Happy holidays everyone, I hope you all had an amazing thanksgiving and that you get to enjoy Christmas and new years. This past month has been quite interesting. As far as media work goes things have by now ceased until we start again when we reopen in January. Things have been slowing down aside from last week. Last week was the finalizing of all current projects. The goal was to finish off all the films we were editing so we could start the new year without any hovering deadlines. The base doesn’t officially close for the year until this friday but a good portion of that staff was heading out this past weekend.
A few weeks ago we were quite urgently sent to a camp about twenty minutes from where we live. This camp is comprised of people still too afraid to return to there homes after the xenophobic attacks in may. The government has already instituted programs to reintegrate people into there homes and offered incentives to return as well, the government is no longer supplying food for the camp. Personally, I can understand this position, if not fully agree with it. One thing that is happening, is that not only is the government not offering aid, but they are refusing entrance to any private aid agency. So if a church or private organization who tries to give food is refused at the gate.
No one knows about this, they are keeping the UN out, the news out, pretty much anyone who can bring this to the attention of the media is not allowed in, we were lucky enough to get in and take some pictures and some quick interviews in the smaller of the three camps. Security was light and we were allowed in because we were working with a church. We were unable to enter the larger camp.
This is a tragedy, the people refuse to leave, mainly because there is no where they know they can go safely, their home countries are unsafe or unstable, and they are under fear of persecution in their hometowns. And the government is using siege tactics to get them out. They will either leave, or they will starve to death. Honestly there is little we can do. So your prayers with this would be greatly appreciated. God can always work through the impossible situations, even when we don’t see any good solution.
On a much happier note I am pleased to announce that I will be staffing the DTS (Discipleship Training School) in January. I am very excited for this. The school had a huge impact on me when I took the course and I am really looking forward to getting to help lead people into discovering who they are in Christ.
The school starts January fifth. I am also looking forward to growing as a leader. I know that I am not just here to grow and learn in professional skills. Since graduating high school I knew I wanted to be in ministry and in some type of leadership role, and I am excited to start growing and practicing in that.
In other news a few of the staff members are visiting family in Zimbabwe right now, if you haven’t heard much about what is going on in that country I would suggest you look into it, it is pretty crazy. In the craziness of the situation is is great to see how God can work. Both my church and Media Village are sending groups of people with food. People are really uniting to try and help out there. Also from Media Village are Shane and Suskia, who are photographers and are trying to make a difference with pictures.
Well, thats about it, thank you all so very much for the prayers and support. Have a great Christmas and a blessed new year. I will write you all again in January.
~J
A few weeks ago we were quite urgently sent to a camp about twenty minutes from where we live. This camp is comprised of people still too afraid to return to there homes after the xenophobic attacks in may. The government has already instituted programs to reintegrate people into there homes and offered incentives to return as well, the government is no longer supplying food for the camp. Personally, I can understand this position, if not fully agree with it. One thing that is happening, is that not only is the government not offering aid, but they are refusing entrance to any private aid agency. So if a church or private organization who tries to give food is refused at the gate.
No one knows about this, they are keeping the UN out, the news out, pretty much anyone who can bring this to the attention of the media is not allowed in, we were lucky enough to get in and take some pictures and some quick interviews in the smaller of the three camps. Security was light and we were allowed in because we were working with a church. We were unable to enter the larger camp.
This is a tragedy, the people refuse to leave, mainly because there is no where they know they can go safely, their home countries are unsafe or unstable, and they are under fear of persecution in their hometowns. And the government is using siege tactics to get them out. They will either leave, or they will starve to death. Honestly there is little we can do. So your prayers with this would be greatly appreciated. God can always work through the impossible situations, even when we don’t see any good solution.
On a much happier note I am pleased to announce that I will be staffing the DTS (Discipleship Training School) in January. I am very excited for this. The school had a huge impact on me when I took the course and I am really looking forward to getting to help lead people into discovering who they are in Christ.
The school starts January fifth. I am also looking forward to growing as a leader. I know that I am not just here to grow and learn in professional skills. Since graduating high school I knew I wanted to be in ministry and in some type of leadership role, and I am excited to start growing and practicing in that.
In other news a few of the staff members are visiting family in Zimbabwe right now, if you haven’t heard much about what is going on in that country I would suggest you look into it, it is pretty crazy. In the craziness of the situation is is great to see how God can work. Both my church and Media Village are sending groups of people with food. People are really uniting to try and help out there. Also from Media Village are Shane and Suskia, who are photographers and are trying to make a difference with pictures.
Well, thats about it, thank you all so very much for the prayers and support. Have a great Christmas and a blessed new year. I will write you all again in January.
~J
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