McLean Travel Blog

Wrapping up "Moving On" in Jinja....

2010-08-08T04:08:00.001-07:00

We have been busy working on finishing up the LGH shot list. We have a few interviews, and b-roll shots that still need to be captured before we leave Jinja on Tuesday morning to begin an 8 hour drive to a small town in Western, Uganda called Bundibugyo. I am so sad to say that our friend and character in the "Moving On" documentary, Charles, passed away two days ago. We were so blessed to be able to say goodbye to him. Nic talked with him about his love for the Lord and he even sang a song with him. It was so beautiful. Life is so fragile, here in Uganda, and at home in America. We just never know when it will be our time to leave. I am reminded to live each day with vivor and excitement for the single day! The people we share our lives with are the most important! Thank you so much for all of your prayers! We are really getting homesick and missing all of you!

Please continue to pray as we begin an entirely new project. We are going to be telling the powerful story of Bishop Hannington Behumeka. He is Bishop over 38 churches in the Charismatic Episcopal Church (CEC.) When rebels attacked his town of Bundibugyo in 2001, he along with 80,000 others fled to displacement camps where they lived for over 2 years. Hannington inspired his people to be generous during a time when they had nothing. He had a heart for the orphans who had lost their

parents and began to organize programs where blankets and clothes were given to the children. This idea of stewardship and generosity spread throughout the people and became the foundation upon which his whole town was rebuilt!!!!

This video piece will be used as an introduction at the Lausanne Conference (http://www.lausanne.org)this year in South Africa. The conference, started by Billy Graham, is a gathering of all the international Christian leaders all over the world! It is anticipated that over 4,000 leaders from 200 countries will attend onsite in Cape Town. Thousands of other leaders are expected to participate virtually – online and through other digital technology. It is quite an honor to be working on this!!! We pray that the Lord uses it to speak to people's hearts! We will keep you posted as much as we can!!! Love you and miss you all!

Nile River & such...

2010-08-03T01:24:00.000-07:00

We spent the whole day experiencing Jinja without a camera and shot list to follow. We went swimming and sunning at the Jinja Nile resort with cokes and fresh tilapia in our tummies:) After pool lounging, we went on an adventure to swim in the Nile River. The Nile was majestic! Reminded me of another time, another era. The trip was complete when a herd of more than 30 cattle poached up next to us for their afternoon drink. I was a little freaked out because we were pretty much trapped! Heres a video of the experience:) We also rode a piki(motorcycle) to the Central Market where Nic picked out a pair of jeans for our next trip to western Uganda where it is much cooler in weather. What a great day in a BEAUTIFUL place! We miss home and wish all of you were here with us:) Love you!!!!!!

Man Attacked by African Stork

2010-08-03T00:31:00.000-07:00

This past week in production.....

2010-08-01T06:48:00.001-07:00

Today marks our 11th day of production. We are exhausted and very excited about the content captured this week! The hansows left today, and tomorrow begins our downtime:) we have a little more to film this week before we travel to western Uganda. Some highlights: nic was almost attacked by a gigantic stork( video soon to come), I danced last night with the SUBBI women at their celebration(fully dressed in African garb), Charles has become even sicker(please keep him in your prayers), and we used our new jib camera crane for the first time this week(amazing!!!)I am posted up at an Internet cafe right now,feeling somewhat human again after this LONG 11 days. Thank you soooo much for your prayers.

interviews, babies, and more...

2010-07-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

We have been here in Jinja for a few days now, my heart engrafted in the many stories of my new Ugandan friends. I find myself saddened as I write this, thinking about all the pain I have seen and experienced in the brief time of my stay. Pain aided with a smile and sweet hospitality. Yesterday we visited an orphanage called the "Amani Baby Cottage." This is where the Hansow's daughter Jayden was adopted from. We visited the baby room, full of rows of babies, getting ready to go to sleep. One crawled towards me saying, "mommy, daddy." I just wanted to take him home with me! Sweet babies. I find it hard to believe that their parents either passed away, or just did not want them.

Today, we interviewed Charles, one of the characters in the documentary. Charles has HIV. When Nic came to Uganda 3 months ago, Charles was in good health. Today, we found him in bed(where he's been the last 2 months) He has lost over 30 pounds and looked in very poor health. It seems that his HIV has progressed. What a change, what a difference.

We then visited Agatha's home. 7 family members sharing one small living space. No electricity. 2 small beds. It was so much fun to spend an afternoon with her. Learning Ugandan culture and hearing her story during the interview. I was so impressed with her and her family.

Now, off to bed. Another long day awaits tomorrow! Thank you for your prayers! We are healthy and safe. The production is going wonderful! Nic is in his element, capturing amazing imagery! Peace:)

Ps....I ate an entire fish tonight. Whole Tilapia caught in the Nile. It was spectacular!

Day 1 in Jinja

2010-07-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

It was a 3 hour drive to Jinja down a long paved highway cascaded by beautiful fields and the local hustle and bustle characteristics of African culture. The sky is overcast and the temperature cool. Once in Jinja, we met up with the Hansow's and went to the EPOH house where the LGH seamstresses work. After eating a traditional lunch of rice, sweet potato, and meat, we begin scouting locations for Agatha's interview tomorrow. I am impressed with the Ugandan's friendly(for the most part) approach

to us mzungus. What a beautiful place!!!!!

Travel Day

2010-07-22T10:12:00.001-07:00

Nic and i had a long layover in Amsterdam which was very interesting! I ordered the best cappacinno I have ever had and Nic ate a smoked seafood plate at 5 am. :) We found a lounge area with comfy recliners, set our alarms, and slept for 3 hours. After almost 20 hrs in an airplane, we arrived at Entembbe airport. Smooth travel!! All of our luggage waited safely for us and no worries getting through customs. Tomorrow we will drive to Jinja to begin production.

Uganda here we come!!!

2010-07-20T07:35:00.001-07:00

Official "Moving On" Trailer

2010-07-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

Uganda, Africa

2010-07-19T19:46:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow we begin our month journey to Uganda. We are so excited about the two projects that we will be working on there!!! We are flying from Norfolk, VA to JFK to Entebbe, Uganda. When we arrive, we will meet up with an amazing couple, Dave & Morgan Hansow(founders of the nonprofit "Light Gives Heat.") Nic is the director of photography on a new documentary called "Moving On," which reveals the mission and heart behind LGH!!! Check out the trailer!!!!! For the next two weeks we will be filming for this powerful story!!!! The following two weeks we will be spending time with Bishop Hannington, telling his inspirational story! WOW!!! Thank you for all your prayers. I will try and keep this blog posted with photos and updates!!!! Thank you for ALL of your prayers:)

Day 7 in the Congo

2009-11-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

Our last day in Kinshasa. I am going to miss this place a great deal. I have become close friends with the crew here at Hope! The first day we arrived here, I will have to admit, I had fear. I felt like a million eyes were watching us and at times, did not feel safe. However, today, I felt at home with my local friends. No longer was it about different color skin, but, a love for the people and place. I will be a leaving a part of my heart here. These hard working people have left quite an impression on me! We finished filming today and got all of the imagery that was needed... Praise the Lord! Sarah and Nic are up late translating tonight and we fly out early tomorrow! Thanks SO much for your prayers!!! We are very excited about how this project is coming together! We begin our voyage home in the morning! Bonsoir

Day 6 in the Congo

2009-11-01T13:22:00.000-08:00

The Congo is such a beautiful place, full of so many sweet people. We have had the priveledge to visit three local homes where each family has made us feel so welcome. There are over 10 million people here and the majority are struggling to meet daily needs. You can see the desperation on their faces when they approach you to buy their products on the street. The need here is great. However, I have met some who have a great joy because they have businesses that provide enough, not just for the day, but for their family's future. This is made possible through Hope International. Each day that I am here, watching the program in action, I see the great need for microfinance in the Congo. Today we interviewed Sarah, my new friend, and a loan officer for Hope. We also went to Leonne's home to meet her family and highlight her home life for the video. There was such a community feel in her village. All teh children play together and many families live in one complex. The children LOVED having their pictures taken. It blessed my heart to be able to spend some time with such beautiful people! Tomorriw is our last day. I have fallen in love with this place so it will be sad to leave. This trip has been such a blessing and we pray that the video will reflect the work Hope is doing in the Congo. Life changing work!

Day 5 in the Congo

2009-10-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

Today was a very productive day. We drove around Kinshasa filming the people, the city and we interviewed Mama Flore. Flore has been through her 8th loan cycle and has grown her hair salon business from 2 employees to an astounding 15! Her salon has now become a training school for hair dressers, allowing her to give back what was initially given to her... opportunity. It touched my heart to hear her answer some of the questions we asked. She expressed heartfelt thankfulness to Hope for initially giving her the ability to borrow money. She went from a very bad situation to a succesful and abundant life. It was an amazing testimony to the effectiveness of Hope International. Lives are truly being transformed!! What an honor to be a part of something so beautiful! I have grown to love the people here in a short time! Such initiative and drive and a genuine love for the Lord. We also filmed a loan officer named Joly who we are highlighting in the video(Nic got some AMAZING imagery). Nic is up late working on translations with Sarah. We have two days of production left so it will be pretty busy. We are SOOO happy with how things are coming together and we are very thankful for our production team here in the Congo. Without them, none of this would be possible. They are all amazing!

Day 4 in the Congo

2009-10-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

We spent all of today at Hope's Congo office interviewing many key people working with the organization: 2 loan officers and the Project Manager (Cathy an American working in the Congo.) We had the priveledge of documenting one of the most genuine and heartfelt prayer and worship sessions this morning. Every Friday, Hope Int. staff gathers for a time of worship, praise, and encouragement. Some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard came from a small room in the Congo today. Three part harmonies, percussive rhythms, and hands raised in worship. It brought tears to my eyes. Such passion and love for Jesus! This trip has impacted me in so many ways. Tomorrow we have a very busy schedule! Our prayer is that this video will represent Hope International's heart to reach out to our brothers and sisters all over the world What a powerful and effective way to show the love of Christ! I truly believe and have seen firsthand the success of microfinance!

Day 3 in the Congo

2009-10-29T15:16:00.001-07:00

This morning the sky turned black and it poured rain! It is the rainy season here in the D.R.C. so it rains at least a couple days a week. The streets flood and the thousands of people on the street rush to pack up their businesses. We attended a Hope community meeting this morning. This is where different solidarity groups meet their loan officers to make their weekly payments, receive disbursements, and listen to their officer discuss many trainings including the need for a relationship with Jesus. We than went to visit Flor, the owner of a beauty salon who has a great story! Her business has multiplied since she took out her first Hope loan cycles ago. Flor's salon employs many people in the community establishing her as a very successful business woman in the area. We will be interviewing her tomorrow. I set up the dolly in the middle of a dirt path with many curious onlookers wondering what was going on with this white American girl. We ended up chatting with some of the local children(Sarah translated for us). They loved Michael Jackson's music so we all sang "Beat It" together and a couple of them performed the moonwalk. It was a highlight for me:)

Day 2 in the Congo

2009-10-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

We began the day with Simeon's interview. Simeon is the managing director for Hope Congo. His smile lights up a room and is rumored to have the best smile in all of Africa. I Agree:) Simeon eloquently and passionately delivered the mission and heart of Hope on camera. He talked about the effects of war, the widespread poverty in the Congo, and how he believes that Hope's efforts to bring empowerment and training through small loans will be a sustainable answer to the many problems facing the region. We visited a local market where we met a loan officer by the name of Joly who introduced us to several clients. We had the priveledge to interview them about their businesses. Leonnie, the owner of a plantain shop, is on her 6th loan cycle with Hope. She delivered a message of gratefulness for the opportunities Hope has given her, which have ultimately allowed her business to grow abundantly. Gulienne, a merchant of household products beamed with pride while showing us her business. It warmed my heart to see the joy and self confidence these Hope clients exhibited. A small loan can greatly enhance the lives of entrepreneurs and I got to see this firsthand today!

Day 1 in the Congo

2009-10-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

After 43 hours of travel, Nic and I arrived at the airport in Kinshasa and experienced the chaos that happens quite often in third world airports. Yes, we were the only Americans, and yes, we do not speak french. SO as you can imagine, it was very interesting. Thank the Lord that Hope International arranged for a liason and driver to get us to our hotel safely.

We arrived at the Hope D.R.C (Democratic Republic of the Congo) office and met our team for the week. Emmanuel (our coordinator), Sarah (our translator), Longo (our security official) and Pierre (our driver). What an amazing group of people! They have been so gracious in serving for this production! None of this would be possible without them.

We had a great meal of chicken and plantains at a local resteraunt! With sprite and coke:)

We are excited to rest and begin filming tomorrow! Thank you for all of your prayers! Here are some photos from Day 1:

Nic's red eyes from 43 hrs travel and no sleep!

The Congo

2009-10-23T12:14:00.001-07:00

Preparing to leave for the D.R. of Congo, Africa from Oct 26-Nov 3. We will be working on a documentary representing the work Hope International is doing around the world to alleviate poverty through microfinance. We both strongly believe in this organization and are SO excited and honored to be able to tell the stories of HOPE! We will frequently update the blog with pictures and highlights from the trip. Please keep us in your prayers and check out Hope International! http://www.hopeinternational.org/

HOPE TV

2009-10-23T12:13:00.001-07:00

Sierra Leone, Africa DAY 8

2009-02-27T12:50:00.000-08:00

Here are some more of James Pictures from the trip

www.thepaisley.co.uk

The local boys

Monkey times

kids going richtor

Ollie and Tonya Hidalgo (our crew & new close friends)

James and Elijah (orphan we had priveledge to hang with)

Setting up Reflector

Cutest kids in the world.

Sierra Leone, Africa DAY 7

2009-02-26T12:41:00.000-08:00

Photos by James Chapman: www.thepaisley.co.uk

Today we got up and went to a school on the east side of Freetown and interviewed a pastor named Tamba. He's a great big guy with a huge heart and a deep voice. when he speaks, people listen. He's started a school that has 125 kids and they greeted us today with songs and performances- at one point two little girls came in dressed in traditional African garb and presented James with a bouquet of flowers... Afterward, we filmed at a Wharf where there is a community living off of a mangrove swamp, harvesting timber and fishing the sea. We visited one of our guides houses and her mother prepared us a traditional Africa dish made up of rice and Cassava leaves with fish. it looked like Kale but tasted like Tai- really really good!... then we traveled back to the east side of town and filmed a huge cotton tree (one of the areas iconographic gigantic trees that grows in the region) as well as in a military grave. we made it home safely and did dinner, prayed and are getting ready for bed. :) good day- good night. PS. i miss my wife!!!!! (bad)

Sierra Leone, Africa DAY 6

2009-02-25T22:17:00.000-08:00

Rev. Clarkson

Photo: James Chapman www.thepaisley.co.uk

Today we got up, and met with a woman pastor (Rev. Clarkson) who has a church with over two thousand members here in Freetown. She is such a Godly woman with so many stories about Gods' provision during the war. She told us of times during the fighting when she held prayer meetings for the rebels, revivals during the fighting, and even had engagements with the president. She described one event where they were holding a revival meeting right in the middle of a field during a battle as buildings were burning all around them and bombs were dropping on houses. She grew sick of all the brutality and bloodshed and asked all that were there to pray for God to not allow the bombs to explode as they hit the ground in the surrounding community. Sure enough, reports came in over the next week that all the bombs that were being dropped in here area from helicopters were hitting the ground and not detonating. The people in the community found over one hundred of them scattered around her town and officials had to come and carry them away!!!! She told us many stories like this about the war and the people's adherence to God's word, HIS FAITHFULNESS, AND command to love those who are our enemies. many times, soldiers would come to her door to pillage for food and with the possibility they could aimlessly shoot her. She said she'd greet the young boys recognizing they were just little kids with weapons and call them gentlemen, invite them in and immediately share the love of Christ with them as she fed them a meal. Within minutes they'd call her mam, and show her respect, many eventually repented right there in her living room. crazy stories she had.....

It was an honor to hear her heart for the lost, even people who murdered and hunted down her people. super heavy reality of people actually living out there faith during the war. I know I've never had to experience things like this, but if i ever did, hearing stories from Pastor Clarkson reminds me that, in Christ, we have no fear.

Sierra Leone, Africa DAY 4

2009-02-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

Started out meeting with pastors in east side of town where the crusade will be taking place. we shot around their and went out into the streets to film Broll and establishings of Freetown. Getting to know the area. 1.8 million people in this city. 60 percent Muslim, 30% Christian and according to everyone here, the two get along very well with no hostility between them living side by side. There are a lot of Muslims converting to Christ because of the mutual respect shown to one another. cool to see that. Actually thought coming here would be dangerous in some way and it's turning out to be one of the safest, warmest places to travel to in all of Africa.

Sierra Leone, Africa DAY 3

2009-02-22T22:22:00.000-08:00

photos: James Chapman www.thepaisley.co.uk

Did camera tests for interviews, started shooting broll, establishings and connected in the evening time with some of hte local kids who are the future of Sierra Leone. We photographed them overlooking their town and had a great time getting to know their interests in playing tennis and wha they learn in school. we read thru one of their home economics notebooks they had written notes on and talked about the upcoming exam they had on monday. I realy enjoyed hanging with them and filmng/ photographing them with James.

Sierra Leone, Africa DAY 2

2009-02-21T16:14:00.000-08:00

today was production meeting all day. great to open in prayer, went over some scripture in zeph and proverbs about giving voice to the voiceless and establishing justice. great to fellowship with and get to know the crew before we start shooting. we went over the script/ shot lists/ and potential characters and met with the local pastors to hear their perspective. they are our eyes and ears to find the people who's stories will be told. They are so friendly (Pastor Tamba M"Bayo and Pastor Favour Marah- they are such wise men. also another pastor who i cant pronounce/remember his name but he has the biggest smile in all of Africa- lights up the whole room- he wears bright yellow and doesn't stop smiling- he told us of a horrible story today from the war that he and another pastor woman led a woman to the Lord and as soon as she finished praying to receive Christ, they heard a gun shot in the distance, turned to the woman and she was dead from the shot. he said he has story after story of really heart wrenching encounters from the war (he was in the military himself, so he saw a lot of really gnarly stuff.) So, overall, day two was a lot of planning, prayer and conversation. I'm getting to know Tonya and her husband Ollie really well (camera operators) and James (director). for them, this is a great opportunity to gain experience working/ shooting/ producing a video in a third world shooting environment and are so excited to learn and gain experience. I'm missing Jess already but have skype set up and have been keeping in touch with her throughout my days here at the hotel. tonight, there are people from the Us embassy having a party at our hotel... interesting...

Sierra Leone, Africa DAY 1

2009-02-20T15:59:00.000-08:00

day 1: 36 hrs of commute, met with first group: James, Greg, Tonya and her husband Ollie. trips gone super smooth so far, seems like every turn we take in the travel, there is a God send. from the guy "moosa" who helped us with our 12hr layover in Senegal, to the 87yr old pastor from NC traveling back to his native home, Sierra Leone. It's been really confirming, how easy the trips been going that I'm supposed to be here. I already love the people. we met tonight with about 8 different African pastors. we had dinner with them at our hotel and they are very welcoming. one of the drivers who took us from the Hovercraft (yes we took a hover-craft from the airport to the mainland) he is from the "village life/ bush." he hunts and before this trip is over, i made him consider to take me pig hunting. he smiled and didn't believe me I'd go. i told him i have a photo i need to show him from NC... he he... first very looooong day- now over- going to bed, tomorrow is rest day and regroup, make plans for the shoot and chill/prayer time. good night. -nic

photos: James Chapman www.thepaisley.co.uk

Cancun

2009-01-25T05:58:00.001-08:00

We spent our 4 year anniversary in Cancun and had a BLAST!!! Here's some pics...

Those are VIRGIN Pina Coladas we are drinking just so you know:)

X-Dance Film Festival

2009-01-25T05:54:00.000-08:00

Nic has been traveling the whole month from South Carolina, Wilmington, Haiti, Utah, to NYC! He is coming home tonight! YAY!!! We traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah for the X-Dance Film Festival. Beyond the Dream: the Joey Buran Story was one of 15 films that were accepted! It was SOOOO much fun and quite an honor!

Trick or Treat Night

2008-10-29T14:06:00.001-07:00

We dressed up for TOT night at First Flight Elementary. None of my students recognized me.

Nic is Home!!!

2008-10-18T06:13:00.001-07:00

After 3 weeks and 7 days of travel...Nic is FINALLY home!!!! His trip to Russia was amazing! But I am sure glad to have him back home with me.Thank you for all of your prayers and for those that kept me company while he was away:)

Update in Russia

2008-09-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Nic just sent me some photos of him in Russia. It looks SOOO cold! I think I would literally die there!

Russia..brrrrrrrrr.....

2008-09-25T16:45:00.001-07:00

Nic just left for Russia where it is very cold!! He'll be gone for 3 weeks filming for On Surfari. I already miss him TONS and hes only been gone a day. This is gonna be a long couple of weeks!!Nic got me a camera though so we can talk on skype while he is gone.

Nic and I talking on skype while he's at the airport in Korea on his way to Russia

Nic, aka, "The Otter" doing what he does best

2008-09-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

Since all of our friends have a blog, we finally decided we need to be like everyone else. Since we are both working all the time, and feel like its hard to always spend alot of time with our friends, blogging is a GREAT way to see how everyone is doing!!! I look at all your pictures, and feel like I am updated on things! So I guess here's the update on the McLean's!!!! A couple random pics....

This is what Nic wants to get this hunting season. His field cam took this pic in Corolla!

My CRAZY Nic!!!!

Are'nt we a cute couple!!!!

La Fogota

2008-09-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

Note to self.....we love La Fogota!! Chicken nachos por favor

Stuffed animals

2008-09-24T18:19:00.000-07:00

As you all know, Nic has a FASCINATION with stuffed animals.....

Nicaragua

2008-09-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

We had the priveledge of going to Nicaragua in August. Nic was filming for On Surfari and I was a nanny for Shayne and Shannon's 2 kids, Banyan and Coral. We spent some time in La Chureca, a dump where hundreds of people live and work. It broke our hearts

Nic filming in La Chureca