{a context for hope}

Worth a watch

2010-11-13T19:36:00.001-08:00

The Butterfly Circus 2009

I really enjoyed this short film. Inspirational, thought provoking and it is definitely worth the 20mins!

Release!

2010-11-05T13:56:00.001-07:00

5 Years the bow has been drawing, and the release is in plain sight!

It started with a ninja grandma.

Donna Jordan (a YWAM speaker) came to Maui During my DTS, and taught a class of young Jesus lovers how listen to God's voice. It was the week she taught that I began to have clear visions in my mind of how I would use photography as a tool for justice, restoration, and the release of the Kingdom.

My response, with much insecurity was "yeah right!" after much confirmation I began to trust this was what God was speaking.

The last five years has been listening, following Jesus as He refined, honed, sharpened and expanded this calling.

The last five years has led up to the coming season of my life. I have been so privileged to work with such amazing organizations in the last years each adding an important aspect to the vision.

PhotogenX has worked on seen breakthrough in ending of injustices by building and seeing through campaigns on the grassroots, media and political fronts.

Global Virtual Studios (GVS) and Grassroots News are working on the media front, while connecting their vision to those worldwide with the same passions. I have worked on personal projects, but when partnered with other creative minds the content only increases in excellence and interest, while multiplying the audience thus creating a more effective outcome.

The vision I have been moving forward to create is breaking out globally.

I Have seen many photos and videos online done with excellence, yet lacking purpose. Jesus is the purpose.

As individuals move forward with creating multi-media projects with the purpose to expose eternal truths about individuals, communities and the Kingdom of God hope is the outcome. Hope in Christ. Hope for the suffering, hope for cities, hope for nations. As we point our cameras and paint brushes at the hope giver the injustices in front of us become A Context For Hope.

I have been close friends to the leaders of Fire and Fragrance for years, and their passion is the heart of my vision.

"Revival and Transformation in the nations of the earth through intentional communities centered around valuing the presence of God through worship, intercession, and passion for Jesus!"

Recently I have been learning more about the vision, purpose, who, what, when, where, why, how, business, support, sustainability aspects of what God is calling me to. I am so privileged to be in this season right now.

No garbage can on the highway can stop what God has planned!

purpose. life. rest.

2010-11-05T13:23:00.000-07:00

I write with a new gratefulness to be alive and well.

As I was rolling over 90ft in a Land Rover at 65pmh I was full of peace and confidence that I would be fine. I got out of that car with new perspective.

I began meditate deeper the purpose for human's existence. It is as simple as it was before, yet the reality began to sink in deeper.

I being rolled into the trauma unit/ER room from the ambulance, and was thinking of how the cliche idea of how this should show me to live life to the fullest dose not apply.

The moment before the roll, continuing to the moment I had this thought was indeed the fullness of my existence. Not to feed hungry, save dying, heal sick, photograph to raise awareness, or even to preach the gospel. I am here to Know God, to love Him and enjoy Him.

As we become the resting place for the purpose of all creation, which is to behold God, and respond with love. We enter into our complete fullness of purpose. That is it.

Yet this deep simple truth gos deeper. Because, we behold Him and respond, He manifest's Himself through us. It is Jesus Christ loving His creation through us,which is the missions movement.

He allows me to see people through His eyes, and apply His love, yet my purpose is still only to Know Him. Because He loves others and desires to free, heal, feed, and restore individuals, I can partner with Him as He empowers me to do so.

Oh, to know that the moment my life was about to end, I was thanking him verbally (which is how I ended up with glass in my mouth haha) and was enjoying His presence.

That is more than enough.

My new perspective is simple. To simply behold my creator, and respond to His love is the fulfillment of our existence.

This clears my mind, and frees me to simply be. While being responsible to a vision the Lord has given me is a "no duh" I don't have to try to make anything happen, or force a vision. He who gives life, and spares it as well will surely breathe on the vision He gives to His children.

And mine is just beginning.

(next blog will be about how the last five years have pointed to the next 5 months)

Halloween 2010

2010-11-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

2010-11-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

5 Days in North Korea

2010-11-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

I traveled with a team of 7 YWAM friends and a couple guides into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea). The ten of us met up with three wonderful guides in the DPRK.

Heading into this nation I was unsure what to expect while half believing I would find all the stories to be exaggerated or embellished. The opposite was true. What I experienced was shocking. Honor for the leader, Juche Idea, which is self reliance ideology, fear of Government and US, and hatred towards America and Japan unite the people of the DPRK to some degree. I suspect these four factors are what enables keeping an entire nation under such oppression.

Individuals grow up with sirens blowing as all power to the city is shut off and air raid warnings instill fear that the US will drop bombs at any moment. Our 4th day in the nation one of our guides told me that we were Christians and we were different. We no longer fit the mold for what she knew about us.

I am believing and hoping for this generation of North Korean's to grow hungry for truth, and dig deeper for answers. What seemed impossible happened without even trying as hunger for the powerful truth of an intimate relationship with our creator is greatly desired even by those we least suspect.

The Kingdom is advancing in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, and God is looking for those who will partner with Him to see that Kingdom come!

Consider how God may have you partner with Him for this nation!

(The video contained sensitive content, and had to be removed. I will put up another one soon!)

Tamar Center

2010-05-12T13:55:00.002-07:00

Here is a quick video of the Tamar Center in Pattya, Thailand.

Edited by Marvin Garay

Thaisong Fair Trade

2010-05-12T13:55:00.001-07:00

Thaisong Fair Trade

Edited by Jason Scanlan

3 in 1

2010-05-03T22:54:00.000-07:00

Poverty vs privilege

The walls were multi colored
The dirt floor covered with trash
The air thick in smoke smelling like rotten fish
Working all day to stay poor,
The family sat together with empty bellies

There were elegant designs on the marble walls
The floor was reflective and clean
From the celling hung a crystal chandelier
On his annual vacation
The man walked out of the bathroom and paid for his $200 meal.

Why?

Because He is love. Because he made us for fullness, and joy in relationship with him. Because everyone has this phenomenally beautiful opportune invitation, and we have the phenomenal opportunity to invite those who have not yet responded.

He is calling his bride. As we walk to him with doves eyes, a fixed gaze on him alone we portray the purpose of existence. We answer the question. We simply mirror his love.

Because the world is not experiencing this freedom. The richness of life is quenched by oppressors, greed, and selfishness. Even though I am the selfish one, I can respond out of God’s selflessness to extend his love to the needy.

Because complete satisfaction is where he made us to be, in his presence.

Fullness

It came to me on a bus in Bangkok. Thinking of the night before in a red-light bar in Phuket I realized the significance and simplicity. As I sat (with a ministry team) in front of a 19 year old girl serving drinks I was able to share with her about a hope unknown to her. I shared about another way of thinking, which gave value to her as a woman. There is available fullness, joy and purpose. She hated her job, so I told her of another way to make money outside the bar.

I realized on the bus, that unless I woke up that morning fully experiencing the intimate relationship with Jesus I told her about it was pointless. Was it just an idea, or a reality. The only reason for me to share about this freedom was to know it, and her only reason to respond was if she saw that I lived it.

Too often become able to talk about intimacy without experiencing it. I can write about it without growing in it. That night showed me yet agin how desperately I need this freedom as much as anyone.

2009-10-22T03:56:00.000-07:00

Hello from Bangkok from Billy Scanlan on Vimeo.

Cambodia Transformed

2009-10-06T07:07:00.001-07:00

I was so blessed during my stay in Cambodia to see the way love truly transformed a community. As I listened to Clayton Butler and Don and Bridget Brewster I began to see the power of empowerment. Just a few folks moved to the notoriously dark Svey Pak, phnom phen, Cambodia and began working with and releasing up Cambodians into ministry.

Visit Hope Ink for the story

X-brothel building in Svay Pak is now Rahab's House of AIM for Asia

The bedroom used to photograph a majority of the worlds child pornography is now the bedroom of pastor Chantha and his wife Bohnthan, who rescue children from those horrific situations

Bohnthan runs health clinics, child care, and other ministries in Svay Pak

VIP room upstairs was used to as the virgin room, as men would pay top dollar for young virgins

Room 9. This room remains unchanged from the original brothel. Children would service as many as 10 clients a day.

Large gathering of the Svay Pak community as truth is proclaimed Sunday morning.

Patients wait in line for the free weekly medical clinic at the converted ministry center.

Children of the community now have a safe place to play, learn, and are taken out of the risk getting trafficked.

Bohnthan caring for the sick.

Rotanak spends his time pouring into neighborhood children teaching them self worth, love and the truth of the gospel, which is transforming Svay Pak

Youth, drug dealers, and gang members are given free access to a gym, and breakdance floor, which is bringing new hope to this dark corner

the web

2009-09-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

The contributing factors of the sex industry in Thailand is an intertwining web of many issues. I love lists, but could not figure out how to list these as they are all involved with each other.

Buddhism and its world view creates much of its own impoverished people. Looking around at the elegant temples dressed in gold and fine jewels completely paid for by those living in poverty struggling to support their families is one small, but clear picture of how Buddhism plays a significant roll in this issue.

Another factor Buddhism plays is its world view. These young women earn merit and honor as they provide financially for their families as is expected. (the men usually sit around and drink beer starting around 8 or 9 am)

Poverty plays what seems to be one of the largest rolls in this issue. The bars offer income without requiring education. Many of these women try to find work to support their families yet it is extremely difficult without education. The bars pay more and require less, so many parents send their daughters to the bars.

Thai culture dose not promote creativity, so dreaming of innovative sources of income is not prevalent. This when mixed with the worldview of Buddhism idea that if you are born into poverty you should just accept it. The income you get is what the god's have chosen for you (changing it is not an idea most seem to interested in)

The demand of selling sex is great as "sex tourism" is an extremely profitable business in this poor economy. The demand is great.

Government turns a blind eye most of the time as it creates much income. The Government receives money from the west and the UN to create a means to crack down. Yet at the same time much income is generated by the bars as well as the bar owners paying off the Government to turn their blind eye.

Depravity of heart is creating this issue. All involved are trying to fill this void by gaining something from selling or buying or allowing this issue to go on, and the only cure is restored hearts.

All these are just a few glimpses into the web of what creates this industry.
But there is so much being done in spite of the seemingly great darkness.

I am finding many people not confronting the factors, which contribute to the issue, but confronting the issue itself. The heart.

The YWAM Tamar Center is seeing God break through in these individuals lives on a regular basis. Because of the Tamar center may women have chosen to leave the bars. and work with the Tamar center's Cafe, card making shop, salon, or bakery.

In Cambodia God is bringing awesome transformation! One of the absolute most notoriously perverted brothels on the face of the earth known for petifilleia in Svay Pak has been shut down. Now a Church and ministry center use this building to show Christ's love to all in this area. It no longer known as a safe area to buy or sell children. Many in this dark corner of the globe are now being transformed by the gospel, and shining their light to others. AMEN and AMEN!!!

HOPE is always greater than the greatest injustice, and I am finding that more than true in Pattya Thailand, Svay Pak, Cambodia and everywhere that has been created by the loving God wooing his bride to freedom.

Not a dreamland

2009-09-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

When I first got to Pattya I was extremely overwhelmed by the level of darkness. Everywhere I looked I saw old white guys with young Thai girls. I saw a world feasting on the dark desires of their hearts, yet lonleyness filled their eyes. It seems as I watch these thousands of men interact with these women that I am watching them in a dream land, or fairy tail. I wanted to wake them up and yell "go home" or just ask "how are your wife and children?", yet i remained silent feeling helpless.

After just a few days I have began to get excited for what I am seeing in this city. As I have seen more darkness the longer I've been here I have gained hope. I have seen so much more of what God is doing in the darkest place I have ever seen. God is using those at the Tamar center to bring restoration to individuals who were hopless. I am seeing young girls leave the bars to work with in bakeries, salons, cafes and make jewelery and cards to export. They now walk with smiles that penetrate deep into a place that cause joy to rise in my heart. Hope walks the streets. Now these women go to the bars and share with the young women about the possibilities beyond the bar. This is working.

Now when I see the men everywhere I am sad, yet hopeful. I am disgusted, yet excited. I long for these men to meet their creator and be filled by the only one who can satisfy our empty hearts. This too is happening.

(two girls on right are Tamar Center staff inviting the bar girls to English class)

First night in Pattya

2009-08-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

At night surrounded by red neon signs I see emptiness grabbing for purpose at the empty beauty which will never satisfies. I gaze at the giver of life, our creator, my lover, who gives exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. Surly the empty would forever be changed by just one encounter with the living God of love, the giver of purpose. But how?

When I talk to folks here - the drug dealers on the beach, the men buying women for change, and the women selling their bodies for a days worth of meals, I sense a void of recognizing the emptiness in their own heart. They say “I am happy” last night a cocaine dealer told me “I don’t want everything, I have everything”

Oh, my beloved you are missing the one thing of worth. To stand face to face with the giver of life, and to be found as his spotless bride through his own death given for you. This God dose not require you to make empty acts of merit, but unrelentingly pursues you and invites you into the eternal dance of love, woos you to the safety of his wreak-less love, and all you must do is simply accept this gift. You are loved, search no more. You are valued, receive it. The king delight in his

This man continued to ask my friend Matt and I “ why come? you don’t want to smoke, do drugs, take ladies, go to disco?” we told him because we already are full of joy without all of those empty things. He was confused. We continued to tell him of our fullness. We are going back tonight.

Father would you come and encounter Bon. Make known your love.

Freedom for the captives!

2009-08-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

Who are the captives?

It is easy to hold the villain responsible for oppressing the innocent. What is to be done when no one is found to blame? How do we impact an issue made up of world views shaping a valueless humanity. Hold the oppressor accountable, yet all I find is the depravity of heart. Poverty stricken people in need of financial breakthrough to make ends meet. Surly I will not call a girls mother a bandit for wanting to feed her child, yet it is not right for her to send her daughter into a den of sexual exploitation for her own profit.

What do I do when young women choose to work the bars. Who then is my adversary? I will stand with the will and word of my God, even, and especially when I see no way of hope.

He promises love. And in love is freedom, is wholeness is the fullness of life. Where these things live there can not be a void.

With you, no heart would long for another. What do you say creator who they are? Oppressed and oppressor, whoever they may be are completely loved, valued and desired as my only child.

You alone can release an empty heart from captivity. Come and restore! Show me your love so I can love. All I want is what you want to be. Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Come manifest your desires through me, and set these captives free. Liberate hearts to delight in yours.

Ancient Eturnal

2009-08-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

Bhutan is an ancient land of mystery. It has been a Buddhist monarchy for decades, but not for long. There is presently no traffic light in this ancient nation, and TV’s became legal in 1991. The national ethnic Bhutanese dress code in place preserves the culture, and the no smoking law promotes health. This is certainly one of the most beautiful cultures I have ever seen.

In 1989-1991 there was a ethnic cleansing forcing many natives to leave Bhutan. This ethnic cleansing was really about religion. Today, about 108,000 of these stateless Bhutanese are living in seven refugee camps in Nepal.
Using ethnicity to exile those with a different belief system the Bhutanese Government successfully rid many of those other than Buddhist’s.

Buddhism came to Bhutan in the third century BC, and re-introduced int the seventh century. It has become illegal to practice any religion other than Buddhism in Bhutan. Persecution is the law keeper.

Persecution of the Christians in Bhutan has, without access to running water, or electricity. Houses are raided and sometimes even burned down leaving believers homeless. Many were led into refugee camps in neighboring Nepal. Other believers have experienced denied access to education for children, social benefits, legal documents and passports. Fear has since drove the Christian body underground to worship and meet in small house fellowships risking (with no exaggeration) everything to follow Jesus.

All this to help paint the magnitude of the nations current break troughs.
Many believers throughout the nation are being placed in key areas of influences. One member of the underground Church kindly asked the Prime Minister in a press conference about the persecution of Christian believers. The Prime minister eventually confessed persecutions existence, and responded by publicly declaring freedom for the believers. This year for the first time in the nations history Bhutan has proclaimed safety for all who follow Christ. The Christians remain underground for safety as this is not known throughout the nation.

Years ago there was no known Christian in the nation. Three years ago there was an estimated 6,000 believers in the nation today there are over 13,000 estimated Bhutanese believers (%1 to %2 of the nation in 3 years). God is releasing new waves of revival in this ancient land hungry for truth, and he is releasing favor to those partnering with him to see his kingdom come.

This nation is young in their faith, and we can be Paul's to them. We can send books an bibles to train up strong sound teachers of Bhutan. We can go. We can teach, bring books, encourage and support these precious hungry, zealous, believers, who are so longing for more.

This freedom is creating new needs. Many new believers are joining house fellowships, but leaders with sound teaching are few. We can help!
I stayed in Bhutan for just five shot days. As the nation is closed the government forces a tour guide to accompany tourists at $200 per day. Although my friends and I came in with a government tour guide who also happens to be the underground church coordinator. We brought in over 100 bibles, and some other books for the local leaders. Instead of our profit going to some random guy, it went to our tour guide who then used it to plant new fellowships in the mountainous regions.

Yes, I come from the land of the free, but I have taken for granted my freedoms. I am free to proclaim my love for Jesus in the streets. I may get a couple strange looks, but those in Bhutan could literally loose all they have for the mention of his name. They trade everything to follow Jesus, and it is not easy, yet I trade my liberty for the laziness.

This is my call to fullness, an invitation to intimacy, challenge to partner with my creator, and revelation of mercy.

My God loves me, he loves his children and wants them to know his love. I long for many to know freedom as he has offered me, and to see the Church thrive on the streets in the markets, and from the mountain tops of Bhutan.

Bhutan your creator love you and made you in his own image.

The image you bare is the loving God who gave himself to set you free. Pay your life no more to the appeasing of destructive spirits, or money to the temple they demand. You were meant for life, not to escape it. Enjoy. Yes that which you have, for it has been given freely. You are desired and vehemently loved beyond comprehension. Your King desires your beauty, and you have but to receive. Let him love you. Receive your inheritance. Rise up oh Church of Bhutan and take what is yours. Eternity is written on his heart and he longs for His Bhutanese bride to be complete and pure.

Love arise!

Love always hopes

2009-08-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

Immersed in the sex industry here in Thailand, hope seems small. As I have talked with so many people about the causes of this industry, and what it is going to take to end it, I feel so helpless. What is a photo going to do to end this issue? What will be accomplished even if this documentation impacts 100 people, who respond and move here to combat this issue? Then what?

Matt and I were walking down the sidewalk a few days ago and stumbled into some western men. We began to talk about what brought us all to Thailand, and as we did I realized these men represented those we had come to expel. Soon I learned that one of these men, Don teaches an English class nearby. Just down the road from the school where this man teaches Casey holds his ministry. Casey teaches English as a means to educate young girls in this rural area, which provides so many girls to the bars all over Thailand. The action of teaching English is both a means for ending this issue, as well as providing income to Don to further it. This issue seems unaffected by even our best efforts. Justice can not come out of our actions alone.

I heard another story about a family in leadership at a nearby church, who are in a financial crisis. They want to send their daughter off to Phuket to work. They want her to find and marry a foreigner who will provide a financial way out. The girls parents know it is not good, yet they want to feed their family. They are in a bind, and they know this will get them out. As I hear these stories, I am overcome. How do we help?

I am beginning to see more and more that it is less and less about our actions. We have a creator who loves them more deeply than we could even comprehend, and He will go to greater heights to set them free, then we could dream. Our creator has called us to partner with Him. As we partner with the loving creator of these girls, who desires His perfect will for their life, then our our sowing yields an increase. only he can bring restoration, and we can be a part of that process.

It is not about bringing a global end to human trafficking, but the restoration of individuals. One individual at a time. The girls, her parents, the bar owners, and the men exploiting the women. Love.

We are called to love.

Casey and his family are loving families in this area in many ways. Through conversation and relationship the family at their church decided not to send their daughter off to the bars.

Love. Love bears all things. Love believes all things. Love hopes all things. Love endures all things.

I will love these broken hearted only to the degree I understand they are loved. I will understand they are loved only to the degree I know I am loved. I will only know I am loved to the degree I know God loves me. I will only know God loves me to the degree I know His love. I will only know His love to the degree I gaze at Him. When I gaze at Him I will see His love and respond in love.

Father, show me your heart. I want to know your heart for the broken hearted. What is your will in heave? Let your desires to come to the relight districts of Thailand tonight! Speedy Justice for the oppressed!

We are called to this radical thing called love, and that is all.

A group of women from Lancaster, PA handed out flowers to show women in the bars they are loved and valued. Love covers a multitude of sins.