Think about that question for a moment.....is it worth it? The odds are overwhelming, whenever progress is made it is celebrated then forgotten about because of some new horror. An estimated 600,000-800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across borders each year. [1] Such a huge number..... It seems to beg the question, "What could I do? It's too big of a problem." When we decide to take a stand against injustice, are we easily dissuaded? Do we give up when we hit the first wall? Some of you may have heard the argument "Why do anything to stop trafficking? It's too big of a problem to solve, so why bother?" and on the surface, it may seem like a valid point. But it isn't. Success is being made by the many organizations, both NGO's and Governmental, that are working to combat this. See for yourself, read the updates from IJM, the International Justice Mission. Progress may seem small, but change always begins small. Instead of giving up because we don't succeed instantly (this is the topic of another post/video I'm working on, stay tuned!) keep going! Believe that we can make a difference, especially when God is on our side. Watch the video below, it's incredible. I pray that you are filled with a burning fire to go out and take a stand against injustice!
In Christ,
Nick, the Towheaded Rambler
First of all, this has been an absolutely AMAZING week that I've been here in Kona with YWAM! Wow, has it only been 8 days? Seems like I've known these people forever.
Yesterday we, my fellow classmates and I, had a tour of the island. We saw fields of igneous rock, waterfalls, lava tubes, an active volcano with steam pouring forth, the black sands beach and a twister! A highlight reel of the day is below, short since it was a class assignment. This past week has been mind blowing. I've seen the Lord at work in so many ways and have seen so many lives touched by Him, so amazing even the most ardent skeptic would be hard pressed to disbelieve!
If any of you haven't seen the film "Father of Lights", I'd highly recommend you go the their website and BUY the dang thing. Such an incredible and powerful movie showing the power of God. Our outreach locations were announced!! After a 12 hour day of driving around the island in vans, we all crashed in the classroom, demolishing about 7 large Costco pizzas, before we heard about where our outreach teams are going. Each team will travel to the country listed and maybe a bit into the surrounding area.
Team 1 - Jordan
Team 2 - Kenya
Team 3 - Thailand
Even though we prayed and wrote down where we want to go, none of the final decisions have been made. I can't tell you where I'm going yet, but stay tuned! Feel free to leave a comment guessing where I will go! ;)
In Christ,
Nick, the Towheaded Rambler
Earlier this week I said that once I finished the video I've been working on, I'd share it with you guys.
The video was created for Disciples of Mercy an amazing organization helping teach, train, heal, and evangelize outside of Kisumu, Kenya. Read more on their website! www.DisciplesofMercy.net (the video hasn't been posted to the website yet). Hope everyone is doing well!
Nick
I figured it's about time I shared some of the highlights from living in Kenya, and by highlights I mean some of the hilarious things that have happened to us. You may, or may not, enjoy these.
Number one. The Sugar Cane Incident
As we were finishing up dinner one night Charlie, my carrot-topped 6 year old brother, decided that he wanted to share a treat he had with everyone. Steve, another missionary living on the same compound as us, had purchased some sugarcane as a treat for the boys at Agape, and had kindly given some to Charlie. He was so excited as he ran outside to get this special treat to share with us.
Now before the next part of the story you need a description of our dining area. It's in a large(ish) room with two couches and 3 comfy chairs plus our table and the benches on either side of it.
Anyways, he runs in, sits on the bench and holds it up for everyone to see! Actually, he was starting to hold it up when Matt, my 12 year old brother who was sitting next to Charlie, looked at it and screamed. When Matt screamed Charlie dropped the sugarcane under the table and started yelling which made my mom sprint across the room and jump on top of one of the couches, as she started running pretty much everyone else decided that whatever this monster was we better get away from it. So Kate, 16 year old sister, ran and jumped on the other couch, I jumped up on top of the bench I was sitting on, and everyone else either grabbed something to kill the monster or ran away from it.
As things started calming down we couldn't find any "monster", not even a mouse or a snake as some people thought it was. We asked Matt why he yelled and he said there were a ton of ants on the sugarcane. Sure enough, this chain reaction was all started by some ants.
Proof that fear is contagious.
Number two. Fidel Castro.
We bring boys off of the streets of Kenya to Agape pretty much every day. The first place they go, after the showers, is to our transition class where we teach them basic manners, cleanliness, and about Christ. One day we brought in a kid named "Fidel Castro" (there is also have a "Hilari Clinton" at Agape) and put him in our transition class. The next day Charles, head of the transition class, calls a boy over for counseling and Fidel ran after him as well regardless of us telling Fidel to stay. Charles looks around and goes, "That is what is wrong with Cuba".
There have been some other hilarious moments, but I'm blanking on what they were. Most of the time it's oneliners such as when we're playing Five Crowns, Kate says "Fives are wild everyone!" and then when we finish the hand she says "What?! Why didn't anyone tell me fives were wild??". It's been a fun time so far and I'm looking forward to the next 8 months here.
I'm also going to throw a plug in here for my documentary, though I'm sure you've probably heard of it by now. We have 45 days left of our fundraising campaign and are still stuck at under 10% of our funding. Please share the video below and help share the stories of boys living on the streets of Kenya, The Forgotten Children.
Nick, The Towheaded Rambler
Well, it's here. I know you are probably not as excited as I am, but I will finally get to see my hard work pay off (hopefully). If you have no clue what I'm talking about, I suggest you read this first. For those who read my last post and know what this is about, kudos! I'll just do a quick rundown of it again. The Forgotten is a documentary telling the lives of the boys who live on the streets of Kenya. These boys have run away from home, and often are considered dead as the family has no way to know where they are. In order to film, produce, and distribute, we need additional funds! That's the last post in a nutshell. For more information about the film, check out it's website at www.ForgottenStreetChildren.com In order to donate or learn what we need additional funds for, head on over to www.IndieGoGo.com/ForgottenTheMovie Be sure and connect with us on Facebook and Google+! Check out our latest promo video below. Thanks for reading this, and please share with your friends and family! Help us tell the stories of these boys.
Nick, the Towheaded Rambler
It has been quite a while since I've posted on here, so I apologize. I've been rather busy with the media/webpages/advertisements for a project some of you may have heard of, a documentary called "The Forgotten". Below is some concept art by yours truly, with some tips from my pal Hayden of One Little Corner.  I've been spending most of my mornings going out on the streets of Kisumu, Kenya, filming the boys where they work, eat, sleep, and survive. Because of the time I have spent with them I want to share their stories with the world, as most people are woefully informed about street boys.
The purpose of the documentary is simple. Increase awareness of the street boys, and the different organizations helping them. I hope that by showing the example of Kenya, people will take the next step and learn about the street boys in their own country.
In order to help produce, distribute, and sell the documentary, I'll be having an online fundraiser that will go live on March 1st. In addition to the fundraiser, the website, Facebook Page, and additional videos will go live as well that day. I'll be sure and post links to all on March 1st, so keep that date in mind! The fundraiser will run until April 30th, and the goal is to raise around $5,500. I know many of my friends cannot afford large (or any for that matter) contributions, but I have a number of perks that come with donations! ;) Even if you cannot fund the documentary, please share it on Twitter, your blog, Facebook, talking with people, wherever you happen to be! Chances are that if you cannot donate, you know someone who can, thus word of mouth is a powerful tool.
Please help me with this project, even through prayers!
I'll post again on March 1st!
Until then,
Nick, the Towheaded Rambler
Well it's been a bit since my last post, but this one will just be a quick update! Everything is going well! A bit hot and humid, but otherwise great. The "President's Award - Kenya" club I've joined (some background info here) is just kicking off and it should be a good experience! What is great is that I've recently been asked to help with a number of different organizations videos. Everything from helping to tape an event, to creating a promo video! So I'm looking forward to that! I know some of you have already seen this, but here's the most recent video I put together. Hopefully I'll be able to post a different one later this week.
Most of the time street boys are forced to find food in trash bins, or beg for shillings so they can buy a "Mandazi" (a Kenyan pastry). We were able to find a couple who were preparing and cooking some potatoes they had found.
Hoping this finds you in good health!
Nick, the Towheaded Rambler
As some of you know, I started going out on the streets of Kisumu with Abel (a member of Agape's outreach team) and Steve (my bro), so I could get some footage for various reasons. We've been out a couple times in the past week, both in the early and late morning hours, to interact with the street boys.
Though filming at 5:45AM was a new experience for me, it was pretty fun! I've compiled some of the footage shot on the occasions I traversed the streets of Kisumu, Kenya.
The boys in the video are street boys; homeless, without food, cold, fearful, and in pain. Often they will resort to sniffing toxic glue in order to dull their senses and feel safe. It was a new experience to see them as they slept under bags on cement, wood, or whatever else they could find; and I'm looking forward to being with them again as they start their mornings on the streets.
In Christ,
Nick, the Towheaded Rambler
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