Life For Romania: Photography and Dreams Come True

Friday, January 02, 2009

Photography and Dreams Come True

Jolie and Linda at the Kids Photo Exhibition at New Wine Cafe

Also in October my good friend Jolie Watts and her friend Linda Stahl came to visit and serve in Constanta through photography. I first met Jolie in 2004 when I was leading a short-term mission team from Simpson University working with YWAM and Jolie was a student in the DTS that was being held at the base here in Constanta. She is also from Oregon so since 2004 we've been meeting up and hanging out whenever I've been in the States. After completing YWAM's photography school in Kona, Hawaii Jolie decided to come back to Romania to fulfill one of her dreams of serving the street kids in Constanta that she had worked with during her DTS. And what a blessing she was! She raised money to buy disposable cameras for each child at the Day Center and taught them the basics of photography before sending them home to photograph people and things at home that were important to them.

Once we got the pictures back each child presented their pictures to the group and then on the last day of the week we had a photo exposition of each child's favorite photo and a celebration in the coffee house. The photos the kids took were great. Mostly of little brother and sisters, cousins and parents. Some of fancy cars in the neighborhood and others of pets- but all creative and unique from each child's perspective and ability. A local photographer also got involved by printing the pictures at discount and offering lessons for the children showing the post potential. Amazing eh?! Jolie also took gorgeous portraits of the kids and of the families as well. She has a gift and she is using it to bless others! Thank you Jolie for blessings us!