Seek the journey that seems impossible & out of reach. That is where you find true friends. The last three weeks have been full and diverse. Actually, diverse is a nice way of saying stretched thin. We've had long days of meetings, researching, scouting, production, logging footage, editing … and more meetings. Toss in lack of sleep and heavy subject matter and you have the perfect scenario to brew a typhoon of emotions. We are documenting a story that is uncontrolled - many times it seems as if it has no track at all, winding all over the place and crashing into anything in its path. Conflict makes for a great story, but the trouble is you have to capture it …. In the past three weeks, we have: • Lost a theatrical director to a motorcycle accident • Potentially lost a major character to the story who has been...
We are excited that the very talented Guate Cirko is collaborating with us in the Voz De Las Calles event at Teatro Abril in Guatemala City on June 16, 2012. Here is a look at their Comparsa event earlier this year.
We were checking out at the grocery store the other day, and my son Micah said, "Hey dad, there's a picture of Guatemala." I turned around and noticed he was pointing at this magazine. I had to hide my tears because his observation struck a chord in my soul. He was talking about the country of his birth. This is one of the reasons we invest so much or ourselves into Athentikos. Once we got to the car, I explained that the picture was not of Guatemala, but of a different country called Syria. That didn't really matter to him. Micah was certain of the photo's location. He described in detail the things which made the photo "Guatemalan". He said, "The buildings are old, gray, and broken. The streets are broken and dirty …" I almost chimed in to correct him and reinforce the reality that this photo was NOT Guatemala....
After spending time in Antigua at a YWAM site, Guy Crook contacted Athentikos to share his response to Reparando. He expressed his passion for Athentikos and Reparando, after having seen Reparando while on a mission trip in Guatemala last year. YWAM Antigua's mission is to know and love God and make Him known in Antigua, Guatemala and the nations. YWAM Antigua uses Reparando to educate their students on the history of Guatemala and to paint a picture of "hope and inspiration of what one life can do to make a difference," says Bruce Ahlberg, Director of YWAM Antigua. Guy watched Reparando on a small group visit to YWAM Antigua. He shared with us how emotionally moved he was by the film. "I was moved to tears." - Guy Crook. "...I bought a copy on line from you guys, and have shown it to several brothers and sisters. Every time I see...
Imagine yourself for a moment as a kid again. But this time, your parents are gone, you do not know the next time you will eat, you have no roof over your head when you sleep, and you don't know where to hide from the abuse of strangers, gang members or even the police. You have no home and no family, except for the other band of kids who have nothing and no one just like you. This is a reality for millions of children living on the streets around the world. Estimating numbers of ‘street children’ is fraught with difficulties. The exact number of street children is impossible to quantify, but the figure almost certainly runs into tens of millions across the world. It is likely that the numbers are increasing. The International Day for Street Children: Louder Together was launched by the Consortium for Street Children on 12th April 2011. It is a new campaign...
I knew this day would eventually come. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it. But I could never wrap my brain around why. Perhaps I was just scared. But today was the day. Micah came home from school today and explained that kids at school said he was adopted and had another mother. He asked us if that was true. We have always told our sons they were born in Guatemala and celebrated their heritage. But for the past couple years, they thought everyone was born there. We repeatedly explained that we weren't born in Guatemala, but it never sunk in. According to Micah, "even Jesus and Santa Claus were born in Guatemala". That was his perceived reality … at least until today when he was told by his peers that he was different. My first reaction was anger and sorrow. I was angry that these kids might...
The kids involved in Fergie’s classes are not the only ones learning. Throughout my time here in Guatemala and throughout production, I have been learning a lot about filming, photography, technology, scheduling shoots, coordinating crew members, organizing transportation, and even a bit little of clowning. Our Guatemala production team is learning too, as they are authentically responding and volunteering their talents. We have been blessed with such a great crew of volunteers willing to help us along this process!! “I feel so happy and privileged to be volunteering with Athentikos. It has been a great experience getting to know the crew and all the people involved in the documentary. I've met people from different backgrounds and situations that are passionate and have a heart to see a better Guatemala. I have so much to learn from them, they have inspired me and challenged me to give my best in this project...
We are well underway in the process of ‘Becoming Fools’! Clowning is a performance art. It’s experiential. It’s theatre. And ... it’s cathartic. Clowning can help these kids process their tragic stories and better understand their wounds. Clowning can also empower these kids to begin to communicate their stories non-verbally - in a way that crosses culture and language - so that we the audience can begin to understand their needs and respond. Both the clown and the audience have the opportunity to heal. Classes are now in full swing every Tuesday and Thursday. In these training sessions, kids are learning and perfecting a variety of skills included in clowning and in theatrical performance. After each class the kids are tasked with specific skills and exercises to continue practicing at home. How fun it has been to watch the kids being creative, being silly, expressing themselves, and improving their skills!!...
Today was a busy day! I visited the street kids of El Tanque with At Risk No More, and then we drove two blocks down the street to spend some time with María the Doll Lady, who everyone has grown to love from the movie Reparando. We greeted her in the street, and she immediately invited us into her house. We brought María a scarf made by someone in Tita’s workshop. After presenting the scarf and taking a photo we began to talk. María detailed several ways in which Reparando has blessed her. We were humbled by her immense gratitude. She mentioned that her life is simple. She works, but only has one obligation, and that is to follow God. Over and over she shared with us how God has provided everything she needs personally and for her business. She is very grateful for the work that she has and...
