tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78730721126862035852024-02-20T17:31:52.501-08:00Film School AfricaFilm Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-2544525322095924362012-03-01T00:58:00.000-08:002012-03-01T00:58:16.197-08:00Love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria;">
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There’s this thing that happens when someone says, “I love
you”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I know because I was blessed to hear this phrase spoken over
me countless times throughout my life.</div>
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I heard the words from my dad, everyday without fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even apologized once for maybe
saying, “I love you” too frequently.</div>
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When I work with my students here in Kayamandi, this has
become the one thing that I want them to remember above all other things,
unconditional love exits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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So I strive each day to make <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> the defining characteristic of my life, because I know that so
many of my students have never heard the words of love from their own parents. </div>
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And then the transition comes – when students move into
“manhood” – a culturally significant time where the men leave the childish
things behind and step into a role of provider.</div>
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It’s a tricky time for me, continuing to show how much I
love them, but also stepping back so that I respect their cultural tradition.</div>
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But I have to admit how much I love it when people (all
people) put aside their culture and act in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Isn’t that what Jesus did when he spoke with the woman at
the well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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His culture dictated that he not even speak with her, and
here he is offering her living water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Don’t you just love that?!</div>
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Today when I was messaging online with a student, a recent
addition to the man club, he beat me to the punch.</div>
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“I love you sisKatie”.</div>
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Appreciation and respect entangled in this phrase that so
often I’m the first to utter. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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What a counter cultural gift, wrapped in an instant message
package! </div>
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Thanks for your continued support of Film School Africa – I
sure do love you,</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Katie Taylor</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To see a short video about our newest group of Level One
students click </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com:80/user/lakatietaylor?feature=mhee"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. And to financially support Film School
Africa click </span><a href="https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1003055&uniqueID=634109426016521625"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
or go to threadsafrica.org.</span></div>
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</span>Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-17915808501568625732012-02-29T09:35:00.000-08:002012-02-29T09:35:39.237-08:00New Level 1 Students<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; border-collapse: collapse; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I’m always amazed when a new batch of students blows through the door.<br /><br />At the end of each year we celebrate the students with a red carpet film festival—and I think to myself, “It just doesn’t get any better than this.”<br /><br />Then a student like Gasthon Lewis walks through the door.<br /><br />Gasthon is not from Kayamandi, he lives 20 minutes drive in a place called the Strand. His community is similar to Kayamandi—in that poverty and crime are rampant—but Gasthon is by South African definition “colored”.<br /><br />It’s a strange world where you learn to classify people in such ways—but what it means is that Gasthon speaks Afrikaans and is not from a black tribe like the rest of the new Level One students.<br /><br />He came to <em>Film School Africa</em> through a friend when Gasthon had attempted a short film in his community, and our common friend knew that I’d be able to point him toward success.<br /><br />At his interview I was overwhelmed with the feeling that I’m here for young people like Gasthon!<br /><br />Guys who have the passion and the desire, but lack the tools and training. <br /><br />A young man who once struggled with drugs and gangs, but now desires to use film in youth ministry.<br /><br />In the interview he asked me a question that tied our fates together, “Can you come and teach in my community? My community has never had anything like <em>Film School Africa</em>and people are asking me how can they do this too.”<br /><br />I told him that we’d do one better—he’s going to be equipped to teach in his community—and I’m going to stand behind him as we continue to touch the lives of students through the power of storytelling.<br /><br />Please pray for these 12 new students that have entered Level One—for the 5 more that continue onto Level Two—for the 2 students that are running the race in Level Three—and the 2 students that we sent off to <em>City Varsity</em> to spend 3 years in the directing program.<br /><br />We’re making large strides here thanks to the generosity of people like you—but we’re far from knowing how all the funding is going to come together—but like Gasthon we move forward in faith…together.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', cursive;">Katie Taylor</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', cursive;">To support Gasthon and other students like him, donate at threadsafrica.org</span></span>Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-12664699083660599702012-02-29T05:26:00.001-08:002012-02-29T05:31:33.714-08:00<b>"You could start as a second-year student."</b><br /><br />We turned and looked at each other—stunned.<br /><br />You see, Odwa never thought he'd be able to attend school again. Having dropped out at grade 10—so his sister could continue her education—Odwa thought his hopes and dreams of going to school were just that—hopes and dreams.<br /><br />Never a reality.<br /><br />But when we sat in the admissions office of City Varsity, a media school in Cape Town, they clearly indicated that the education Odwa had received at Film School Africa was enough to allow them to accept him and he could skip the entire first year.<br /><br />We were stunned for the moment, and then the reality settled in.<br /><br />We were thrilled that they thought so much of Odwa's gifts and talents and passion for film—not to mention his desire to return to his community so he could teach others—that they were accepting into the program and crediting him with a year of study.<br /><br />So if you were stunned and thrilled with those initial comments, can you imagine what we were feeling when they indicated they were giving him a full ride scholarship?<br /><br />But then the other shoe dropped. (There's always another shoe.) They explained that they had seen it happen many times before—that if Odwa was going to be a successful student, he would need to live in an apartment near campus. Students who early in the morning took the train to school, only to return home to the township late each night, rarely made the necessary grades and quickly washed out of the program.<br /><br />And at this juncture, the negotiations began.<br /><br />City Varsity made it known that they were willing to accept Odwa into the program, provide him with a tuition scholarship, and invest heavily in his success as a student. But they had one question.<br /><br />Would Film School Africa be willing to participate and make it possible for him to live in an apartment near campus?<br /><br />Now, this is a student I really believe has the talent, ability, and desire to succeed and make a difference in his world. He will thrive in this educational setting and will be forever changed by his experience—much like I was at Taylor University in Indiana.<br /><br />So this is my question. Will you join City Varsity, and Film School Africa, and me in our commitment to Odwa, and students like him?<br /><br />Here is the reality. Your monthly or one time gift can make a huge difference in the life of Odwa and others like him. In many ways it sounds too simple to be true, but film is making a significant difference in the lives of Film School Africa students.<br /><br />Odwa's is a great story. And it is just beginning to unfold.<br /><br />And this is just the start for so many others. In fact, I have been privileged to witness so many success stories this year. And I'm encouraged by the path that we're taking and the impact that is being had on the lives of African young people.<br /><br />It's like my younger sister Nana said, "These guys, (Odwa and Ayanda) they never would have known that this is what they wanted, and now their whole lives are changed."<br /><br />It's true.<br /><br />Together we continue to shape and change the direction of young lives.<br /><br />From alcoholism to editing. Thievery to camera work. Lives of hopelessness to lives that glorify God through the art of storytelling.<br /><br />Pretty exciting stuff!<br /><br />Film School Africa is about shaping a generation of Africans.<br /><br />But for this to continue to take place, your prayers and financial support are essential. Whatever your gift might be, $100, $200, maybe even so much more, it will be used to change lives for Christ and revolutionize the way young people think and work.<br /><br /><br />Katie Taylor<br />Film School Africa<br /><br /><br />For giving online go to www.threadsafrica.org. Your monthly or onetime gift will be deeply appreciated. We're going to make sure that Odwa has the opportunity to go to school so he can impact his world.<br /><br />Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-68837279713404094752012-01-27T05:04:00.000-08:002012-01-27T05:04:16.038-08:00I've settled on a verse that I feel will be the Film School Africa banner - it comes from <i>The Message: Romans 5:2-5</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand--out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patiences in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary--we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!</span>Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-7174979951007269832011-12-15T13:13:00.000-08:002011-12-15T13:15:27.758-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(80, 80, 80); line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family:Arial;font-size:14px;">First the Great News—<ul><li>God is so incredibly Good—<u>you already know that!</u></li><li>Our first group of Level Two film students are about to graduate—<u>you might have guessed that.</u></li><li>Odwa Nomavuka and Ayanda Msebenzi, have been accepted into a degree program in film with full tuition scholarships—<u>now that’s really exciting!</u></li><li>And next year the program will expand to include a new Level Three (two students)—<u>nobody knew that (till now).</u></li></ul>And now for the Challenging News—<ul><li>The largest monthly contributor to Film School Africa must significantly scale back her giving this next year—<u>now that’s going to be a challenge.</u></li><li>It will be necessary to secure funding for Odwa and Ayanda to live near campus—<u>I don’t have an exact figure yet but I’m guessing that’s a $700 a month commitment.</u></li><li>The cameras and computers we have used day-in and day-out for the past four years are falling apart before our very eyes—<u>surprise surprise!</u></li><li>To learn lighting techniques Level Three students (2) need a course that will cost nearly $1000 each—<u>we don’t have the lighting kits or the $2,000.</u></li></ul>By all standards this has been an incredibly amazing year.<br /><br />God has performed numerous miracles in the hearts and lives of our students, and I’m absolutely overwhelmed and grateful for your prayers and support.<br /><br />But as I anticipate an exciting future, I realize we won’t be able to get there without God’s blessings and your unwavering financial help.<br /><br />So here goes. Will you consider a monthly donation for Film School Africa? Your one-time or ongoing monthly gift can’t be too small or too large. Click <a href="https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1003055&uniqueID=634109426016521625" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">here</a> to donate and designate your contribution.<br /><br />And if you missed the video made for you by Film School Africa students last month – check it out <a href="http://youtu.be/df99FSH-YUY" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">here</a>!<br /><br />Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. Together we’re using art to give life,<br /><br />Katie Taylor</span>Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-82457858282984665082011-09-01T02:50:00.000-07:002011-09-01T02:52:01.643-07:00Breakthroughs<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">As you well know, watching a breakthrough happen in someone’s life is one of life’s greatest rewards.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Recently one of my Kayamandi students was attacked. His attackers used guns to beat him on the head and face, leaving him with stitches and a face swollen beyond recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">When I went to visit him at his home, he embraced me in a way I could sense not only the pain of recent events, but the pain of losing his mother as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">He needed a mom’s loving arms, and he got them from me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">While our time together was incredibly special, it wasn’t until a few weeks later I began to see the full impact of the film ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">You see—it was time for this young man to stand before the class and pitch his next film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He weaved a story about two friends who unknowingly run into the wrong kind of guys, he described how one of the men would be beaten and hospitalized, and how his friend would react and seek out the assailants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">It was beautiful because he was utilizing film to work through his trauma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">By using a camera and actors, he was put in a position of power to explain a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>situation in which he had no control. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">While I thoroughly enjoy teaching students the art of film and equipping them to move into a career of storytelling, helping kids with their traumas is my most fulfilling work. And it’s the reason I reach out to friends like you for help.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Will you consider making a generous monthly commitment to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Film School Africa</i> so we can effectively use film to change lives?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">You can give online by simply clicking on <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><a href="http://www.threadsafrica.org">www.threadsafrica.org</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:none">.</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none"> O</span></span>r you can secure the address where you can send your check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just be sure to designate your gift to the film school.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">If you’re not able to participate at this time, there are other ways you can help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Certainly your prayers are powerful and effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Film School Africa </i>is blessed to have an American high school student, Stephen Linam, helping us with our numerous equipment needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Stephen is repairing and enhancing used mac computers and video cameras so that we can put them to use. We’re also gathering headphones, microphones and computer speakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can contact Stephen directly at <a href="mailto:macsforafrica@gmail.com">macsforafrica@gmail.com</a> if you have questions or would like to donate some equipment to the cause.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Thank you for all you do to support this ministry—I’m forever changed because of your generosity.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota"">Katie Taylor<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota"">The students put together a video so that you could see the impact of your giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can watch it by clicking this link </span><a href="http://youtu.be/df99FSH-YUY"><span style="font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota"">http://youtu.be/df99FSH-YUY</span></a><span style="font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-63591783806945128882011-05-30T05:09:00.000-07:002011-05-31T01:34:06.968-07:00Ayanda's triumphant return!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0ckaAdZiR1wg8FLt33th0-_erAMb5vzzVsbAo_2J0kHsKCl1aq4EqsG5hueeOgYyDVua4pwLwVB32tWDNwiZsmbiGo8MHFjA-R7Mc09rJGeSkCUvNOzCYIgH2ZOzX8STNFf18TokgoQD/s1600/DSC_0464.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0ckaAdZiR1wg8FLt33th0-_erAMb5vzzVsbAo_2J0kHsKCl1aq4EqsG5hueeOgYyDVua4pwLwVB32tWDNwiZsmbiGo8MHFjA-R7Mc09rJGeSkCUvNOzCYIgH2ZOzX8STNFf18TokgoQD/s320/DSC_0464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612793983428502370" /></a><br />I just wanted to share with you a little bit of the joy that I was able to experience recently as Ayanda returned safely from Kenya. Odwa, Luvuyo and I all attended his graduation from the Discipleship Training School (DTS) as well as the completion of his outreach phase. It was a wonderful day to celebrate, and really take in the life change that is so evident in Ayanda. It's hard to put it into words, so I won't try, rather I'll let his words speak.<br /><br />"Hey!!!! I just want to thank you for everything you've done for me, I really appreciate everything. This has been an amazing experience starting from lecture phase till Outreach and now the debriefing. I believe that "DTS" planted something in my life that I can't describe: because it is too great, too deep, too high and too wide to prove, but I know I am not the same as before. The whole thing affected the way I think, speak and how I see things. <div><br /></div><div>The new Ayanda is being born, am ready to do God's will, I know it's not going to be easy but am willing to take it. For I know the Lord will be by my side and he will never leave me. I feel that the Lord is calling me to Kenya to take care of his children but the problem is who is going to take care of my family because I feel that they are expecting me to support them. Which is true somehow I have to take the responsibility because they invested in my life. And if I become a missionary who will do that?"</div><div><br /></div><div>What wonderful issues to grapple with - and what amazing ministry lies ahead. I've always believed that Film Project Africa could and should be replicated - perhaps these are just the first steps toward a Kenya branch. :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Please continue to pray for Ayanda as he finds his feet in Kayamandi once again. As he tries to swim upstream in his community and with his friends, that he might stand firm in all that he has learned. </div><div><br /></div><div>In three weeks he'll be starting the video production semester and it will be nothing short of a challenge, but it's one that will equip him, and for that I'm grateful. For all who have supported us, you've made a real impact in the lives of many - but it's so fun for a moment focus on just one. </div><div><br /></div><div>To become involved or donate to Film School Africa, simply go to www.threadsafrica.org and click on the donate button. Together we're harnessing the power of film to forever change lives.</div>Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-34816614421613833912011-04-08T05:46:00.000-07:002011-04-08T06:39:23.845-07:00Leadership Camp - 45 Student Leaders Camp in Tents<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxw5uGlwUtoTVkus3Ht5_FVockWjT30a166S8pgGFtZdRGQglzpFDi_KcvDYW_nUJYlfCsjsZjb_lPBft-CLXhmCD32sRRp0MsKXC-qarc_IJ4Icv0yP0nSIGjvIqGy4liHsy7d78kkOv/s1600/IMG_4881.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxw5uGlwUtoTVkus3Ht5_FVockWjT30a166S8pgGFtZdRGQglzpFDi_KcvDYW_nUJYlfCsjsZjb_lPBft-CLXhmCD32sRRp0MsKXC-qarc_IJ4Icv0yP0nSIGjvIqGy4liHsy7d78kkOv/s400/IMG_4881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593198763057704546" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Three and a half days of leadership camp left me simply desperate for God, desperate for answers, and desperate for a bed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">It was incredibly fulfilling to work with these young leaders and help to provide guidance and instruction during these few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The weekend started with an intense challenge that would rival Survivor because of its more than two hour length! Students were put into groups of 5 and were given laminated maps, two inner tubes, 3 sticks and a rope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They were then sent into a gently moving river of varying depths to take their team and their raft upstream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Several stops along the way had them searching for flags and working as a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But easily the greatest challenge was the fact that of 45 students, at least 20 were not at all comfortable with water! Some could not swim at all and one of my own students said later that it was her first time being in a body of water of any kind! (It was great fun to watch her learn to swim in the pool throughout the weekend.)</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">“Going against the flow” was a common theme over the next few days as students grappled with issues of their identity, the effect that Apartheid has on how they value themselves, and forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Huge topics for a huge weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">If I’m being honest, I didn’t really want to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just the idea of taking a long weekend and spending it in tents was not that appealing to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But man was I glad I was there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The weekend really brought me back to the heart of what I do – and it connected me with students that I wouldn’t otherwise have known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The weekend made me desperate to find all the answers in the bible to every question they have.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The weekend reduced to me tears as conversations about forgiveness led one young girl to speak about how rape had left her pregnant at 15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Through tears she told me about the blessing of that little girl’s life, even in such turmoil and hardship.</p><p class="MsoBodyText">Days later I was struck with this picture of what happens when we don't strive after forgiveness as people who have been forgiven so much. I'm sure the analogy stems from so much talk about who is able to swim and who is not...Our feet are shackled to the bottom of a pool and the water is filling up around us, but we have the key to unlock our chains in our hand. But it's just too scary to put our face under the water, dive down and begin the process of unlocking ourselves. So instead we settle for drowning slowly.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-26793414648800357152011-04-08T05:41:00.000-07:002011-04-08T05:43:52.569-07:00From Cape to Kenya!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lXTX_rxNvjTlr34QUkSPa8tskRshNBDBDNv0jUxYDeluJWiENCDcui2VuBIcTIuIPsWEu0pD3dlPIBswFdzpsVhtL3ykOz3oUTxhCqolfjsT-FvXXDNJr-JNZLpe-1MXBNxYjfTQXJla/s1600/DSC_0036-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lXTX_rxNvjTlr34QUkSPa8tskRshNBDBDNv0jUxYDeluJWiENCDcui2VuBIcTIuIPsWEu0pD3dlPIBswFdzpsVhtL3ykOz3oUTxhCqolfjsT-FvXXDNJr-JNZLpe-1MXBNxYjfTQXJla/s320/DSC_0036-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593192498658188098" /></a><p class="MsoBodyText">Ayanda Msebenzi has completed his 3 months of discipleship training and is now on his way to do 2 months of mission work in Kenya!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">I was reminded by a friend recently, that it’s an amazing fulfillment of the great commission to see a young man who lives in a shack take to the slums of Kenya to spread the gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Personally, for me it’s experiencing his dynamic change in just 3 months that blows me away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Before he left for Kenya, Ayanda joined us for our Monday morning prayer meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To hear the conviction with which he speaks and his command of the truth was just plain inspiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoBodyText">The other day I received an update that read, “Dear Parents” and I giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He and I laughed about it together over lunch, and then he later wrote me a text and called me mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A touching sentiment for sure, but also an accurate account of how invested I feel in his future, and the future of others. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Upon his return Ayanda will start into the Media Village video production semester, and the directors there are already speaking with him about fulltime employment with them, which speaks to how hard he’s working.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Corbel, serif;">The outreach cost was more than we planned, but it’s certainly not my place to halt what God has set before him, and so we step out in faith that God will meet these needs as He has met the others!</span> </span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-34355290165746072102011-04-08T05:26:00.000-07:002011-04-08T05:45:58.138-07:00Jungle Room grabs cameras and takes to the streets (of Kuyasa)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb-0LEk54VaLKWhEBlPSYhZiWDxafnpagFEl3tP-FxCQ8cWPgf3Hrou_Nt6O-jQGdypLMOt8lZo4TlbVBYuiQNm3OU3555dLdBWBWYoEuLxJiayDrEei-Uio24cm-4fRpGmaN9AuR3mQI/s1600/IMG_5341.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb-0LEk54VaLKWhEBlPSYhZiWDxafnpagFEl3tP-FxCQ8cWPgf3Hrou_Nt6O-jQGdypLMOt8lZo4TlbVBYuiQNm3OU3555dLdBWBWYoEuLxJiayDrEei-Uio24cm-4fRpGmaN9AuR3mQI/s320/IMG_5341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593193072842152994" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoBodyText">Our 8 to 11 year-old art class is in full swing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’re working through the ViewFinder Project curriculum – a wonderful initiative that teaches students that with the help of a camera they can make even “ugly” things beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">It was insightful to get a glimpse into what they find to be ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When asked the question I heard answers like, “fights, stabbing, shouting, food in the road, police, vomit and Tsotsis (street thug)”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At the least it was a glimpse into what an 8-year-old might be exposed to in a township.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">What a challenge and privilege it is to teach a young child about photography – and in another language!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Each Friday I’m amazed with what they retain from the week prior, and I certainly love the tiny arms eager for hugs at the end of class.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-41190319621575461042010-10-26T14:17:00.000-07:002010-10-26T14:26:29.186-07:00First Kuyasa Photo Exhibition a Success<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNE_3yBBa98uq8NSl4DjroZMfC1bMPMuncvMZWTL1EpaT-SHT5Z9BRj-aK4EKmFe2o05QbOlf4mlGxfbR4AeX3JG33j81rixkdZ_8IzXQdVmTDIhM1y1ULvrCLBs3OkROzEAvOwxkPLU-/s1600/Cwenga-8.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNE_3yBBa98uq8NSl4DjroZMfC1bMPMuncvMZWTL1EpaT-SHT5Z9BRj-aK4EKmFe2o05QbOlf4mlGxfbR4AeX3JG33j81rixkdZ_8IzXQdVmTDIhM1y1ULvrCLBs3OkROzEAvOwxkPLU-/s320/Cwenga-8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532468858876260770" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">After six months of classes we have successfully graduated our first Kuyasa Level 1 photography class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The class was an initiative started by professional photographers Christine Meintjies and Lauren Kriedemann with the inspiration of The Viewfinder Project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Intern Ncumisa Siko, fresh off her time at the Media Village, was critical to the success of the project.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The students exhibited their work this past week, and the response was overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many visitors that had never experienced Kuyasa came to participate in the day’s events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The demand was such that we actually began selling the photographs on behalf of the students, and it looks like a donor has stepped forward to create a book of their showcased photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The theme for the exhibition was “Life In Kayamandi”.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Have a new or used digital camera that you'd like to donate? simply email lakatie_taylor@yahoo.com</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Photo on the right was taken by student Cwenga Gwadiso</i></p> <!--EndFragment-->Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-62924265554060620732010-10-26T14:12:00.000-07:002010-10-26T14:17:28.220-07:00Another student is heading to the Media Village!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVsimMJW-USzbyKoapew_BZYX6skWtHkReHot_GCiBvuqBfjML2W3eKCiMZKAd_ATdyMQq-W8YUVeId-sS_Y5SelAYi9TreeRFTepQAWSlsfiQN7J0d5CC2hqTLIRfAGmjsACrc7mU1IL/s1600/DSC_1054.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVsimMJW-USzbyKoapew_BZYX6skWtHkReHot_GCiBvuqBfjML2W3eKCiMZKAd_ATdyMQq-W8YUVeId-sS_Y5SelAYi9TreeRFTepQAWSlsfiQN7J0d5CC2hqTLIRfAGmjsACrc7mU1IL/s200/DSC_1054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532466808683830434" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoBodyText">It is both incredibly rewarding and scary at the same time, but another student from the 2008 class is soon to pass his matric (graduate from high school) and his sights are set on the Media Village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The Media Village is a YWAM program in the Cape Town area that focuses on different areas of the media, one of which is video production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And while we believe that one day the Kuyasa Film School will be pumping out incredible film talent, we’re not yet staffed and equipped to offer that kind of in depth training for our students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">So our very own Ayanda Msebenzi will start with his 6 months of discipleship training in January and will then transition into the school of video production at the end of June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Ayanda has been a Hats & Glasses leader for several years as well as participating in the Film School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are happy to support him in this effort, as this has been his focus for completing high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">It’s a big commitment for me since it costs about $6000 for this 9 months of training/room and board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I believe that God will provide and so we step forward in faith.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-14663060294383485272010-09-17T05:29:00.000-07:002010-09-17T05:46:26.814-07:00Breakthroughs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6csXqTMjqyHga4kPkCQ1yrA_XYVMWjGPv-eIo7KlRaWoWsgVnkkbGi_sSPdHwRA7NoyEWmav09N-SZju3QL_5q8aaQhEzFPDECQWBvSgIB5mTkKkhyfdel05sk8CBbLVY9q1Als_K8499/s1600/IMG_5497.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6csXqTMjqyHga4kPkCQ1yrA_XYVMWjGPv-eIo7KlRaWoWsgVnkkbGi_sSPdHwRA7NoyEWmav09N-SZju3QL_5q8aaQhEzFPDECQWBvSgIB5mTkKkhyfdel05sk8CBbLVY9q1Als_K8499/s320/IMG_5497.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517861917220951202" /></a><p class="MsoBodyText">Thanks to many of you I am back in South Africa full time overseeing the visual arts department at the non-profit Kuyasa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’ve successfully launched a new Level 1 film class of nine dedicated students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks to the continued efforts of my former student Odwa, many of them are starting with a greater knowledge of cameras than the pilot program had in 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Corbel;">After weeks of class work we recently evaluated their first short films, typically the movies that students look back at and laugh, and they are excited to hone their skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When they sat down for their first personal interviews for the documentary I was truly inspired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We strive to create a very open environment of sharing and vulnerability and that was no different with this class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Students shared openly and honestly and I’m glad for the opportunity to truly know them through this process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Corbel;">One of my favorite moments in this very busy week happened around the editing bay (sitting in front of our old mac laptop) with a student named Emmanuel. He was one of our first round of directors for their task 2 assignment, which includes their first crack at editing their films. It's a steep learning curve the first time, but to edit their own film is an invaluable lesson in directing as it helps you to think through how you would shoot things differently the next time. There are often shot opportunities missed and they always wish they had more coverage of each scene (shooting from different angles and more close-ups etc). It was so fun to sit down with Emmanuel - take his short film and just teach him one on one. He just soaked up the information, and at moments threw his hands in the air in amazement at how we were able to change and adjust his short to make it that much better. By the time we finished, he turned to me and said, "SisKatie, I'm so proud of myself, cause I've never done anything like this before. I didn't even know that I could do something like this." </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Corbel;">It's one of those moments that makes all the work worth it. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Corbel;">It's one of those moments where my sacrifices, big and small fade to the background. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Corbel;">It's one of those moments that you can be proud of the dollars that you send in support of this project. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Corbel;">When passion meets opportunity there is no end to what we're capable of doing together. Thank you for believing in this project, in these students and in me. I'll never be the same.</span></p>Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-64546469303067589142010-09-16T03:30:00.000-07:002010-09-16T03:34:34.682-07:00My New Best Friend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnBN6BgCAjMJA7JESzdhlJm1sD-1vLaEtePWGeZXPDvIV9z1Gr0sLQbV_IcDmBs2-AMzkHnWO2e-FThaDtyj_lbPrINffZHe5ZlRlYRCXwKHyBhy3CC_3zzkyAKtdWxke4CCgCPwlmlCF/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnBN6BgCAjMJA7JESzdhlJm1sD-1vLaEtePWGeZXPDvIV9z1Gr0sLQbV_IcDmBs2-AMzkHnWO2e-FThaDtyj_lbPrINffZHe5ZlRlYRCXwKHyBhy3CC_3zzkyAKtdWxke4CCgCPwlmlCF/s320/DSC_0137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517457776105914306" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoBodyText">This nine-year-old, Phlumehlo, is my new best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I remember him from years past as a real trouble-maker, but this year he’s anything but trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Phlumehlo comes to visit me at my office everyday in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He starts by looking into the outside window to see if I’m in, and then comes tearing down the hallway and announces first that he needs a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once he gets his hug, he promptly sits down and fidgets while I write out a sheet of math problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">It didn’t take long to figure out that Phlumehlo couldn’t tell the difference between the addition and subtraction symbols, so that became our first lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once we graduated to the adding and taking away of fingers, we then started the lesson that we will always have 5 fingers on each hand, no need to count them each time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">With each day he gets a better grasp on things, and while I’m sure he appreciates the help, I imagine that the individual attention is what he’s really seeking each day. </p> <!--EndFragment-->Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-33469088445208314762010-08-09T08:27:00.000-07:002010-08-09T08:29:10.661-07:00Beginning Again<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family:Arial">It’s always hard to know where to start, perhaps that is because each time I attempt to put my thoughts down, the internet goes out, or all the power shuts off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But this is Africa after all, and so it’s par for the course I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the power of family and the impact that is has in each of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Perhaps it’s on my mind now more than ever because I’ve recently said good-bye to my family – a drawn out time of letting go both of my physical possessions and those I hold so dear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is never easy to say good-bye and yet as I sit here I am fully aware of how truly spoiled I am when it comes to this gift of family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have been so loved and cared for throughout my life that I’m fully equipped to allow that love to spill over onto others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">I have students working with me that I love dearly, but it’s clear that the love and guidance of family is something they’ve not often experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I find myself breaking down concepts again and again, and I’m reminded that even accountability to a task is in many ways a very new concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Taking apart vision and goals until they become tasks for the week or the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m so grateful for the time that was invested enabling me to reach my fullest potential, and I’m blessed to pass on this gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">I moved into my new room over the weekend, and my dear friend Carmen put her arm around me and said, “This must be such a huge change for you. So if you need anything let us know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’re family now, you are my sister.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was so grateful for that moment because I know the strength that comes from having sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">I’m so grateful for this family on the other side of the world – that is willing to support me while I get my feet wet again on this side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">I’m happy to call this complex and beautiful place home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">And I’m so grateful for each of you that lift me up in prayer and support me with your tithes each month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">I’m still about $1000 a month off from what it will cost to stay and maintain the project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So if you’re able to start an automatic monthly gift at www.threadsafrica.org by clicking on the donate tab and selecting the Kuyasa Film School project it would be a huge relief for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">Love to all from Africa,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:Arial">Katie<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-45410601273422138942010-07-10T13:32:00.000-07:002010-07-10T13:34:51.875-07:00Kuyasa Film School - Where Art Gives LifeI didn’t see it coming.<br /><br />But God is calling me back to South Africa for the next few years.<br /><br />When the Kuyasa Film School started in 2008, I had no idea it would become such a passion in my heart.<br /><br />Experiencing first-hand the effect the school has on students has totally amazed me. And seeing my students journey from their initial interviews to their walks down the red carpet at the first Kayamandi Film Festival was arguably the happiest time of my life. <br /><br />When school began, not one student had ever held a video camera.<br /><br />But by the end of our sixth month together, students were excitedly editing their films on sophisticated Mac laptops. And while I experienced the highs and lows of working with students in abject poverty, it wasn’t till much later that I grasped how it shaped my soul.<br /><br />The revelation came in the form of an email from one of my students. <br /><br />At the time—some six months later—she was taking classes at a digital photography school. Her initial training and support provided her with the wherewithal to seek a greater learning experience, and now she was pouring out her appreciation. <br /><br />She told me she stopped dreaming at 11 years of age—realizing that living in poverty was going to be her lot in life.<br /><br />She thought she was doomed.<br /><br />The poverty she grew up in as a child was the poverty she would live in as an adult—the poverty she would raise her children in.<br /><br />Yet there she was—camera in her hand and smile on her face.<br /><br />She was becoming a person others were beginning to look up to, and she was overwhelmed with the new direction her life was taking. <br /><br />I couldn’t help but cry—tears streaming down my cheeks—as I thought about this young woman and her newfound hope. <br /><br />I wept, realizing for the first time I was a tool in the Master’s hand.<br /><br />And I wept at the thought that a young person’s life had changed because you made it possible for me to be in Kayamandi, South Africa, sharing Christ’s love, and equipping young people to make a difference. <br /><br />In July I’ll be moving to South Africa.<br /><br />And for the next couple of years I will share Christ’s love and help create opportunities—through the medium of film—for ways out of poverty and despair. <br /><br />The mission is to create a model which will prepare promising students for employment in a fully operational film production company—enabling them to make an honest living and move toward advanced studio work and greater career opportunities. <br /><br />But to do that, I desperately need your help.<br /><br />First of all, I need your prayers. This isn’t going to be easy. But I’m going because of God’s calling. Please, will you lift me up when you think of me?<br /><br />I trust you’ll prayerfully consider making me a part of your monthly tithes and offerings. Like other missionaries, I’ll have living expenses, but in addition I’ll need to secure a substantial amount of film equipment before leaving for South Africa.<br /><br />To give online you can do so at the following link – www.threadsafrica.org and click on the donate button - just be sure to designate Kuyasa Film School as the project. <br /><br />Major expenses for video equipment, computers, the flight, medical insurance, and such, must be secured before I can leave for South Africa. Your initial gift will help secure the essential equipment for operation of the Kuyasa Film School. <br /><br />Then the real sustaining work begins.<br /><br />Staying in South Africa will require the ongoing financial support of family and friends; I am fully trusting God to secure ongoing monthly support I need.<br /><br />So your gift today—for cameras, laptop computers, lights, microphones, and incidentals—will get the ball rolling.<br /><br />And your longer-term financial commitment will help make it possible for me to fulfill God’s touch on my heart to provide “life-giving solutions” to the life-threatening conditions of so many young South African kids.<br /><br />Thank you for your gift today and your ongoing financial support.<br /><br />I’m so grateful to have you in my life.<br /><br /><br />Katie TaylorFilm Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-25644431126773446582009-07-27T05:59:00.000-07:002009-07-27T06:02:04.085-07:00July 27th, 2009Wow, thanks to all for your overwhelming and uplifting response to my last email. I really enjoy each email that I receive – it just often feels very time consuming to write individual emails with so little consistent connection to the internet. But I’m glad that you seem to appreciate the updates, so I’ll do my best to keep them coming. <br /><br />I’m really grateful to have been able to come prior to the arrival of the Threads team and even more grateful for these two weeks that followed their departure. Things can feel so busy and rushed when attempting to connect with each project and I’m now able to focus on each student with which I speak. <br /><br />For example on Monday I was able to assist a student with their university application. To walk him through each question and help him to enter his latest grades into their correct slots is a very simple gift that I’m able to give. And while at moments I wonder how he’ll be able to thrive, let alone survive, in a university course when the application proves daunting – my pride is reinstated when we check the boxes with regard to his parental education. <br />Mother: PRIMARY SCHOOL X Father: PRIMARY SCHOOL X <br /><br />And when it comes time to check the positions that his parents currently hold with regard to work, he calmly explains that they are both deceased. And I begin to imagine the many obstacles this young man has overcome simply to get to grade 12. And what gifts I’ve been given in this life…to not think twice when I once checked boxes that both parents have more than a 4 year degree, not to mention the love that flowed freely from them both. <br /><br />The other day I went to the home of one of my students to complete an interview. She graciously shared so much of herself with me – at times through tears. Later I sat on the roof of Kuyasa with Odwa and we burned through an entire 60-minute tape and talked for another hour after the tape ran out! It’s difficult to express the feeling of gratitude that I have that these students are still so willing to be vulnerable in talking with me. I feel really honored at the depths to which they are still willing to go even after a year has passed. I know it’s a truly a cathartic process for them and one student even commented that they had never been asked the question of how they felt after the death of a parent.<br /><br />Please be in prayer for one of my students Ncumisa. She is a media village student that was traveling with the YWAM team into Mozambique when the bus carrying the team was in an accident. It’s hard to know all the details from this distance but several of us have spoken with her. From what we can understand in the early morning hours the driver either fell asleep or took a turn too quickly causing the entire bus to flip. The students were sleeping and Ncumisa woke outside of the bus with her two front teeth knocked out of her mouth. The windows of the bus had shattered and as far as we can tell it is possible that most of the passengers were thrown from the bus. Praise be to God that all of the students are as okay as they can be, truly shaken up of course, but some of the worst injuries sound like a fractured hand and a few sore backs. Ncumisa is down playing her injuries we believe so as not to worry others, but she describes her missing teeth and a few scrapes as the worst of her injuries. A doctor has checked her out, and the team is now headed to a hospital. So please keep her in your prayers. <br /><br />So many more stories to tell of course – but those are just a few highlights and lowlights before I fly home again this Friday. I’m happy that it looks like I’ll be returning to a job pretty quickly after my return – truly an answer to prayer. <br /><br />Loving you all from the other side of the globe,Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-48029998563521768852009-07-27T05:58:00.001-07:002009-07-27T05:58:42.626-07:00July 22, 2009things are going well here in south africa -<br /><br />had some hot chocolate up at the new Tapestry house with some of the girls yesterday. it's really fun, i think we have a nice little bond now thanks to the shedding of many tears at the homes open. for those that don't know the Tapestry home now houses 6 young ladies that were previously in very desperate need of a place to stay. i was charged with the task of inviting the girls to accept Christ into their lives at the homes open. needless to say that when i began to speak i was reminded of my dear Lusi and Nana, now safe and with a loving family in Ohio , and the tears began to flow. i expressed that i wasn't familiar with each of their journey's, but that i knew it had been a long and difficult road to that moment where they stood before a new warm home complete with new beds and couches. each and every girl began to sob with me as we prayed together...they have since offered me one of the beds in hopes that i'll stay. :) <br /><br />sounds like they already have a wonderful dynamic worked out of eating together as a family, praying together at night and speaking openly about their expectations of one another. i think my friend heather and i will go over one evening to play monopoly. i've started a few guitar lessons with one of the girls (for those that know the extent of my guitar understand that i'm teaching the fingering for G, C and D) and have been able to connect with a few others with talk of clothes and music. :) <br /><br />had an amazing time of debrief with the team and i was graciously able to share the safari with my good friend Carmen. far too many stories to share in an email but Carmen (who never cries) was moved to tears and stated more than once that it was THE best experience of her life. we were joined by my good friend Maud for a truly moving trip to the Apartheid museum. we were handed cards at the start that denoted our skin color, and based on those cards we were required to use a specific entrance to enter the museum. the fact that i was now "colored" and that my dear friends Carmen and Maud were white, and that we would be separated for even just a few minutes hit me to the very core of my being and induced immediate tears. it was a blessing to watch Dave, the only Afrikaans male in the group, put his arm around Maud, his dear friend and sister in Christ, and recognize the many years of hurt between their two cultures. it was an experience i won't soon forget.<br /><br />had a wonderful outing last night with most of my film students. we were minus a few but 9 of us went out last night for pizza and a movie. 9 people polished off 6 large pizzas! you can tell we were mostly young men. :) we then went to see the Transformers movie. two students had never been to a movie in the theatre and most of the others were only there for a second time - and this is with a movie ticket priced at 9 Rand (a little more than 1 dollar). the reaction was priceless - so much excitement, laughter and even fear from the ladies in the group. one student continued to turn around to look up at the room from which the light was projected, it was really funny. i managed to sneak a video camera in and captured some of their reactions immediately following the movie. good times.<br /><br />had a wonderful weekend away with friends this last weekend. lots of time by the fire, a little wine tasting and even a couple hours in a canoe. it was a wonderful time of connection with dear friends and is a wonderfully inexpensive way to vacation. :) <br /><br />still have more video to do of the house but am also working on connecting with each film student to interview them personally. so lots to do! <br /><br />my love to all - thanks again for everything - my heart feels very full when i'm here,<br />katieFilm Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-971206251141224222009-07-27T05:56:00.000-07:002009-07-27T05:57:51.883-07:00July 7th 2009July 7, 2009<br /><br />wow - we have had a very busy start to the week! this small, but experienced, team of 12 is working quite well together and we seem to be accomplishing a lot in a short amount of time. monday was a very full but a very productive day as we all hit the ground running. it was great to meet with a few of my previous students and include them in the process of filming the Tapestry Home going up. we sat together and i explained the vision and the story that we were trying to convey - gave them a few specific tasks of footage that they were to gather - and they took the responsibility on themselves and got right to work. it was really rewarding to watch as they broke off and began to sort out their tasks - and i could see a renewed energy in the face of one of my guys that has many big home struggles. my friend Heather asked him how he was doing, and he responded with a giant smile that things were great this day because he is back behind the camera. :) <br /><br />the home is going up faster than you can blink and it has been so wonderful to watch the excitement build for the girls that are moving in. i escorted two of the girls up to see the home, and the joy on their faces cannot be described as they saw their 'new rooms'. one of the girls was so gitty she was jumping up and down. <br /><br />at one moment i ran into sisNoma when she was walking back from seeing the house for the first time. she looked at me and asked, "sisKatie, have you seen the house?" when i responded that i had, she quickly burried her head in my chest and began to sob. i had my video camera in my hand, so sadly there was no one there to "capture the moment". we joked as i tried to extend my hand and capture what my friend Brad called emotional breakdown take 2. it was a great to hear her try to describe her excitement over how huge the home is. <br /><br />many more stories to tell but sadly i'm out of time. my love to all -Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-90448454001654939392009-07-02T06:08:00.000-07:002009-07-02T06:09:22.223-07:00back in africaI’m safe and sound – and while I know that several of you have been waiting for days to hear that I’ve arrived – in true Africa fashion our internet has been down for the last few days. So I thought I’d catch you up on a few stories that have started this blessed four-week journey.<br /><br />I arrived Saturday evening and was greeted at the airport by the two smiling faces of Cindy and Neal. When I’m not with the team I’ll be staying at their place – and I’m grateful to report that their place is bigger and nicer than the flat that Cindy, Nana, Lusanda and I once shared. ☺<br /><br />I did get some rest on the plane, but it was really nice to be able to get a full nights rest lying down on a bed upon my arrival. I believe that first nights rest helped me to quickly get over that jet-lagged feeling and I was ready for church the next morning.<br /><br />It was great to be back at church and I was excited to see my dear friend Heather again. As a double blessing she brought one of my students, Luvuyo, with her. This was a wonderful treat, because Luvuyo is one of the two students whom are currently taking part in the Media Village YWAM program, and I really didn’t expect to see him at all. That afternoon he would be leaving to rejoin the YWAM group, and would the next day be catching a flight to Brazil! It’s an amazing opportunity for him to minister to others, but it will no doubt prove to be a very challenging 2 months there. A moment that touched me deeply was when we stood there singing a stanza in a praise song that read, “I see a generation…rising up to take their place”. My heart was overflowing with the reality that this young man was growing so much and that he was being stretched and challenged into taking his place as a wonderful young Christian man – and that it all started with the film project.<br /><br />The great day continued with a Sunday afternoon braai (BBQ) at the home of some friends of Cindy and Neal. The stark contrast between the “haves and the have not” is always an odd feeling to me at first, but it was still a wonderful afternoon of playing catch phrase and enjoying a big lunch.<br /><br />Monday was my first day in Kayamandi – a day to which I was very much looking forward. When I stepped out of Cindy’s car I was practically pounced on by my dear Odwa. It was so wonderful to see him, and so much has happened for him since we were last together, but it felt like nothing had changed. I could hardly take a step without giving him another hug and then another hug – it was great to see him again.<br /><br />Later in the day I was greeted with a phone call – Heather brought me the phone and handed it to me before telling me who was on the other end. I said hello and the person on the other end of the phone call burst into tears. It was then that I knew it was sweet Ncumisa, my other student doing the Media Village YWAM program. She is currently up north doing her mission work time and will shortly be going up to Mozambique for a few months. It has been a very challenging time for her, but she is a very bright and strong young woman. It was great to be able to encourage her a bit, tell her how proud I am of her and how much I miss her. I know that she is sad to be missing this time while I’m here – but like many others she has been using the momentum of the film project to move herself forward and experience a life outside the confines of the township.<br /><br />That afternoon I was able to go over to see Zintle and her 3 month old baby girl Lisakhanya. I had a massive bag of clothes to deliver with 5 or more outfits in each size ranging from newborn to 3T! It was complete with blankets, socks and shoes - and it was a huge hit. She was very grateful for all the clothes and I was able to hold little Lisa while we visited. Zintle seems to be doing well and little Lisa has her mother's deep beautiful eyes and two of the biggest cheeks I've ever seen on a baby. :)<br /><br />It's been a great first few days and with team members trickling in over the next few days it promises to get busier every day. I really miss having Nana and Lusanda here. It feels so quiet to not have Nana sleeping in the living room watching Generations, but I'm so grateful for the time I was able to spend with them in Ohio before I left the states.<br /><br />My love to all - I hope to be able to provide more updates soon.Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-30902093171150700852009-06-09T10:52:00.000-07:002009-06-09T10:57:01.015-07:00hey party peopleWell, for the two of you that are still reading this blog - the countdown has long since begun. <br /><br />Within a few weeks I'll be back in Kayamandi, South Africa and will be having a sweet reunion with my wonderful film students. It will be hard to leave knowing that my sister's family is moving to Portland and will therefore be gone upon my return - but still I have great joy in going back to this land that I love.<br /><br />I hope to write a few blogs, post a few pictures and include you both in my journey. :)<br /><br />Until then...Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-84375019887669767682008-10-09T12:01:00.000-07:002008-10-09T12:29:42.912-07:00First USA postWell, there are still a number of stories to tell - amazing stories that will stay with me all my life. And I will do my best to continue to tell them now that I am home. I don't know if anyone is even checking this blog anymore - but I thought it would be fun to link you to a few short films that were shot by my students. <br /><br />When you remember that none of them had held a video camera before the class began - the stories they have been able to tell is nothing short of amazing. I am so proud of each of them and their ability to speak wise words to their communities and also share their own stories of pain. <br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3mHzA_g0q4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3mHzA_g0q4</a><br /><br />to view more of the short films you can go to www.youtube.com and look under films posted by lakatietaylorFilm Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-4358143769600176012008-07-12T09:07:00.000-07:002008-07-12T09:09:26.376-07:00The other week I had one of the most touching moments of my trip. Cindy and I had planned on having over the four youngest Kuyasa Kids, all the 12-year-olds.<br /><br />One of those little ones is actually a child that I sponsor through Horizon International. I truly love this little girl, she is shy and very intelligent, and it takes some time for her to warm up and come out of her shell. I have loved watching her grow over the last year. On the tour a year ago I was blessed to spend some good time with her – and when we reunited on this last tour I was greeted with a huge hug.<br /><br />Cindy and I were going to stop by the homes of all the girls that were going to spend the night so that we could touch base with their parents and make sure it was alright for them each to come over. My little one was the last home that we went to visit and serious arthritis made it so that her grandmother could not get out of bed. The shack in which they live is very small – it’s the size of one small American bedroom and it is divided into a kitchen and bedroom. Resting on a slope the shack leans down the hill.<br /><br />We sat at her bedside and spoke with her about her arthritis and about our plans for the overnight with the young girl sitting beside us. I sat there and wondered if I should mention that I’m the person that sponsors her grandchild. But as our conversation finished up I felt like it was probably not necessary.<br /><br />I began to walk out of the shack when suddenly the grandmother began to ask a question. Cindy stopped and the grandmother asked again, “Where is Kholisa’s mother?” Cindy was sort of confused by the question and then Kholisa spoke and pointed to me as I walked back into the tiny room. “So you are Kholisa’s mom,” she said with a big smile on her face, Kholisa bashfully began to cover her face. I told her that I am and began to tell her how much I love this child and how special she is to me. Then the grandmother said, “Well this child loves you!” Kholisa continued to cover her face and I put my arms around her and embraced her.<br /><br />It was such a special moment for me. First it was an affirmation that all the time and love that I’m pouring out is being received and felt. And it was also a reminder of the value that is placed on my relationship with this family. Culturally they view me as a mother to this dear child – and it touches me deeply.Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-25611382857787469092008-06-23T01:25:00.000-07:002008-07-18T03:58:51.303-07:00Thank You!<div style="text-align: left;">This is just a 9 minute video that I have put together to say thank you so much for all you have contributed to this project!<br /><br />We are still several months from finishing up this project - and there is still a great deal of training and equipping before us. So far, about 3/4 of the necessary funds have been provided - but we are currently about $5000 under the needed budget. I know that part of the blessing of this project is the ability to leave behind several cameras and a few laptops on which to edit. I have seen my students really excited to continue to use all that they are learning even after I am gone.<br /><br />I believe that the students are really learning a lot - and I’m confident that all that is needed will be provided. Your tax deductible gift of support for this project can be made out to: Threads Africa and sent to 26 Stratford Irvine, CA 92620<br /><br />Thank you so much for your prayers and support!<br />Katie Taylor</div><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwYLUwMwXiOfBx6ZB6vpz5w8BPe1PYlur9mH4Vk490iMgoAxrqnY1zcVNyDDeIBpfvHI68mELa5mJraG4Z2lw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7873072112686203585.post-30145411677941687762008-06-19T06:54:00.000-07:002008-06-19T07:24:50.899-07:00The Things We Take For GrantedI know that I am blessed. I've always known it and I'm frequently reminded in this setting. When I was younger, birthdays were a big deal. Appropriately, since there were three children in our home, my parents limited our birthday parties. Every other year was what we called a "quiet" birthday. On years where our birthday's were quiet, it simply meant that maybe some cupcakes would be brought to our class and that we would go out as a family or extended family for dinner. But on those years there was no big party with lots of friends.<br /><br />Yesterday one of my students was celebrating his 21st birthday. He's everyones favorite kid, a brilliant artist that has experienced a great deal of loss in his 21 years. Recently he went from being art and film student to part of the Kuyasa staff - he's our new art teacher and it's been really fun to have him be a part of the team.<br /><br />We thought it appropriate to throw a small birthday surprise - a few cakes and snacks were purchased and one of the rooms here at the office was decorated with some streamers. When he entered the room of 15 friends and co-workers, he was truly overwhelmed. A few of us "rich" Americans went together on a nice portfolio for his artwork - and a few of the students bought birthday cards. When he opened his cards he fought back tears - he then told us that this was the first birthday card he had ever received. The gift brought more amazement to his face and the party continued.<br /><br />A few minutes later he came to me for a hug - I held him close and told him how special he was - and he simply broke down. Tears began to stream down his face and I just continued to hold him and tell him how loved he was and how much he meant to us all. It was one of those moments that I will hold onto forever.<br /><br />It made me sad to think that he had never experienced such a birthday - but so grateful that we had made what seemed like such a small effort. Every year I receive cards that express how much I am loved - when I left for Africa it was with a book in hand filled with affirming notes, cards and pictures. I'm so grateful to you all for your love - for the gifts and cards that come every year and even the days in between.Film Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06727353830890894215noreply@blogger.com3