From Jeremie
Gooood day everyone! This is your favorite videographer, editor, director, concept artist, computer tech and news reporter! At least that was some of my roles these past few months. A missionary certainly is a jack of all trades, even in the digital world. I used to try to make myself busy, now it's a matter of picking which projects to work on. I've been giving a "no" to most projects though because I'm 5 months into the year and I haven't had time to pursue what I was hoping to do: teach Haitians filmmaking and get them involved in my local Bon Fwi TV program. A lot of people in Saint Marc were excited when I returned because they thought I would continue making episodes for the program. I guess I have a big fanbase! Until I start equipping others for the job though, I'm holding back new episodes (Although I still do one now and then)
So what have I been doing? Well I got to draw some pretty cool design ideas for the stained glass window which will be going in our prayer chapel currently being constructed on our campus. The final design hasn't been chosen, but these are the top 2 right now
A few weeks ago I finally accepted Alain and Dieunak's request to make a music video from one of their Men of God songs. Alain and Dieunak are two of our Haitian staff on base. They started making Haitian Christian music and some of their songs are pretty cool. The reason why I accepted was because the DTS were soon to go on outreach and they would lose their chance to use some of the students and kids who would act in the film. Who knows where the students will go after outreach, so it's good we had it done then. Filming of the video was hectic, as I tried to give everyone a crash course on filmmaking from what I learned in the film school, but in the end we got amazing shots. I need to get it subtitled before uploading it so you can understand what is going on, but I can definently say it's the best music production I have ever done. It will be subtitled and up before the month is over!
Right now I am with the DTS currently on outreach. I'll be with them for 1 1/2 weeks capturing what the DTS is like for a promo and making a short documentary of their outreach to show on Saint Marc television. It will give people a good idea how radical, challenging and serious being a disciples is! So I'm sleeping on cement floors and conserving my laptop battery by writing this update on paper first. I had spaghetti for yesterday's breakfast and took a bucket bath in a shower that has no door, no roof, and is about 5 feet tall. I love the adventure, and so far I'm getting good shots. I am currently in the city of Jeremie. I've never been here before. It's a good-sized city with block-paved roads and I find it is more lush and peaceful than Saint Marc. If you look on the map to the right, it's the city furthest to the left. There is an arrow going across the ocean straight to it. The DTS had to drive by bus from the very top of Haiti to Jeremie at the very bottom left! For them, it was ~20 hour trip. The next location is Les Cayes and I hope the house there has working electric. The electric at our house blew moments after we arrived!
Concept Art
Music Video
In Jeremie
It seems to me sharing through the visual arts is a huge need on the mission field, no matter where you are. Getting the chance to share the gospel message through video directly is an even greater privilege. Thanks to all of you out there investing in me to make it possible for me to keep YWAM Haiti and it's staff in communication with it's local and global audience, as well as being able to share directly and serve in all the other different positions I end up being requested for!
This June I am visiting my grandma in Norway for 2 weeks to help in filming her teachings and get some spiritual training and direction for myself. They are paying for the flight there and housing costs. What a privilege!
Trip to Norway
Always a Need