Women In Warzones
Putting Faith into Action
About a month and a half ago, two young men got up in front of my congregation and spoke about a very important project they are doing this summer. Both being Film majors, this project is to go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and film a documentary about the sexual violence that is occuring in the Congo. For many reasons - the fact that April’s Grandparents were missionarys there, giving birth to many of their children there, including her dad; how many women are so violently raped that they need reconstructive surgery to survive; the nudging of the Holy Spirity - many reasons, April and I decided to get involved in the Project.
I wanted to let everyone who visits this site regularly to know about it. These two young men and one young woman are being proactive in their world to change it for the better. They will be there this summer, filming as much as they can. Once they are back, in mid august, they will begin editing and developing the story. By Winter they hope to have a final, mastered version done with which they can use to raise awareness of the violence that is happening in the Congo. In the beginning of the year, they plan on submitting the film to as many film festivals as they can. They are very serious about what they are doing.
They need support, especially financial to accomplish this. If you are at all interested in this project, either to know more or to help in any way, please let me know. I can get you more info. Feel free just to leave a comment if you dont’ know my email and I will get back to you.
The photos used in this posting as well as all of those included in the album “Women in Warzones” were taken by the talented Melanie Holloway Blanding. Please take a look at them, they are not only great pictures but they can show you a bit about whats going on there. If you are interested in contacting Melanie, I also have her contact info. Either email me or leave a comment and I will get you in touch with her.
I will also post periodic updates about this project and what’s going on with it as it develops.
June 6th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
Sometimes it amazes me (like now… as I look through these pictures, almost tearfully) that this is happening in the same world we live in. I often live my life in such an oblivious haze. I’m sure on some level I am always aware of the horrors that others endure as I sit in the lap of luxury… but rarely am I faced with the reality of it. When you have the time, Chris, I’d like to hear more about this project and about how I can help.