We didn’t get photos of all of them, but I just wanted to post them and show what new missionaries look like. From multiple countries, with multiple different personal styles, and a heart for using all means available to communicate the gospel.

Only one of the students in these photos is from the states … all the rest are from multiple countries in Africa and Korea.

One thing that attracts us to Media Village is the ability to encourage media leaders from all over Africa and Asia.

Click to see album on Picasa.

From Media Village Students

School of Photography Student Introduction Video

Already, Kara and I have had great chances to dig into their stories and connect with them.

Media Village does this incredible thing, where it brings in teachers from all around the world … professionals in their craft … and have them teach the students at the highest level. One of the Korean students actually graduated film school in New York and said he is amazed at the curriculum in place here at Media Village.

They were all asked to stand up and share their names, where they are from, and what they hoped to gain out of the school. One student after another introduced themselves. A few students were from the States. But the majority of students came from Africa (Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya) and Asia (Korea, Philippines).

I was struck with two things during worship. The first was the beauty of hearing God’s young people from around the world worship together. The second – a less spiritual observation – how similar they dressed.

Actually, I joked with Kara that they dressed better than we did in our early 20′s.

Hair cuts, T-shirts, and torn jeans made them visually like one group. I guess why I mention this is my on-going amazement at the global culture developing because of globally shared ideas via media and internet.

It is possible for these students from three different continents to choose similar dress styles, because manufacturing is globalized, style and fashion opinion is globalized through media, and ideas of youth and youth culture are globalized. A Korean student doesn’t grow up only influenced by Korea. Nor a U.S. student by just the U.S.

There is so much cross media and thought sharing that I felt like I was looking at a room full of world youth, not just a list of represented countries.

I feel this is a new era … one never possible before the internet.

We found this out the hard way, when we visited the famous Boulders Beach, just up the coast from Media Village, where there is a colony of African penguins.

Good thing it was a short drive, because poor Kara only lasted about 12 minutes, before her allergies attacked her. We knew she was allergic to birds, it just never occurred to us that penguins are like … well … birds.

Her nose and eyes weren’t fooled.

This raw video highlights the lighter side of our trip. In addition to site seeing, we’re doing a lot of talking and praying; we’re meeting people and Graham has graciously driven us all over Cape Town. We visited Beautiful Gate and the future home of Media Village, but we’ll save these for a future post.

For now, enjoy this raw video from some of the wild life we saw in the neighborhood today.

P.S. It’s amazing where God takes Kara and I as we follow him. We never planned to be in the neighborhood of such beauty … it is amazing how he provides these things along the way.

It is estimated that 27,000,000 people are enslaved worldwide. This is more than double that of the early American slave trade. Most of these individuals are girls between 5 and 15 to be used for sex.

Media Village launched NewArrivals.co.za. Playing off the de-humanizing term for a new group of girls smuggled into a country for the sex trade: “new arrivals”.

In addition to the site, they are producing a series of videos to educate and powerfully bring a voice to this issue. They have so far produced a High Definition, very emotive piece displaying girls, child soldiers, and babies being brought into the country like luggage on an airport conveyor belt.

This is exactly the kind of work we would like to be part of. Using the tool of media to work as the hands of Jesus in society. Take a look at the site NewArrivals.co.za

Luckily, there is a cross walk, equipped with a light and everything. So we pushed the button. The red crossing man turned green, much quicker than it does usually in the states. Then to my right I heard the squeal of brakes. Not car brakes, but bicycle brakes. Dozens of them.

Now I called this road a main road, but it was actually only two lanes, with hardly a shoulder on either side. But as I looked right, I saw 40 cyclists … very serious … in stretched shorts and shirts, and the lead biker was hitting his brakes and signaling for everyone else to stop as well.

“No, Danny, keep going,” shouted one of the others in the lead.

Of course, keep going, I thought. There were thirty-nine cyclists behind him, all in a rhythm, all with momentum, and all going to stop on this little two lane road for one guy and a baby in his arms? But Danny was committed.

He brought his bike to a stop, and half a dozen other bikes in the front with him. The rest were doing the same, like a slinky closing up on itself.

I wasn’t quit ready for this. I mean, sure the light went green, but I had my little guy in my arms. I wasn’t just going to jump into the street and trust traffic to stop for me. I don’t know the rules here in South Africa. In most places in the world the pedestrian doesn’t have the right of way.

Then one of the fellas in the front — who sounded like the one who shouted, “Danny, keep going” — shouted again, but this time at me, “Just … for you.”

The pack of bikers now all coming to a stop and Danny staring at me and grinning. “Just for me?” I echoed.

“Just for you!”

What do you know, not two minutes from the front door of Media Village, on my first steps out into South Africa, and I was already making friends.

Having a fantastic time. Thanks for your prayers.

Map Generator

Here is the description from the Facebook Event page:

“For the past three months 21 students have spent hours learning the skill of producing media pieces. Some have told stories, all have produced a Public Service Announcement, a music video and worked on a short documentary. Their work has been creative and displayed an amazing level of commitment to excellence.

While the students work at shooting and editing, Media Village Productions continues to produce work for local and international clients. Cable Awards showcases some of the best work produced by Media Village Productions in 2009.

Cable Awards 2009 will surprise and encourage you to see what can be achieved when passion and perseverance come together. Be there and be inspired. Booking is essential.”

Facebook Event Page