the Teens Camp

A weekend away in the hills outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. I went with a group of youth for four days away and as one of three camp photographers. We took pictures of paint balling, rock climbing, swimming, archery and the many talks about relationships.We put together several videos documenting our time. Enjoy. I know I did.

Photos by: Stacie, Jesse and Denica

Song: Tonight by Tobi Mac featuring John Cooper

Photos by: Stacie, Jesse and Denica

Song: Needle and Haystack Life by Switchfoot

Remember these youth. Life is hard for any teenager!

the World Cup

The 2010 World Cup has taken over. For the last six months, I've traveled to most of the cities hosting the games and gotten to see the beautiful country of South Africa. I, along with fellow teammates, gathered content for a new website. We got the stories of South Africans, the stories of everyday life in South Africa. We interviewed gang members, single mothers, teens looking for a better life, entrepreneurs, aid workers and many others. Find out more about South Africa, even if you can't come to the games, at www.worldsoccerjourneys.com.

Learn about what makes South Africa a great place to call home or a great place to visit.

Africa Stories

Recently, I helped pull together some of the content of this site www.africastories.org. Please read about some of the things I've gotten to experience and enjoy during the last couple of months. I've written a few of the stories and some of the photos are mine, but for security reasons I can't tell you. If you what to know shoot me a message and I'll let you know in an email.

If you would like the free printed tabloid version click here.

the loss

This is dedicated to a friend who just experienced a great loss. Remember this friend, the family and myself as I try to be a friend through it all.

sadness overwhelms
as it surrounds me
pain is all i feel
from deep inside me
my heart is heavy
within me

here is my cry
listen as i scream
without a word
the world does not hear

deep is the doubt
believe for me
longing to know
have faith for me
anger is all i have
love for me

here is my cry
listen as i scream
without a word
the world does not hear

i am lost in myself
guide me
i know you are there
show me
i turn within
heal me

here is my cry
listen as i scream
without a word
the world does not hear

God you are always near
you know my heart
you know my pain
love me always

carry me

The song

Friends of mine reminded me of this song yesterday and I want to share it. It encourages me that even now I am being constantly molded. 

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME

By: Joel Hemphill

---

CHORUS:

He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.

1. There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part.
But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands.

CHORUS:

2. In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.

CHORUS:

The teaching

Recently, I visited a township called Freedom Park outside the city of Rustenburg, South Africa. A township is a poor neighborhood of shack homes (made of tin) or small brick houses (government provided). Some have running water and electricity some don't. Freedom Park doesn't.

Thousands of people live in Freedom Park. And the vast majority of them are migrant workers from other African countries.


My friends Mary and Lesley work in some of the many schools that the children of these migrant workers attend. They teach True Love Waits, life orientation (basic life skills) to the students. They also teach a Bible study during an after school program.

Lesley and Mary playing games
with the students during an after school program.

*Photos and edits by JAL, shot with Nikon D90

The soccer match

Soccer is a big deal, at least here in South Africa. And it's an even bigger deal because the World Cup is coming here in 2010. Part of my job right now is to visit some of the cities with World Cup stadiums. While visiting we document the lives of the South Africans that live surrounding the stadiums. In the city of Rustenburg I actually got to go to a game. The Platinum Stars (the local team) played the Kaiser Chiefs. The Chiefs won. But hanging out with the fans was great. Such energy and zeal.

Me and fellow media worker, Stacie.

The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.

A community owned stadium, the only one in South Africa.

With our hosts, Lesley (left) and Mary (center).

The glass blowing

I, along with two friends of mine, Mary Beth and Lusy, went to a glass shop and got to make our own glass paperweights. It was a cute shop and a very community type outing. We all enjoyed the time out and being amongst other people. The picture above is a man showing us how to make the decorations and mold in which to pour the hot, melted glass.

a shot of the studio and show room. i tried to take a panorama...

My friend, Mary Beth before she gave birth,
putting in the finishing decorations on the melted glass.

Lucy concentrating on her work of art.

A glass blowing demonstration.

The actual blowing.

*taken by JAL with a Sony Ericsson camera phone

The East London (South Africa) beach

Not too long ago, I took a trip to East London, South Africa. It's a cute little city right on the eastern coast. I got to go to the beach in July. But, was wearing a thick winter jacket because of the cold. So cold. Below is what I saw. It is really a beautiful place.

My friend, Roxie on the boardwalk looking out to the ocean.

*Photos and edits by JAL, shot with Nikon D90

The Samburu

The Samburu people are starving.

They are located just above the equator in eastern Africa.

The Samburu people live in the highland forests of Kenya, at almost 7,800 feet above sea level. An ongoing drought and post-election violence in 2008 gravely disrupted the area's food supply, contributing to the starvation of animals and people.





Hunger is a very real problem all through the drought stricken Rift Valley region of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Thanks to the generous gifts of SBers to the World Hunger Fund, local workers are able to plan hunger relief projects to help alleviate some of the suffering. God is blessing these efforts. Pray for good rains this next season.

They are traditional warriors.

For more on how to help visit www.gobgr.com.

*photos taken and edited by JAL, taken with Nikon D90. Video by DM.

The Mug and Bean

Some days I've just got to get out of the house. Right now my bedroom also seconds as my office and the four walls really do close in.


Kristen, Ethan and I decided to spend the morning at a local coffee shop. We worked hard and ate good food. Kristen had a bottomless cup of coffee. (for those of you who don't know, there are no free refills here, so a bottomless cup of coffee is the "promise land").


*all photos by KNS, editing done by JAL, shot with Nikon D90