#4...A Documentary

Last year around this time, Lipscomb Missions let us know that an intern had chosen our trip to Saba to compile footage and information for a documentary that would be edited and released by the department a few months later. Michael and I really did not know what to expect.

Spring Break of 2017 came and we got to know an amazing intern named Grant Exline.  He brought along a big camera and a cool drone and explored Saba like crazy. During the ten days he also took time to interview his teammates, talk to me and Michael, and visit with a lot of Sabans. Grant was such a big part of our team. He was a true team member, teaching in classes and helping with events. On the flip side, at times he got to set back and watch the trip from a different perspective, seeing how all of it worked together to accomplish the goal...relationships built on the love of Jesus Christ.

Grant brought all that footage back and passed it off to the very talented Katie Biachini. Her job was to edit and put all the pieces of the puzzle together.  The more Katie looked at and focused on the material, the more she realized that to be able to tell the story, she wanted and needed to be a part of it. So, in July of last year, she boarded a plane and became a team member herself, working alongside us at Child Focus' Day Camp. She also was a beautiful part of our team.

Katie came back with more footage and interviews and got to work again. Erin Gupton, Lipscomb Missions Coordinator and Event Planner and one of our Saba co-leaders, worked hand in hand with Katie. She was consulted on the ins and outs of the trip and explained who was who as the interviews began to be dissected down.

The fall semester rolled around and a target date was set. A big event was planned. Katie kept hard at work. Erin began to iron out the details. Many of us searched out old photos and videos to share. And we all marked our calendars for Tuesday night January 30.

This past Tuesday night two documentaries of the three part series debuted to a room full of current team members, veterans of the past trips, and friends and family.  The third is set to be released later this month.

Here I humbly share the first one for now. For those of you that know me well, you know that I love to tell stories and to hear other people's stories. Stories of God's beautiful handy work, redemption, and making all things work together for His purpose are my favorite. This first installment shares much of the story of how Michael and I met Saba and chronicles the beginning of the work. God is pretty clever...

Saba: Journey to the Unspoiled Queen from Lipscomb Missions on Vimeo.