| one voice

i

have

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voice

volume 1.11

volume 1.11

Welcome to the first volume of One Voice: a collection of artwork/photos/poetry/essays from voices around the globe.

I’m excited about this new beginning. Although, this first inaugural issue is short and sweet, it is paving the road for future volumes and voices to be amplified and heard.

To those who shared their voice, thank you - keep sharing. To those who feel voiceless, we’re listening - you matter. Keep speaking, singing, writing, drawing, painting, dancing and expressing yourself. Share. Be a part.www.onevoiceproject.net

Sincerely,

Rebekah ByeFounder & Director of One Voice

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Hopelessness beckons round every corner Lurking like a shadow, can't shake it off!

Despair and despondency creep into all parts of life, Each hour that passes, more pain and strife.

Enclosed by a wall made of concrete and steel Surrounded by barriers and checkpoints

This birthplace of Jesus, now swamped by agonyViolence and conflict, no peace, no calm.

Forgotten by the rest of the world, No minds understand

The pain and the hurting The struggle for land.

How can I comprehend the promises of God? When everything seems to go against Your great love.

What can I do but hold onto Your love? Deliver us who trust, hold us firm in the storm.

So what breaks the hopelessness? What calms the despair?

What takes away the pain? What brings healing and repair?

Not the anger of man, or the pride of a sinner. Not the wisdom of kings or international summits.

Through decades of anguish only one thing holds true, The faithfulness and love of you, Christ

Take all the evil and smash it as glass Grind it to nothing, then let your ways be a part-

Of everything that moves, of everything you made, In this we hold our hope, that one day Your ways prevail.

- Grace Al-Zoughbi, Bethlehem

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The Sapling - the vulnerability of youth

Just beginning to make his own space

Proving to everyone he can do it himselfBranching out and growing quickly

Heedless of what lies before him.

- Brian Newton, Minnesota (in memory of his son Ben, whose voice was taken too soon June 9, 2011)

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the now season

once,my hands and feet were boundmy body chained to fear, depression and shameyou were oxygen inside and outdarkness became a constant friend betraying me through every doorwalls built to protect became prisonmy heart slept in fear my heart screamed for freedom

and yet, dawn has awakened me slowlylight rose upon the horizonbringing vision and renewed lifewarm sun set my heart in motionsometime during the night chains fellmovement restored as depression and shame fledmy heart knows no fear my heart sings for freedom

nowa new season has begunI found my way out of the brokenplowing a fresh field...harvest is sprouting I am standing here on the edge of the worldamazed at your salvation, surprised in love completely fascinated with how recklessly pursue memy heart knows your lovemy heart is flying free

- Rebekah Bye, Tennessee

onevoiceproject.net

| v i s u a l l y ampl i fy ing the voice of ‘the one’ into many

i

have

a

voice