Beginnings...

It's here!Somehow, amidst the hectic shuffle of bags and gear; we are finally off! It is incredible to see all the ways that the Lord has already met and provided and answered prayer for us to be at this place. What a kind and gracious God we serve.As we begin to "set our eyes" towards Ecuador, it causes me to reflect on the excitement and sobriety of what we are headed into. A couple weeks ago, I wrote a letter to the parents of all the photography team members expressing my vision and excitement for this trip. It seemed fitting to share that here so that as you each pray for us and get to read and watch how God is working; you too will have the big picture vision for what God has set before us.************************There is something magical about a story. It weaves its power through the fabric of the narrative, holding you captive to it’s tale; yet bringing a sense relatability and common ground. The classic “Cinderella” would never have been popular if it didn’t speak to people’s inner longings for a world where right wins out, beauty triumphs, and love reigns. It touches people in their core, at a place where they identify. Possessing the power to grip, compel, and move you towards a new idea; well-told stories serve as inspiration for career paths, inner character, and the shaping of perspective.Personally, I have never loved fairy tales. They’re too unrealistic. “Happily ever after” frustrated me, because I knew it wasn’t true. But give me a story of someone’s reality, and my attention would be held for hours as I entered into their world, felt their sorrows, got excited for their successes, and identified with their struggles. As a child, Clara Barton, Florence Nightingale, and Molly Pitcher were my heroes. I read and reread their stories. Inspired by their hearts of servanthood, I wanted to be just like them when I grew up.Now I have rather “grown up” (or at least live in a “grown up’s” world). And perhaps, in a way, I am like them. Because I too am using my story to impact other people.As believers, it is critical that we have a multi-generational, cross-cultural perspective, and engage daily in missional living. It is not just about us and our corner of the world. It is about telling God’s story to the nations. It is about playing a role in the story that God is writing to proclaim His glory and complete His work of redemption. We are called to help deploy the next generation into the world for God’s glory and His purposes. In order to be an expert in helping the next generation live out God’s purposes in their time, we have to be acquainted with what God is doing in the world. We have to know what our world is, who God is, and what our story is. However, it can’t stop there. We have to connect the dots. Taking these components, we have to tell the story. What is the point of a photographer that creates images, but never “takes the shot”? That never shares those images with others?Short term missions provides the framework for understanding these pieces. Sometimes it takes leaving the comfort and familiarity of your culture to gain perspective on what our world and our day really is. Or the corporate worship of the global body of Christ to gain a fuller picture of His heart and His character. And there is something about having to share your own story with others, especially those of a different culture and language, that brings clarity and insight into what that story really is.Photography + missions may not make a whole lot of sense to you. But in essence, photographers are storytellers. They capture both the stories of other people and the stories of how God is working around us, and through images, they tell those stories. Infamous is the quote, “a picture speaks a thousand words”. Young people of our day need a message of authenticity. They need connection and relatability. They’re sick of the “fairy tales of Christianity” that shine with glamor, but never come true. They want real life. And through images, I can connect with them. I can give them the very real story of my life and the story of God at work. Visually, I can show them reality. But in a way that they can identify with, I can tell them how God is redeeming my brokenness and working His plan of healing and restoration.Images tell stories. Stories captivate, inspire, and compel. They wield influence.It is an immense joy, yet sobering responsibility to be part of both telling God’s story and equipping others to tell His story. Having the opportunity to empower and come alongside of team members as they share their stories, helping speak into their lives as they continue to find clarity in what those stories are, and getting a front row seat to them realizing how they fit inside the bigger picture of the story that God is working in the world is a beautiful realization of the goodness of God and how He works above and beyond our inadequacies to accomplish His work.As children of God we are called to be image-bearers of Him, to reflect His nature to the world. As photographers we have the ability to reflect the part of Him that is Creator, the Master Author, and stunning Artist. Through using the skill set that God has entrusted to us, we can help the world see a fuller picture of who God is. I could not be more thrilled to collaborate with this team of your daughters to showcase God’s glory to the nations.May every part of our being be captured by Him and strengthened by Him to live out His story,Ashlyn