“Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.  Speak out, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.” - Proverbs 31:8-9

-PhotogenX History-

In 2005, my leaders, Paul and Susi Childers, birthed a vision for a missions organization that would bring light to the darkness, hope to the hopeless, and a VOICE for the VOICELESS.  This ministry would use art & photography as a catalyst for making actual, measurable change.  It was, and has become, a global vision for finding creative ways to address, expose, and redeem the world’s biggest injustice issues.

PhotogenX has since functioned under the parenting of YWAM (Youth With A Mission), which is one of the largest and most widespread missions movements across the planet.  Although PhotogenX is its own entity (with its own tax exempt 501c3 non-profit status), their partnership with YWAM is a vital part of their identity.  YWAM has over 170 locations worldwide and is present in nearly every country on the face of the planet, which gives PhotogenX the networking capability and connections to enter and work in nearly every corner of the globe.

Over the past four years, PhotogenX has been in a pioneering stage.  Cultivating a long-term vision and learning day by day how to better their impact for those in need - they have only just begun.  Paul and Susi are incredible at building community and working out of relationship.  They see the end of injustice and the Kingdom of God as the ultimate goal, which leaves any ownership of the mission as secondary.

-Speaking Up-

There are two primary focuses in the actual ministry of PhotogenX as a mission; they are the mobilization of intercessory Prayer and Christ-like Action on behalf of the voiceless around the world.  Both of these focuses relate deeply to how PhotogenX has begun to function as a community of God-fearing artists.  In 2006, Paul and Susi published what would become the first PhotogenX publication which is the “Voice for the Voiceless:  30 Days of Prayer” booklet.  This prayer book has since helped rally nearly 100,000 individuals and communities to pray for “voiceless issues” across the globe.  Since its first print, it has been translated into six additional languages, and as I write, Susi is in Germany launching the German edition in Berlin.  For those of you who have read/prayed through it, I just want to emphasize that this booklet serves as much as a mission statement as it does a practical tool for awareness and prayer.  Prayer is only the start, but action must follow.  And it’s to this end that I have come to my placement within PhotogenX.

The 30 issues in “Voice for the Voiceless” (Child Prostitution, HIV, Human Trafficking, Infanticide, & Poverty, just to name a few) are issues they desire to engage and practically work towards eradicating.  Over the past year, they have seen God move in incredible ways through the community.  Last year they launched a campaign and publication called “Sex and Money:  A Global Search for Human Worth” which is focused on the endless connections between money and the global sex trade.  Currently there are 1.2 million children being trafficked globally EVERY YEAR, a fact which I believe breaks the heart of our Lord.  So, in response, they have been campaigning across the western world to raise this issue to any and all who would hear and act.  They have also begun to engage practically by building strong connections with other ministries from Delhi to Cape Town, Amsterdam to LA who care for those being rescued from this brutal industry.  Prayer lays the foundation.  Action brings redemption.  Onward…

-PhotogenX and Me-

I felt it was important for you to know some of the history behind what I’m stepping into.  Over the past four years, this community has made tremendous strides in the area of prayer, which is and has been a needed foundation for engagement.  Yet, they believe that as a mission, they are at a shifting point from continuing prayer into much more intentional action.  I hold a strong passion for the practical (hands and feet of Jesus) service of the marginalized and feel this is such a perfect place for me to use my strengths and creativity.

-Practical-

My first real push in this direction will be a two year journey across the globe starting this June in Central America.  This journey will be one of purposeful, intentional service and connection.  It will be a year of living in the margins of society and on the frontlines of injustice.  Our hope is to build connections and birth new opportunities to move the ministry into action.  I will be part of a twenty-some photography team that will travel around the world making stops in Panama, Cuba, Southern Africa, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Eastern & Western Europe, India, Nepal, and a good deal of Asia.  We will be documenting photographically, as well as practically serving the “least of these” wherever we go in a hope of building bridges that can turn into long-term projects.  We will also be using this journey to connect with a number of organizations and ministries that are already working to end these voiceless issues at a grass-roots level, seeing how PhotogenX can partner and aid their continued efforts in the future…

We have a long road ahead of us, but I can’t even begin to explain how excited I am.  I truly feel this is exactly where God has been leading me and where my gifting and experience is best suited for the purposes of love.  I LOVE you all as I LOVE the world, by the LOVE of my Father.  I will need your continued embrace as I walk into and through this next journey.  Please come and be a part of this.  Come and be a part of me.

I invite and welcome your correspondence.  Please call, email, and message me.  I would LOVE to hear some friendly, familiar voices.

-How to Partner-

1.  Everything starts through prayer.  If you would like to receive the “30 Days of Prayer for the Voiceless” booklet, please email me your physical address.

2.  I want to also emphasize a shift in my financial needs at this time, as I walk in transparency about my reliance on the body.  PhotogenX is structured and functions as a 100% non-profit missions organization.  Every worker is entirely responsible for his or her financial obligations both in travel and basic living expenses.  This dually keeps us as a community on an equal par, while even more importantly allows any and all finances flowing through PhotogenX to go directly to those in need and the projects that serve them.  As I transition from short-term to full-time with PhotogenX for the next two years, I am also needing to transition financially from occassional one-time donations to ongoing monthly partnerships.

Amazingly, through God’s provision and the generosity of individuals, I have been able to purchase my airfare for the ’round the world trip!  What an incredible blessing - seeing as the plane ticket makes up a huge portion of my financial need for the mission.  So, this leaves me with ground costs while on the field.  Starting immediately, I am in need of mobilizing $1,400 of ongoing monthly financial support.  $3,000 is needed by May 30 for my outreach in Panama and Cuba, while everything else will cover housing, food, insurance, medications, land travel, and basic living expenses for the duration of my journey.  Currently, I have one family committed to monthly support, so I ask you to pray into joining my work with PhotogenX at any level.

I don’t simply seek your partnership and support for the financial stability of my own ministry and work for justice.  I, instead, desire for you to have ownership, input, and relationship with me as “my work” with PhotogenX becomes what ALL OF US are working towards in a partnership of community.  I so desire to walk with you, to be transparent, and for you to feel deeply connected with me.  This is my basic understanding of prayerful and financial partnering.  It starts and ends with real relationship.

I have set up an account with The Storehouse in Omaha, Nebraska that is fully tax-deductible.  At the moment this is the simplest and most reliable way to walk with me financially on ANY level.  Checks can be written to:  The Storehouse and in the memo line write:  Lindsay Carstensen.  Send money to PO Box 540782, Omaha, NE, 68154-0782.

Thank you for your love and support.  I miss you all terribly and can’t wait for the moment God brings us together again.  My arms and heart are wide open, as I believe God is on the move once again…

Malaho,

Lindsay Carstensen, lindsayblake@gmail.com

Follow my  journey at: http://web.mac.com/lindsayblake22/iWeb/Site/Home.html