Martyns in Africa

• Production in Sudan (2011)

  Posted: March 31, 2011, 7:46 pm by Taylor

  In early March I set off to the North East region of Southern Sudan, soon to be the independent nation of the Republic of South Sudan. Freelance photographer Lane Davis and AIM media missionary Mike Saum came along to fill out the crew.

  Our first stop was a small town/village called Yabus, right on the Eastern border with Ethiopia.
  
  Sometimes you have to get your hands a little dirty to get the shot.

  Even though the weather in Yabus was the nicest we would experience in Sudan, it was still quite hot. We took off the middle of the day to relax and edit our scripts.
  
  Mike and Taylor discuss and edit the script.

  Traveling light on these trips is a must. We made our way through Sudan in a Cessna 206. It can seat up to 5 people, with almost no luggage. We were not only taking clothes, but food and all our gear. Despite our weight limitations, we made it fit, after taking some food and gear out on the tarmac in Nairobi before we left

  
  The rear of the 206 with our luggage.

  I’m never in front of the camera, but I’ve been brain storming about trying out a new style of video that would be hosted. We’ll see how it goes. I’m curious to see how the audience thinks of a host for a missions video.
  
  Mike and Taylor discussing script revisions during a host ‘bit’.

  After Yabus we headed to Doro, where SIM opperates the majority of their medical and health related ministries. After receiving the all-clear from the local government administrators, we were taken on a tour of the destroyed military vehcicles that have remained since the peace agreement.
  
  Taylor chats it up with some kids while observing an old personel carrier.

  
  Mike and Taylor climb on a destroyed tank for some pictures. A comon problem is that bees have made their homes in the old vehicles. That was the case with every vehicle we visited.

  
  Taylor takes a break while filming at the clinic.

  
  While we were in Doro, AIM’s DC3 made 3 runs from Lokichogio with new equipment for the hospital being built.

  After a few days in Doro we hopped on the 206 again and headed for a small village called Rom. The aid arm of the SIC church, SIA, has a clinic there. Unfortunately there is a large family of bees who have made their home there next to the clinic. That day they were out in force and the clinic was almost deserted. On my last trip there, for the opening ceremonies, I was stung. This time I was spared, but both Mike and Lane were not so lucky.
  
  Taylor and Mike head back to the plane after a quick shoot.

  We were only on the ground in Rom for 2 hours before we made our way to Thiangrial, another small village which is right on the Nile. SIA opperates a welding shop there, teaching a much needed skill to many in the community. For the most part our team was spared the need for long hikes, but the plane landed about a mile from the work shed and the old SIM base there, so we took a short hike.
  
  Taylor and Lane hike toward the work shop.

  Lighting is always a struggle in a place like Sudan. The sun is harsh, even late into the evening, making any video have a strong contrast.
  
  Lane sets up a shot inside the work shed for one of Taylor’s hosting pieces.

  On our way out of Thiangrial we popped up the windows of the plane and took advantage of the new perspective to capture a few more interesting photos and video.
  
  Taylor holds his camera with a death grip as his snaps a few photos out of the plane window.

• Only 47 more days?

  Posted: March 31, 2011, 2:59 pm by Taylor

  I have been feeling the urge to start packing up but felt it was a bit too soon. I just counted the days and we only have 47 of them left before we will land in Dallas for our home assignment! We are still planning our travels and would love to visit with as many of you as possible. Can’t wait to share in person about what the Lord has taught us over the last two and a half years. Please feel free to comment here on the blog or email us if you would be interested in us visiting your church, small group or just catching up over coffee. Our emails are taylor.martyn@sim.org and allison.martyn@sim.org. And as always thank you very much for your many ways of support that allows us to be doing this!

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes