Saturday, April 14, 2012

I Made It!... Now What?

Greeting from Guinea,
It seems not too long ago that I was only exploring this idea of producing  videos in Africa.  Now it is a reality!

I made it here to KanKan Guinean after only a slight hiccup at customs, and a 12 hour drive through nearly all of Guinea. Over the past week, I've been working hard with the World Venture team to help tell the stories of Gods work through them. God continues to confirm for me that this is what he made me for. All of my life experiences give me an edge in how I do life here and the work I am able to accomplish. Praise God for that!

It consistently is 90 plus here even at night. The dry heat creates dust that gets everywhere and I am discovering that while I understand a little French, I can't really communicate with anyone except the missionaries. Despite those difficulties, we are actually ahead of schedule if you would believe that. So we are adding a few extra pieces to the production schedule. When we first set the production schedule I thought it was ambitious, but my gear has performed perfectly and everything has fallen into place. The content I've been able to capture has been great and the material is editing together beautifully.

Sharing
God continues to bless these productions, and I'm excited for the next phase of production: Distribution.  With these first videos, my goal is to see every video to be viewed at least 250 times. Then as more videos are produced and online, to have videos viewed 1000 times a piece.  By the end of 2 years that should add up to over 200,000 views!

Missions Like Solar Panels

In order to reach those goals I need your help. If everyone on this list shared the videos with 4 friends we would reach our second stage goal. So let's give it a try.  Internet here is slow, but I've been able to upload one short piece to Vimeo. Take a look and share this video across social media channels. Let's see how many hits we can get this first time around!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sticks and Stones

     I've been called a lot of things in my life. When I was a baby my Mother called my "Little Lamb." My Dad called me "Drewski." I'm sure my siblings had names for me but I've blocked those from memory.
     One year for vacation we went to Virginia beach. That day there happened to be some military lifeguards off duty and they were throwing children into the ocean. Throwing probably doesn't do it justice. They were Launching kids six or seven feet up into they air where we could land safely in the waves. Because I was the youngest and also the smallest and lightest I was thrown higher than anyone else. Imagine a 50 lbs kid being launched by four lifeguards who would have put David Hasselhoff to shame. My family has pictures of me 12 feet above the waves, laughing and screaming each time. After that they called me "Sky-Willie."
    In high school, I was called "God Hog." My classmates would tease me that I spent so much time talking with God that nobody else could get a word in edge wise. Some how what they meant as a tease I took as a badge of honor. 
    When I was traveling to my sisters in Uganda, I remember driving  through the mountains and across the valley children came out of the houses yelling, "Muzungu, Give me money." The only English they knew. Muzungu is what they call white people. Here in Guinea the kids yell, "Toubabu, BonJour." The only French they know.
     Today I was called something new and will always remember it.  I spent the morning shooting in Leferani a local village. The classic scenery of locals cooking, building hits and in just living kept me constantly behind the lens trying to capture every image. Our host for the day, made the comment that I was a Deaf, Mute because he hadn't heard me say anything. That struck me. A deaf mute. I've never been called that before, but I like it.    

Just think ... a Deaf and Mute Storyteller.     

Yeah, I like that.