Merci - Update 8: Debrief Blog 2

I got the privilege of helping to lead worship and to film and capture media for a SLAM youth conference we facilitated for local Ugandan youth in the area our ministry serves. Leading praise and worship songs with my Ugandan friends Esther and Winnie and also Justice, was such a special experience. They are gifted worship leaders - especially in dancing and leading youth to experience the joy of the Lord together. I loved working with them to plan, and then getting to worship with the youth and to have the onstage perspective of the genuineness of their joy, worship and prayers to God. Students on their knees, hands raised, crying out to a God they learned loves them deeply, and who is able to use their life for good.

During the daytime service projects I was able to film and capture photos of the youth as they served the local community. Things like building rocket stoves for widows, visiting a local dispensary/clinic, helping to clean and organize, visiting a primary school, and facilitating an assembly service for over 400 kids. And then teaching various classes for the students with the assistance of trained leaders.

My fellow institute students and I as well as our Ugandan cooperative and media trainee Barnabas, filmed and put together a review video of the SLAM service week for the youth to watch and memorialize their experience. I was blessed to be able to capture the beautiful life-changing service these youth engaged in, the Bible studies that transformed their perspectives, and the worship and dancing that embodied the sustaining joy and hope that only God can bring to those who have been broken and abused by the world and its systems of injustice. 

In the US, we are accustomed to the camera and to various forms of dignifying recognition and acknowledgement of our work or efforts. For a majority of these youth, it was the first time they'd ever seen a camera like the one I used, let alone been the subject of the film or picture.

I was blessed to be part of an effort that reinforced the reality that these youth in the heart of Uganda have a story that's worthy of being told, words, expressions and actions that the world needs to open their ears and eyes to see and acknowledge as beautiful and unique. Getting to see the youths faces and reactions to the video as it played for them, blessed my heart in numerous ways. I learned that media can not only tell precious stories in creative ways, but it can also be an incredibly dignifying endeavor in serving the least of these.