The Lausanne Congress
Squashed between the audience and a huge powerpoint data screen, I look up at the podium with disgust. Ugh, the lighting is awful, the angle awful, the background – awful. Ahh.. how can I make this look interesting? I try an extreme angle from the left against the wall. I try a close up, I try from the front door, almost behind the speaker. What she is saying is interesting. I wish I could take notes, but my eyes are busy constantly watching for what is going to happen. This session is so fast paced! There are dozens of speakers, all talking for less than 10 minutes each, with audience feedback in between. The Scandinavian man with the time cues in the front row is working hard, 3mins, 2mins, 1min, FINISH! His laminated cards scattered on the carpet. I hope that he will sort of ‘look after’ my camera bag I dumped next to him as I slink around the auditorium. I’m thrilled when one of the speakers abandons the podium for a wireless microphone and stands in the middle of stage under the huge data screen. Here, we go. I lay down on the carpet right in the front and point the wide angle up, grabbing the whole scene. Here it is. The powerpoint reads a strong clear message. My editor was happy with that shot. I make my way back to the trailer, exhausted and ready to find a quiet dark corner to curl up. I arrived late last night after a 15-hour flight from Sydney, and I wonder when the jet lag will hit me. I’ve only travelled in Asia and the Pacific islands, so I’ve never had jet lag before. But I don’t have time to experience it now. Bill hands me a list and asks me which Regional Gathering I’d like to go to this afternoon. There are more regions than there are photographers, and I suspect all the remaining choices will be wearing blue dots. I choose South Asia anyway, and head back out into the wild. Blond and very white, I’m conscious of how noticeable I am at this small gathering. I hear the speaker talk about all the Chinese churches that have donated money especially so these Indian pastors can attend the Congress. Applause erupts with awe and gratitude. Knowing that many of the Chinese church leaders were detained at the airport, I take a deep breath. After a tasty dinner of various curries, The Firewall and Big Boss Bill announce that they are very happy with my work from the day so far, and show me the images they chose. This encouragement gives me energy to keep going. Strangely, they are most impressed with images I would have passed over. I’m assigned to cover the night session, so I head into the auditorium and start shooting the worship team. About 100 other people are at the front doing the same thing with their handicams and cameraphones making it tough competition.Worship each night of the week is designated to a different area of the world, and tonight the focus is on Asia. (My favorite was Middle Eastern night, with a red piano accordion, worship songs in Arabic and people holding hands and dancing around wildly in the aisles. I marvelled at the fact that there are Christians in the Middle East who worship Jesus in Arabic! How beautiful!). Tonight, since nearly all of the 230 delegates from China were detained, people are asked to stand behind the empty chairs as they pray for China. The auditorium is filled with emotion, tears and prayers. It overwhelms me as I try to concentrate on my task. Keep watching, keep shooting. Back in the trailer I hand in my images and pack up. What a huge day. What a historic event. What an incredible privilege to serve my God, to serve the Global church, with my skill as a photographer. What a thrill to see Christians from 198 nations worshipping together. What a joy to work with such a humble and dedicated media team. I am learning so much, stretching, tuning myself creatively, technically and socially. Praise God! But, I must get back to the hotel and go to bed, I’m exhausted and it’s only the first day – 5 more to go. more on flickr…
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