The Rogers Family

still catching up on posts from our crazy, awesome summer. and one of the families i got to photograph was the rogers family. i've taken their photos several times before and it has been so fun watching their kids grow up. jeff and vicki are missionaries that mike and i work with. they are currently stateside and come down several times a year to encourage their supporting church's on their mission trips and do ministry in the country they love.

i had a quick opportunity while they were here in the dominican to photograph them and their kids. and let me tell you, this family is one of the easiest families to photograph. the kids are always chill, they smile, the smirk, they grin...they make my job easy! enjoy!

hey there, sweet ella!

sophi and raena

Photo of the Week-8/2-8/9

My love for The Hole has grown deeper this summer than I ever thought possible. I see it in such a different light. I see it as a place that has hope and redemption. I see it as a place of growth and possibility. But I also know, deep under the surface, that it is Satan's playground. He does not want to lose the battle there.

Because my love for The Hole has deepened, so has my love deepened for those who partner with the ministry in The Hole. To know that these people are backing Felix, bringing him support and encouragement, and edifying his work there...man, its priceless.

Felix's job is not an easy one. I've seen him discouraged and feeling alone. I've seen his eyes look distant. I've seen him worried. But there is something that happens to him, as it happens with all of us, when people are there to love and encourage him and his people. Hope comes. Life comes back. Passion returns.

As we were watching The Ridge's video on their last night here, Felix said something that will stick with me, I hope, forever. He said, "Seeing these photos, the kids in this light, the people loving them, stirs something in me. It reminds me that I am still, after all this time, sensitive toward them."

It reminded me, too, that even though sometimes I look at my job as just taking photos, that it is not just that. That it is my opportunity to stir hearts. To remind people of their passion. To edify those who are working hard for God's kingdom. An opportunity I should never take lightly.

Photo of the Week-7/26-8/2

um, hello beautifuls.

while up through the mountains this past weekend visiting the church and community of pastor gregorio tomas, i had the unique opportunity to do something i have never done before...evangelize.

i went with a group once before but it didn't really count. it was the first summer mike and i lived here, i didn't know a lick of spanish and i was more uncomfortable than any other time in my life. this time, i was more prepared.

as we made our way through the back alleys of this little community there seemed to be treasures around every corner. robin-egg blue houses set between mango trees. old wooden fences with yellow flowers peeking around it. an old woman hand-washing white clothes in an orange basin. then i found these two treasures.

these little girls were sitting on wooden chairs outside of their home. shy, and curious, they reached out for our papers. they didn't speak spanish. i said one of the three phrases i know in creole, "bondje beni ou," "god bless you." they giggled, seemingly surprised that this american girl attempted their language.

i snapped the shot.

treasure, i tell you, pure treasure.