ATOM Issue #3

ATOM MAGAZINEA LOOK BACK AT MARRIAGE OF THE ARTS

THIRD EDITION 2 0 1 2

YWAM HERRNHUTETHIOPIA • GERMANY • UGANDA • UKRAINE • KENYA

PHOTOs bY: sIERRA IssIGONIs-GRANT

ATOM is a process. It’s not finished. It’s half a year of adventure, mixed with a lifetime of experiences, packed into a week of deadlines. It’s a collaboration, completed over late nights and long days, by artists and missionaries from all over the world. Together, we will keep learning how God’s will, and the purpose of our art co-exist.

ATOM is a cry. It’s a challenge to live a life of fulfillment and passion. This is not a call to realism. We are children of imagination, intent on building a new normal. It’s calling the world to a restoration of dignity and a redefinition of desire. Like molecules adding mass, or pixels fitting together, every issue starts with new pieces and finishes with new matter.

ATOM is an action. It’s a constant movement forward. It’s an acknowledgement of truth rarely spoken: ordinary people can change the world. Our goal is to give what we have and share what we’ve seen.

With that said, we are excited to give you this third edition of ATOM magazine - hold on to this issue but hold it loosely, ready to pass it on to whomever is open and willing. With you, we will keep discovering that there is no greater joy then to be used by God, in His timing, and according to His plan.

For now and the future, art for the Glory of God.

This is ATOM

UK

RA

INE

UG

AN

DA

KE

NY

AE

TH

IOP

IAG

ER

MA

NY

P ARTICLESTHE HUMAN RACE THE QUEsT FOR sOMETHING MORE06

DRAWING INSPIRATION THE PURPOsE AND THE PROCEss OF ART42

FOR THE BETTEREXAMINING THE ROLE OF FOREIGN AID 33

ZION PROJECTTRANsFORMING COMMUNITIEs IN AFRICA 32

BLACK WATER, WHITE WATERCLEAN WATER CHANGEs THINGs48HOPE INHERENTFAITH COLLIDEs WITH UNbELIEF50GOANsWERING THE CALL ONE sTEP AT A TIME 52

BUNO DABO NAWEXPERIENCING ETHIOPIA's RICH COFFEE TRADITION10THIEF IN THE LIGHTTO THOsE WHOM I HAvE OFFENDED AND WHO HAvE CAUsED ME OFFENsE12

ALEXA MAN AND HIs GOD18

LETTER TO JAJA IT TAKEs A vILL AGE; A WOMAN DIsCOvERs GODs LOvE16

LA HISTORIA DE CÓMO MIQUEAS CREYÓ EN JESÚSA TALE OF A CHILD WHO bELIEvEs19DIE JAJA SEIFE sOAP AND DREAMs IN ETHIOPIA20

POVERTY A POEM ON PARALLEL s13

LOUIS ARMSTRONG & THE VOICE OF GOD LEARNING TO RECOGNIZE HIs vOICE24

SET FREE DEsPERATION sONG28

STEH AUF. LAUF LOS. YOU AsK YOURsELF… CAN GOD UsE ME?25

THE HUMAN RACE

PHOTOs AND sTORY bY: GLEN YOO

0 7

It was a race. People were chasing me from behind and there were plenty more in front for me to catch up to. I graduated from one school just to advance to another. When I was done, I continued the race into the next sensible thing - getting a job and moving up the ladder at my work. I don't know when this whole race started, but I couldn't stop because I was afraid of falling behind.

Then one day I asked myself, “What am I running to?” I had been running with the assumption that something good was waiting for me only at the end, yet there was no end in sight. Every aspect of my life was now in question. As I read through the Bible to find an answer, I soon realized the life described in Scripture was quite different from the life I was grasping for. I had been going to church and serving in multiple ministries, but I could not quite claim that my life had the same power or fulfillment my faith was said to bring.

There was no point in running anymore when I did not know the destination. I needed to find the answers to these questions I had. I needed to find my purpose. I decided to take six months off from work to join a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Herrnhut, Germany.

“Through all of this, I have found that there is no special trick or formula that leads to an authentic and powerful Christian life.”

The school consisted of twelve weeks of lecture, which covered the character of God and other Christian fundamentals, and an additional twelve weeks of practical missions work with the other students in my school. The first week I learned about how much God loved me. The second week I learned His love for me was even bigger than what I had thought. For the weeks to follow there was only one message: He loves me.

At times, I resisted God’s love because I could not grasp the whole idea of being loved unconditionally. Other times, I was just overwhelmed by its undeniable immensity. In the midst of the ups and downs of our time in Africa, God never failed to let me know how much He loved me. Nothing I did caused Him to love me more or less. He just loved me.

Through all of this, I have found that there is no special trick or formula that leads to an authentic and powerful Christian life. The life-changing and infectious joy of a Christian comes from a simple acceptance of God's indescribable love. His love does not depend on where I am, what I do, or how I feel, but solely on His character of unchanging goodness.

9 For more information about YWAM DTS visit: ywamherrnhut.com

PHOTO bY: HEATHER CROCKETT

bUNACOffEE IS OUR bREAD

DAbO

I worked at a coffee shop for three years in California. I loved my job because it was a place for people of all sorts to come together—young couples, parents with playful children, and businessmen talking over crumpled newspapers. We served Arabica beans which have a distinct sparkling acidity. This Ethiopian coffee had quite a reputation and I was eager to try it first-hand.

During my outreach in Addis Ababa, I was able to fully experience Ethiopian coffee. A traditional coffee ceremony, which takes place in the midst of guests, neighbors, and family, is an intricate process. First, a woman washes the green coffee beans in a bucket of water. Next, she roasts the beans over a coal stove and then crushes them with a wooden mortar and pestle. Meanwhile, the perfect amount of freshly ground coffee is added to water boiled in a verbena (clay pot). With graceful skill, the coffee is poured into tiny, rose-adorned china cups. Each step is essential for the flavor and it is not until this process is complete that the most important part of the ceremony begins. There are three rounds: abol, tona, and bereka. The last round is a blessing and the coffee is simply delicious. While I attended countless coffee ceremonies, one in particular stands out from all the rest. During the last three weeks in Ethiopia, our group spent time with families in a village called Jaja.

One Jaja woman named Worke, welcomed my friend Theresa and I into her one-room home for buna (coffee). We sat down on the damp floor amidst playful children and she offered us coffee and bread. I knew this was a sacrifice for her because she struggles to feed her own family of four, and I began to feel like a burden.

Just as I began to feel guilty, however, Theresa told me the importance of our visit. Worke had said to her a few weeks back, “Please, come back for coffee so that my husband will see that someone cares about me.”

I realized then that these gatherings were not about the coffee. In fact, it was not even about the tradition or ceremony. It was about the love that was shared over the coffee. This woman, who had no job, two babies to feed, and only a tin roof over her head, was elated to have us in her home. I sat there holding her small baby boy and tried to communicate in basic Amharic. Worke smiled at my attempt to speak her language and continued to serve us coffee, each cup filled to the brim. The coffee brought us together despite the many barriers and was a catalyst for building a relationship. I looked over at Worke and saw the joy on her face. All that mattered was this moment, with this family. In my head I said a small prayer and then out loud, “Xabier meskel.” Praise God.

PHOTOs AND sTORY bY: HEATHER CROCKETT

NAw

“I realized these gatherings were not about the coffee. In fact, it was not even about the tradition or ceremony. It was

about the love that was shared…”

1 1

PHOTO bY: AMANDA CROWE

To those whom I have offended and who have caused me offense:

I am a thief. I have no home, no shoes, and no friends. All I have are the ragged jeans hanging off of my hips. I carry a dull kitchen knife I found behind a restaurant. It is wrapped in a small plastic trash bag. I have nothing to do, so I limp around the streets of Addis Ababa. I wait for people to cross my path and target their belongings.

You would not know this by merely looking at me, but I have a 14 year old daughter. She sells her body to strangers to survive. She lives with her grandmother who is dying from HIV. My mother has a terrible cough. She never really sleeps because it keeps her up all night. I haven't heard her speak in six months. I left them to find a way to provide for us all.

The reason I am writing this letter is to let you know how I feel about the way you treat me. I admit I am in the wrong when I steal your things. However, your reaction to my thievery is unacceptable. I realize that I deserve some sort of correction, yet the treatment I receive is way out of line.

When I steal, I have a hard enough time getting away with my stump leg. I steal to provide for my family. I didn't intend to end up this way. I was just born into it all. Good for you that you had opportunities to succeed in life. I did not. I was not taught in school. If I learned something it was from watching someone else. I wish I did not have to take your belongings, but it is either you or the next guy.

I am not a professional thief. I often make mistakes and get noticed. When someone sees me, I get spooked and begin to flee. I know I have nowhere to run, but I still do. When I am being chased and my hope of escape is lost, I surrender. I leave your bag on the ground, yet I still run from you. It is like being hunted. When your hands grab me, I can think only of lions' teeth.

I understand you are frustrated, but you have your bag back. Nothing is lost or broken. It is hard, however, to understand the necessity of your continual beating. I'm speaking to all of you. I haven't hurt you like you have hurt me. I do this for my family with tears already in my eyes. But the ruthless beatings fuel more tears. I want to spit the blood out on all of you, so that it stains your clothes as a reminder of what you did. Except one of you has broken my jaw. You took away my voice, but I have found someone that has given it back to me.

I found Jesus today. He forgave me of all my offenses and told me of the love He has for me. He was there when I took your bag and even when I was dragged to jail. He has forgiven you for what you did to me. I now can forgive you because Jesus has forgiven me. I am sorry for what I did. I want to extend grace to you because Jesus extended grace to me. He wants to do the same for you. Although I still own nothing, my wealth is in the kingdom of God. He has become all I want and need. All I want from you now is not your bag, but for you to hear the good news Jesus has for you.

Sincerely,

The Thief

sTORY AND PHOTO bY: DAvID TIEHEN

THIEf IN THE LIGHT

It’s parallels and paradoxes

It’s brick walls and waterfalls

It is what we know and what we don’t see

It is what we see and what we don’t know

It’s a baby who has no clothes

It’s a father struggling to get enough food for his family

It’s what we pity and what we pray for

It’s what we give aid to and what we ignore

It’s a shack made of mud and sticks

It’s a multi-million dollar house that is not a home

It is prompted by those who leave their actions locked in words

It is induced by those who see it and walk away

It is enforced by the ones who

Know it

Study it

Learn about it

Recognize it

Identify it

And still do nothing

PO.VER.TY

POEM bY: FINA MURPHY


Shashi, a single mother who runs a local bar in her home, prepares traditional Ethiopian injera in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.


1 5

PHOTOs bY: RAQUEL sANDOvAL

To my beloved Jaja family:

Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. I want to tell you of Christ’s love, but what are words in comparison to what you have shown me? Thank you for allowing me to share in your lives over the past two months—for inviting me into your homes, for offering me coffee and popcorn… for sharing your stories with me. Truly, you overflow with Christ’s love.

Three months ago, I never would have expected to still be here in Addis. Actually, after my first month here, I was more than ready to leave the pollution, the crowds, and the trash to see 'real Africa'. It scared me that I felt God might be calling me to stay. I felt God nudging me with these words: “Stay here and see how I will make this time beautiful.”

You have been an answer to my prayers. In the Bible, before Jesus leaves his disciples, he washes their feet. He then calls them to go and serve likewise. Yesterday, while I was in the village, I accidentally stuck my foot in a pile of mud. I was ankle deep and my shoe was caked. After laughter subsided, a couple of the boys pulled me aside and began wiping off the mud. Ignoring my cries of, “No, no! No problem,” they soon were scrubbing both shoes until they were squeaky clean. Matteas was running in and out of the house with pitchers of water and actually began pouring water on my feet and wiping off the dirt with his bare hands. I tried to resist, but he carried on, and I could not help but think of Jesus washing the disciples feet. Jesus calls them to go and serve likewise, and this is what you have done.

St. Teresa of Avila says, “Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, yours are the feet with which he walks to do good… Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body... Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” Truly, you have been the body of Christ to me—you have given me a piece of your heart, and in turn, shown me a piece of God’s heart. I will never be the same.

1 Corinthians says, “If I have not love I am nothing…” When stomachs are empty, when water is scarce, when money is nowhere to be found, remember that your love overflows. God has poured out his love abundantly on you—you have the greatest gift of all. Continue to “clothe yourselves in Christ Jesus.” You are in my prayers. Betam betam amaseganalo.

Love,

Theresa

1 7

PHOTO bY: sIERRA IssIGONIs-GRANTLETTER bY: THEREsA MARTIN

sTORY AND PHOTO bY: PIA bAKKER

Alex groeide op als oudste in een gezin van zeven kinderen en was pas negentien jaar toen zijn moeder kwam te overlijden. Om de dood van zijn vrouw te vergeten, nam zijn vader hem mee naar zijn eerste vrouw, waar hij in feite nooit van was gescheiden. Wanneer Alex na een jaar terugkeerde naar het dorp, ging hij verder met school maar het examen wat hem zou voorbereiden op de universiteit haalde hij niet. Het herkans examen ging aan hem voorbei doordat zijn vader het niet wilde betalen.

Op een dag kreeg Alex bezoek vanuit de kerk. Ze overtuigden hem om eens naar de kerk te gaan. De ene keer ging hij wel, de andere keer niet, het was een afwisseling van bezoekjes en ging naar de kerk omdat hij moest, niet omdat hij het wilde. Alex was Christelijk opgevoed maar had geen persoonlijke relatie met God. Het is een gewoonte in Ethiopie om een cursus te volgen waarin je God beter leert kennen nadat je Hem hebt aangenomen als Verlosser in je leven. Aan het einde van zo’n cursus word je gedoopt. Alex volgende de cursus maar het deed hem niet veel toen hij zich liet dopen. Zijn geloof was dood. Pas nadat hij zich aanmeldde bij het koor begon hij vaker naar de kerk te gaan en zich meer verbonden te voelen met God.

Hij ging door een moeilijk tijd waarin hij erg agressief werd. De situatie thuis werd steeds slechter en er kwamen veel gevechten voor. Tijdens een van die gevechten werd hij door zijn broers en vader in elkaar geslagen met een stok, waar hij een flink litteken aan overhield. Toen Alex op een dag ruzie kreeg met zijn vader, die voor een derde keer

ALEx /ALEMAYEHU ANGELOwEST ETHIOPIë, DODOLA

trouwde ondanks dat hij nog getrouwd was met zijn twee andere vrouwen, werd hij het huis uitgestuurd nadat zijn vader de politie had verteld dat Alex hem probeerde te doden. Twee jaar later gaf zijn vader toe dat hij fout zat. Alex verhuisde naar een hotel waar hij kon werken als bewaker, totdat een vriend hem vertelde dat hij als bewaker kon werken bij een kerk in Addis Abeba, de hoofdstad van Ethiopië. Hij besloot om de baan aan te nemen en te verhuizen naar de hoofdstad.

Nu werkt hij ongeveer zes maanden als bewaker in Addis Abeba. Hij woont in het huisje van de gemeente “All For Christ”, hoeft geen huur te betalen en krijgt daar elke dag te eten. Hij verdient 400 Birr per maand, wat ongeveer zestien Euro is.

Ik vroeg hem welk verhaal uit de Bijbel hem het meest aansprak.

‘Het verhaal van Koning David,’ zei hij. ‘Ondanks alle gevechten en tegenslagen, hield David een sterke, standvastige relatie met God.’ Na alles wat Alex had meegemaakt, leidde God hem naar Zich toe en heeft hij een persoonlijke relatie met God.

Alex is echt een voorbeeld voor ons. Als je hem voor het eerst ontmoet zul je hem omschrijven als een verlegen jongeman, maar wanneer hij tijd doorbrengt met God is hij vol vuur en gepassioneerd. Met een luide stem bid en aanbid hij voor uren. Zijn droom is om meer op Christus te lijken om zo een voorbeeld te zijn voor zijn generatie en meer te dienen in de kerk. Hij heeft geen schaamte voor wat hij doet. Alleen God aanbidden is belangrijk voor hem.

Despite struggles and failures, Alex has a strong relationship with God. He is a shy young man, but when he spends time with God, he is full of fire and passion. Alex has a dream to be more like Christ so he can be an example to his generation.

sTORY AND PHOTO bY: RAQUEL sANDOvAL

1 9

Ojos negros y transparentes. Es la verdad oculta que se hace visible en los ojos de Miqueas. Tiene el alma en las manos y cuando mira a alguien que quiere lo abraza con la mirada.

Ambos padres tienen VIH Sida y sus vecinos se burlan porque dicen que tiene un problema mental. Sin embargo Miqueas tiene permanentemente dibujada una sonrisa entre oreja y oreja, sólo ocasionalmente señala al estómago para expresar que tiene hambre; y como no asiste a la escuela siempre está buscando entre las rocas del suelo algún objeto con el que jugar.

Detrás de su mirada nunca se sabe en realidad lo que está sucediendo. Es un hombrecito sencillo, de sonrisas se gana la vida.

Posee una biblia de portada gris, con páginas encorvadas; probablemente mojadas y estropeadas por la lluvia.

Miqueas is a little Ethiopian boy who owns an old and broken Bible. One day, at church, he heard the story of the loaves and the fish. Since then, Miqueas often

forgets to eat because he wants to read about the life of Jesus over and over again.

LA HISTORIA DE CóMO MIqUEAS CREYó EN JESúS

Y cual pirámide de cartas, cuyas hojas barajaba entre sus dedos cuando escuchó durante un servicio de la iglesia: Mateo 14: 19-21

“Entonces mandó a la multitud que se sentara sobre la hierba. Luego tomó en sus manos los cinco panes y los dos pescados y, mirando al cielo, pronunció la bendición y partió los panes, los dio a los discípulos y ellos los repartieron entre la gente. Todos comieron hasta quedar satisfechos; recogieron los pedazos sobrantes, y con ellos llenaron doce canastas. Los que comieron fueron unos cinco mil hombres, sin contar las mujeres y los niños.”

Y desde entonces, cuenta su padre, a Miqueas se le olvida la hora de comer por leer una y otra vez la vida de Jesús.

sTORY bY: URIEL sONDEREGGER

Was ist Seife? Kann Seife mehr sein als ein Mittel, um die Hände zu reinigen?

Vor drei Jahren hat Solomon Haile, der Leiter von AFCM (All for Christ Ministries) den Traum gehabt, ein Unternehmen mit Menschen aus der Jaja Gemeinschaft zu starten.

Seine Idee war, Seife, Papier und Kerzen herzustellen. Er schrieb einen Geschäftsplan und begann bereits, das Material zu kaufen.

Schlussendlich gab er das Vorhaben aber auf, weil er einige Probleme mit dem Herstellungsprozess hatte.

Aber vor zwei Jahren sprach Gott zu ihm, dass Er seine Pläne und Träume verwirklichen würde.

Dann, als unser Team begann, in Äthiopien mit AFCM zu arbeiten, sprach Theresa, eine unserer Studentinnen, mit ihrer Mutter in den USA per Skype. Sie fragte: „Was wäre das wichtigste, das wir den Menschen von Jaja beibringen könnten?“ Ihre Mutter antwortete: „Lehrt sie Hygiene. Und vielleicht, wie man Seife macht…“

Als wir im Team darüber sprachen, meinte Uriel: „Ich bin ausgebildeter Chemielaborant. Ich weiss, wie man Seife herstellt. Ich könnte mich der Sache annehmen.”

Solomon war begeistert als er hörte, was wir im Sinn haben. Und wir waren nicht weniger überrascht als wir hörten, dass er diese Idee bereits gehabt, dann aber wieder aufgegeben hatte.

So fingen wir an, die Materialien zu besorgen und handgemachte Seifen zu entwickeln – daraus entstanden zwei Seifentypen: die Kaffee- und die Eukalyptus-Seife.

Kurz bevor wir zurück nach Deutschland kehren mussten, kam Stress auf: „Wir sind noch nicht ganz fertig mit dem Projekt. Die Idee steht zwar, Prototypen sind hergestellt. Wir wissen, wo wir die Materialien und Chemikalien her kriegen. Aber die Leute sind noch nicht geschult… usw.”

Doch Gott antwortete auf unglaubliche Weise: Er brachte mehr als eine Person zu AFCM, die eine Ausbildung in Chemie haben und mehr als willig sind, das Projekt weiterzuführen.

Jaja ist ein Fluss in Addis Abeba, der Hauptstadt Äthiopiens. Als Solomon Haile vor acht Jahren in diese Gegend kam, fand er hier einige der ärmsten Menschen der Stadt. Es war während der Regenzeit. Er fand Kinder, liegend bei ihrer toten Mutter, Häuser ohne Dach, überall Wasser. Die Kinder waren hungernd und ohne Ausbildung, ohne Hoffnung. Einer der Gründe dafür ist, dass viele der dortigen Ehemänner in den Krieg zogen und dort starben. Die zurückgebliebenen Frauen gaben sich der Prostitution hin, um ein Einkommen zu haben.

Solomon begann, Sponsoren zu suchen, die für Essen und Ausbildung bezahlen können. Mittlerweile hat AFCM auch ein Haus, das als Essensausgabe und Kirche dient.

DIE JAJA SEIfE

9 Mehr Informationen und Neuigkeiten zu AFCM findest unter www.afcm-int.org

This is the story of Jaja Soap and how God brought back Solomon Haile`s dream ofmaking soap and creating income with one of the poorest comunities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PHOTO bY: THEREsA MARTIN 9 For more information visit tippytap.org

SIMPLE SOAP AND wATER COULD SAVE 600,000 LIVES EACH YEARfACT: EACH YEAR, DIARRHEA kILLS 1.5 MILLION CHILDREN UNDER 5.

PREVENTION: SOAP AND wATEROUTCOME: PREVENT 40% Of DEATHS CAUSED bY DIARRHEA

[UNICEF]

THE TIPPY TAP

WHAT IS IT? A cost-effective, water-efficientmechanism used to promote hand washing.

WHY TIPPY TAP? It saves water, and it's easy-to-build.

MATERIALS NEEDED: 3 sticks, 1 shovel, 1 water container, 1 bar of soap, 1 nail, 1 candle, 1 ball of string.

PHOTO bY: sIERRA IssIGONIs-GRANT

Louis Armstrong’s voice was mistaken for a Muppet the other day. That was unfortunate.

I grew up listening to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie because my dad is a trumpet man. He went to school for it, performs for people, and teaches kids how to love music. I fell in love with the sound of the trumpet, good music, and Louis Armstrong’s voice.

Anybody who has heard Louis Armstrong knows it. There is something about his voice: either you love it or you hate it. In my opinion, the guy is kind of a big deal. His voice reminds me of a happy grandpa smoking a pipe and telling stories to his grandkids. You have probably sang What a Wonderful World with wrinkly eyes and teeth showing because your imitation of his throaty, raspy style was not working out so well. No one can sing a song like Louis, just like no one can tell a story like an old man with a pipe in hand and time to spare.

Here’s the thing, regardless of how unique his voice is, it is rarely listened to. If you are not paying attention you can miss it. If you hear, but don’t listen, you will forget it. If you have never heard his voice or even his name, it may fall on deaf ears or be mistaken for something that will never compare.

I have never audibly heard the voice of God, but still it is present in my life. I hear Him most when I recognize who He is. This comes out of the times when I bury my face further and further into the carpet until I feel low enough to pray; the times when I realize I have always needed Him and that He has always been there; the times when I remember that I am fully loved by a Holy King.

I do not want to miss His voice. I do not want to forget His voice. I do not want His voice to fall on deaf ears or be mistaken for something as little as my intuition.

LOUIS ARMSTRONG & THE VOICE Of GOD

sTORY bY: AMANDA CROWE PHOTO bY: HEATHER CROCKETT

Der Liedtext, den ich vor mehr als einem Jahr geschrieben habe. Keinen blassen Schimmer, dass Gott mein Gebet bald erfüllen würde. Schaue auf die letzten drei Monate in Äthiopien und merke, dass dieser Song prophetisch war. Gott hat mein Herz auf das vorbereitet, was kommen wird.

Arbeitete mit den Ärmsten der Ärmsten auf unserem Planet, kommend aus den miserabelsten Familienverhältnissen, keine Hoffnung, kein Leben. Eine Ehre für mich, diesen Menschen die ewige Hoffnung zu erzählen, ihnen einfach stundenlang zuzuhören, mit ihnen Fussball zu spielen, sie zu unterrichten, ihnen praktische Dinge beizubringen, ihnen ein Freund und Bruder zu sein, ihnen Hoffnung und Freude zu bringen

Du fragst dich: „Kann mich Gott brauchen?“

Wenn du diese Frage stellst, bist du bereits ein Kandidat, in Gottes genialem Versöhnungsplan mitzuarbeiten! Steh auf. Lauf los.

I can see the down and out

Living without hope

The crowd labeled them,

they labeled them as Unusable

Crippled hearts, cloudy souls

Broken dreams and families

No words can ever say what You can see

Open up my eyes

Open up my eyes

Open up my eyes

I need to cry with you

In my heart and on the streets

What happened in this world?

I want to stop ignoring what you feel

Your love never fails

Your love stops at nothing

No words can describe what you feel

[Liedtext des Songs „Open Up My Eyes“

auf der CD “URIEL – EXTENDED PLAY”]

STEH AUf. LAUf LOS.LYRICs AND sTORY bY: URIEL sONDEREGGER PHOTO bY: GLEN YOO

9 Üm sich dieses Lied anzuhören gehe auf profimusic.ch

PHOTO bY: CHRIs GREENE

2 7

PHOTOs bY: sIERRA IssIGONIs-GRANT

PHOTO bY: RAQUEL sANDOvAL

SET fREE

2 9

A bird caged Now set free Forgot how to fly Now roams the streets. As she walks She gets dirt on her feet And she cries out Against defeat:

I AM—I’m desperate for you I AM—I’m broken for you

She carries on As days turn to years She learns to talk smooth And hide all her fears. She trades all her skin For armor to hide Her bare buried heart Which forgot that it cried:


Armor she bought Till they called her a knight Then one day she met A man dressed in white He gave her a name He gave her new wings And redeemed the song That she used to sing:


I heard your cry I’ve been by your side Trust where I lead And I’ll teach you to fly. But armor will pull you Back to the ground Leave it behind And remember your sound:


For him she did bear Her soul to the world And slowly her flight Was fully restored. Then one day he said With eyes full of tears The same cry she’d had All through the years:

I am—I’m desperate for you I am—I’m broken for you.

SET fREELYRICs bY: THEREsA MARTIN

PHOTO bY: TJAY KEIL

ZION PROJECT

Many Congolese women moved to northern Uganda seeking safety, stability and a life away from the war in the Congo, but soon they found themselves in prostitution to survive. Zion Project has been working relentlessly since 2008 to free these women and teenage girls from the sex trade and to restore their dignity through life changing counseling and education. They provide a safe environment for rehabilitation, and empower them as they become women of God. The Zion Project offers fair wages to the women for designing hand-crafted jewelry out of 100% recycled paper.

We had the privilege of joining Zion Project this spring, participating in their counseling and prayer ministry. We were truly blessed to spend some time with the girls, encouraging and teaching them about God's love.

sTORY bY: GLEN YOO


MODEL: sALOME

JEWELRY: IMANI

9 To find out more about Zion Project, please visit zionproject.org or imanilove.com

3 3

Naturally, and it should come as no surprise, Gulu is an absolute haven for the newly graduated International Affairs major [who doubled in Advertising]. Maybe for these individuals the pendulum swing has gone from buying corporation gimmicks to one-way plane tickets. But if philanthropy, or feigned interest in it, is the ‘new black’ for university students, should we get behind the idea of floods of workers, regardless of flimsy motives and annoying by-products?

Of course, there are both pros and cons to the tide turn that washed up so many foreign aid workers in East Africa, but just because the negative effect of things can sometimes be more blaring, it’s not a cue for anyone of us to bow out. The sacrifices and measures that are taken to serve often negate the disappointments, mistakes, and poor incentives had by others. In Philippians [1:17-18], Paul disregards the impure and selfish motives that some people had as grounds to preach the Gospel of Christ; he said that to him the “important thing

While some say that the 'golden age' of the non-governmental organization (NGO) is over, taking one look at East Africa may prove otherwise. These establishments continue to flourish, especially in territories deeply affected by war. There’s also been a steady and consistent rise in young workers. It can be argued that much of the appeal that NGOs offer to young people lies in the organization’s image, identity, and marketing tactics. While there is value in winning people over for your enterprise, buying merchandise doesn’t disqualify the possibility of the ground to once again be stained in red.

“In the last two years, I have seen a dramatic rise in the amount of Westerners coming to volunteer for local NGOs, or do research programs through their universities,” Sarita Hartz Hendricksen, director and founder of Zion Project Uganda, explains. As a field worker in Gulu for over four years, Sarita has a wealth of insight when it comes to the local relief workers, and the region in general. She admits that she sees the most “damage occurring in the growing number of short-termers and research students.” Many are inadequately trained, or young, and Sarita asserts that this particular demographic influx is largely due to some 'too-obvious-to-mention' campaigns that have garnered specific African conflicts so much global attention.

is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

The mere act of preaching the Good News was what mattered to Paul - not the flaws in the process. The mere act of service is beautiful, and none of us approach it seamlessly all the time. Education in the area of lending that helping hand is crucial, and it is important to seek out those who know and live in the culture for proper encouragement and solid advice. This is where a teachable spirit that is eager to learn, and ready to give, comes in handy. “We don't need more NGO's here giving things away,” Sarita offers. “What we need are those who are willing to come, live life here, teach, and impart what God has put inside of them.”

Imparting our own gifts carries the full weight of service with long-lasting impact. God graces us with a gift, and now it’s our turn to distribute that. It is imperative that in everything, we are first deferring ourselves to Jesus and then to the workers we are surrounded with. By being a servant of the most High King, we are paradoxically made servants of all. But “if we are hoping that volunteering or giving money away will make us feel better about our life, then we are sorely mistaken,” Sarita says, charging us towards humility. “Ultimately, when we see we have contributed to a growing problem, we need to be willing to pivot and say 'yes' to Jesus when He is asking us to change.”

“ What we need are those who are willing to come, live life here,

teach, and impart what God has put inside of them.”

ARTICLE bY: RACHAEL sANCHEZ

fOR THE bETTER

PHOTOs bY: COREY HART

3 5

PHOTO: DAvID TIEHEN

PHOTO bY: RYAN WOJTON

PHOTOs bY: TJAY KEIL


PHOTOs bY: TJAY KEIL



3 9

David was adopted at the age of three. This is an excerpt from his journal written while working in an orphanage in Ukraine.

“Right now, I would love to hug my parents, especially my dad. I want to show him how much I`ve changed and grown up. And I

really just want to sit down and have a tall cup of black coffee. I want to just talk to him. I want to hear what he has to say. I want to ask him about politics and girls. I kind of want to impress him with some of my

stories and tell him he is right about a lot of things.”

QUOTE AND PHOTO bY: DAvID TIEHEN

4 1

bY: DAvID TIEHEN

IN THE EYES Of MY kING

'You are a leader among men. Dead to the world, but alive in Me.'

The first time I met David was in Prague. He was visiting his brother before going to Germany. At 17 years old, he was ready for two things: art and adventure. Over the next few months I saw a radical transformation in his life as God worked in him. I could see where he was at personally through each piece of his art.

David had such a drive to create. Not only was he up in the art studio, sketching and painting like a madman, but he took full advantage of the resources at the school. He spent nights printing in the darkroom and jamming with the band if they needed a bass player. Art was something so built up within him, that he used every outlet he could to let it out. This inspired me to start taking photos of him while he sketched. This 'Over The Shoulder' concept is my attempt to be a part of David's art. This interview is me trying to gain an understanding of his art process.

DRAwING INSPIRATION

Corey Hart talks with David Tiehen about the process and purpose of art.

Using art in ministry: David draws portraits on the streets of Ukraine.

4 3

Corey: Tell a little bit about yourself.

David: My name is David Tiehen. I was born in the States, raised in Montana. I turned 18 this last March and graduated high school two years ago.

C: You grew up in Montana, now you're sitting in a café in a small village in East Germany. How did you end up here? What drew you to Germany?

D: The whole summer before I came I was looking for something to do with my life, and arts and travel were a big part of my dreams. There was the opportunity to travel and pursue my art. Marriage of the Arts DTS fit everything I wanted to do. In the beginning, I held arts and travel above God, but it was Him who ended up being the main focus of the whole school. In the end, I found out that God holds who I am higher than what I do artistically.

C: I could see during this school you were driven to produce art. You always had work to show and more work in progress. I see your art is not only the way you express yourself, but you let it overflow and expand into more. Your art is present in everything you do. Is that something you are aware of?

D: When I draw something I start basic, but then a straight line or edge could be turned into a wavy or jagged line. I think

everything everyone sees is different to that individual. Certain colors and certain shapes can be different to different people, it is just getting it onto the paper. I want to put what I see on paper so that people can step into what I see. Some people like to talk and some like to sing; I'm not very good at either, so I sing through my sketches and drawings.

C: So what is your art of choice?

D: That is a tricky question, man. I love it all, but to be honest I love the black ink. You can sketch something in graphite and paint something in water color and it will be okay. However, if you begin to add outline and shadow with an ink pen, your picture will pop. The inks spills onto the paper, and if you look close enough you can watch it stream through the fibers and soak in like water in the desert. It would be the medium of choice if I only had one.

C: Would you say your art is just an expression of yourself or more than that?

D: I love to show how I feel through a dirty piece of charcoal and a sketchbook. Lately, I have been looking a lot at the art community as a whole. In a secular setting, it is all about the individual- at least the world says it's all about you. We should know it's not all about us.

C: Do you think art is more for the artist or for the audience?

D: Both, ha. I believe we create art to evoke emotions in anyone who looks at it. I think fine art can be as influential as a symphony orchestra or a speech. I also know that every piece can't be a masterpiece so I create just for the sake of creating. I am usually the only one who can appreciate those pieces.

C: How do you choose with which medium you will create an art piece with? Does it change with different emotions?

D: Yeah, the way I feel definitely effects which medium I choose. It's like choosing what to eat, you just know what you want and nothing is good until you get that. I find myself craving something and I realize that I need to smear pastel on a huge slice of paper, stir oil colors into each other, or even just lose myself to thoughts while drawing fine lines.

C: Art is something that is always moving, always changing. How and why has your art changed?

D: The changes in my art have a lot to do with new inspiration here in Germany. Like I said before, emotions have a lot of influence as well. The more I've grown and found out why I do art, the more focused I have become. Skill wise, the more you do art the better it becomes. Also, being with a new group of artists and creative-minded people adds to my artistic development through critiques and challenges. Art will never grow old. Inspiration will come and go, but the fact that you pull life from a blank canvas will always remain. That is a feeling that everyone should know but few do. It is my voice. It is my life... besides Jesus, of course.


PHOTO bY: TJAY KEIL

“People shuffle by, their feet meeting the pavement. To the right, a local market sinks between taller buildings. An exchange of shillings and food, all sheltered by weathered tarps. Wrinkled men toss heads of lettuce down from a

clunking truck, and the smell of fresh popcorn hangs in the air. I stand under an awning and take it all in. I'm in Kenya for the first time. It's captivating and new to me, and yet it feels strangely familiar.”

“People shuffle by, their feet meeting the pavement. To the right, a local market sinks between taller buildings. An exchange of shillings and food, all sheltered by weathered tarps. Wrinkled men toss heads of lettuce down from a

clunking truck, and the smell of fresh popcorn hangs in the air. I stand under an awning and take it all in. I'm in Kenya for the first time. It's captivating and new to me, and yet it feels strangely familiar.”

4 7

PHOTOs AND QUOTE bY: HEATHER CROCKETT

Their eyes are full of resolve.

The sun and stars reflect upon their faces;

Hard work is visible on their hands.

There is only one way to live and they lived it well.

They learned, they taught. They grew, they aged.

They drank black water.

Their eyes are full of wonder.

The curiosity of the rest made their minds thirst;

Ideas and innovations entered their lifestyle.

A new way to live came and they lived to adapt.

They saw, they asked. They accepted, they changed.

They drank white water.

bLACk wATER,

POEM bY: FINA MURPHY

wHITE wATER.

PHOTO bY: TJAY KEIL

PHOTO AND sTORY bY: GLEN YOO

While in Eldoret, Kenya, we were welcomed by a local bishop, his family, and their church. Almost immediately, they asked us to speak in their church, despite having just met us. We were asked to speak not only during their Sunday service, but additionally, twice a day for the entire week. I was humbled by his eagerness and total trust in allowing us to deliver God's words to them. The team and I felt the weight of responsibility as we prepared messages everyday. As each of us stood in front of the church, we could feel their eyes fixed intently on us. They were so excited to hear what these foreigners had to say about God and His kingdom. Their active interest and attention allowed us to speak with greater authority and confidence. We encouraged them to stay steadfast in the Lord, and we challenged them to fix their eyes on Jesus and not on stormy circumstances.

The true test of my faith came during the house visits to the congregation. As in the services, we were welcomed so warmly into their homes. We sat with them and listened to their life stories, prayer requests, and very real problems. Some could barely feed their kids, and others were unable to pay the fees necessary to send their kids to school. Many of them were sick, or had family members struggling with health issues. Faced with

the stories and visible effects of their hardships, it was difficult to encourage them and proclaim God's goodness. I questioned whether I truly believed the words I was speaking to them. Was it just inspirational talk? Does God still come through in the midst of trials? What I once thought of as trials in my own life, seemed small and insignificant next to their challenges in everyday life. I barely know what a difficult life means, what hunger means, what hopelessness means. In spite of that, I had no other choice but to trust that He was good, and to plead to God for His provision and protection for these people. I was helpless to give them anything because nothing I had could solve their problems. All I could do was pray. Maybe this is how John and Peter felt when faced with the lame man at the temple gates.

"Silver and gold I have none, but what I have I give thee." [Acts 3:6]

I was blown away by these peoples' response. I had no idea how to comfort or strengthen them, yet they received my prayers in their hearts with hope. Each one welcomed the prayers with an honest amen. It was humbling to see their mighty faith next to my doubt. God is truly good to those who believe in Him. He used my insecurities and shortcomings to bring His word to His people.

Jesus, break my unbelief.

HOPE INHERENT

Forget where you are in life.

Quit school or your job.

Pack too much.

Cry for five hours straight.

Get lost on a train.

Sleep three inches away from someone on either side of you for at least a month.

Don't shower for a week.

Eat only bread and vegetables for two weeks.

Wear the same clothes day and night for two days.

Learn how to use a squatty; start by working out your thigh muscles.

Find inventive ways to wipe. Replace toilet paper with napkins, wrappers, and leaves.

Be okay with bad personal body odor.

Wonder why you left your country in the first place and ponder how much a ticket home would cost at this stage.

Don't be afraid of foreign food that is brown and sticky.

Learn that personal space is no longer an option.

Get invited to a 7-hour church service.

Laugh at how much God provides when you don't even notice.

Find out that joy comes in the poorest of places.

Know that although people tend to drive you nuts, you would be nowhere without them.

Understand that all you think you know counts for nothing.

Erase your ideas of who you think God is and the box you have put Him in.

Find the most amazing people in a country you never thought you would be in.

Worship God for hours with no agenda.

Find companionship in people you never thought you would.

Allow yourself to be led by people of any age.

Be humbled as you are used as an example for others through action, speech, and attitude.

Find that stepping out is one of the best things that you have ever done.

Regret not going sooner.

GO[Matthew 28:19]

LIsT bY: sIERRA IssIGONIs-GRANT PHOTO bY: AMANDA CROWE

THE OUTREACH ExPERIENCEwAS VERY CHALLENGING fOR ME, YET DURING ALL THOSE DIffICULT MOMENTS AND bREAkING POINTS, GOD GAVE ME REVELATION Of HIS INfINITE LOVE AND Of HIS GREAT PLANS fOR ME

IT'S SOMETHING I wOULD HAVE NEVER ExPERIENCED If I DID NOT CHOOSE TO ObEY

HIS wILL- CHLOE LO

5 3

Father, You are all we ever need. Thank you for being in constant pursuit of every one of us.

5 5

PHOTO bY: GLEN YOO

ART DIRECTIONAND DEsIGN

Matthew McCaigueRyan Burns

EDITORIAL

Amy FraserRyan Wojton

COPY EDIT

Tiana BlasAmanda Crowe

Heather CrockettTheresa MartinFina Murphy

Rachael SanchezMaria Van De Poll

Emma GobelRebecca Meinhard

Joe Laurvick

sPECIAL THANKs

Josh & Ruth Elke

FRONT COvER Glen Yoo

bACK COvER Raquel Sandoval

CLOsING QUOTE Heather Crockett

ATOM MAGAZINE

THIRD EDITION

ATOM Issue #3

Documents

Transcript of ATOM Issue #3