The students stared back at their teacher with the enthusiasm of a tranquilized sloth.
“Can anyone in the class tell me what they think about that?" the teacher asked.
Silence. I suddenly became acutely aware of the carefree children playing just outside the classroom.
“Can anyone in the class tell me what they think about that?" the teacher asked.
Silence. I suddenly became acutely aware of the carefree children playing just outside the classroom.
In the students' defense, it was 3PM, the part of the school day when time flows with a most viscous of qualities. After an awkward silence, Kelvin, seated quietly next to me, raised his hand and broke through the malaise with an answer not befitting of his “cool kid” self, but that would have made any teacher’s pet jealous. Without removing my eye from the camera I held out my fist in his direction. Soon after his his knuckles met mine. A quick glance in his direction confirmed we both wore the same subtle smile upon our faces.
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| A baby photo of Kelvin. Look at those pudgy cheeks! |
The simple fist bump carried in it the satisfying familiarity that can only come from connecting with a good friend. Over a year has passed since I first spent a few weeks filming with Kelvin and he is still just as cool as when I first met him (click here for last year's blog about Kelvin) . He moves like a Latino James Dean. Although our friendship remained active, the footage from our time together sat idle as I worked on other projects.
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| Working on one of the "other projects." Filming with my church, who came to Guatemala for a week! |
Returning to the footage upon returning to Potter’s House this year was like returning to the scene of a crime. It was the first project I’d filmed in Guatemala and my lack of experience was apparent. Everything was too shaky, too unfocused, too off balanced, too plain old awful. And the result is something I am more satisfied with than anything I’ve done before. Here it is, my latest video:
One Year Later
It’s been not only a year since I filmed with Kelvin, but also one year since I returned home from my second short-term stint in Guatemala (This year is my third and longest stint). Here's a report on how many times the videos have been seen:
Building House 100:
YouTube Views: 1,306
Presentation Views: 2,000+
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| Volunteers watching Building House 100 |
Why Houses?:
YouTube Views: 1,382
Presentation Views: Unknown (rough estimate: 1000+)
4 Other Videos: Combined for 2,078 views on YouTube.
Bonus: Kelvin’s Story: Already over 400 views between YouTube and presentations.
It's been reassuring to see the videos used in presentations. Unlike the online audience, those receiving presentations to are a captive and engaged audience, who often discuss the videos in groups afterwards.
Thank your for supporting me and encouraging me last year as I made these videos!
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| Volunteers watching Clay (Kelvin's Story) |
Thank your for supporting me and encouraging me last year as I made these videos!
Where Would They Be?
The Bible class came to a close and Kelvin volunteered to say the prayer. As he began to speak, I couldn't resist looking up to observe the classroom.
I noticed Manuel, who always greets me with a smile. When he arrived at Potter’s House he was so depressed and neglected that he told his counselors he had no worth and wanted to commit suicide. Now he openly declares his worth in the Lord.
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| Manuel. This shot is a still from my next video. |
Sitting nearby was Jaqueline, who’d first arrived with such poor self image that she would cover her face with her hair and wear black to symbolize her pain. She now walks with confidence and charity.
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| Jaqueline (Center, in front of the children) on during a prayer walk in a shanty community. |
Finally I looked over to Kelvin. If he hadn’t made it to Potter’s House, where would he be? The dump community has little to offer. No libraries, no athletic facilities or other outlets. Would the gangs have recruited him or targeted him? Would his anger and shame have consumed him? Would he be working in the dump with his dad? Would he have found discipleship? “Thank you Lord, that they’re here,” I prayed internally.
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| Kelvin closing in prayer. |
Kelvin finished his prayer and class let out to free time. As soon as he opened his eyes, he resumed to being his suave self, smiling cooly as several bright eyed girls got up to talk to him. I chuckled to myself and ducked out to edit the footage I'd just taken.
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| Kelvin handing out food during the weekly "Treasure's Club" at Potter's House |
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| Kelvin (stage right) helping to lead songs during the weekly "Treasure's Club" at Potter's House |
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| Acting in a skit, Kelvin tries to steal his neighbor's hamburger. We've all been there. |
