My life has been blessed in many ways. I am free in a land of opportunity within the greatest country in the world. My health is good and I have friends and family that love me. This provides me with a wonderful opportunity to give back and share with others the abundance that I have been given.
One of my passions is mission work. It allows me to serve others and keeps me grounded and focused on the real priorities in life. Each year, I try to spend a week or two in full time Christian ministry. Sometimes I work domestically and other times I do international mission work. The link below shares pictures from a few recent activities.
In 1998, hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras. There were an estimated 18,000 dead or missing, 90% of the roads had damage, and many of the primary crop exports had been destroyed. The massive mudslides caused hundreds of thousands of people to be homeless in one of the poorest countries in Central America. It is a country with poverty beyond anything we can imagine in the United States. The Methodist church is playing a very active role in supporting Honduras. I've had the opportunity to participate in construction trips and to travel the country to see the successes of what willing hands and a deep faith can create.
One of our focuses is the small town of Ciudad Espana. This mountain top community is isolated with no industry and very poor roads. People who can find jobs in the capital city of Tegucigalpa spend hours and half their daily earnings (about $2/day) on transportation. They leave before dawn and return home after dark but they feel privileged to have a job. Our goal was to create a church where people of this city could learn skills, start small industries, receive healthcare, feel Christ's love, and get the support they need to cope with the challenges of their lives. Other than what church groups and other organizations provide, the city really has very few services. Yet, even in the face of that adversity, I found the people of Honduras to be some of the most giving and loving people I've ever met. They opened their homes to us and eagerly shared all they have.
The construction work is exhausting since everything is done by hand with few tools. The footings are dug by hand, the rebar is cut with dull hacksaws, and the concrete is mixed on the ground yet it's some of the most rewarding work I've ever done. After 3 years of construction, in 2008 we dedicated a new church in Ciudad Espana.
Let me share a few words from my personal journal because it pretty well sums up my experience in Honduras. "The initial impact of the extensive poverty has faded and I’m left with a profound admiration of their close family bonds, their willingness to work hard, their thankful hearts, and their intense faith. I think that my life, filled with privilege and opportunity, has clouded my vision of the true treasures with which I’ve been blessed".
Even in our nation of abundance, I realize there are those of us in need. Sometimes simple things like photographs of your children, or of your wedding, or family portraits with aging parents are beyond what we can afford. Unfortunately, time doesn't wait and the opportunity to capture those treasured memories can be lost forever. To help with that I offer free services to anyone that cannot afford it. You do not need to explain your situation. When you call to book your session, simply say "I want to take advantage of your 'Giving Back' offer" and no questions will be asked. This is not a joke or a scam. If you are in need, I will offer you my services and professional prints at absolutely no charge.
Some people think I'm crazy because it would be so easy to abuse this offer but I'm not worried about that. This is simply my opportunity to share with others my love of photography and the gifts and talents that God has given me. Please don't hesitate to call if I can assist you in any way.
