August Newsletter

Summers are a time for vacations, road trips, ice cream, and being with friends. Mine didn't look exactly like that but it was filled with many adventures. For the past 5 years, I've worked with a company to produce souvenir/travel-log videos for 4 leadership camps in Europe. Each camp focuses on a different age group and gives them experiences and seminars on leadership. The goal being to help them to become leaders in their schools, homes, volunteer organizations, future jobs and lives. While working with these camps takes me out of Africa and away from producing the stories there, it always is a highlight to my year.

Besides the amazing scenery in locations like the Spanish coast, Swiss Alps, and Austrian lakes the summer offers me a chance to serve in a different capacity. While working with these camps to produce videos I am able to serve the students, counselors, and directing staff. To find out why that excites me you can read the whole story over on the blog. (CADVideo.blogspot.com)

New Videos

Traveling in Europe has some great perks. One of the best is the easy access to fast internet. While here I've been able to finish up editing and upload some new stories from West Africa. You can check out the latest stories at Vimeo.com/CADVideo or click the links below.

The Depths of Dominoes from Drew Hayes on Vimeo.

Baptist Hospital of Ferkessedougou from Drew Hayes on Vimeo.

Back to Cote d'Ivoire

The time in Europe has been great, but it is time to get back to Africa. The fall is shaping up to be a busy one. September 1st, I head back to Cote d'Ivoire where I will be working on editing videos and doing pre-production for the fall. While I'm there a new team of Journey Corps volunteers will be coming in. It's fun to think that one year ago, I was in their shoes and now I can help with their introduction to Ivorian life and culture. It will also be good to connect with the friends and relationships that I have made over the past year.
In October, I will be beginning a tour of East Africa. The plans are still being fleshed out but I'm excited to be able to visit Kenya and afterwards Uganda. I am especially excited about returning to Uganda, since it was there that the original idea for this grand adventure began. Now I get to go back and do the work of the telling the amazing stories that are happening there. I can't wait!

I say it all the time, but I am so thankful for you and your continued involvement in this project. Your support means so much and helps keep me moving. Thank you.

Your Fellow Servant,
Drew