Sunday, March 24, 2013

SOP - The End

Photo by Dennis Fahringer



This Friday has concluded my time in the School of Photography. It has been a great experience and I am so thankful for this opportunity. During these past three months I have spent my days learning, editing, shooting, and laughing with these wonderful people. I have met so many amazing friends who have taught me so much in photography but also have encouraged me to live my life differently. They have supported and walked with me in both photography and in my relationship with the Lord. I am so blessed to have been surrounded by this wonderful family. I am going to miss them greatly. This upcoming week will include cleaning as well as a lot of goodbyes. 

My time here has been such a blessing; the Lord has opened up this incredible opportunity to shape me and develop the artistic gifts that He has given me. This experience has not just been about developing my gifts, but more importantly about growing in my faith. I have renewed passion for missions, and telling others about Jesus through the use of media. My photography school is coming to a close at the end of this month, and I was originally planning on coming home at that time. Recently, an opportunity to stay on as a staff member for the PhotogenX Discipleship Training School has come up. Through prayerful consideration, I believe that this is where the Lord wants to use me for the next six months. There were some challenges that I faced which were quickly eliminated (visa issues, flight cancellation), and I believe with confidence that this is the Lord’s leading. 

   PhotogenX DTS is a Discipleship Training School that uses media to raise awareness for global injustices. We will be using both photography and videography. The initial three months will be at the base in Kona and we will be focusing on discipleship and preparation for the field. The following three months are the outreach portion of the DTS. These ten weeks will be spent applying the photography and creative media skills learned throughout the lecture phase to give a voice to the voiceless. For the six month commitment my responsibilities as a staff member will include: one on one discipleship, small groups, participating in school lectures, helping students with media assignments, preparation for, and leadership on the outreach phase.

First and foremost I would like to ask you to partner with me in prayer for the mission that I believe God has called me to. Please pray that He would prepare my heart, and the hearts of those on our team, so that we might authentically witness His truth and love. Please pray that we will be earnest in seeking His guidance, and be dependent on Him in all circumstances; we truly desire to bring glory to Him by being His hands and feet. It is such an amazing privilege to serve Him! I want to be faithful, and willing to be used by Him in whatever way He has planned. I do have some financial needs in order for this to happen. I need $350.00 per month for the initial stage, and $3000.00 - $4000.00 for the outreach phase. However, I do not want to ask you to send me money just because you know me and feel obligated to. I ask that you would prayerfully consider how the Lord wants you to support me during this time, whether through prayer, letters of encouragement, or finances. I recognize that prayer is the most important, and so regardless of whether or not you feel led to support me financially, I humbly ask that you would be in prayer for me. 


Thank you <3
Alyssa

Saturday, March 2, 2013

SOP - Adventure


During the School of Photography the whole school travels around the island to photograph certain places including the volcano, south point, waterfalls & other things. Thanks to Dennis we had a very specific itinerary for the next two days.. all the way down to where the best washroom stops are. This was probably to save him from the "are we there yet?" questions. We had two large vans packed with food, people and TONS of photography equipment. We set off on Wednesday morning at 7:30 to catch the early light. Destination to destination, picture after picture. Thankfully in Hawaii there is no seat belt law which meant we could stand up and take photos when needed as well as climbing over seats to change lenses or grab food. After a full day of taking photographs we stopped at a military camp in a cozy little cabin overnight on the top of the volcano & enjoyed hot chocolate and a warm fire. In the morning we were up bright and early ready for more photo taking.

"For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him." - Colossians 1:16


























I am so thankful for my time here and the people that I have come to love so dearly. I can hardly believe that I only have one month left in the school of photography. I can honestly say that I do not feel ready to say goodbye to this chapter of my life but I am excited for the future, whatever that may look like.