DRY

                   Poverty. I've seen it before. In overwhelming amounts. Along with it comes hunger, pain, sorrow and death. But here in Africa, it comes with joy. All I see are wide faced smiles, hospitality and kindness. I see joy in the faces of the children at the Wednesday afternoon feeding, hear it in their laughter and feel it radiating from their very souls. At first I feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of them, by their energy and the feeling that I have nothing to offer them. I sit down by a tree at the edge of the park and watch the kids waiting for their turn to get their plate. One meal many of them are lucky to have that day, a meal many won't see the likes of for the rest of the week. As I sit there feeling helpless and dry, two little boys walk up and sit beside me. Almost immediately they claim my lap and start reaching dirty hands to  caress my face and hair. I feel tears collecting, and an immediate comfort and joy. I realize I've never been dry, and I've never been helpless. These little boys are showing me the easiest yet greatest action: love. When all else fails, love is greater. It's in the small things like a tender caress, a kiss or an act of service. It speaks to the hearts of those who need it the most, it restores and brings hope. With an everlasting supply from the One who showed us first.

Give Me Light

Give Me Light

Mom acts different at night. 

She loses her softness and becomes harsh. 

She doesn't stand up for very long. 

She leaves me all alone.

Dad is someone I don't know.

He has never been there.

He has never given me the safety I want.

He left long ago.

Sister leaves during the day and comes back with money at night.

She gives all of it to mom.

She has to.

She has to beg on the streets of Delhi for us to survive.

At night I get scared.

My tummy hurts, asking for food with growls.

My body itches and aches.

My dirty hands cradle my head.

When morning comes the trains rumble by.

I've seen many children lose their legs.

I've seen dads jump on never to be seen again.

I've tasted the dust in my mouth several times.

Today there are little sores covering my small body.

They itch and than give me pain.

They get worse as dust and dirt rubs in.

They give me no relief.

Tomorrow will only bring worse pain.

Maybe my tummy will be fuller tomorrow.

Maybe mom will love me tomorrow.

Maybe I'll feel safe and be healthy again.

All tomorrow brings is darkness.

Darkness in the day.

Darkness in the night.

Darkness.

Two is my age.

Two I will remain.

Two year old boy, no name, no face.

         Of the many pieces of my heart I've left behind, most of those pieces are in India. The children of the slums with dirty, smiling faces asking for didi (big sister) and the beautiful girls I met who had been rescued from those places.

One day I went to a slum with Victoria (second photo) to take photos of her work in Delhi for her blog. She stopped and prayed for one of the little boys in the pictures who was sick. According to her only 50% of children make it past the age of 5. With sickness and alcoholism running rampant in the slums many parents are too drunk to look past the few coins in the hands of their children. Sending them away in the morning and buying alcohol with the money at night. When the sun goes down the darkness in the lives of these children becomes tangible, and the safety they so desperately long for flees. Babies are trampled to death in the late hours of the night, or are eaten by rodents. These children were meant for so much more!

The day after we prayed for the little boy, he passed away from his disease. The suffering in India is enough to make a person run away for good, leave the suffering behind and become comfortable again. Victoria showed me a different way. A way full of hope, a way full of Jesus. She started a school called Treasure House where she baths, feeds and teaches children of the slum everyday. They sing children's worship songs and the joy so evidently now apart of these children's lives is so awe - inspiring.

I will never forget those beautiful faces and the hope amidst the suffering.

So...

So blogging is obviously not my strong suit. I'm in Argentina right now and my last blogpost was from Thailand. I'm 9 countries behind. Whoops! I've realized this past week however, that blogging is so important. It's important to tell the stories of those I've met, the beautiful people that have helped shape my life. I get blown away by God's faithfulness and love almost everyday, and it's important to document that. This trip has been the craziest, hardest, most beautiful thing I've ever done, and it's time to share it.

So... these next 5 weeks I'm dedicating my time to the people around the world I left my heart with. Starting with India and ending with Argentina, I'll start telling the stories of the nameless and faceless people who are longing for justice and the love and mercy from their Savior.

Opening your eyes and letting yourself feel deeply is the hardest thing. This past week my heart has broken over and over again thinking of the people I've left behind. I've never journaled more, or cried more in such a small period of time, and it's made me realize yet again how desperately I need Jesus. His grace and love are greater than anything else in this world!

Last Days in Chiang Rai

Hey Everyone!

         It's been three weeks to the day since we left Thailand and landed in New Delhi, India! Wow, I can't believe it. Looking back on my time in Thailand, I am so thankful for every day I spent in beautiful Chiang Rai. I learnt so much about God, photography and myself, and I feel so blessed! The six weeks spent in Thailand, was our first lecture phase for the Photographic Communications Core Course. We learnt as much about photography as possible in that time, and it was spent doing homework, and getting first hand experience. We went around Chiang Rai, trying to capture memorable moments, instead of just capturing a scene, waiting patiently for the emotion behind it. Looking back at my photographs from just two months ago, I can't believe how much I've learnt!

                                                      

Two of my favourite photographs I took for 
assignments.

While in Chiang Rai I got to experience so many amazing things. A Thai wedding, sleeping in a hut in the hills for a night, and night bizarres galore. 

The Thai wedding we got to go to. Such a 
beautiful couple!

        The night we spent in the hut was one of my favourite memories from my time in Thailand. Brendan, Jill, Sarah, Kyle and I got to spend a day with a hill tribe living in North of Chiang Rai. We spent the day taking pictures of the way they live, and the beautiful people that make up the community. We hiked to the top of a large hill, and spent the night showering in a waterfall and hunting frogs with slingshots. The presence and beauty of God was touchable and tangible in these lush hills, and it was an amazing, peaceful time. As we laid our heads down for the night, the rumble of thunder slowly grew louder, and soon a torrent of rain started coming down! Our hut was open on three sides, but it was one of the best sleeps I've ever had. Fresh.

    

                                 One of the beautiful girls living in the tribe.

Our hut we stayed in! (iPod)

The lush hills of Northern Thailand. (iPod)

The frogs we hunted with slingshots, and ate for breakfast

the next day. (iPod)

The ministry we worked with while in Chiang Rai, was Battamjai, or Home of the Open Heart, a home for women and children affected by HIV. The children were so full of life and love, and every day we spent with them was a blessing. I miss their smiling faces already, and their beautiful spirits. 

Three of the boys we worked with at Home of the 

Open Heart. (iPod)

         Meeting Oil and CeCe was the best thing that happened to my while I was Chiang Rai. For one of our assignments we had to spend 24 hours with someone and document there life story in photographs. I decided I wanted to do mine on a bar girl working in what can be called the red light district of Chiang Rai. The first girl I met was Oil, a 28 year old working in the bar to support her children and her parents. I spent 24 hours with her, and then wrote a magazine article which I will posting soon! After spending many nights with Oil and other girls working in the bars, I learnt what choice really is. Choice is based on where you live, the family you are born into, the money you possess and the culture you are a part of. In Thailand, the young are expected to support the old, and without much education or english, which is common for Thai's from remote villages, there aren't many options. Many of the girls working in the bars, work there only to support there children and parents, after the end of a bad marriage. And unfortunately, many are also prostitutes to make the extra money they need to raise there families. Every girl I talked to had different dreams for there life, but the choice was made for them at a young age, where they would end up. 

    The second girl I met was CeCe, a 43 year old mother of three from Milaysia. After running away from an abusive marriage with just one of her three children, the only work she could find was working in a bar. And as I learnt from many people emerged in this lifestyle, bar girl is a slippery slope into prostitution. 

   My eyes were opened to this whole new world while in Chiang Rai, and my heart breaks for every single girl I met. Choice is not a word to describe this lifestyle, and I now know the stories behind the stereotype. The Lord spoke clearly to me of the worth and beauty these girls possess, and I feel this may be something I want to dedicate my life to. Speaking truth into these girls' lives, and helping them find a different lifestyle.

                          

 Beautiful Oil.

Oil, her cousin and I. 

Cece's son, nicknamed "Boy".

     While in Thailand, the Lord opened my eyes to see that the cross really is real. Jesus is real, His love is real and tangible in my life. And if I really believe it, there is nothing I have to fear or worry about, and it's something I can't keep to myself anymore! The Lord opened doors and set up divine appointments while I was in Chiang Rai, and He showed me that every time I intentionally step out of my comfort zone, He will meet me there every time! He will give me the words to say when I need them, and He wants me to first and foremost be head over heels in love with Him. Which I totally and completely am! I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for me while I'm now here in India, which I know is going to be amazing, and soaked in His presence.

Thank you to everyone for your support, encouragement and prayers. They mean so much!

All for Him who deserves glory, power and honour forever and ever.

Marielle

Oh hey y'all!

It's been just over two weeks since I got here in Thailand, and so far it has been absolutely incredible! The  first few days were hard, leaving my family after only two weeks of being home was a hard decision, but I know this is where the Lord wants me to be! Jesus has been pouring out so many blessings this last couple of weeks, and I feel His hand on my team like crazy! My team is made up of 10 people, 2 guys and 8 girls. It seems so crazy that I decided to travel the world for a year and three months with people I had never met before now, but they already feel like family.

My team :)

We started this long journey together in Bangkok, and then took an overnight bus to Chiang Rai, a northern province in Thailand, bordering Myanmar. The best part was this wee little box we got, with one piece of fried chicken, and two little pastries. Oh and the seats collapsed all the way down. Nothing cures jet lag like eight hours of sleep and junk food. When we got to Chiang Rai we could feel an immediate difference. The YWAM base we're staying at is surrounded by lush mountains and impossibly green rice fields. You can smell life and growth everywhere you go. 

Six of us girls are living together in a room with bunk beds, and we each have 6 little cubbies. It's enough to hold my 50 pounds of belongings, and our room feels like home and has been such a blessing. If I want to, I can take a hot shower everyday and clean drinking water is everywhere on the base. Our classroom also has air conditioning, which has turned out to be an amazing blessing on those 36 degree days.

My little bed for 6 weeks. Buzz lightyear sheets, YES.

We started class after a couple days of getting settled in and exploring Chiang Rai a little bit. After taking a 15 minute Sung Tao (a truck with seats in the back) you can go to downtown Chiang Rai, known for it's night bazaar. Full of life, colour and the smells of good food, it was so amazing. I love the area so much, and how there's city life, and country life so close together. 

Night Bazaar

Our first class is Photo Communications 1. We're all learning as much about photography in 6 weeks as we can, and so far it's been so amazing. Learning about something I really want to know about, and getting challenged with assignments has been so fun, and I already feel like I've learnt so much. Everyone is on a different levels of photography, and we all learn from each other. We always focus on using our photography for something bigger than ourselves, and making a difference in the world through raising awareness about different injustice issues. I'm really finding a passion for it, and I love being surrounded by 9 other passionate photographers.

Our first outreach has been Home of the Open Heart, a home for women and children living with or directly affect by HIV. The staff there is amazing, and the 12 children living there have really started to warm up to us. They're all so full of life, and I always leave feeling so thankful for everything I have.

Josiah, one of the boys from Home of the Open Heart

Last weekend we were able to celebrate and be apart of the Songkran Festival, Thai New Year. The festival runs from the 13 to the 15 of April, and is celebrated with a national water fight! Being blonde made it so I was constantly soaked, and laughing constantly. Jill, Kelsey, Katie and I met an amazing Thai family who let us share there water on the side of the street. By the end of the day they had shared so much more with us. They gave us food, and water, and let us ride through the crazy packed streets of Chiang Rai in the back of their truck. Throwing water at every other passing truck, and becoming friends with Ing, their 10 year old daughter was so fun, and my favourite memory in Thailand so far. Thai people are so incredibly friendly and generous, and I will never forget this family!

For more pictures : http://mariellelouizesaays.tumblr.com/

This was happening on every street!

So far I am so in love with Thailand and the people, and I'm loving every second of this incredible journey. I'm travelling all around the world, learning about photography, standing up for what I believe in and being a voice for this who don't have one. Most importantly I'm doing it all with my best friend, my everything, Jesus Christ. And life with Him is so much more exciting than any other life I can think of. Ahhhh Jesus is SO good! Thank you to everyone praying for me, and encouraging me! I appreciate it all more than you know.

All for His glory

Marielle

Hey Everyone!

I just got to Thailand almost a week ago, and so far it has been amazing! Rice fields, surrounded by lush green mountains and the smell of life all around. I'll be writing a more detailed update soon, but right now I'm just going to post my support letter for the PhotogenX Around the World Track. It explains the program a little bit, and my heart behind being here. :)

All for His glory.

Marielle



Hey Everyone!

“...if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10

While I was in Cambodia, I got a taste of what it means to help those in need and to spread the living water of Jesus. I saw and heard what true injustice was, and it started a passion in my heart to reach out to those who are suffering from injustice. On April 5th I have the opportunity to become a part of The PhotogenX Around the World Track, a program which runs for a year and three months. During this year my Team and I will focus on fighting injustice through photography, learning how to fight injustice in the long term and showing love and reaching out to the lost, the starving and the afflicted. “Our Vision Statement: The purpose of this track is to Know God and Know yourself, see the face of God in the faces of the world, explore cultures and communities, connect with ministries around the globe, be intentionally discipled, grow in your strengths and thrive as equipped leaders, use media to expose injustice and empower lives, study the Bible in-depth, and experience current events in faraway places. We don’t want to travel the nations and take pictures for our own purposes. We want to see the Kingdom of God come to the earth in tangible ways every day through your team. Amen.”

For this year, I will be doing six weeks of training, followed by six weeks of outreach. During these outreaches I will be doing various things to help those who are afflicted, starving and desperate. All of these will start by showing the love of Jesus, which is the most powerful thing in this world. Each outreach will address the need in each specific country and we will also be doing weekly outreaches in the areas where the training courses take place. There are so many places in the world that are full of suffering, and through this program we will be reaching out in tangible ways to these people in desperate need.

If you would like to partner with me, either financially or in prayer, both are so needed, and so appreciated! If you would like to become a supporter of my calling I will be sending monthly email updates, and I also have a blog I will be regularly posting to, www.mariellelouize@blogspot.com. If you have further questions about the program you can reach me by email, marielle.louize@gmail.com or phone, 250 372 2504. Thank you!

All for His glory, 

Marielle Saayman

Joy in all circumstances.