Stretching........and all that it entails.

We have been actively preparing for this crazy exciting adventure!! As a couple we are both dealing with an array of emotions ranging from out right doubt to moments of extreme purpose and clarity. This process of raising support, getting our taxes done, passports applied for, housing for the grandmas aka nannies, buying airline tickets, trying to figure out if we should switch to cloth diapers to cut our expenses, what type of travel bed/crib would be best for Caleb in Hawaii and possibly Central America, what stroller to bring, what we are going to do with the things we are leaving behind, when and where to have fundraising events. and a myriad of seemingly endless details.

I personally have been stretched like never before and keep saying to myself and Gary...I can't do this anymore!!! Of course all through tears. I blame those mainly on the fact that I'm pregnant, hormonal and have morning sickness all day. Gary has also felt this stretching as his work has decreased over the last few months as so many in the construction industry are. Plus he has been battling a really bad flu this past week which has passed to my dad and Caleb. So far on the men have gotten it and we pray it stays that way. Our personal resources have expired; we are officially drained on so many levels! It is in these moments that the Lord reminds us that indeed he is in control, his burden is light and we just need to give our burdens to him. He never intended us to do this in our own strength but to allow him to do it for us.

So we are trusting him in it all...trusting him for continued employment until we leave, storage for our things which does not cost, someone who either want to lease/rent our car or buy it, the funds required to attend the DTS and to provide day to day needs including medical insurance. When I step back I see God's hand and find myself bolstered by his goodness. He has continued to surprise me with unexpected gifts from individuals I didn't expect to bless us and with his timing in this all.

Why we are Going! (A Personal Reflection)

As a couple we know in our hearts that God has given us a call to do ministry together. Yet it has been a struggle for us because we both come at it with a different perspective. Instead of marching to the beat of a single drum, we both have our own preconceived rhythm that conflicts with our movement.

When the possibility to be a part of the Photo GenX transpired, our hearts lit up with joy. We both saw this as an opportunity for God to melt our individualism and combine our deep passions into one mission.

With my love for photography and full time ministry and Jenn’s passion for art and issues of injustice, we know that we are embarking into the next stage of our purpose as a married couple.

We see each person in our world as special to God and we believe that their story is worth being told. Especially when they are being exploited and abuse because of gender or race and there aren't enough people to stand up and put a stop to it completely.

God has given us, his people, to be a voice. This is especially true for us living in America. We have the power to make a difference and by choosing to make yourself aware of the issues and do what is right, those without a voice can be heard. Jenn and I have chosen to use our talents and passions to pursue this and if you want to join in the effort, you can.

If you are interested in learning more, you can check out Photo Gen X website at http://www.photogenx.net/ . If you are interested in partnering with us you can by writing us an email at jennifermarieland@gmail.com so we will keep you up to date.

If you would like to support financially you can by donating through co-link at http://www.colinkonline.org/ (account #785) or if you like purchase some of our art work we have for sale you can order at http://www.mylove4photos.blogspot.com/ .

Our Journey begins

We are delighted to announce that we have been accepted into the Spring PhotogenX DTS with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) which starts April 2, 2009. PhotogenX is a Ministry of YWAM that seeks to bring a Voice to the Voiceless through the power of media – specifically photography. Currently they have two publications out called a “Voice for the Voiceless: 30 days of Prayer for the Voiceless” and “Sex & Money: A Global Search for Human Worth”.

Photography can change history. A video can expose injustice. We live in an age of communication. As followers of Jesus, we can use photography to confront injustice and speak up for the voiceless. The PhotogenX DTS is passionate about seeing injustice confronted through photography, media and writing. It is designed to empower people to fight injustice through photography and the media. It enables students to get a grasp on the basics of photography, will give them all the core teachings of the DTS and introduce them on how to engage voicelessness.

The DTS, Discipleship Training School, itself is a 6 month program and is entry into any fulltime ministry within YWAM. The first 12 weeks we will be spending in Kona, HI at the University of Nations. The University of the Nations is located in the middle of the Pacific giving relatively easy access to Asia and the America’s. We feel really blessed to be able to be in such a beautiful location for our lecture & teaching phase.

During our time in Kona Caleb is required to have a nanny as this gives Gary & I the ability to participate as students who are fully engaged. God has totally orchestrated things and both of our mom’s will be sharing the responsibility in 6 week segments. We feel really blessed to be able to have stable care for Caleb during this season of change and very much look forward to having our mom’s along for the ride.

The 12-week lecture phase includes distinct sessions taught by world-renowned speakers as well as emerging YWAM leaders. It includes topics such as:

• The character and ways of God
• How to hear the voice of God
• The power of forgiveness and repentance
• YWAM Foundational Values
• Relationships
• Personal character development
• Spiritual warfare
• Evangelism and missions
• Cross-cultural ministry
  
  In addition to these core topics we will also be developing our photography skills through specially developed sessions and field trips on the island.
  
  Following our time in Kona we will set out into the world to put into use all that we have learned a 12-week field assignment called Outreach. The current locations being considered for outreach include Panama and surrounding nations such as Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. There also might be another outreach going to South Africa although that has not been confirmed. We will not know where we will be travelling to until we arrive in Kona and have had an opportunity to pray about the location God is leading us to with our entire team.
  
  There is a small glitch in our time abroad in that I am expecting our second child….SURPRISE! We were just as surprised as you but know that God is in control and his timing is perfect even if it doesn’t feel like it. We currently are scheduled to return from Outreach September 18 however I am due on the 28th of September. We have already spoken with our team leader, Paul Childers, and they are arranging for us to have a two month outreach so that I can be stateside prior to 35 weeks. The airlines do not allow pregnant passengers over 35 weeks to fly. At this time we do not know if we will stay in Hawaii and have the baby there or if we will return home to Seattle. I am making arrangements for both options and we will see what fits best once we arrive in Hawaii and see what God has for us there.

We will keep you posted as we know more....