"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, 2009On 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. "
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