We finally got the chance to hang out with all the women. Vera invited a huge group to meet us at the mall for a big late lunch. We were expecting about 5 but as we waited we realized more and more were coming. I think the total ended up to be about 20 of us. The restaurant was super fancy. Only the best for these woman I thought. The waiters seated us in the huge chair fit for a king, then poured our water for us. They brought us this weird green concoction with what looked like eggs in it. It looked like green bubble tea but with spices in it. We all looked around hoping someone would know what it was. I dared one of the ladies in front of me to try some but she wasn't brave enough. I took a sip and tasted not at all what I expected to taste. It was super spicy and the "eggs" where bread crumbs I think. A few of the women followed my dare, but no one took more than a sip.
After sitting in awkward silence for what seemed like eternity, the food came. And kept coming. We all had one HUGE plated full of chipati, crunchy tortillas, spicy okra, dal, tons of chicken, and of course rice. The plate was more like a serving tray full of spicy food... all for about $2.50.
By the end of the meal we were anxious to hear if any of the women would allow us to come to their homes. One in particular (we'll call her Anni for identity sake) wanted all the girls to come back to hang out. But that wouldn't be suck a wise idea, so we decided that 2 coming over the next day would be better.
Melody and I were excited. This was pretty much what we came here for. Anni invited us to go to the beach and see a few sights throughout the city.
It was a good meal.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
India [a photo essay] - Day 4
Disheartening facts came to the team before we left for this trip. It was when realized just what we were getting ourselves into. We learned stagering statistics like: There are 300,000 TO 500,000 girl children are in commercial sex & organized prostitution. And that Mumbai alone is the home to 100,000 sex workers, the largest sex industry centre in Asia.
Our main purpose of this outreach was to work with a woman named Vera. Her story in itself is very inspiring. She is originally from Mumbai (actually grew up just one street over from the red light district). Her family left Mumbai when she was about 22. They came to America where Vera receive her college degree in Micro Biology. Soon after she turned to the mission field joining the ranks of YWAMers all over the world. She became good friends with our base leader here in Germany, Jan, who is also a photographer and has a huge passion for work in the red light. Through him she found out about the area new her childhood home. She was in disbelief. After visiting it herself, she decided that something had to change. She is now the project Manager in Mumbai running a childrens home for 9 girls from the red light area. They are all daughters or orphans of mothers in prostitution.
We got the chance to hang out with the girls at the mall and took them to see G-Force. Yes, a movie about talking, crime fighting guinea pigs. It was great. The girls all have such amazing personalities, full of life and of hope.
Our team has since committed to working with Vera long term to see to it that these girls do not have to return to lived in the light. Our other hope is to see their mothers get out of the work they are in.
We spent a few days throughout the weeks discussing business plans and ideas to get these women jobs and a support group to help them spiritually as well as emotionally. At the moment, it looks like we are going to be able to start receiving funds to start a second-hand shop for the women the work in. Thrift stores are a new concept in India and when we introduced the idea to several nuns working along side our team, they were quite excited. Vera also has tons of open doors with students at local universities who want to help in any way they can.
I will definitely have more updates on this project as it comes in!
Oh, and I took up jewelery making! The girls have a teacher that come inonce a week to train them in making amaaazing pieces.
I was inspired...
and my favorite
But thankfully the girls creations are better than mine :)
to see some of their work, go to isanctuary.org
Our main purpose of this outreach was to work with a woman named Vera. Her story in itself is very inspiring. She is originally from Mumbai (actually grew up just one street over from the red light district). Her family left Mumbai when she was about 22. They came to America where Vera receive her college degree in Micro Biology. Soon after she turned to the mission field joining the ranks of YWAMers all over the world. She became good friends with our base leader here in Germany, Jan, who is also a photographer and has a huge passion for work in the red light. Through him she found out about the area new her childhood home. She was in disbelief. After visiting it herself, she decided that something had to change. She is now the project Manager in Mumbai running a childrens home for 9 girls from the red light area. They are all daughters or orphans of mothers in prostitution.
We got the chance to hang out with the girls at the mall and took them to see G-Force. Yes, a movie about talking, crime fighting guinea pigs. It was great. The girls all have such amazing personalities, full of life and of hope.
Our team has since committed to working with Vera long term to see to it that these girls do not have to return to lived in the light. Our other hope is to see their mothers get out of the work they are in.
We spent a few days throughout the weeks discussing business plans and ideas to get these women jobs and a support group to help them spiritually as well as emotionally. At the moment, it looks like we are going to be able to start receiving funds to start a second-hand shop for the women the work in. Thrift stores are a new concept in India and when we introduced the idea to several nuns working along side our team, they were quite excited. Vera also has tons of open doors with students at local universities who want to help in any way they can.
I will definitely have more updates on this project as it comes in!
Oh, and I took up jewelery making! The girls have a teacher that come inonce a week to train them in making amaaazing pieces.
I was inspired...
and my favorite
But thankfully the girls creations are better than mine :)
to see some of their work, go to isanctuary.org
India [a photo essay] - Day 3
David, Melody, and I decided to explore more of the area while Jardena, Inka, and Uli went to the Children's home with Vera.
We walked, and walked, and walked. We walked over a bridge and I noticed everyone covering there face. I thought It must just be more pollution from the streets below until I saw them. The crows. Dozens of them. The were scavenging above a fish market and boy did that smell wreak. I guess they still haven't discovered refrigeration or ice for seafood. It was an impressing sight non-the-less. Somehow two older women napped on the ledge where shrimp was pealed daily. They must have lost their sense of smell throughout the years of working.
Another woman sat peeling shrimp getting orders from boss man while crows looked down from up above
As we walked past the shops I saw a man covered in concrete ashes and asked him for a picture. He actually posed for me for a minute or two.
Thanks concrete man :)
Like everywhere else in Inia, the streets are jammed packed with taxis and bicycles. We stopped at one shop on this corner where the owner took particular interest in Melody's camera. She had with her a roleflex and somehow this man knew all about aperture, medium format film, and vintage cameras. He expressed his frustration of not being able to find 120 film in this city...
Our stroll ended at the site of this Buddhist monk
He seemed quite young to me, but as we chatted with him, several men came up to be blessed in ceremony as he went through the steps: tying some sort of leaves together on a string with fruit attached, dipping them in some sort of paint and saying a "prayer" over the men, then giving them the mark on their forehead of the third eye or "chakra". He had never met a Christian... until today.
We walked, and walked, and walked. We walked over a bridge and I noticed everyone covering there face. I thought It must just be more pollution from the streets below until I saw them. The crows. Dozens of them. The were scavenging above a fish market and boy did that smell wreak. I guess they still haven't discovered refrigeration or ice for seafood. It was an impressing sight non-the-less. Somehow two older women napped on the ledge where shrimp was pealed daily. They must have lost their sense of smell throughout the years of working.
Another woman sat peeling shrimp getting orders from boss man while crows looked down from up above
As we walked past the shops I saw a man covered in concrete ashes and asked him for a picture. He actually posed for me for a minute or two.
Thanks concrete man :)
Like everywhere else in Inia, the streets are jammed packed with taxis and bicycles. We stopped at one shop on this corner where the owner took particular interest in Melody's camera. She had with her a roleflex and somehow this man knew all about aperture, medium format film, and vintage cameras. He expressed his frustration of not being able to find 120 film in this city...
Our stroll ended at the site of this Buddhist monk
He seemed quite young to me, but as we chatted with him, several men came up to be blessed in ceremony as he went through the steps: tying some sort of leaves together on a string with fruit attached, dipping them in some sort of paint and saying a "prayer" over the men, then giving them the mark on their forehead of the third eye or "chakra". He had never met a Christian... until today.
India [a photo essay] - Day 2
We met with Karan and learned about his ministry forStreet kids. Every Friday he meets with the boys to play cricket in the park and then hosts a small Bible study/devotional.
We played with the kids for a few hours (a few long hours that is... cricket is one of the slowest games I've ever experienced.) I finally got a chance to play (after asking since I wasn't originally picked for a team). It was my chance up to bat and I hit it on the first pitch. Unfortunately in cricket, if someone catches the ball, you're out. I was out.
As I sat in the grass, I talked to some of the kids, listened to Indian radio on a fake iPhone, had my camera stolen by a little boy/future photographer (it was returned don't worry), and then led a devotional with about 20 of the boys before they sang us their worship songs in Hindi.
The future photographer at bat
The boys singing worship
The group before we went to a restaurant near by for Pepsis
That night, Karan took David, Uli, and I to walk the red light district. The life there was so different than I expected. Every corner had a shop and there were kids playing everywhere. We stopped and talked to a group of them playing a game I had never seen before. It was sort of like bumper pool, but the rules were slightly different. They were excited for me to take pictures of them and the oldest two spoke English very well. It was sort of eerie in a way to know what was going on inside the walls around us with kids playing nonchalantly in the streets.
A red light
We played with the kids for a few hours (a few long hours that is... cricket is one of the slowest games I've ever experienced.) I finally got a chance to play (after asking since I wasn't originally picked for a team). It was my chance up to bat and I hit it on the first pitch. Unfortunately in cricket, if someone catches the ball, you're out. I was out.
As I sat in the grass, I talked to some of the kids, listened to Indian radio on a fake iPhone, had my camera stolen by a little boy/future photographer (it was returned don't worry), and then led a devotional with about 20 of the boys before they sang us their worship songs in Hindi.
The future photographer at bat
The boys singing worship
The group before we went to a restaurant near by for Pepsis
That night, Karan took David, Uli, and I to walk the red light district. The life there was so different than I expected. Every corner had a shop and there were kids playing everywhere. We stopped and talked to a group of them playing a game I had never seen before. It was sort of like bumper pool, but the rules were slightly different. They were excited for me to take pictures of them and the oldest two spoke English very well. It was sort of eerie in a way to know what was going on inside the walls around us with kids playing nonchalantly in the streets.
A red light
India [a photo essay] - Day 1
We arrived at the YMCA in Mumbai. We traveled all night and took a nap at about 8:30am after breakfast.
Our room
View from the hallway window
We met up with Vera and Ro(from Oregon) to explore the city and do some touristy things.
A typical everyday scene: Indian taxi ride
We went the the Gateway of India and became more of an attraction than the actual gate. Standing there for 10 minutes, we fell subject to about 15 kid's pictures.
Our room
View from the hallway window
We met up with Vera and Ro(from Oregon) to explore the city and do some touristy things.
A typical everyday scene: Indian taxi ride
We went the the Gateway of India and became more of an attraction than the actual gate. Standing there for 10 minutes, we fell subject to about 15 kid's pictures.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Visas, visas, and more visas
I'm finally settled in (for the most part) in my new apartment in Germany. I just sent in my 2 year visa for Germany and am about to fill out my next 6 month visa for India. Granted, I'll only be there for 2 weeks, but it's still fun to fill up more pages in my passport. The plan is to purchase the tickets to Mumbai tomorrow. Then, our group of 6 will be sent out to Mumbai and Lonavla to work with a few established ministries in the slums. The main goal of this trip is to gain relationships with our contacts and see if there is anywhere our art ministry can help. Ideally we will return with a new project to promote and feature in our upcoming book: Reject This Reality.
The plane tickets are a little more expensive than originally planned so if anyone would like to help support this trip, please visit my support page @ http://whereisstephnow.com/
Tschuss!!
The plane tickets are a little more expensive than originally planned so if anyone would like to help support this trip, please visit my support page @ http://whereisstephnow.com/
Tschuss!!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
BIG NEWS!
Actually lots of it! This is the start of a revolution. I've been ready to move for awhile and God's timing has finally allowed my gifts to team up with HIS plans. I've been working NONSTOP this summer on designs, photos, art, ideas, prayers, and BIG HOPE!
The new (temporary) site can be found here:
*I ask that you please take time and watch this video I made. I spent months of blood, sweat, and tears putting this together (literally, I'm really clumsy)
My photos here:
And of course my site @ whereisstephnow.com
I hope you join me in praying for the next few months for these projects. The BOOK is set to be finished by Christmas of this year so we can get it printed and take it on tour with us through the East Coast at the end of March 2010. The tour will be to promote our ministry and SALE THE BOOK! Oh I can't wait! 100% of proceeds from the book will go directly into funding our ministry and projects.
As well as working on final designs for the book, I am hoping to join our team, Pick A Pocket, in a trip to India. There we will collaborate with our good missionary friend (who's name I may not disclose) works in the Red District area outside of Kolkata. We want to speak with her friends (women who have worked as prostitutes most or all of their life) to help in starting a clothing company. This will give them work so they can provide for themselves financially and alow them to get out of prostitution. And of course, our creative minds will be able to start new trands around the world! Oh this is too exciting! I am asking you guys - if anyone is reading this to share the video found at: http://www.vimeo.com/5375135
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND CHURCH!
I really feel led to go with the team to India. As a designer, it inspires me so much to be in the place and interact with those I am designing for. If you want to be apart of this trip financially, my support info can be found here:
http://whereisstephnow.showitsite.com/#/support/
Thanks and have a blessed day!
Steph
The new (temporary) site can be found here:
*I ask that you please take time and watch this video I made. I spent months of blood, sweat, and tears putting this together (literally, I'm really clumsy)
My photos here:
And of course my site @ whereisstephnow.com
I hope you join me in praying for the next few months for these projects. The BOOK is set to be finished by Christmas of this year so we can get it printed and take it on tour with us through the East Coast at the end of March 2010. The tour will be to promote our ministry and SALE THE BOOK! Oh I can't wait! 100% of proceeds from the book will go directly into funding our ministry and projects.
As well as working on final designs for the book, I am hoping to join our team, Pick A Pocket, in a trip to India. There we will collaborate with our good missionary friend (who's name I may not disclose) works in the Red District area outside of Kolkata. We want to speak with her friends (women who have worked as prostitutes most or all of their life) to help in starting a clothing company. This will give them work so they can provide for themselves financially and alow them to get out of prostitution. And of course, our creative minds will be able to start new trands around the world! Oh this is too exciting! I am asking you guys - if anyone is reading this to share the video found at: http://www.vimeo.com/5375135
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND CHURCH!
I really feel led to go with the team to India. As a designer, it inspires me so much to be in the place and interact with those I am designing for. If you want to be apart of this trip financially, my support info can be found here:
http://whereisstephnow.showitsite.com/#/support/
Thanks and have a blessed day!
Steph
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Addis Ababa and the children
Upon my stay in the capitol city of Ethiopia, I met a young man named Abdissa. Though his manner and intellect lead you to believe he's well into his thirties, this man was a mere 27 years old. For several years Abdissa went to the streets several times a week bringing the street children tea and cookies. He eventually became friends with many of them and a foe to some. He was know as the protestant man, taking about a man named Jesus, and sharing hope with the orphans. His heart screamed for compassion over these children, and after a few years, he decided to take his love into action adopting his first child from the streets. He is now the Children's Home Director and is in care of 25 children age 2-17. You can tell just how much the children love him like a father and he respects them just the same. It's a beautiful place. If you ever get the chance to go to Ethiopia, stop by to hang out and play with the kids and tell them Stephanie says hi
{Abdissa}
THE CHILDREN'S HOME WEBSITE <<< click here <<<
{Abdissa}
THE CHILDREN'S HOME WEBSITE <<< click here <<<
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)