CAPTURE THE HEART OF THE STORY

It’s time to celebrate!

After countless of sleepless nights and hours of tedious directing, editing and camera work, my season in Media Village has come to completion 25th of September 2009.
Photo 1 - During our PSA shoot (w/ Maria and Tendai - our talents)

Media Village was a time of spiritual, technical and creative growth. I spent hours learning the skill of producing media pieces; produced a Public Service Announcement, a Music Video and worked on a Short Film. It was an ongoing day to day experience of understanding and knowing God. And, it was a precious time of nourishing good friendships that will last. Oh such good times!


To end the School, we had a formal Awards Night with Media Village supporters and South Africa Media personalities as guests. Amazingly our team received the best PSA for 2009 and I received an award for Best Videographer. To God be the glory!

When I received the award that night I said, "Everytime, I hold the video camera, I tried as much as I can to capture the heart of the story through the lense." All I know what to do behind the camera is to engage myself in people’s stories and then capture it. I guess that works better more than just knowing the technical side of things! ;) Photo 2 - in Cape Town on our way to Studio

People matter and media is only a tool to reach them.

I’m back in Thailand now working on our Media School for January 2010. Exciting things are about to happen! What I’m really excited about is that there are more students that I can influence to do the same. Students that I can encourage to engage in people’s lives and make it their priority more than the technical skills they will acquire.

I want to thank you again for being part of this successful South Africa journey! We are God’s story tellers in this generation. As we work together we can share His story and advance the Kingdom of God in this world.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. -Psalm 145:11-12

Your partner in sharing His story in Asia,
Leinie Alambro

SOUTH AFRICA EXPERIENCE week 1

Before I came to South Africa, I didn’t know what to expect. All I know is that I will be studying Video Production to help me with my role as the Media Light Coordinator in Thailand. Mentors, family and friends said to me, "YOU will LEARN so much there". Not understanding fully, at that time, what the context of this

learning experience has for me.

I have been to other countries before. I thought to myself, Well, it’s all the same. You meet new people, discover beautiful places, eat their local food…etc. But my South Africa Experience is far the most surprising trip I’ve had yet.

Let me give you some details of what my life is like here:

Since it’s a YWAM based school, I live in the same building where I do my training, I stay in a dormitory with another roommate. In the same bldg., I live with 40 other new people from different countries and ethnic backgrounds, I eat whatever is served in the Dining Hall (which I mostly like... except for LAMB! ), and I have to clean a part of the building at least 3hours every day, if you know me, it's not a problem at all. :)

South Africa has all its beautiful places especially where I am at in Cape Town. But, the level of crime in South Africa is unfortunately high and caution must be taken! So we are always given precautions to go out in groups which is a bit of a challenge for me because I want to explore and see it all. And, not everyone has the same spirit. I guess, I'm just used to being independent.

So YES you were right… I am LEARNING so much and not only about Video Production but also

living life in totally unfamiliar grounds.

This is absolutely a new adventure for me. But, what I do love about this stretch is knowing that God is with me and that He is in control. The past couple of days have been a learning experience…

more about understanding myself around other people and about my ability to trust and depend on God in a deeper way.

As I was praying one night in my little dorm room, the Lord led me to this Bible verses (made some translation):

I always pray for you… I ask God to give you a complete understanding
of what He wants to do in your life, and I ask him to make you
wise with Spiritual Wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor
and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things
for others. All the while, you will LEARN to know God better and better.
Colossians 1: 3-14

This is my prayer in the next 12weeks in South Africa. I need God to give me full understanding of His will, I need His wisdom, I need a heart to do good things for others and the most important is TO LEARN and KNOW God better.

I'll pray the same prayer for you.

Living life out of the ordinary,
LEINIE

SOUTH AFRICA ALBUM 1

They call me Adjan (Miss) Leinie

Meet my Students and Discover the Beauty in Teaching

Even with political problems Thailand is facing at the moment, there’s no doubt that the country is still one of Asia’s pride for its thriving tourism.

Picture: me and Ow at Shong Cafe
As the country continues to trade in international market places, the demand to learn English among Thais is also increasing rapidly. Our target University outreach is one of Thailand’s Schools to use English as their medium in teaching. But sadly, only few college students speak the language.

With this, English teaching has become our edge to connect and build relationship with those who want to learn the language. I’m teaching English classes this summer. I have four college students; Kae, Ow, Pui and Mai from LAW, Business and Computer Eng. Majors.

One afternoon, I was with Kae and Ow in a small cafe teaching them English vocabularies, when a native speaker from Canada – quite a character almost at his 60’s, randomly approached us for some “English talk”. It was fun until he started giving me advice on HOW I should teach MY students. He said, “Your students are both in college, you don’t need to spoon feed them with English vocabularies during your class because they can learn it on their own outside of class…”.

- Okay, that was a random comment, may be not needed, in front of my students. right? And honestly, I was caught of guard and wasn’t pleased at first. -

But, funny thing, I found myself intently listening to this man’s suggestions. Then he went on saying, “ You know what you should do, You should teach them HOW TO learn the English language and not teach them the language... ”

I didn’t agree with what he said at first but then after giving it some thought, I must admit, HE WAS RIGHT! He was asking me give them the “HOW TO’s” – practical steps so my "college" students can effectively learn the language.

- Now, it sounded more like coaching to me than teaching. -

So, I googled (I love Google! It makes life easier...kudos to the one who invented it!) COACH and surprisingly found this description: “Good coaches act as motivators and teachers. (Yes, TEACHERS) Ideally, they should be able to convey both theoretical understanding and practical instruction, and they should be sympathetic to the requirements of those they coach.”
Ow (left) and Kae (right) during English class at Hot Rock Cafe

This brought a new understanding of what kind of teacher I should be. I don't want to be a teacher who baby-sits college students. But, I want to be a teacher, like a coach, who teach practical instructions, give theoretical understanding. Also, strategize, train and encourage these students to reach their goal to be fluent with the language.

It was a good lesson for me that day!

Wondering what happened to the gentleman who gave the advice? Before he left us at the cafe, he proudly mentioned,

“Take my advice. It will make your hours of teaching easier and will give your students the best results. Also, I’m Rob an English Teacher myself.” - Now, that made sense!