Monthly Archives: August 2009

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So…What is my purpose?

August 30, 2009 – 12:38 pm

I said one time that God has called me to missions photography.

I still believe that, even though I haven’t gone anywhere in a long time. We (and by “we” I mean “I”) think that to be involved in missions you have to go somewhere; maybe to the last place on earth you want to be. That’s not true. You might be called to go, but you might have a mission opportunity in your neighborhood. You might have an opportunity in your very house.

In April 2002 I went to Romania on a medical/children’s education trip. It was eye opening to say the least. I went back in December 2003 for a humanitarian aid trip. This December I intend, God willing, to go back. It’s been 6 years, and Romania has been on my mind constantly. This will be a humanitarian aid trip to the people called Roma, or gypsy. They are a transient society that are, for the most part, outcasts. They don’t get to attend schools, or even buy and sell with the general population. We will be partnering with Wes and Tamara Banks, IMB missionaries living in Bucharest. I have offered to go as a photojournalist, to document the mission, and produce a show to tell the story. I am hoping for a scholarship to cover the cost, but want to raise the money to go if I can.

Some of you know that Allyson lost her job as of March 31. She is now one of the thousand of out work. God, however, is good. He has promised to provide, if we seek Him and His Kingdom first, and He has provided. My studio has never filled more than 50% of our household budget, but over the last 3 months or so God had brought us enough business that Turner Photography & Design has been meeting the budget 100%. Praise be to God!

But back to Romania. I got out my old journals, and read them a while back. God showed me again that He has a plan for me to use the talents He has given. But how to go? Where will the money come from? Well, I don’t know, honestly. What I do know is that He has a plan. You might very well be part of that plan.
If you are of a mind and heart to, I ask that you might pray with us about this trip. I also ask that if you are able you might help with a contribution towards the cost. I don’t know the exact number yet, but I expect it to be in the $1300 range, based on the trips previous.

I want people to see the efforts of our missions, to see the effects of their gifts, to see the needs that exist. I can do that by using my photography, writing, and some audio to create a documentary of the trip. Some people can go, and some cannot. Some people can give, and some cannot. I understand that completely.

I will provide that documentary on DVD to anyone that contributes $25 or more. Anyone that contributes $50 or more will receive the documentary DVD, and one 8×10 print of your choice from the landscape images or other images I make there. $100 or more will get the documentary DVD, and a your choice of an 11×14 print. Anyone donating $250 or more will receive the documentary DVD, and 11×14 print, and a complimentary portrait session for your family at the studio. I don’t want to just receive money, but for you to get some value in return.

You can contact me at mark@turnerimages.com, or call 770-460-6115. I can take PayPal donations also at mark@turnerimages.com.

If you can pray and give, then thank God that you have been blessed. And know that you are a blessing to me and through me, to the people we minister to. If you cannot give, then pray. Pray that there are people even now that are being prepared to hear the message of God’s grace and mercy through our gifts to them.

If you know of a way I can serve your ministry, or just someone that con benefit from it, through photography please let me know.

God bless you!

By Mark | Posted in photography | Comments (0)

You ever get up early?

August 28, 2009 – 11:41 am

I do sometimes, and it’s really quiet. I can’t do a whole lot because Allyson is still asleep, and I don’t want to wake her. So I read. Sometimes I read a book, maybe the Bible, or the newest Ted Dekker. But sometimes I read blogs. Lately I’ve been following two blogs that have nothing in common except that they are photographers. But they both inspire me.

Zack Arias is a music photographer. He’s also a fine teacher. He is, more importantly than that, one of the most giving people I know. He’s one of those people that you hang around, and you just feel better when you leave. He has a challenge right now that I want to take up. I have been so busy lately making a living, that I have not been living life. I’ve been so caught up in getting the bills paid that I have been missing opportunities. Not business opportunities, but people opportunities. Life should be lived through relationships with people. Sometimes they are lifelong relationships, and sometimes the relationship may be just at the checkout counter at Kroger. However short the interaction, we can have a positive impact on everyone we meet. Maybe a word, or maybe a moment to stop and help someone. Something as seemingly small as opening the door for a Mom with a couple of kids trying to get into the library. Small kindnesses. Zack’s challenge is to serve someone with the talent that God has given me. Well, really, why else does he give talent? It’s not to be self serving.

So I’m looking for an opportunity to serve someone for 30 days. That means, maybe, a photo project I can do for a ministry, for a struggling company, for a family in need that otherwise wouldn’t be able to provide portraits to their HS senior, or their Grandmother. Whatever you know of, pass it along to me. I can’t do everything, but I can do something.

The other blog I have been following is Gary Chapman. Gary is one of the best photojournalists I know of. He is also a missionary. He is a creative genius, at least in my opinion. He does things with his images to illustrate his subjects that I don’t think I would even think of, much less be able to do. He and his wife Vivian travel to Pakistan on a regular basis to document the struggles of the church there. They show the hardship of being a Christian in a culture that does not recognize the freedoms we take for granted. Gary and Vivian have made me rethink the purpose I have on this earth.

What is our purpose? It’s not to “make it through another day.” That’s an existence. We were meant to live.

By Mark | Posted in photography | Comments (0)