Well...

I've made it. Where? Still trying to figure that out myself. Yes, if traveling were a sport, then I would be on top of my game. Warning though... jet lag does things to you that tea and coffee can't fix, but I guess that's what happens when you sign up to be a missionary. One week ago I was enjoying a nice rainy day driving my lovely girlfriend to the airport parting with sadness in our eyes. The next day my beloved family was driving me to my flight that would take me over several time zones. Twenty-four hours later, my plane landed in the setting sun. Humid, warm air pressed all around me. I was walking in a foreign country again, but this time things would be different.

One hundred and sixty hours later (one week) my eyes have turned red and my blood thicker because I had been staring at camera screens for days. I was drafted into the media team working a international prayer conference in Jerusalem. Sound monitors blared casting silence deep beneath the ground. My eyes strained every muscle to stay open. Okay...maybe it wasn't that bad, but when jet lag refuses to loosen its grip, it makes the fight harder. That was last week.

So where am I now? I sit in my office writing updates behind three computer screens. To my right I have a 6 Terabyte (really BIG) drive filled with video footage for me to comb through. On my left sits much money's worth of equipment belonging to the school. I am one person with one purpose and that is to serve the Lord wherever he takes me. That is why I'm here in Jerusalem, His Holy City. To work with a ministry here that He has called me to. It's like reliving a dream I had a year ago. I never foresaw this happening and the way it happened was very fast.

So now everything is going well—except one thing—my stomach is mad at me because I've left it running on empty. I have missed the assortments of breads, cheeses, spices, and pastries, but thankfully I have some waiting for me back home. And…yes, I did end up spending about $3 on pastries today, but it was so worth it! My goal is to gain a little weight, but my belt indicates that I’m loosing instead. It’s a work in progress…

I praise God for guiding and leading me in every step of my life. He is so good! Just submit everything to Him! His perfect plan for your life will unfold if you just let Him take the reigns. He may even help me gain a little weight so I don't have to buy a new belt! Most of all, I ask Him to put the love He has for people in my heart and that I can boldly proclaim the good news to them. I know that He is working on me and through me all the time!

I continue to pray for you as God reminds me and ask that you do the same for me. Prayer and financial support is greatly appreciated and I thank God for my brothers and sisters in Christ! There is a paypal link on my blog that is easy to make donations, and also you could send cash or checks to my home. Just email me for the address. Let’s keep fighting the upward battle for His kingdom!

even though the chair looks uncomfortable, it's quite nice.

Chris filling in as Direct. He has a mysteriously calm demeanor.

Chris (student), me, Estelle (student). Awesome working with you guys!

Climbing Mt. Kenya

Normally day hikes take at least a day to prepare for. Imagine how long a five day hike would take. To make things even more hectic, imagine trying to prepare everything in two weeks before the trip. If you can imagine a hyper chipmunk bouncing all over the place, then I believe you would have a pretty good idea of what the last two weeks were like.

At the beginning of the year, my coworker Josh and I threw around the idea of hiking up Mt. Kenya. A distant yet possible idea that just so happens to be Africa’s second largest peak next to Kilimanjaro. Of course the trip was pushed back months at a time until finally we decided to do it the last week of May, a decision I gladly welcomed.

After the preparations were finished, Josh and I were dropped off with our packs and gear at a coffee shop in Nairobi. Minutes later we met with our Kenyan guide who helped us pack our gear in his car and were off. Six hours later, we changed cars and threw our packs on top of a beautiful Land Rover Defender (my new favorite car!). Our chariot of adventure took us up the worst road I have ever been on in Kenya. For about 20 kilometers, we slipped, slide, and slowly made progress winding up the mountain. Eventually we were dropped off seven kilometers from our trail head were we made base camp. Josh and I quickly learned the fierce cold weather on the mountain wouldn’t retire until the sun came up.

After a cold first night (out of many), we ate a hearty breakfast featuring sausage, eggs, and pancakes. After finishing up, we licked our chops and headed off for another seven kilometers. Stunning scenery of rolling hills splashed with colors gave me a thought. I imagined hiking I was hiking in the canvas of a great artist. Later that night we camped in a cave were our guide helped make a gorgeous glowing fire (well welcomed) and cooked a kings meal. Remembering my SOTO stove, I decided it was time for a test. Making my way down to a nearby stream, I filled my cooking pot about half a liter with the water. Around seven minutes later, the water was boiled and fresh. I thought it was like drinking crystals that sparkled in the firelight.

The next day Josh and I went from 3,300 meters to 4,200 meters in elevation. By the time we made it to our high camp, we were so tired. I was feeling the effects of altitude sickness. By God’s grace I slept it off that night. There were fresh water lakes called, “Tarns” near our camp fed by freshly melted ice and spring water. Even though the sun was high and bright, I had to wrap up in my jacket and keep warm socks on. The frigid night air was brutal and forced me to bunk that night with four layers on!

The next morning at 3 AM, Josh and I set off for the summit.  We made good time, but the elevation and early morning made the hike arduous. To make matters more challenging, the slope was loaded with scree and possessed a steep incline. We hit a number of false summits followed by a brief exhaustion. The wind was whipping at us in the face and the early morning cold was bitter. There were a thousand and one reasons to turn back, but both of us were too determined. Three hours later, we reached a blessed ladder about six rungs high. That was the most beautiful rebar that I’ve ever seen drove into the side of the mountain. One foot then the other. I felt like Buzz Aldrin must have felt when he set foot on the moon. Unlike Buzz, we quickly discovered that we were not alone. There were some soldiers from the UK at the peak and freezing for pictures. I took some of my own. Then my water reservoir froze and then I froze. Everything was freezing up there and ten minutes later we can to come down. Just standing on the peak was a feeling like conquering the world. Okay...maybe almost conquering the world because our peak was third highest on Mt. Kenya. For the sake of the story, we’ll assume that the top of the world lies on the third highest peak.

The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming and the beauty of the land was breath taking. In that brief moment, I thanked God for giving me the strength to carry on and press through in life. Minutes later we began the 20.5 kilometer long descent to base camp. That night we slept in lodges that were warmed by a fire place. Pensively, I gazed into the coals the last night of the trip which made me appreciate everything I had. I spent some time writing with pen and paper instead of with keys on a computer. Tucked away in a cozy cabin far from Nairobi, I was sad to know that our trip was coming to an end. Tomorrow we would start the six hour journey back to our cramped little city: Nairobi...maybe it’s the vehicle exhaust is what keeps the weather a little warmer there...

At the foot of a 100ft waterfall

Josh taking some photos of the water fall

Taking one last look. Soak it all in...litterally

Josh really enjoys taking photos

SOTO OD-1R did a great job on the mountain

Josh looking for cell phone coverage. Should have gotten Safaricom

Josh really enjoys hiking

At the start of gorgeous gorge and the arduous accent.

The top! We made it and it was FREEING!

Josh with his trusty T2i made it to the top!

Here we all are: Guide, Josh, and Myself

This is how Josh looks when he's extremely tired

Good backpacks and good friends

This is how you take photos after finishing a long hike

I’ve discovered after a decade of creating media and declaring your work for  God, things begin to change. A new chapter starts and suddenly your work begins to mature and blossom. I’ve been stretched, pressed down, and shaken. I’ve been left in depression and discouragement. Some nights harder than others. Suddenly, the struggle is over and you rise from the ashes with an unprecedented confidence that comes from the Lord. In a nutshell, it’s worth enduring the painful hours of hard work to see that something you do is declaring the glory of God. Maybe I am not directly on the front lines saving souls; however, the work that is being done has the power to save souls. I’ve come to learn both missionaries on the field and supporting services have a beautiful part in spreading the gospel to the lost and unreached.

A number of mobilizing churches joined together two weeks ago to discuss the progress of our film. The excitement stirred creating anticipation to see it finished. A step forward happened yesterday; our first private screening of the rough draft. It was powerful in it’s clumsy form and moved some to tears. That’s when you catch a glimpse of why we are here. A thorough Q&A session followed producing tons of helpful feed back that will help us shape this giant project into something more effective. We’ll need lots of prayer and support to finish this project. No thing is impossible with God on our side.

So with a weekend of rest, I’ve been attacked multiple times with depression and frustrations. It’s quite common to have these attacks when you give yourself completely over to a project that demands so much from you. I struggled all weekend until today (Sunday). After attending church and throwing my hands in worship of the Lord, my cup has been filled again with His love. After the service I took two of my Kenyan friends to a pricey restaurant that they have never been to. They had such a good time conquering the mountain of food set before them. I laughed and smiled feeling the love of Jesus smiling down on us.

Sharing conversations over lunch, I asked my friend from Kibera what he was most grateful for. He gazed at the ground for a moment in silence. After a moment, he lifted his head and praised God for his life. His eyes were to the point of tears as he told me all sorts of miracles that God poured down on him (including the lunch we were having). Then a huge smile and bellowing laugh came from him as we rejoiced together in fellowship. I was touched to see how much he relies on Jesus. He told me that he wouldn’t make it without Him and I know he wasn’t joking.

So as I sit here and reflect on the journey God has set me on, something tells me I’m nowhere near the end of it. Sure I’ll be leaving Kenya soon, but my work for God has just begun. There are millions out there crying needing to be heard. In obedience to God, I will go. Yes, it is a fight between flesh and spirit every day on the mission field, but when the fruit comes it makes up for all the pain and suffering. The day I dropped to my knees and accepted Christ is the same day I accepted living as a missionary. I just didn’t see it back then. In the near future, I’m looking forward to working in torn countries for His glory expressing his love in media. It’s my calling.

Jared slowly conquering the mountain of food!

Bonfce is truly enjoying the Ethiopian food

Creative moments at the office

Andy embraces the pure art of determining which is his dominate eye

Josh is trying it too, but i'm not sure if he's doing it right?

Intro:

Ahhh, the day has finally arrived when I can tell Francis, the gate guard, how excited I am that I just bought sweet corn for 100 shillings. He just smiled, nodded his head, and commented that it looked very sweet. In his head he probably thought, “Crazy Mzungu...”

Things are going very well in Kenya minus the excessive rains that have become a plague to parts of Kenya sweeping away houses, livestock, and even claiming a few lives. We spent some time praying for those counties in church. In other news, peace prevailed over the elections; violence hasn’t occurred, from what I’ve heard. Of course the loosing party did make some noise and was calling for the re-election process, but Uhuru Kenyatta was, none-the-less, elected and appointed as president. This is our first week with the new leadership.

Media updates: 

It has been a very productive week, not only in post production, but on the production side as well. Our team tackled a Northern Region promo shoot with our very talented actor Bryce (he has never acted before). The purpose of this video is to inspire many young people to put down their video games and live the reality that the Apostle Paul was living! It was an awesome shoot--minus a few audio issues--but what can you expect when you go with a cheap recorder? It wasn’t long until my setup turned to a very minimal “microphone on boom balancing act”. In the post production world, I just finished my 13th cut of the behind the scenes video for The Distant Boat movie. I feel like a parent watching my child grow and mature into adulthood. Okay, a little strange, but I suppose even editors personify their work. It feels good to be nearing the end.

Conclusion:

Speaking of the end, my mission term is nearly over. It’s crazy to think that I have only three months left before being immersed into a first world country again. I’m pretty sure fast internet speeds and smooth asphalt roads will trump my reverse culture shock. It’s funny to think how fearful I used to be when I first stepped foot onto African soil. It seemed that every bug and insect around me carried the black death! I was pretty miserable my first night karate chopping mosquitos. Every once and awhile you see that “former” self when you greet new foreigners and chuckle inside. Of course it’s natural to be cautious of the unknown, but if you have a heart for the Lord, people, and strange new places and cultures, you shouldn’t be sitting on the couch playing video games. Rather, get out there and live the life God has called you to!

Thank You:

Of course I want to say "thank you" to all my supporters for making this trip possible. I feel that because of you I have been enabled to contribute my skills and knowledge to the advancement of His Kingdom. As stated earlier, I will be leaving in approximately three months, so in the month of July I would be very happy to get together with you and share some of my experiences. There is still a TON of work to do between now and then, so please continue your support in prayer! It’s awesome to know that the work done here will influence so many lives as it already has over and over again. God bless you!

-David Hikari Sekiguchi

Climbing Mt. Longonot near lake Naivasha. About an hour out of Nairobi

Boda Boda taxi (motor bike) from Mt. Longonot to Mai Maihu. A very scary ride with three dudes on a bike

 Ryan, Bess, Ethan, and I are stoked on a boat ride to Cresent Island to observe nature

I am clearly excited as we are waiting for the captain to get our boat ready

I believe these are called, "Twiga" in Kiswahili. I shot this at 40mm on a full frame
CMOS sensor. This means I had to be extremely close...about 15 ft away.

Crazy birds going for fish. Our captain was feeding them

This is Joseph--our fearless guide--at Hell's Gate National Park. Don't worry...he didn't eat the bug.

Getting ready to leave homebase for a crazy all day tour of Hell's Gate.

Josh (coworker) is totally sporting Camelbak. Gotta love the equipment!

Oh! you gotta love the missionary girls, haha!

Canon T2i with a Nikon 35mm F/1.8 prime manual lens. Beautiful combination!!!

Ahhh...my coworker is enjoying a beefy sausage morning on our two night three day
camping trip at Hell's Gate.

Taylor (coworker) being an awesome Director of Photography and
Bryce being a trooper as our talent. Can't wait to see the finished project!

So we shot this probably around 3pm, but in the video it's still morning...
so go easy on the guy for having morning hair...haha

Gotta have the slate on set! Especially when you run audio separate
from the video. Of course, there was no dialog and most of this didn't
even need to be synced, yet it was good to be thorough

It's here! Finally after three months of production and almost two months later, the trailer for the film we are making has arrived. The vision of this film is to motivate and mobilize the African church towards missions. Just watching it gives me the chills as I remember being at nearly all the locations seen in the trailer. I thank God so much that He has allowed for my involvement in this film.

(Just to clarify, a trailer is the preview to a movie in post production)


-David

Distant Boat Trailer

Just a quick update to everyone before the morning work picks up. I would like to start off thanking you for your prayers and support. The work here in Nairobi is prolific and challenging. There have been many opportunities to build relationships wether it's with construction workers down the street or the women out of work just outside the compound. Yesterday I ran into Evening (one of the ladies) who started explaining why she needed money. Luckily I was carrying some plumbs at the time and quickly offered them to her. Without much thought she grabbed and continued to ask for money. Thinking about it now makes me laugh. I told her in the end I would pray for her. She shrugged her shoulders and walked away.

A lot has happened since my post on Kibera. I visited Bonfce's church and later invited him and some of his friends over for a New Years party. We cooked for a total of 13 people that night. It is such a joy to know Mr. Bonfce. He's so jovial in his present plight. Most Kenyans in Kibera seem to carry a smile despite their sufferings. Oh, how much we can all learn from Africa.
(I time lapsed the New Years party and will try and post it soon!)


Since the new year has started, so has the work load. When the office opened, my free time closed. I desperately worked hard on organizing footage from a north African trip. Organization is key to an efficient workflow. It serves as the agonizing, yet very important, primer before the real work begins.


So after finishing that project, I moved on to interviewing cast/crew members from our movie, "A Distant Boat". The interviews went wonderfully; however, we did run into power issues along the way. One interview had to be rescheduled after the power went out for half the day! It has been such an amazing experience working on these projects and I thank God so much for the opportunity to do my best here at OFM (On Field Media).

It was wonderful interviewing the cast and crew, but then came the editing. Eight hours of interview footage does take it's toll on the poor editor (me). Two weeks later, the footage was organized. This week I've structured a really-cool-outline, as I call it, on paper. The unspoiled paper was supplied by the Delorinzo who have a knack for keeping things organized. I confess that I did grab some scissors and without telling Mr. Delorinzo, but I returned them later.

Speaking of the Delorinzo family, I apologize for never introducing the OFM team properly. Mike D. is our team coordinator and hyper organized. He's much like a master samurai with tons of skills, especially in writing. Andy, who directed the film, is such a gift. He's a skilled muscian, composer, graphic artist, editor, father (of three I think?), and so much more! Not to mention he has an amazing hair dew (even after he takes of his motorcycle helmet!). Ted, our previous team coordinator (Mike D. took over) just went on furlough back to Texas. He was the Director of Photography for our film and is as solid as a tripod. You can listen to him tell amazing life stories for hours! Bess is basically my sibling, and we can just like it! When we occasionally have our run-ins, she usually wins as she is older than me, but not more than a year! Taylor is a cowboy/ninja as I see it. He owns crazy cool stuff and lets me play with his camera equipment whenever I ask. He's wise and knowledgable and best friend to me. Lately, I've realized that just as he starts talking I start laughing. It's great. Then there are the Thulins who are a new addition to our team and basically have mastered the art of being awesome. I share an office with Josh and we have a plethera of nerd conversations. It has been such a joy to work with this team and already I have learned so much! I'll post a picture of them and you'll see why it's so wonderful to work with them.

It has been a journey full of growing experiences, relationship building, joy, and mourning all mixed together. Kenya has and always will have a special place in my heart. I'm so blessed by the opportunity to come here. Even though the media work may be expensive and require a lot of time, it's reaching so many people!

By media ministry, we're making a break into what people are consuming. That means instead of consuming Hollywood/Bollywood productions (many of which have no meaning and can be very sensual), we're fighting back with the gospel message and encouraging the broken and lost to find God! I may only meet a few people over the span of my life, but media reach out to tons of people. So many missionaries have come by and thanked me for the work OFM has done. I've joined a ministry that has touched many lives already and am so proud to be a part of what God is doing here.

God is awesome! He has enabled me to be here and he is using you too! I will never forget the prayers and support of my fellow brothers, sisters, and councilors in my life. Christ has used you so much already in Africa. There is still tons of work that needs to be done here at OFM. Unfortunately, my support runs out in April this year. I believe God wants to continue to use me here for His purpose and finish a years time commitment on the mission field. I used to have problems asking people for support; however, now I realize that thinking is silly. There is so much awesome work to be done here and I know that if God is behind it, it's where I want to be. For me to stay until August (Max time for a short termer) I will need just over $3000. I know God can raise this for me if he wants me to stay here. Please continue praying and supporting the mission trip!

May God richly bless and shine his countenance on you!

David Hikari Sekiguchi

Distant Boat Website

Wrap Party at Osteria, Karen. (Cast and Crew)

Donate by Paypal or send checks to:

Tomo and Cindy Sekiguchi
30555 Butte Creek Road
Lebanon OR 97355
USA

    I closed and locked the door behind me as I faced toward the wide open city. Confidently, I walked past the guard and through the gates that marked the thin line between a dangerous city and a safe compound. I thanked Francis, the guard, and stepped out into the open. By now my lungs had adjusted to the thick exhaust and honking cars that speed eternally by the busy roads. Feeling rather comfortable in my 3rd world living state, nothing could have prepared me for the culture shock that I was just minutes from embracing.

    Nearly 20 minutes later I met Bonfce and Rueben (from prison ministry) at Nakumatt Prestige (a super market) just off Ngong Road. Smiles and warm welcomes were exchanged as we shook hands. Bonfce’s face lit up like a lantern in the dark. His smile was grateful and his spirit seemed to soar as we walked together. We chatted and walked together leaving the busy street of Ngong behind us. Casual conversations convinced me that a pleasant evening would be in store--how wrong I was.

    The first thing I noticed when I descended the long ramp into Africa’s biggest and worst slum is that the mud is thick and strong. I noticed a stinging odor that entered into my brain and didn't  leave any space to breathe. I noticed that green waters filled with feces that wind their way in intricate patterns through the entire slum. Between the houses they flow making their way down streets and small alleys trying to escape the slum. As I began to soak in the atmosphere, I noticed children are everywhere. There were too many to count. Many walk barefoot or in torn shoes and almost everyone wore tattered clothes and ripped rags. I digested the scene slowly. Barking dogs, playing children, hammers falling on metal, fire licking frying fish, flies desperate for food competing with slum dwellers, torches from welding, carts flying in all directions, axes biting their way into wood, blown out speakers screaming over crowds, and goats joining in on the slum quire. It was chaos.

    After I felt that I could take no more, we arrived at Bonfce’s house. Glad for a small break from the noise, I stepped into what must have been a 250 square foot house. Shocked, I sat next to four people shoulder to shoulder. The tour of that house lasted about a minute. “Here is the kitchen.” Bonfce would say as he pointed to the corner snuggled between two beds. “And this is my stove.” He pointed to a tiny coil suspended above a very small gas canister that lit a flame for cooking. I asked about a refrigerator. My friend threw his head back and bellowed with laughter. He finally answered, “You can’t have a refrigerator in Kibera. If you try and plug it in, it would take more power than the city can supply to the limited number of houses that were lucky enough to have power!”

    I questioned how food could be stored and saved. He replied that many people in Kibera live on a day-to-day basis. It is common to forget breakfast completely, lunch too, and just aim for dinner. There are never any leftovers, and only things that last without refrigeration can survive. Bonfce’s house was one of the few that have electricity--when the city can supply it. Many times the power goes out when a rain storm rolls in, which has been quite frequent since I’ve been here--and we’re in Kenya’s summer. When this happens, not only does the power cut out, but in the slums, the drainage gets blocked and sometime overflows into houses. Feces wreak havoc in these unfortunate homes which only adds to the slum’s sanitary issues.

    We continued our journey and countless stories leaped from the mouths of these people who have lived their life in unimaginable circumstances. For example, post-election violence led to a man being slashed to death next to a rail road. I learned that if you’re caught stealing in certain parts of Kibera you will be burned to death. Then there are the countless teenage girls who have given birth to unwanted children because they were lured into traps by nasty men. I choked and silence fell on the conversation. Finally I asked what the slums most prominent need is. Bonfce replied, “Education.” We discussed empowerment to the people would give hope and establish self-worth. “We need to empower the people. Teach them things that can sustain them. Show them how to save money. Give them skills. Give them hope. Show them that they are cared for,” concluded Bonfce. The journey ended with this thought lingering in my mind.

    It was time for me to say goodbye to my friends. Heart-broken and exhausted, I trudged back to what I call home. Twenty-five minutes later I closed and locked the door behind me feeling that if I locked the door, it would somehow help me forget. Plopping down on the couch, I stared deep into the ceiling. I couldn’t get over what I saw. The sounds reverberated in my mind and choked out the stillness around me. Faces of innocent children flashed in my mind. I saw little fingers pointing up at me accompanied by big round eyes crying, “Mzungu!” which means "white person". I remembered the children’s faces lighting up like fireflies when they saw me. They ran in circles all around. Simply seeing a “white man” brightened their day.

    Since coming here, I’ve appreciated being able to live among such beautiful people. Nairobi is a culture inside itself. The slums are a much harder culture inside the city. I could go on and on; however, I believe I’ve shared enough for the picture to be drawn in your mind. Among the impossible living conditions of slum life, the people persevere. And what’s more, they have smiles to prove they appreciate life. God is at work and doing amazing things in my life. Every day I’m closer to understanding His/my purpose in life. What is more, this is just the beginning...

Moses' church compound

Tap water next to sewage

Bonfce, Ruben, and me

Huge bonfire fueled by garbage