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"So just a quick blog post before I leave. With 17 cameras (2 of them my professional SLR’s), a laptop, two mics, two hard drives, and two 50lb. bags (exactly) I am packed. I leave in for the airport in under 5 hours, and am ready for some sleep. I shot a wedding all this morning and this afternoon and have backed up those images. What a day and what a three weeks. It was three weeks ago Sunday, that I decided to step forward in going on this trip, and it has been one of the wildest rides I have ever been on. I am so excited about this trip and all that God has promised to do. " - Joshua Seale, on July 26th, 2009

On June 30th, 2009 I had the honor of meeting photographer Joshua Seale at Dane Sanders Fast Track Workshop in Portland Oregon. By the end of the day, it became obvious that this man was a fellow Philanthropic Artist - and a really awesome one at that. The more I was able to chat with Joshua, the more I discovered that sometimes, you find the most kindred of spirits in the most unusual places.

Like many fellow artists, Joshua first endeavored to live a life that counts. Graduating from Biola with a major in Theology with an emphasis in Missions, he ran the Student Missions Department during his Junior and Senior year. During that time he also was involved with short term missions to 22 countries around the world. He loved missions, but it seemed that there was something missing from his work.

Fast forward 4 years and you would see Joshua working actively in his church, saving on the salary of a Peets Coffee barista, and diving whole heartedly into the world of photography. On Sunday, July 26th, Joshua left the US for a trip to the war torn African country of Congo for 6 weeks. His mission: working with a local NGO and holding a photography workshop for Congolese children.

Joshua's goal is to come away with images from the Congolese children as a visual narrative of their lives. Coupled with imagery he will shoot of the children and their families, Joshua hopes to pull together a book that will raise support for the NGO.

Oftentimes it's easy to think that the seeming glamorous work of a Philanthropic Artist "just happens." Joshua would tell you different. For four years after graduating, God took him on a journey that seemed to be wrought with disappointment. He was not living the life he dreamed of, the life he knew he was capable of. But it was during those times that God stripped Joshua from who he thought he was, to the person God wanted him to be.

Now, that person looks like a Philanthropic Artist. A photographer who loves photographing weddings just as much as he loves visual storytelling for a cause.

Even still, the path is a challenging one. Exactly 3 weeks from the day he stepped on the plane bound for Africa, Joshua made the decision to go. He spent 3 weeks raising funds, writing about the upcoming trip, picking up donated digital cameras, and thinking through everything involved with a Philanthropic Art trip.

On his departure date, he missed his connection to London due to a previously delayed flight. He had to book a hotel, and work with a hesitant airline to re-issue another ticket to Kenya. In the middle of all this, I asked Joshua how he was doing. His response: "I am totally exhausted, but feel God's presence, and can rest."

Pray for Joshua. That God will grant him strength, and grace; inspiration and joy. If you want to hear about his adventures, be sure to check out his blog, or find him on twitter.

Every World Changing Philanthropic Artist living out this call of God on their life will face a difficult and challenging path. But in the end, we realize that God's purpose is not the art, and it is not the philanthropy. It is for our development and our relationship with Him. And the best road for those purposes, is the one in which all glory goes to Him.

Every World Changing Philanthropic Artist living out this call of God on their life will face this.

"I feel in such a deep way that I am journeying with God. I feel as though the Father has orchestrated every aspect of this trip and I am excited to see what he is going to do. It is really a mystery to me, but I am excited to walk and experience this adventure with him. "

What if you knew that a camera could change the world?

What if you knew that a picture could change a life?

What if you knew that affecting change meant reaching outside your comfort zone?

What if you knew that changing the world first meant you had to be changed yourself?

Many of you remember Sarah Danaher, a young woman involved with the Restoring Grace Thailand project. Once again, this portrait photojournalist is embarking on a mission to help those in need of a hand.

Today, Sarah is leaving for Kenya with two women from her church. Together, the women seek to gather photo's and information regarding a Kenyan orphanage/school that needs support. Formerly just a school, this organization began taking children displaced and orphaned by the 2007 Kenyan conflicts. Now a school and orphanage, this facility needs sponsors for it's orphans and generous donors who are willing to support an expansion project. Sarah's assignment is to profile the school in every aspect of it's existence, and also take portraits of the children in need of sponsorship. Her fellow travelors will be gathering other materials to start a foundation for the sponsorship program.

RM: What are you most looking forward to on your trip?
Sarah: "The big brown eyes of the African people - and learning to love people in a new way."

RM: What are you going to do on the flight over?
Sarah: "Sleep. Watch movies and listen to my ipod. I'm also going to work through questions regarding my photography business, and journal about the unknown."

RM: What packing essential should you have left home but just h.a.d. to bring?
Sarah [with a laugh]: "Lara bars. And a sad little collection of instant caffinated beverage powder. I can't go anywhere without those two things."

RM: What do you think will be the greatest challenge of your trip?
Sarah: "We don't really know what we're going into, so flexibility is going to be the biggest challenge. Knowing when and how to step in with my camera or without my camera."

RM: What is the first step of this trip?
Sarah: "We are flying into Nairobi. After spending the night at a Christian hostel, we will be taking a 6 hour bus ride into Mombasa."

RM: What is your personal assignment on this trip?
Sarah: "Loving people and taking portraits of the children who need sponsorship."

RM: When you took your first photography class with IPS, did you ever see yourself at this place?
Sarah: "I hoped for it, but I didn't expect it. I never thought I would be going to Kenya. God's plans for me involve supporting people who are building His kingdom around the world. Location doesn't really matter."

RM: What is your biggest prayer request?
Sarah: "I am going to Kenya with two prayers. The first is that I would love God more so that I can see and love people the way He does. The second prayer is that I would walk away from this trip with a clearer understanding of what it means to be and live as a Christian."

RevMedia will be praying for Sarah as her 19 days in Kenya are underway. We don't know about you, but we certainly look forward to hearing the stories of God's working when she returns.

Sarah hopes to update her personal blog every now and then while out of country. You can follow her adventures there, or find her on Twitter.