janice's journeys

2010-02-13T14:03:00.000-08:00

As I sit in a hotel room in Nairobi, Kenya my mind is saturated with the scenes from my first month and a half of this year. First, Cambodia for capturing the stories of the imprisoned women and children of the sex traffic trade. Then onto the horrific sites of Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake. Now I am preparing my heart and mind for Sudan. Lord teach me how to capture your heart in the photos I take. It was 20 years ago this month that for the first time I left the United States. No I did not go to Canada or Mexico I went to Africa. That is where I found my calling. I felt alive in a way I had never felt before. I knew that I had only touched the tip of my iceberg. Now 20 years later I feel much the same way.

I am sitting here asking God to help me to show the hungry and poor to the people of this world in a way that they will see Him. Knowing that if we help them we are touching God. I will never get over that truth. We can touch Jesus! We must never grow weary in well doing. Yes we must do well . We must do the right thing.

As I sit here tonight with some nostalgic feelings of the last 20 years. I look so forward to the next 20. I want to meet Jesus on every continent and in as many countries as He will allow me to tell the story through pictures of the poor. He has a overwhelming love for the poor and needy. How can I not?

I have spent all but one of my birthdays in Africa over the last 2o years and that has been a gift to me. I want to give back. I want to be a voice for those without the technology to do it themselves.

The plight of the Hungry, How do I say it in a new way. How do I show it in a new way?

Maybe it is people listening with new ears and seeing it with new eyes. I am going to give my all to show it again I pray others will see it. Why do we feed these children? Because they are hungry.

2009-09-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

I heard a message spoken by a man in 1984 and it has stayed with me all of these years. I ponder it often and wanted to pass the gist of it on to anyone that might want it.

Arthur Blessitt was speaking at a conference I was working. He was talking about being obedient to the Lord and he said (my paraphrase). If God tells you to go to New York, get on the next plane. If you can't afford a ticket, drive. If you don't have a car, take a bus. If you can't afford the bus, walk. If you can't walk, just fall in that direction.

This makes me want to jump out of my skin. I get so excited. It is about hearing him and doing what he says. That is the whole thing.

I want to do things in my life that require Him to be involved. If He is not needed I don't want to go there. I need Him for everything and to do what He has put on my heart will take far more than my capabilities. Thank you Lord.

2009-09-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

I finished reading a must read for all Christians. "There's a Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. My favorite quote from the book is.

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it" "Well why don't you ask Him? "Because I'm afraid He would ask me the same question"

Anonymous

Wow that is right where it hurts. We blame God for mans failures way too often. If we would do our part with God's help we could fix all the problems.

Just something to think about. I did not want to be alone in my ruminating of this thought.

2009-09-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

Wow. It has been a long time. I have been traveling a lot and should have been writing about it. I went to India a few months ago and it was life changing. Now it was not just India because I have been there before. It was what I saw that I will never forget.

I went to document the horrible sex trade that is in full gear in many cities in India and many other countries. I saw where girls are being sold daily for sex with absolutely no choice of their own. These girls are victimized starting as young as 7 maybe younger. It is one of the filthiest and evil places I have ever seen. The only place that even comes close is Auschwitz in Poland where millions of Jewish and other people were murdered.

This is a situation that if you really think about it and what is happening every moment of everyday in these places, it will drive you crazy.

I am going to tell you somethings that will absolutely make you sick but it must be said.

Little girls and boys are stolen, sold and kidnapped everyday and taken to the most awful places in the world. When they arrive at a place they thought was going to be nice they are raped repeatedly. Not just once or twice but over and over until their will is broken. If this does not work their captures put chemicals on their private parts until they give in. They are also locked in cages for months even years so they have no hope. They have to "service" anywhere from 15 to 40 clients a day. There days don't ever end. They get sleep when they can take a nap here or there. The younger they are the more they are in demand.

I want to tell you that this is not something that we can allow to continue. I am only one voice but I will not be silenced.

Happy New Year

2009-01-04T15:37:00.000-08:00

New year is always so introspective. I like it because I enjoy that process. This year I feel like is going to be a great one for many reasons. I have some personal goals I am excited about. I also think with the tough times our country is in, it gives the church body an opportunity to be the body of Christ. That is exciting.

I have had some interesting experiences over the holidays. I will write a couple of them soon. Love to all and a very happy new year.

Christmas thoughts

2008-12-26T18:20:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas - family, friends, great food, laughter, and love. I had a great Christmas eve with my whole family. We ate ham, and all the usual sides for a great christmas dinner. We played a board game and then opened presents. We always pass out one present for everyone and then we all open that one at the same time. It is fun trying to see what everyone received and open your own present at the same time. The "thank yous" start flying and everyone oos and aaahs over their gift. I love my family so much. I get all warm inside when I think of them. My parents are the most awesome parents in the world in my opinion. They are so supportive of me and all our family. They are amazing prayer warriors and love God with their whole heart. My brother is an amazing man. He has a heart for God and loves his family beyond words. His wife is like a real sister to me. I know she is my sister in law but I call her my sister in love it is much more fitting. I love her as much as natural born sister. She is so sweet and pure. My oldest nephew is a 2nd year law student in Arizona and is such a wonderful young man. He has such a passion for changing everything around him for the better. My second nephew is a junior in College at SMU and he has such a heart of gold. He has a sense of humor that is so funny. His mind is so quick and he is a love. My niece is 15 and is about to get her drivers license. She is so creative and a smile that melts my heart. She loves the Lord and has a heart for the underdog. I am so proud of them all.

My family is that warm part in my heart and oh they bring me so much joy.

saturday fun

2008-12-13T18:17:00.001-08:00

I went to a late breakfast in a hole in the wall place in Ft. Worth. I had an egg and french toast. It has been so long since I have had french toast and it hit the spot. Then I had the idea to go look at camper trailers. I have a dream of someday driving across America and camping in my little trailer. I would try to capture so many different things with my camera. OF course every big dog I see and barns and so many other things. I would just load up the dog and go. Oh the fun and freedom.

Tonight I went to my church to see our Christmas production. IT was so fabulous. A young friend of mine was in it and he was awesome. I love the gifted people in the body of Christ. People have so much fun when they are operating in their gifts. I know when I am walking in oneness with God my heart is happy.

Life is good.

2008-12-08T19:04:00.000-08:00

I had such a busy week last week and weekend. I volunteered to help with a Christmas party for a non profit my sister in law works for and it took every spare minute I had. In the end it was a great experience.

I have been in town so long now and I am getting ancy to travel. I want to go see people that don't live in America. I love the different cultures of the world. It so challenges my thinking and why I believe like I do. Is it because it is right or that I just grew up that way. Is rushing around to make another dollar really what life is all about. Or is it more like the families in Mongolia that spend their whole lives in about a 1o mile area with family. Every night they sit around after a hard days work and talk and laugh with kids running around playing. It is so simple and we live with such complicated lives.

I was just thinking.

Also this weekend I heard a song titled "A Baby Changes Everything" by Faith HIll. I was driving down the road and the words were so powerful. It just made we want to praise God for all he has done.

back to the daily duties

2008-12-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

Wow Christmas is right around the corner. I love the holidays. My tree is decorated and the Christmas carols are playing in my head. I know everything is all blown out of proportion in the materialism area. However, I love that secular stations and malls play music about Jesus. I love that my family is so awesome and we laugh tons. I am so glad we don't dread getting together. We get excited about it.

Here is a photo of them my brother his wife, Ross, Jake, and Valerie

wildlife

2008-11-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

Today I came home from Colorado but not before seeing some of the most beautiful elk I have ever seen. They were up a hill close to where I was staying so I grabbed my camera and started hiking. I got so close, it was awesome. I was so winded from climbing the hills. Wow there is not enough air up there.

Anyway I am back to the sea level. Tomorrow is such a great day. I have so many things to be thankful for this year. God is so awesome.

I hope where ever you are it is a time of gratitude.

2008-11-24T14:14:00.000-08:00

Hello from beautiful Colorado,

I am in the Vail area of Colorado with a friend and her whole family. Oh and 2 members of the family are gourmet chefs so I am eating so grand. Coming from someone who eats spaghetti o's 4 times a week that is not saying a whole bunch. However this food is exceptional. I would love to tell you what all it is but I am not sure, it just tastes really good. We went up to Aspen to do some shopping and well here is the sum total of what I bought. My friend Kim brought her chocolate lab named Mousse as in Chocolate mousse. So I bought poop bags and two tennis balls for the dog. It was the only thing in the town I could afford.

The weather is very nice but cool. I went for a walk last night and it was so dark I could not see 3 feet in front of me and the stars were amazing. Also last night just at dusk a huge daddy dear was right out in front of the house with 3 girl dear. Okay a buck and 3 doe. I mean to tell you this buck had the greatest bunch of antlers. Some of the guys were wishing they could shoot. I was glad they could not. I shot them with my camera.

Colorado is one of those places that you can see Gods fingerprint everywhere. It has always amazed me that this is one of the most unbelieving states in the country. It just goes to show you how deceived we can be.

Well I hope all of you have a great day.

new computer

2008-11-18T16:09:00.000-08:00

I got a new laptop today. I went with a Mac and I am very excited. So this is my first post from the Mac world. My other laptop crashed Friday so I have been without and I was having withdrawals. It is so amazing how fast we get dependent on technology. I can't even watch tv without my computer in my lap. I will check in later just wanted to say hi.

2008-11-14T05:27:00.000-08:00

I am reading in Hosea right now and it is just screaming at me.

I see America and the church in these passages. First let me say I am not in anyway saying that America can be compared to God’s Israel but the principles are the same.

America was built on the word of God. The first school books were filled with scripture. Anyway, as I was reading in Hosea 7 these verses jumped out at me.

Hosea 7:1
They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets;
(NIV)

Hosea 7:7
7 All of them are hot as an oven; they devour their rulers. (NIV)
First we elect our leaders then we devour them. We look for the bad in people. It is news worthy.

Hosea 7:9
9 Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice.
(NIV)

Hosea 7:10-11
10 Israel's arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the LORD his God or search for him.
11 "Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless-- now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.
(NIV)
We are an arrogant nation and it testifies against us. If I hear one consistant thing about the US when I travel it is that America is arrogant. That is such a slap to us.

We are not searching for God. We need to be desperate for Him. Instead we are desperate for the stock market to level out. Verse 11 says they are calling out to Egypt. This is the world and the very things that can and will enslave us.

Hosea 7:13-14
13 Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak lies against me.
14 They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail upon their beds. They gather together for grain and new wine but turn away from me.
(NIV)

Vs. 13

We have strayed so far from Him. He still wants us to come back but we are rebellious and want it our way. We are prideful. After all we are Americans and we need nobody.

Vs 14

We just want more and new and turn away from God.

Hosea 7:16
16 They do not turn to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words. For this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.
(NIV)

The end is we will be and in some ways already are the laughing stock of the world.

I am praying for our country and especially the church that we will stand up, no that we will bow down and humble ourselves and run, chase after God with our whole hearts. These are serious times. This has nothing to do with any election. This applied in October just as much as November.

This is what has been on my mind.

Have a great day

Janice

2008-11-13T17:19:00.000-08:00

I am in one of those times if my life that things are just kind of mundane. I know we all have these, but it is interesting to all of the sudden recognizie it. I have a lot of big things coming up in the next months so this is like the calm before the storm. Not a bad storm at all, it is just going to get very busy real soon.

I want to learn to enjoy these times and also take the time to do things that usually get put to the side when I am busy.

I have been enjoying this weather so much. I have a scooter and I have been riding it the last couple of days to work and other places. There is something very freeing about being out there in the open. It is so funny when I pull up next to people they wave and say hi. I like teh way it lets you be more involved with people. People smile more. It might be that I have big oh eyeballs on my helmet. hmm.

One really cool thing is that the harleys and other big bikes give me that biker wave. It makes me feel like part of the club. I tell them I don't have a hog but I have a piglet. smile.

So if you see someone on a blue scooter with a red helmet with eyeballs on it. Give me a wave.

Have a great day.

Janice

2008-11-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

Today:

Photographed kids at a day care. Quite fun.

I am reading lately in the minor prophets. I in the book of Hosea right now. It really has me thinking about the church. We in so many ways are like the Israelites of old. In our learning of grace and mercy we have forgotton how serious God is about us walking with Him. Anyway, just thinking in through.

Have a great day.

Janice

2008-11-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

Hello,
It seems that the blog world is everywhere so I thought I would join it. So let me begin by saying welcome. Life is usually quite busy for me, however right now I have been in town for a month or so. Last place I went was Galveston area to take photographs a week after hurricane Ike. I went by myself in the company Suburban. Gas and food were supposed to be scarce so I loaded a cooler with some non healthy food and filled up with fuel as close to the island as possible. Then I spent two days driving around the island taking photos of the destruction. On one level it looked like their whole world was destroyed and in other areas from the outside it looked like nothing had been touched. However, when I went in a house It was completely destroyed. The water had moved anything in it way. Furniture was moved around as if it was doll house furniture. The smell was enough to stop you in your tracks.
A couple of weeks later I went down with my church and we began gutting houses down to the studs. It was fun for me to get to do the work instead of just taking pictures. It was good for my heart to get my hands dirty, and did I ever. I was covered in mud from head to toe and it was so great.

Sometimes we just need to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty while helping other people. Also I have found out that there does not have to be a catastrophe in order to lend a hand.
Well that is it for my first blog, talk to you later.
janice