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…

Coming Full Circle in Russia

As a child I would pull out the maps of National Geographic and study them for hours. Every time I saw a movie about Africa or stories of Russia my heart yearned to go to these places. I could never explain it but the travel bug has always been there. I’ve spent 9 months of the last two years in Southern Africa and just recently had the opportunity to travel to Russia.


Hamming it up for the camera at New Testament church in Perm, Russia

Russia was not at all what I expected. It was not the country I had heard so many stories about during the communist eras. It has changed. Yes it is true that there are still Lenin statues everywhere and in villages people still live the way they have for the last century without many common amenities. But the people of the cities are modern, professional, well-dressed, and very good at what they do. (Although since the previous place I visited was Haiti, the contrasts were probably more overt). As I sat in a food court in a bright and cheery Russian mall connected to wi-fi and eating a wrap from a Southern Fried Chicken place I was able to reflect on much of this and the fascination with Russia which really started for me more than twenty years ago in Belgium.

Living in Europe and working for an international organization brought a lot of people across my path. Several of those were Russian pastors. One in particular was a very young pastor who came to take a few classes at the Bible school. It was the late 80s and things had not yet opened up beyond the Berlin Wall, but the door was beginning to crack. I remember teaching Sunday school one weekend while this pastor visited the classrooms. He was amazed that children so young could be taught the gospel because it was illegal to teach their children about Jesus in those days. Fast forward twenty-one years later and I am the one visiting Russian Sunday school classes in a very large church in Perm. What I saw was a very vibrant ministry to the kids taking place, it definitely touched my heart.


Russian kids having a blast singing worship songs at New Testament church in Perm.

I remember thinking as I packed my Bible in my suitcase that this was no longer an illegal book…I could take it in legally. I later held in my hands a legal Russian Bible copyrighted in the early 90s and the many different versions of the Russian Book of Hope; many of which started so many churches and changed countless children’s lives. Our purpose in Russia this trip was to film several recent testimonies, while we were filming children and their current stories I was amazed by all the adults that we met that had been transformed by the Book of Hope in the early 90s and were now working feverishly to do the same for the current generation.

In grad school I wrote a training manual for teaching magazine design and photography specifically for Eastern Europe but never had the chance to use it, until now. Our OneHope Russian office held a photo contest just recently using many of the themes from the Book of Hope for a new edition they have been working on. Many unchurched young people participated. We arrived just in time to see the finalists and the awards ceremony. A week later I was able to teach a photography class to many of these individuals. A couple of things stood out: 1. I was able to give my testimony halfway through as it relates to my photography work and 2. a girl approached me about one of my photos, it was the one of the boy with his eyes closed and hands raised from South Africa (posted several entries back) she wanted to know what he was doing and why he had that expression. It was a joy explaining it to her.

So many things came full circle on this trip to Russia; my curiosity of Russian culture, seeing the children being impacted in a positive way and my photography. I originally studied photojournalism because of a word I received in Belgium about my camera opening doors that the title of missionary might not be able to and here I was teaching teens and young adults that wouldn’t come to hear a missionary speak but were very interested in the words of a photojournalist.

As you can probably pick-up from the article above I feel like I am just now starting my real calling. As a missionary, it is a fact that I need your continued support and partnership to continue making an impact. But, I never dreamed as a photographer I could really touch others until now! I am currently raising more funds to stay-on another year. Please consider giving. Send a check to OneHope, 600 SW 3rd St, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. Please use “Clark” in the memo line. Or you can give online at http://www.onehope.net/pages/page.asp?page_id=68958 Thank you for giving, praying and writing…

Pay it Forward

Bolosse, Port-au-Prince, Haiti--The morning light was peaking over the tops of the buildings and down the cramped garbage strewn streets. Morning commerce especially the food vendors were off to an early start while the others were just setting up. Children in all different colors of uniforms were walking to school. Girls in yellow and grey uniforms walking one way, boys in green walking another direction, red checked, pink, and blue...children, parents, young ones, middle ones, and teens. The young girls all wearing over sized bows in their hair, the boys were in shorts. The day just starting to heat up in temperature and activity. It was a typical morning in the capital city.

We arrived in Haiti on a Monday and left on a Wednesday. Our job was to film and photograph a milestone event for OneHope...the distribution of our 600 millionth book. We were roaming the streets of one of the more difficult areas of town gathering footage and photos to tell our story. If we had been there at night the above scene would have been very different and safety would have been a huge concern.

Wednesday morning we pull up to the chosen school. It was a peaceful place on a hillside walled off from the slums below. However, it wasn't always so peaceful. Three years back for a period of two months the school found itself under demonic attack. Everyday a different child would manifest this evil: shouting obscenities, and words of violence and destruction. The message was loud and clear: that Satan meant to steal, kill and destroy the children of this nation. However the adults came together and fasted and prayed and things began to change. The children of the school are now a shining example of transformation. A young lady by the the name of Ruth Sara received the 600 millionth book. She was a bright and articulate 13 year old who wanted to be a Doctor, Lawyer and a Diplomat. She was so appreciative to be given this honor.

Onehope was founded twenty-two years ago when Bob Hoskins, had a vision of children and youth being destroyed by violence, disease, poverty and the evils of this world. Here we were in a place that embodied all of those things in such a visible way handing out the 600 millionth book world wide, knowing full well much had been done (600,000,000 is a big number and we have so many testimonies of transformation) but much more is still to be done as it is estimated that there are 2 billion children in the world.

Something I learned in Haiti this time around is that the people here are survivors. They know how to survive with nothing. True believers know how to combat the wiles of the devil. Prayer and the word of God in Haiti is a sharp sword. There are points of bright light shining in the darkness here. We realized that if God can transform this school in Haiti, he can transform the rest of the nation and the world. OneHope's goal is to reach every single child in the world with the Word. There is an ambitious plan in place and if we continue to tell the stories like the one of Ruth Sara's school in Haiti, hope will not be lost especially for Haiti and many more will be saved.