From Behind the Camera

When you film video for as long as I have, you notice a certain mindset as you film. You begin to see the camera as some sort of reality barrier; in that you feel like you’re not a part of what’s happening in front of the lens. The job is to observe and capture moments, but not necessarily be a participant of what’s happening around you. My role in Czech evolved from an observer with a camera to someone who stepped away from the camera to make connections with those around me.

I had the privilege of filming the Czech mission trip and while my purpose there was to capture the moments, I couldn’t help but see what the Holy Spirit was doing in Letovice. Despite cultural and language differences, it’s a testimony to God’s power that can unite Czech and American people to praise Him. 

One of the biggest ways I learned about what our mission trip means to the Czech people was through my interviews with the people in Czech. In talking to Pavlick and Lydie, I learned of the enthusiasm the American team brings when it comes to games, dancing, and sharing the Gospel. In my interviews, I learned of how people came to Christ through the work of the local mission Elim, and their weeklong family programming called LetFest. It was through using a camera that I learned of the work God is doing in Czech.

Having stepped from behind the camera, I made personal connections with those around me. If you watched the Czech Mission Trip video, you may have seen a Czech student, Barbora, share her testimony of how LetFest brought her to know the Lord. After I cut the camera, we kept talking and she shared some of the struggles of what it’s like being a Christian in a largely atheistic society. I, like many others on that trip, had those heart-to-heart conversations that you can only experience by going on a mission trip. Having that moment of Barbora sharing her story with me on and off camera is something I won’t forget.

Seeing the uniting power of Jesus reveals that no matter what country or culture you come from, we have a common enemy, Satan, and a common Savior, Jesus. This trip became more than just a cool opportunity to capture video, it was an opportunity to make spiritual connections and to see the work that God is doing in the Czech Republic. Going into the trip, I was only planning on documenting and understanding the story. God’s plan was for me to step from behind the camera and make those connections with people to let them know that Jesus sees them and loves them. I would encourage you to step from behind ‘your camera,’ whatever that may be. It could be that you’re too shy, too busy, or too afraid. (I’m certainly guilty of all of those.) Trust in the Lord and know that He will work through you, to give you the words to share the Gospel.