Pictures with a Mission

As I come home to the country I once so-adored, I sit here and reflect on the past few weeks with a broad understanding of what reality truly is. Its much clearer now how this trip has changed my life, how its changed the Swazi's life, and how others that I may not even know may have been effected. I have been given a unique opportunity to share this experience with the world, so take it as you may. These pictures say a thousand words, but you must understand one thing. People will never completely grasp the seriousness of a country in trouble until they've breathed it; until they've seen it with their own eyes. I am a new person, with a COMPLETELY different outlook on life. I will do my best to help you understand what its like to be humbled by the face of a dying culture.


Here are a few pictures through the eyes of my camera:






















B.T.W. ~ The last picture is for comic-relief.


On a seriouse note, I have to appologize for something thats weighing heavily on my mind. I wanted to say sorry for the "emotional whiplash" that I may have displayed on this blogsite. I tryed to keep this site focused on just the mission's trip alone. However, while I took some time (post-mission's work) to spend in reflectance, I published some pictures of the experience I was having in Cape Town, South Africa. I was blessed to spend time in a "different Africa." However, there isn't a moment that's gone by that hasn't brought a heavy burden on my back. I remember the children, the sick Orphans in the hospital and the HIV positive woman who could no longer care for her children. While I spent time endulging in a rich lifestyle, I found myself feeling empty in so many ways. I have seen the extremes that this life can bring. It really is a difficult thing to cope with coming back to this "pop-culture America."





We have it so good here in the States, you have no idea. I will never look at a drinking fountain with fresh water pouring from it, in the same way. Nor will I ever take the simple things in life for granted. I could sit here all day and preach about how good we have it...but the truth of the matter is, we are truly empty. We live a lifestyle of consumerism and material possesions. Self-worth is no longer judged by our character or our morales, but by how many TV's we have in our house. We cannot continue as a society like this.

Please, I beg everyone reading this blog; Make a commitment today to live your life of privaledge, with steps of caution. Realize through these pictures, that there is a struggling Continent that is in the need of our help. TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE!

I will post more pictures in segments, to try and avoid the "emotional whiplash" previously mentioned. I hope you understand. Anyone interested in speaking to me personally about these experiences and the endless stories behind each picture, may contact me at anytime.

Humbly,

Derek Van Dam