Work Update

Hey everyone

The video that I am making for Pamoja is coming along really well. Over the last couple of days I have been collecting all of the props that I need for the filming, I have also collected all of the camera accessories I am going to need, such as the boom, the tripod kinda thing. All that I need to do before I can begin filming is I have to talk to Jeremy about the script. Jeremy has been in meetings with Sig and Jacob who just got back from the USA on saturday so I have also starting to work on a music video for a Maasi song while Jeremy has been occupied.

Thanks for the support and the prayers,

Steven

Life Update

Hey everybody!

As many of you may know I have been spending a lot of my time here working on a video for Pamoja about how safe it is here. Yesterday I finished a rough story board for the video, Jeremy, Sig and I then went through the Story board and talked a lot about what improvements we could make to the video. Some things that we discussed were we can keep it under two minutes, and if we wanted anyone in the video to speak at all or have it as a silent video with just music, we decided to have a minimal amount of people talking. I am currently making the changes to the outline that we think will be beneficial to the video. I have found an actor that I met at the church that we go to here that is willing to do be the main character, he is only here till the end of next week and the he is back and forth from here and Maasi land. So I am trying to have the video ready to film by next week so we have a couple days too shoot. Also this weekend I set up a DVD menu for a Tanzanian engagement party which is very interesting, linked a slideshow to it and burnt it onto a disk for the couple. 

Thanks for the support and the prayers,

Steven

What I'm Doing

I have now finished the rough outline of the introduction video for Pamoja and I have started a rough storyboard. Today I am making a DVD of engagement pictures for one of the staff here, this is my first time using DVD Studio Pro and it seems like it is going to take some work to get to know. Sig and I have also been looking at the rough drafts for the Maasi music videos to see if what we would like changed about them. So all in all we have been pretty busy out here!

Thanks for your support and prayers,

Steve

My 1st Project

The first project that I will be working on is a introduction video for the Pamoja campus and some of the staff here. For close to a week now I have, with the help of Sig Feser and Jeremy Feser, been brainstorming some ideas on the best way to attempt this video and we are closing in on three ideas that we think are superior to the rest. My next step will be to decide on the one that I will actually create and start to lay out all of the workings for the film production of it.

Salama (Peace)

Steven

I have a love/hate relationship with technology

I've been trying for some time to talk with Steven since he left. This morning we finally found a chance to chat online. We've discovered that the internet is not as reliable in Tanzania as it is in Canada. Oh, how I take my wireless, high-speed connection for granted! Starting our chat was quite troublesome. We could email each other but not get gmail chat started. When we finally began, he was dropped several times from the chat:( It's a good thing we weren't trying to Skype! On the other hand, being able to chat online together in real time was amazing! It was refreshing to have my questions answered immediately (with a slight pause between, but better than talking over the phone).

On Christmas Eve, everyone went in to Arusha to go swimming and then out for dinner for bbq chicken. The Feser's were very generous and gave Steven gifts on Christmas day - a t-shirt with Swahili words on it (for all his hard work at starting to learn swahili); hand sanitizer (very necessary, I'm told); and a fresh pineapple. WOW! I can only imagine how wonderful that pineapple must taste! Steven tells me that the papaya and mangoes are also incredibly delicious.

Merry Christmas everyone! and continue to pray for Steven and the Fesers as they prepare for the New Year and the new projects!

Charlotte

What's been happening

Since I arrived here on friday the 9th it has been really sunny and hot. The food that we eat here is very strongly influenced by Indian food. Although the native food mainly consists of rice and beans. Up to this point we have not started working on any major projects though I have started to learn swahili. Soon after Christmas I will start working on an intro. video for Pamoja, introducing the people here and what the compound looks like.

Salama (Peace)

Steven

Is Boredom an Adventure?

Steven arrived safely in London at 6:35 a.m. UK time. After finding his way through the subway to Terminal 4, he checked in and stored his luggage (for 16 pounds) so he could look around. Unfortunately, he  wasn't able to find anything too interesting, only breakfast :) I spoke with him at 9:30 this morning and found out that he is very tired and bored. He is hoping to get a good sleep on his next flight.  Are time changes always so difficult? He is now safely aboard his flight to Nairobi where he will land at 6:30 a.m. Kenya time (8 hours ahead of us). Good sleep and safe travelling, Steven!

And so it begins...

Today was the day that the adventure began. We arrived early at the airport (1:30 p.m. actually). Steven checked in, and then we sat and watched airplanes take off for a couple of hours until the bag drops opened at 3:30. While we waited we spent lots of time taking pictures and talking together. It was nice to have the entire family together to share these memories. After dropping off his bags, we had a bite to eat since we can't be sure that the food on the airplane will be satisfying. As the time came closer for him to leave, I could see the excitement build in his eyes. I'm so proud of his decision to go to Africa and see what God can do with his life, but I am also sad for myself to see my little boy, now all grown up, going out to explore the world on his own. He is now in an airplane somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. Be safe!

Almost time

Thanks to everyone who came over today to wish Steven safe travels. He is getting very excited about his 12 hour layover in London!  Keep him in your prayers. His plane leaves Toronto on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and lands in London at 6:35 a.m. He'll catch his plane to Nairobi at 7 p.m. and lands in Kilimanjaro 11:30 on Dec. 9th. Pray for safe travels, wisdom and wakefulness!

The Adventure Begins

As you know, my eldest son, Steven, will be leaving on his travels to Tanzania on December 7. He will be working with Pamoja Ministries just outside of Arusha, near Mount Kilimanjaro. Pamoja Ministries endeavours to disciple cultures through media. If you'd like to know more about the projects that Pamoja has worked on in the past, check out their website: http://pamojaministries.or.tz/

Steven and I will be using this blog spot to keep you up-to-date on what is happening in Africa and how God is working in his life.

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Thank you for your support and prayers!

Charlotte & Steven