It has been about a month since the last update, so I thought that I would write a blog entry and fill everyone in on what has been happening and what will hopefully happen in the near future.
The last 2 months have been pretty crazy, even though I have only been in the States for a little over a month now. When I first got the vision for this show, I really had no idea how involved it would be until I got back home. There was money to raise for the trip, venues to book, sponsors to find, prints to make, details to tie up, and finally, the event to put on. God has really paved the way for these shows to go through, first of all, blessing me with Cierra, a friend from DTS. She has really been the influencer behind the event, all I really did was print out some pictures. He has also given us favor with countless individuals and companies. If I were to list all of the amazing things that he has done, you probably would stop reading because the text would go on for pages.
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So, on Thursday the 12th, the first show of the Not Alone Benefit Photography Tour kicked off in Downtown Denver at JC’s Ground. I would say probably 150 people showed to support the orphans in Africa. Family and friends came, but I would say that I probably didn’t know the majority of the people that were there. There was even a young man from Zimbabwe that has been living in Denver for a short time. I won’t tell the amount that was raised, because I want to save it for the end of the tour, but it was so encouraging. I really didn’t expect what happened, with the amount of people and money that was given. It was great to see people moved by the social and physical damage that is going on in Africa. To Him be all glory!
Thank you as well to all of you who helped make the Benefit a reality!
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(http://i14 NULL.photobucket NULL.com/albums/a311/johnkwali/blog3 NULL.jpg)[All photos courtesy of Matt Loevenguth]
I leave tomorrow for the next leg of the trip, which will be Chicago and Toronto. I still don’t know what to expect from these places, but I know that people need to see what is happening and get involved in some way. Please pray that people’s hearts will be open to see these children as God sees them. You can also check the Benefit’s website for more information…
Not Alone Benefit Photography Tour (http://www NULL.matt28 NULL.com/notalone)
I have also been accepted to another school from YWAM that I have mentioned in previous posts. It’s called PhotogenX Around the World, and it starts this September in South Africa. From South Africa a team of us will travel to Egypt, Sinai, Israel, Ethiopia, Spain, Morocco, the Netherlands, and Costa Rica before going to Kona, HI for more training. The whole program is 17 months long with only short breaks for Christmas and New Years. The focus of the school will be on social justice in the areas visited, how to capture and record injustice to portray an accurate display for the rest of the world, learn about the different cultures that we are immersed in, and to learn more about the Word of God. The program comes with an Associates of Arts in photography too, which isn’t a bad deal, and a portfolio from across the globe, which is amazing.
I have been particular about not asking for support on the blog, and there is a reason for it. I want to make sure that I am providing insight and information with no strings attached. The blog isn’t a gimmick for raising financial support for myself and I would like to keep it that way. So, if you are interested in the next program that I will be involved in and how you can help, please contact me (at the email address on the side) and we can discuss further. If you aren’t, then there is no pressure, I still need as much prayer as I can get!
I will continue to update the blog on my future travels so stay tuned!
God Bless!
Servant of Christ
John Paul
Tags: africa, aids, awaken, Benefit, compassion, fundraiser, hiv, HIV/AIDS, missions, orphanage, photoblog, photography, photojournalism
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Looks like that was pretty much bomb.com. Way to go dude.
I was an attendent at JC’s, but unaware the content of the evening was for Not Alone. I came to hear my friends John and Jake play music, but what I wasn’t expecting was the blessing of your display. I am a youth leader at a local church, and this week I have been preparing to speak on the passage in Matthew that states, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
The Lord spoke to me through your photos of His comfort for Africa through faithful stewards as yourself and others. You are the comfort for those who mourn. Thank you for making me aware. I will be in prayer for your tour, and for the adventure to come as you mentioned in your blog.
I hope it is alright that I will use you as an example as I teach this weekend. Glory to God for all He is doing through you and those involved.