but most of all be an example and speak to them with kindness and truth.

Be the light wherever you are!


Click here to view more photos from this trip.

A Tale of Three Camps

Port-au-Prince Haiti--I remember listening to a young man a few years back who grew-up in one of the largest townships in South Africa and the painful emotions that easily came to the surface as he recalled his youth living in a tin shack with over a million others. There were dangers and hazards from things that we don't think much about like rain, mud, fire, water, food, and disease... As we were working in the tent camps of Port-au-Prince, this young mans words often came to my mind.

This summer during the World Cup, OneHope has been hosting Soccer clinics in many places of the world; South Africa, Columbia and Haiti just to name a few. This particular week I found myself in Haiti as part of a media team from OneHopes office, also with us was a former soccer player from the Haitian National Team. The World Cup has been a huge diversion to the everyday realities of being homeless in PAP. Everywhere we went were Brazilian or Argentinian flags. Traffic seemed to lessen during their games. Cheers could be heard everywhere when one of those teams were playing. We were there to give the kids an outlet to be kids and to bring some hope. We gave out a special Champions edition of the Book of Hope as we interacted with many of them. Check out OneHopes video on the experience as told through Ricardo Pierre-Louis.



The first thing you notice when landing in PAP are the blue tarps that are everywhere throughout the city. In any available lot you will find tents and tarps, makeshift toilets and showering facilities and lines of people. At six months out from the earthquake and you will not see new construction but rather piles of rubble. Some buildings are slowly and carefully being taken down, piles of broken cement and trash are slowly being taken out, but that is all. The scars, the cracks, the pain all very evident. And yet there is still pockets of joy and hope for a better life.

We were in three different camps. Three camps that couldn't have been run so very differently. I hate to say the horrors we saw in the first camp. Pigs running around in the garbage, open sewage, a mishmash of tents one on top of the other as they went up and down the hillside.  A long line for buckets of water. I know a few phrases in Creole and my French helps a little bit here as well so I began asking the kids how they were. At this camp almost every answer was "mal" or "faim" (bad or hungry). There had been a recent Typhoid outbreak here and most kids came begging for anything that we could give them. Our clinic got under way in the only open space available with a few drainage trenches and trucks that would periodically come through. For a few hours these kids had smiles as they ran and jumped and played a game they all love with a passion.

The next camp was on the outskirts of town in a large empty field away from everything. The tents were uniform and large all stamped with World Visions Logos. The facilities were all according to standards. The kids did not beg but were all smiles as we led them through drills and games. The day ended with a double rainbow over the camp and a GodMan showing in one of the areas designated for such activities.

The next day we spent at the Petionville Golf Course. One of the larger camps in the city. This one was run mostly by several different American Groups. We saw tents with USAID logos as well as Compassion and Samaritans Purse. The medical area was run by Sean Penn's Aid organization J/P HRO. It seemed like a large city of tents running in and out of the trees and over hills. The grass was long gone but the trees remained providing some relief from the heat. There was drainage for the water and proper facilities but this place also had all the markings of a community: a church, stores, hair salons, medical clinics, and playground. We had a very small area for our soccer clinics but we made the best of it. Argentina had just won their game as we could hear cheers throughout the area. Immediately afterwards kids came from every direction eager to show their skills with the ball. And for a few hours we had a captive audience of not just the kids but many adults watching and listening with interest.

 

The good news about the young man from South Africa who grew up in the townships is that he found help, hope and a way out. In Haiti we had balls, nets, adults that were willing to spend time with them, some water, a snack, and a book about the greatest Champion of all time... these adults will go back and continue to work with the kids. Continue praying for this nation and do whatever you can as you are able.

Photos can be found on FB or Flickr.
Next up Peru...

Heart for Brazil

May 2010--Three weeks in Brazil and my heart swells with many emotions and memories. Where can I even begin? It starts with a team..a team of all girls from California. Ten woman willing to do whatever was asked, to step out of their comfort zones and go into schools and neighborhoods to bring the message of good news. Ten women willing to adapt to new situations, a new language, new people and foods. It also involves a local church called Filadelfia in the city of Limeira and a group of 20 or so young people from this very large church, who faithfully joined us for daily ministry. Some standing along-side of us; translating, praying, signing, singing, and teaching. And others in support by cooking, driving and always there to do whatever was needed. And there was our AMME/OneHope Brazil staff working so hard behind the scenes with all the day-to-day details.

Next came our work with the kids. Nothing brings me more joy than walking up to a group of kids, it doesn't matter if I speak their language or not, and interacting with them. We went into primary schools, pre-schools, high schools, and deaf schools. We spoke about self-esteem, anti-bullying, making decisions and our best friend. We went into neighborhoods and did a VBS style ministry called Aquila Circuits that contained a pro-family message. One principal came back to us a week later and said that some of her students wanted to make a play for the whole school. They performed one of our skits flawlessly and so the message was being carried on by other children as well. The real impact may never be fully known, but I know we left our mark in the schools and in the hearts and minds of all involved. We gave out 5,498 books but more than that we interacted and reinforced our central message that there is hope.

I think our most powerful time came when we visited the High Schools. There is nothing like walking into an auditorium full of teenagers. You start off feeling like chum in a shark tank but then when the fun and the dramas are over and the message is spoken and you see the work of the holy spirit so visibly evident on the teens faces, you leave feeling God did something amazing through you beyond your own natural abilities. We almost always got to hang out with the kids during break times and this was when many would come to the girls asking questions as they boldly told their stories and prayed with many right there on school grounds. Many are forever changed including the ones delivering the message.

We ended our time in Brazil with a trip to the beach, which I can confirm as some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Next up....Haiti

For more photos see my Flickr pages @ www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch or my photo albums on Facebook.

Don't forget to Pray, Give (www.onehope.net/kimclark), and Write

Tour de Mexico

April 2010--Four flights, three areas of the country, two six-hour bus rides, another 10 hours in a car, and at least 40 interviews in six days. I am constantly amazed by the passionate and tireless people that I meet around the world. In Mexico, I met some of the most dedicated and boldest men and women around. Here are just a few of their stories:

Northern Mexico (Antiguo Morelos):

     Pastor Hugo works in a church without walls literally and figuratively. His actual church building is nothing more than what we would call a car port to hold the hot sun and rain at bay. But what amazes me is that he is willing to hold services anywhere that people want to hear the gospel. Because his church is so portable he just brings the chairs and sound system to the people whether that is a nearby ranch with many workers or an empty lot in town or his church shelter. He goes to the ranches with his barber scissors to give free hair cuts and then ministers to the children and adults using the Book of Hope. He says that the books help the children to engage in the message.

While talking with Pastor Hugo we met with a young man whose life was radically altered after a bad accident. Pastor Hugo goes regularly to disciple this young man even bringing services to him when he could not walk. Then we met a  family next to an empty lot that could not help but hear the message being preached when it was brought to their area. Their four year old was so taken by the word that he was the one leading to the family by example to receive the word. Pastor Hugo is not only a light to this community but also a father figure to the fatherless. As we drove about town he would stop the van to talk with children walking the streets, inquire about their well being, invite them to his next service an give them a Book of Hope if they had not yet received one.

Southern Mexico (Chiapas):

     Pastor Jose is a missionary in a very persecuted area of the the country. He lives in a very modest home and has a church down the street but his real work is out in the jungle and difficult places. He works with many of the indigenous peoples. Some of which have little contact with the outside world: the Lacandones, a people that dress very simply in a white dress, do not cut their hair and speak a Mayan dialect; the Tojolabales, another Mayan tribe, while many dress very traditionally, they do not live as isolated. He also works with those persecuted because of their Christian beliefs. We drove by a village of people that had all been displaced because of their faith. Another group that he has worked with are the Zapatisitas, a revolutionary group. You might say his work is dangerous but he is driven and passionate. He gave out 80,000 books last year and continues to work tirelessly among these people groups.

Central Mexico (Mexico City):

     I was privileged to join two ministries in action in the greater Mexico City area: Comodores de Amor and Talita Cumi. The first one feeds children after school in areas of need and provides additional learning opportunities for them. They feed not only the stomachs but also the souls, using the Book of Hope as a tool. I must have spoken to more that a dozen children whose lives had been changed after reading the Championes (soccer) book or Solo Nosotras, a book for girls, both version of the Book of Hope. Then I joined a group of Clowns that go regularly to the children's wards in hospitals through out the city; performing, giving gifts and words of encouragement as well as Books of Hope and prayer. It was inspiring to join these groups of dedicated people, but even more that that to see the fruit of their labors in the faces of the children.

The Road Less Traveled

John 15:16   You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.

It's been a fruitful few years, but you know what, I feel like I am just getting started. Watch this video and see for yourself.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoQjf-9YmE0

My Current Challenge: expanding my donor base. My funding runs out in July. Partner with me and be a part of many lives changed! Please consider giving. Send a check, made out to OneHope, 600 SW 3rd St, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. Please use “Clark” in the memo line. Or you can give online at http://tinyurl.com/support4kim


THANK YOU to all of you who partner with me in so many ways. Those who PRAY, those who GIVE, and those who WRITE (I can't tell you how important that last one is, l love emails, letters and comments!) Please feel free to share my photo story with others.

Adventures in Missions

There are benefits and there are trials in doing what I do. There is joy and there is sorrow. Being away from my missions work the last six weeks has given me time to reflect on this life and to realize that this is where I am called to be at this moment in time. Some of you have been asking so here are some of the highs and lows and near misses of missions.

Once in a lifetime opportunities: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe; Dune 7 in Namibia; Cape of Good Hope and Cape Town, South Africa; Copan--Mayan Ruins in Honduras; Lemurs in Madagascar; Moscow, Russia; York,UK; Montevideo, Uruguay; Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Near Misses (timing is everything and God's hand of protection): Hotel Montana, Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Zimbabwe the day before elections; Honduras just days before the President was ousted; a park in Perm, Russia the day before a major bus crash at that location.

 

Joys: Taking photos, covering events, interviewing kids, praying with and encouraging kids, showing a film or giving books to kids who have never heard the gospel, leading some to the Lord, training others to reach kids, teaching photography and seeing first hand the impact a photo can have on someone, giving kids hope, passing-on media skills, interacting with college students, being part of a communications team, and new friends around the world.

Difficulties: Replenishing funds in a bad economy and during an international disaster, Haiti in Aug, Haiti in Sept, and Haiti now, loneliness, singleness, in some cultures just being a woman, constant change, all the people that come and go so quickly, living in FL especially with an unairconditioned car that is falling apart, spiritually recharging, missing family and friends, really bad foriegn roads, culture changes and adjustment and readjustments.

Thankful for: an innovative, cutting edge, and always on the go organization that has huge goals and expectations, that believes in reaching every child in the world, makes the Word and prayer a priority and many new friends along the way.

Favorite country: I am asked this question a lot. My response is usually the last one... which at this moment is Russia (I loved it). But let me qualify this a little bit. My favorite place to go is South Africa, favorite country for ministry is England, favorite place for the people is Madagascar, favorite place for food is Argentina. The place that affected me the most is Haiti, although I would not call it a favorite. And my favorite place to come back too is the USA.

As you may have figured out I am currently raising funds to continue doing what I love and where God has called me. A friend so nicely reminded me today that I am not raising funds for myself but to reach others. I can definitely tell you there is NO profit in missions. I often question why I am doing this when I look at my checkbook but then I think of Chesney in South Africa whose life was forever changed for the better. The girl in Russia who wanted to know why a photo of a boy in South Africa was so peaceful, or the many hundreds of faces I see when I close my eyes that have hope tonight because they responded to page 33 in the Book of Hope or saw a film and now attend a kids club. I am willing to go, but I need people to send me. If you have wanted to give, but haven't yet NOW is the time. If you gave one time in the past, now would be a good time to give again.

A new photo site has been posted. http://www.kimart4chphoto.com/. The childrens portraits are the ones that you helped to reach and the many that they represent in their home countries. If you gave you also reached 2,700 kids in Haiti this past summer, you were a part of encouraging 700 kids at a school in South Africa and 50 young people in Russia.

I am excied about what 2010 may hold even though I have no idea what at the moment. Someone prayed over me not too long ago that 2010 would be a very fruitful year and I am believing it to be so.

Blessings,
~Kim

Please consider giving. Send a check, made out to OneHope, 600 SW 3rd St, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. Please use “Clark” in the memo line. Or you can give online at http://tinyurl.com/support4kim

Thank you for giving, praying and writing…