a happy thanksgiving eve from porto rafti

(sunet in porto rafti)

Today is our last day here in Porto Rafti. Today our school will be packing up from the conference center where we’ve been staying for the last four weeks, and leaving tomorrow by bus to travel to Corinth, where we will be until Saturday when we leave for Turkey. God has blessed us in our time here in Porto Rafti. Our schedule has been full, but it is apparent that he is bringing us to a deeper understanding of his character through the Bible.

Last week we spent in the book of Luke. It now makes sense why people consider it to be one of the most beautiful books ever written. I loved seeing the interaction of Jesus with those God put in his path, as he was a savior who associated closely with all people in all walks of life. Jesus himself said:

I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough. Luke 5:32 (New Living Translation)

Jesus was not afraid to spend most of his time with the people that others thought to be sinners. He went into the places where the sinners (as the Pharisees and religious leaders called them) associated. He did not conform to their ways, but rather, he showed them a love that allowed them to transform their lives according to his grace. If we are to truly be preaching the gospel, it will be necessary to go into places that people may look down on; we will need to be intentional about ministering to the areas where “the sinners” associate. God isn’t looking for us to be clean-shaven and put together when we come to him; as Luke seemed to show, he is looking for those whose hearts are willing to take up their cross and follow him (9:23). We must acknowledge the fact that we are all sinners who are saved by God’s grace. When we understand this we will see that we are in no place to withhold that same grace from anyone, no matter what their background.

This week our speaker is David Hamilton, the Vice President of YWAM’s University of the Nations. He is taking us through the book of Acts this week. For this week, Dan Shannon and Andrew York who have been working with YWAM, and more recently Awaken Ministries in Northern India are also here to give us some added insight into the book of Acts. While we’re here in Greece, we’ve been going over the scriptures where the Apostle Paul was in Athens, which are found in Acts Chapter 17. Being in a place where the gospel had never before been preached, Paul found himself in a seemingly impossible situation. He didn’t know anyone, he had no connections, but God gave him the opportunity to debate with the Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers of the time. In those days, we’ve learned that Athens was the center for Philosophy and the Arts and Entertainment. All the latest ideas in thought and religion were sure to be floating around. Paul though, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit was able to come before these very lofty-minded people, and bring them the message of Christ in a relevant way. Paul said to these philosophers:

He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands cant serve his needs – for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth… (Acts 17:24-26, New Living Translation)

Some philosophers laughed and scoffed at the idea of a resurrection, thinking Paul to be a babbler, but there were some that day who put their faith in Jesus.

(at the parthenon)

Yesterday our class went into Athens to view these places where the Apostle Paul went when he was here almost 2,000 years ago. We visited Mars Hill, the small, rocky hill where he debated with the Philosophers. We were also able to see the ruins of the Pantheon and the other temples that were devoted to the Greek Goddess of Athena. Though these were amazing works of engineering, it is interesting to see the ways in which the philosophies and beliefs behind those temples have not stood the test of time. The ideas have passed away, as has the work of mens’ hands in the buildings that have crumbled. Studying over just these last few weeks, I am so encouraged by the truth found in the Bible. Not only was God’s message applicable during the time of Paul; but it has also stood the test of time, persecution and controversy throughout the course of history, and continues to be applicable today.

(a view of the acropolis from mars hill)

(the parthenon)

(the agorra - the marketplace in the time of paul)

(the roman amphitheatre)

So it is true, Saturday we leave from Corinth and travel by boat to Izmir, Turkey. I am very excited to see a new side of God in a new country. As of right now, I don’t know how available the internet will be, but I will do my best to keep you all informed and updated when it becomes possible. Your prayers for safety and efficiency in travel are much appreciated. I don’t know what type of boat we will be taking, but please pray that myself and the team will be able to keep our stomachs settled for the duration of our Marine Quest for the land that is Turkey. Oh, and speaking of Turkey, I would like to wish you all a Pleasant Turkey Day, wherever you may be.

Tim.

New Wine for New Wineskins

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins. Mark 2:22

Spending the last week in Mark’s gospel, one of the ideas that impacted me the most was the idea of the new wineskins that Jesus talks about in chapter two. In the past, this has always seemed a bizarre verse to me, and I would often brush over it as something to leave for later. Here, Jesus is discussing with the disciples of the Pharisees and John the Baptist about the practice of fasting. Beyond just the idea of fasting, God brought to my mind a revelation of how the idea of pouring new wine into new wineskins can apply to the world in which we live, and the way that we go about sharing the message of Christ.

I am not an expert in theology, and I am not claiming to be. One of the things that is emphasized in this Bible course is that as followers of Christ, He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is faithful to bring the very insight of God to our human hearts. With this, even if we aren’t biblical scholars, as we seek God, he will be faithful to reveal himself to us in ways that we understand. So, I am not trying to state these ideas as something to quote in a research paper, but I simply desire to share with you all what God has revealed to my heart in these scriptures.

As a body of believers, we must be making attempts to bring the gospel to the spheres of society around us, in a way that is specifically relevant to those spheres of society. For each group we go into, we must bring the gospel in a way that will be most applicable to each group. Thankfully, we don’t have to figure this out on our own, as Christ already knows what will appeal to any group we are reaching. In Colossians it talks about Christ, “…in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3). Because all wisdom and knowledge are in Christ, he knows what is relevant to each sub-culture, scene, social atmosphere, generation, etc. and he will be faithful to reveal those truths to us through his Holy Spirit. God knows the type of wine that needs to be poured into each different wineskin. The gospel is a gospel of relevance. It is not old, it is not stagnant, and we must not portray it as such. The gospel is just as applicable to the life of a New York Stock Broker as it is to the homeless person they walk past on their way to work everyday. In each new area (the wineskin) to which we bring the message of Jesus, we must be sure to use the right wine to fill it, so to speak. The key is going to God to understand the proper approach.
...

Porto Rafti has been an enjoyable place to study these scriptures, as it is very peaceful. It is definitely a huge blessing to be able to be away from the bustle and tourism in Athens, where Starbucks (a three story one at that) and McDonald’s (also three stories) are readily available. The weather has been getting a bit more extreme than when we first arrived here. It has been getting colder, very windy, and we’ve been having quite a bit of rain as well. Apparently this is the down-season for this area, as it the weather is getting colder and unsettled. Most of our weekdays are spent here at the conference center, with lectures in the morning, and then time for studying in the afternoons and into the night. In the next couple weeks, we will be going on excursions to Athens to have teaching on site at the Acropolis and Mars Hill, as well as in Corinth, so it will be nice to get to see a bit more of Greece.

This week we’ll be going through Luke. John Childers and his wife will be teaching us here again this week. It is such an amazing opportunity to be learning from people who have had so much different experiences in life, travel, and their ministry around the world. Looking at their lives, which have both been very impacted by the word of God, I am excited to think of the ways that these studies will bear fruit wherever I go or whatever I do. Thank you all for your prayers over the last week, they have been a huge help.

In Christ, Tim

Porto Rafti = Bibleville, USA

(The Mediterranean from Porto Rafti)

Hello everyone,

It has been a good week here in Porto Rafti. It now feels more like a home, at least a temporary home. This week we’ve begun our School of Biblical Studies (SBS) portion of the PhotogenX Track. Over the next three months, our school will be going through the core courses of the normal YWAM SBS, which usually lasts nine months. In these courses, we will be studying the bible, and we will even be studying on location in some of the places where parts of the bible were written here in Greece, and also later on the track when we go to Turkey, Egypt, and Israel. As a school, we desire to be taking photographs that be relevant in regards to issues that are taking place in our world. By studying scripture in depth, we believe that God will impart to us what his heart is for the things that are going on in our world, and this can then make its way into whatever photographs we may produce.

This last week, our class went through the book of Philippians. It was a lot of work, and a lot of writing journal observations, but I now feel so much closer with the ideas and heart that was put into this letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi almost 2,000 years ago. A large theme in the book was unity, and Paul encouraged the church to “be of one mind” ( Philippians 2:1). I love the example he uses to portray how the church should go about promoting unity in their midst.

“5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV)

A lot of times we look at Jesus, and it is very easy to think that he was a very lofty leader who never associated with those of a lower class. But when we look at the scriptures, we see quite the opposite idea. He ate dinner with the tax collectors and other notorious sinners, he went fishing with the fishermen, and he washed the disciples feet. I find it interesting that Jesus, himself being the God of the universe, chose to reveal himself to us as one who served those around him. If the God of the universe has humbled himself to associate with us, how much more should we, created humans, choose to serve and be involved with the people and issues that surround us on a daily basis.

John Childers, the father of our school leader, Paul Childers, is here with us, and he will be giving us teaching as we go through the Gospels for the next two weeks. This week, we will be studying through the book of Mark. Over this next season of bible studying, I would greatly appreciate your prayers. I have been looking forward to learning more about the Bible, but even just going through the small book of Philippians, I was struck by how much work needs to go into studying God’s word. So, as we move onto studying bigger books, which will require even more reading and writing to process, please pray that I would be doing this by the strength that God provides me, and not on my own, weak, human strength. I know there are so many treasures in God’s word, and I want to be in a position where I allow myself to be affected by all of those treasures. Thank you for continuing to be a part of my life. I hope that I am able to pass on even part of what I see God doing in all these places.

Loving Jesus, Tim

(The Acropolis in Athens)

Dear Greece, I'll be arriving soon...

(Doreen, Charles and myself)

In the morning I leave for an airplane ride. This airplane ride will take me to Athens, via Frankfurt.

It has been a good time here in Muizenberg. I’ve been saying a lot of goodbyes today, and I would definitely say that the one that has stuck with me the most was the one I said to Charles and Doreen. It wasn’t long, but it was good. After our lunch here at the base, Naphtalie and I went to the grocery store to get some Cream Soda, (Charles’ drink of choice) and walked it over the street to where Charles and Doreen were sitting. Each time we talk with them I am taken aback by the beauty that God has placed in their hearts. It is amazing how close I feel to people that I’ve known for little over a week.

Charles was just finishing his fish, fresh out of the microwave. He was friendly as usual. They say that the sun is their microwave. Microwaving of this sort however, requires much more patience than the conventional microwave, as you must wait until the sun has heated the food to a warm-ish temperature. This usually occurs about half an hour to an hour after placing the food in the “microwave”.

Doreen said she now views us as part of her family. She also noted that she loved us. I replied that we also love them. It was a short goodbye, but one that I will remember well.

…

This week we had Ben Nimmo, a Graphic Designer from the YWAM Media Village in Kalk Bay (a few stops down from Muizenberg on the train) come to talk to us about digital workflow, archiving images, and Photoshop basics. All this can get a little boring to talk about for long periods of time, but it will definitely come in handy when dealing with large amounts of photographs.

Our team will be leaving the Muizenberg base at 3:30 this morning. Our flight leaves Cape Town at 7:00, and we’ll be flying to Frankfurt, and then to Athens. Once we arrive in Athens, which will be very early Friday Morning, we’ll be going to a smaller village called Porto Rafti, where we’ll be staying at a small convention center. They tell us it is about an hour away from Athens. I’m not too sure yet what the living situation will be like, but it doesn’t sound like there will be a lot of internet access.

So, I realized I just wrote my last update a couple days ago, but I figure I should let you all know what’s happening, just in case I’m not able to use the internet for a while. The team and I could use your prayers that all the small and big details of traveling from here to Cape Town to Frankfurt to Athens to Porto Rafti would work together in the best way possible. Once I find out more of what is happening I will hope to find some sort of access to the Internet so as to keep in touch.

Thank you all for all the various forms of support that you have been blessing me with. I have loved seeing God during my time in South Africa, and I have loved being able to grow the interest that he has placed on my heart for Photography. I feel that the more I’m learning about photography, the more I’m seeing a passion in my heart for using it as a tool to benefit God’s plan in the world. It is a pleasure to continue to let you all know what is happening with my trip, and I pray that you are all seeing God in new ways with whatever situation he may have you in.

(a sunrise near muizenberg)

.bushmen, of a different sort.

Outreach has been beautiful.

Since last Friday, myself and the two others in my group have had the privilege of spending time with the local homeless population here in Muizenberg. Monday and Wednesday we spent the mornings working with a local homeless ministry, Living Hope. We spent these mornings singing songs, leading devotions, and talking with the people that came in from the streets. I feel like God really blessed our time at this ministry. So many people come into living hope, just looking for someone to listen and be concerned about what is going on in their life. There were so many people, ranging from sad to hopeful, and I enjoyed listening, talking, praying and laughing with them.

The other part of our outreach took place in the streets, parks, beaches, bushes, parking lots, and wherever else the homeless people spend their time. Though there were a lot of ministry opportunities at living hope, I feel like our time spent outside with the people was even more fruitful, as we were able to build relationships with them in what is for them a real-life setting. We were able to witness their happiness, frustrations, arguments and quarrels, which turned out to be very interesting.

I myself spent most of this time getting to know a couple of the homeless people, or strollers as they call themselves, here in Muizenberg. Charles Jacobs, 67, has been living outside here in Muizenberg since 1981. Doreen Tofar, 58, has been living outside with him since 2001. I had some ideas in my mind for what I hoped to capture through my pictures, but in the beginning I did not realize just how closely the Lord was going to allow me to be in their lives. I was able to follow Charles and Doreen throughout most of the major parts of their day. They allowed me to meet them when they came out of their home in the bushes in the morning. They allowed me to come with them when they worked parking cars on Sunday. They allowed me to sit with them when they drank wine in the park on the afternoons. They allowed me to be in their home in the bushes as they folded the blankets on their tattered bed. They showed me where they kept their clothes, they told me how they hid their money, and they explained to me how they cooked their food by using the sun as a microwave.

I saw that their hearts are rich. One thing that stands out to me is that Charles and Doreen never asked me for money. They were happy when we would bring them milk, bread, or fruit, but they never asked us for these things. I was blessed to see their generosity at work, whether it was sharing their bread with the pigeons, giving food to other strollers in the park, or giving their extra shoes to someone in need.

With this, the beatitudes come to mind.

God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is given to you.
God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now, for the time will come when you will laugh with joy. God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of Man.
When this happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were also treated that way by your ancestors.
Luke 6:20-23 NLT

I have been so blessed by Charles and Doreen. I can now say they truly are my friends. I leave South Africa next Thursday, but I will continue them in my prayers. You can pray for them too if you would like. Here’s how:

• Charles and Doreen know about Jesus, and they certainly displayed the love of Christ in their lives, but they need God’s help to overcome the things that hold them back from knowing God on a deeper level. Alcohol sometimes seemed to be a struggle for them, so pray God would work in their lives to bring them victory in this area.

• Pray for healing in Charlie’s body, as he is recovering from a minor stab wound inflicted by one of the other strollers in the park. Also pray for healing in the relationship between Charlie and Karl, the man who stabbed Charlie. This could be a way for Charlie to see God’s grace at work in his life and in the lives of others.

FINALLY, thank you for your prayers in regards to my safety. On Wednesday when Charlie was stabbed, I was quite close to the incident, and quite close to Karl before he stabbed Charlie. Praise God for keeping me from getting sliced up!

My Photo Story is posted below for your optical enjoyment.

I Can Go Home, but It's Hard For Me to Go Home (I Didn't Have Trouble Here Before)

Doreen Tofar smiles as her friend Charlie Jacobs lies on their mattress. Doreen and Charles live together in the bushes near Sunrise Beach in Muizenberg. Referring to a hard life back with her sister and mother, Tofar says, "I can go home, but it's hard for me to go home."

Charles pauses for a moment from parking cars at the Sunrise beach flea market. Charles, one of the original car guards at the lot, has been employed here since 1984. Each Sunday he earns tips by directing and watching over cars from about 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Sitting beneath the shade of a tree in Muizenberg Park, Doreen cries as she recounts stories of her married life. Her husband Karim, who died in 1999, required her to work work selling wine for him rain or shine; if not, she would be beaten.



Ibrahim, a local gardner for the City of Muizenberg takes a break in the shade of a tree in Muizenberg Park to share a laugh with Charles and Doreen.



Doreen pours herself a fresh glass of Lion's Head wine. Doreen and Charles often share a five liter bag of wine with their friends in Muizenberg Park.



From her spot in the shade in Muizenberg Park, Doreen lights a cigarette as the pigeons go about their business. Tofar appreciates the pigeons, and enjoys taking time out of her day to share her bread with them.



Sitting down in Muizenberg Park, Charles winds his clock to the proper time. He checks the clock a couple times each day, as he likes to keep it five minutes ahead of the proper time.



As the day is coming to a close, Doreen follows Charles as they make their way back to their home in the bushes near Sunrise Beach. Charles has lived in these bushes since 1981, and Doreen joined him in 2001.



Karl Green threatens Charles and Doreen as he reveals a knife concealed in his jeans. Green soon after proceeded to stab Charles Jacobs with the knife. Jacobs, though not seriously injured, proceeded to arrange for an ambulance to transport himself to a hospital in the area.



Charles and Doreen sit in the grass at the top of Muizenberg park as Charles waits for an ambulance to transport him to the hospital. Jacobs, who was moments before stabbed by Karl Green, is considering pressing charges against Green. Charles was also contemplating moving in with his sister in Wynberg. He stated, "I didn't have trouble here before...From '81 I didn't have trouble." Doreen however, believes Charles will eventually come back to the streets. She says, "One of these days he will come home (back to the streets). He will come, no matter what."

All Photographs Copyright Tim Dyk, 2007.

.outreach #1.

(Wally Nell, teaching us to use a strobe; John Vicory poses.)

It has been a wonderful week of class taught by Wally Nell. He has definitely shared with us a wealth of photographic knowledge, insight and experience. I feel like he has expanded my mind so much as to what can be done with photography, not just in regards to the pictures themselves, but also in regards to the way in which it can be used as a tool that can be used to portray ideas and issues to people.

Today begins the first day of our outreach for this portion of the trip in South Africa. Basically, for each place we go, it looks like we will be having about three weeks of lecture, and one week where we divide into smaller groups to go out and apply what we learn in lecture through our photography. For this outreach we will each be putting together a photo story consisting of eight to ten of our best photos. As a group, we will also be putting together a photo essay as a summary of the ministry we will be doing. I am in a group with two others, Naphtalie and David, who are both from Oregon.

After prayer and discussion, we feel that God has put it on our hearts to work with the homeless population here around Muizenberg. From this Friday until next Wednesday, we will have the opportunity to spend time investing in the lives of a few of the homeless people, also known as strollers who frequent a nearby park. Some of this time we will be working with Living Hope, a local church that provides daily meals and bible studies for those without food and shelter in this area of the Cape.

In addition to this, for my photo story, God has placed it on my heart to spend time documenting the lives of a couple of homeless people that I have already gotten to know a little bit before this outreach. I don’t know exactly what this will look like, but I plan on following a few of them throughout different parts of their days, seeing what it is like for them to live in this way on a daily basis. God has recently been revealing to me the beauty of these people in his eyes. Homeless people are so often misunderstood and mistreated, but when the time is taken to invest in their lives, it is easy to see why God would attach such a high value to them. One example I remember most vividly is that of one of the homeless ladies, Doreen, taking a piece of bread out of her bag to share with the birds, when she herself does not always have much to eat. I am praying and believing that God can use these pictures to accurately portray the beauty that resides in the hearts of these people, but also the difficulties that they face on a regular basis.

So, in the days to come, I would most certainly appreciate any prayers you would be willing to send my way. Some ways you can pray are:

• That God would orchestrate the people and places that he wants us to see.

• That God would give us discernment with our resources, as many people often try to ask for money, food, etc. We want to be generous, but generous in a way that will not create chaos.

• That God would grant us protection, as crime is one of the bigger issues in this country.

• That God would help us to capture pictures that portray the beauty that resides in the hearts of these people, but that also portray the difficulties that the homeless face on a daily basis.