Reflecting on Bali

Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008
To: Dan Yeager

Hello Dan, It took a few days to feel like I was really home and a couple weeks to setlle in. It was great to get back to my family! I was right back in the frying pan at work and all the holiday stuff going on this time of year. Bali was quite an adventure and all about making a lot of new friends. Many people here ask how this trip was as they often do after I take similar photo adventures (for myself). This was so different, it gave me a lot of perspective about helping people in need and that we take a lot for granted. I have a better understanding of people here and abroad, the "have" and "have-not's". To sum it up in one word.... humbling. Thanks again for all your assistance and greasing of the skids prior to my arrival.... it made it all run smoother.

It's great to hear that the cameras are still making a "lasting impression" and are being continually used, many thanks to all. Indra has sent me many great images from the kids cameras directly, (see attached). He really took a liking to using my smaller camera, so I'll look into trying to get one and ship it back to him. We'll also need to coordinate the fab / import of the custom wood carved frames from Ubud for my exhibits leading up to the May finalle. I'll pass along that contact info. I'm meeting with Anne, Steve and the AHFC web designers next week, so that will allow me some time to sort through the many images , audio & video.

I again have to express my thanks to everybody who supported the project to date, there is a lot more work to be done! I'll keep you posted, until then Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Homecoming

Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 9:56 PM
From: Dan Yeager

Kurt, Well, have you had the time for your adventure in Bali to sink in... and make some kind of sense? I know you made lots of friends... and made a lasting impression on a lot of people.. including me. Tina and Jason came by Indra's today to borrow cameras to cover their Annual Christmas celebration on Sunday. Also Pastor Bongbong, who does Sunday and Thursday services at Indra's is using a camera for their churches celebration in Bukit. So, the project cameras you left behind are being well used. An interesting bit of funkey news: While walking in the Denpasar Airport before leaving to Singapore to have my Kidney condition checked out...... My left achilles tendon popped. So I've been crippled again! Spent 4 days in Hosp. in Singapore. Have not had any Kidney pain since after the first night there......so that's a real blessing.

I sent emails to our AHFC directors and volunteers last week asking if they had seen the Silver Jewelry from Bali. Joyce and Barbara said they are looking forward to seeing it it. So how's that situation looking? I guess you'll want to show them the silver products photos also.... so I understand there is a lot to do..besides the stuff that your other life demands. Anyway Kurt.... It was a real adventure , wasn't it? I pray that you are able to put together a presentation of your work that reflects the beauty and spirit of the Bali people you met......and that opportunities will open up for you to show your finished work .... enabeling you to help financially those who faithfull trust in our Lord. May God truely bless you and your new family Kurt

Love you man, Opa Dan

Dan Down but not Out!!

Dec 01, 2008
I received a call from Indra today telling me than Dan was admitted to hospital late the night before with pains in his abdomen. I first thought that it was complications from the flu, but when we visited the hospital we found out that Dan has a UTI and a lodged kidney stone. As usual, he was in good spirits and Indra and his wife had stayed at the hospital all night. These people are amazing with all that they have responsibilities for and they stayed up all night looking after Dan. I helped align some finances for his stay and arranged to get him some personal items from his house. The kidney stone(s) are painful, but they are taking very good care of him. He has a good urologist who is performing a procedure Thurday morning. He hopes to be back home by the time I depart for the US Saturday night. I’ll keep you posted on his progress.

Finally working with Tina's Kids

Nov 30, 2008

I met with Tina’s group of kids in Kuta this morning to inform them about the project and leave the cameras with their kids for a few days. I met all the kids and the staff; Scott, Jenny & Jason. Very well organized group and some very happy little faces over here! Great to hear some of the turn-around stories for some of these kids that were abandoned, abused and physically/mentally broken-down.
The group invited me to head off to a nice surf beach with all of them, so I piled into the truck with the kids who sang most of the way there. We arrived at this beautiful, remote beach where development has not, but will soon take over. I helped the kids (three boys, three girls) use the cameras while I took pictures of them doing so. Jason was nice enough to give me a ride home on his motorcycle and gave me some antibiotics to kick the flu I caught. All in all, a great day and a great group of people!!

Round #3 with Eternity Orphange

Nov 29, 2008
A lot of people are fighting the flu over here right now, so I’m hoping that I don’t come down with it too. This afternoon, I handed off the cameras to Indra’s kids again and we headed off to the mangrove and sea turtle preserve to take more pictures. The kids were excited again since they hadn’t used the cameras in almost a week. Indra and I fed the sea turtles while the kids took pictures and explored around. We then walked around a fisherman’s village amongst the boats and docks for some interesting shots. Since we reviewed, printed and critiqued images the day before, they learned a bit more by seeing the output of their work. By watching their work today, it’s obvious that they learned to be steadier with the camera’s, more creative in with subjects, composition and lighting. Some really great stuff!!

Collecting Katrina Gia's Youth Group Images

Nov 27, 2008
Returned back to Legian/Kuta area from Ubud after a couple days stay there. Upon return, we all drove out to Jimbaran tonight to get the cameras back from Katrina Gia’s church youth group who had them since Monday the 24th. All the kids were very thankful and spoke about their experience with the project. We looked over a few images then headed back to Indra’s house for his kids weekly church service and dinner. Reviewed some more pictures, excited to see them all!