IN THE GOLD FLOOD OF LIGHT WHERE THE EARTH MEETS THE SUMMER SKIES

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.. "

- Genesis 1:1

At 12 am on Friday night we started our adventure. We drove 3 hours and reached the edge of the lava field at 4 am. After two hours of hiking across the lava desert we reached the location where molten lava pours into the ocean. It is the most amazing sight I have ever seen and I am sure I will never see anything quite like it again. Lava was flowing on one side and the sunrise on the other it was truly a masterpiece. God is amazing. 

As a joke, we roasted marshmallows on some cracks in the Lava - just to say that we did. We didn't eat them because of the sulfur. 

After enjoying our time at the Lava field we drove over to the Southern most point of the united states. There is a 40 foot cliff people like to jump off. It also has a breathtaking view. From South Point we walked 1 hour to Green Sands beach. This is one of my favorite beaches here on Island. The sand is literally an olive great color.. its incredible. 

The best part of this weekend was that I spent it with two of my best friends. Its one thing to see these awe inspiring things but to share those experiences with others is so special. 

-alyssajoline

PHOTOGENX - Week 4

This week was corporate week. This is where the students from all the DTS schools on campus gather together to worship as hear teaching together. Dan Bowman was our speaker this week and really challenged us on intimacy with the Lord. He shared his testimony and stories of how God has proved himself faithful in his life. One of which was his personal story about being imprisoned in Iran. It was an amazing time of hearing about Gods goodness and faithfulness. It was really amazing to see so many young people excited about Jesus! Across the whole room young brothers and sisters in Christ were praying for one another and encouraging each other. It is such a blessing to be a part of and I am so thankful to be here for this season. 

One thing that challenged me this week was how I view my relationship with the Lord. So often my relationship with God is like a list:

1.God

2.Family

3.Ministry

4.Job etc.

 Once I complete the "first task" I can get on with my day. Instead we were challenged to change our thinking. God should be the center and everything stems out of our relationship with Him. God is the center. I have seen this diagram before but it was just a good reminder that God wants to be a part of everything. 

Thank you again for your prayers and support I feel so blessed.

* alyssa joline

PHOTOGENX DTS : BEGINNINGS

PHOTOGENX DTS 2013

Hello Blog world! I should have known that my lack of using social media would follow into the world of blogging. I promise that I am going to try and be better at updating you about my life. We are entering into our 4th week of DTS tomorrow! I still cannot believe that the first month is almost over. It has been a busy time both challenging and amazing. Here is a general updated on what has been going on these past few weeks.   

The first week started with an overview of what PHOTOGENX is about and the vision behind it. Susi and Paul Childers, the couple who started up PHOTOGENX and voice for the voiceless, spoke about the desire to use media to reach the unreached and bring awareness to global injustice. It was so powerful to hear stories of how God has used media in the past to change laws and shift things within the government. The students really were inspired and encouraged in what they could do with media.

During the second week the topic was "repentance and forgiveness" it was so incredible to see how God moved in the hearts of the students. It was a tough and long week but brought such freedom. During this week the students were encouraged to ask God to reveal certain things that they needed to forgive and/or repent of. Thursday we had an application day where the students were able to verbally declare things they needed to get right with. God used this time to bring freedom and unity within our group.

This past week was a little lighter which was refreshing. We were looking at the Character of God. Each day the students were getting revelation of who God is, who God isn't and how we can grow to have certain characteristics of God. I really enjoyed the teaching. 

Even though the teaching is directed at the students I had many times where God opened my eyes or used the teaching to touch my heart. One specific time was this past week we watched a short clip from Louie Giglio. I was just undone at how great God is and how His fingerprints are everywhere!His glory and the beauty of His creation  is so great yet He still desires a relationship with me.. a sinful human. It just amazes me.


"When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?"
PSALM 8:3-4




During this week we were given our outreach locations. I would like to announce that I will be co-leading a team to the pacific islands. Focusing on the main island of FIJI and possibly another close island! I am excited to see how God uses us in that place.

God has been really stretching me through this time. I have been learning to trust Him through these past weeks. There has been up and downs but He is faithful. I ask that you continue to support me in prayer. Some specific prayer requests are to gain wisdom and discernment in leading. I want to be a good example and lead out of how God is changing me.




Thank you to all who have been supporting me both through prayer and also financially. I feel so blessed to know that there are people behind me, supporting me through this season of my life. I feel so privileged have such amazing family and friends are joining together, believing that God is going to use this school to advance the kingdom. Thank you!!







I love you and miss you <3

*alyssa joline 

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

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.