Here we go, our October newsletter. The last one of 2008. That alone should inspire you to take a peek. Lots and lots of info, just a few minutes to read! Enjoy...

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Zambia is a stunning and breathtaking place. Perhaps one of Africa's best kept secrets, but not for long we are sure. Safe, serene, and peaceful are words we use in describing it. We think everyone should get a chance to see Victoria Falls, because there is no place like it on earth. Its very much "un-tourist-ified". That's not a word, but you get the point. I'm sure my High School English teacher just cringed. Hi Mrs. Hagerty! Here are a few images of our time there, not all of the ministry, but mainly of the beautiful people and places. This country is a photographer's dream, and my hard drive is proof of that! But I'll spare you every single shot. Here are just 22 of the best.


A few technical notes: This might have been my easiest experience shooting in any country, simply because the conditions came together perfectly. Those kids shot's are pretty much straight out of the camera. We made sure they each got a copy of their photos with instructions to give it to their mamas. Because mothers around the world are pretty universal in that they love photos of their children. We hope to do more of this everywhere we go. We were blessed to have a double rainbow over Victoria Falls. WOW! But shooting the Falls is a technical challenge because of the sheer size. It goes as far as your eye can see, and then the spray is unbelievable, you are drenched by the time you've walked around. Your camera lens is also drenched, so its a shoot-quick-put-away-your-camera type of place.

As for the pictures of the van, that's where some of the other classes had to be held on the YWAM base because they are maxed out on space. Which, in some ways, is a good problem for a ministry to have. They took us to their new location that they are building, also pictured. Its a gorgeous spot, close to town but still includes wandering elephants. Nice mix of both worlds. They are building it little by little as funds come in. Thanks you your generosity, we were able to leave an offering towards this work. Maybe one day we'll return to teach in their new building!

All copyright either De Wet or Marysol Blomerus.

Is our travel glamorous? What star hotel do we stay in? Where are these places we travel to?

Ever wondered? Well now you can be the judge of that. We want to take you along with us on our travel to Zambia. Here's a peek in the life of missionary travel and the beautiful nation of Zambia!

One of the reasons we moved to South Africa was to be closer to the needs of other African nations. Believe it or not, this trip was actually quicker and significantly cheaper than if we came from the US! Ever been to Zambia? If not, come along with us for the trip!

Yep, that's us. Marysol with no make up. Both of us a little delusionally tired at the end there and sometimes not expert travelers. We're being real here. We anticipate you might have questions, so here are some of them answered.

1) Did Marysol change her clothes mid trip?
Yes. Good eye! She is not a fashion-ista, this was done for cultural reasons. Its more acceptable to be wearing a skirt, so she wanted to make a good first impression. The short sleeves was due to the drastic temperature change. Its freezing winter in South Africa, but warmer in Zambia.

2) Did you only change .15 cents worth of money?
No way! You guys send us more than that! Just kidding. No seriously, that was just to introduce you to Zambian cash. We got more, but didn't want to flash it. The prices in Zambia shocked us, its more expensive than South Africa. Mid-trip we realized we hadn't budgeted enough, but thanks to how faithful our monthly partners are, we were able to adjust accordingly. In the end, we were able to leave a sizable gift to the ministry there!

3) Why was the driver's tank on empty?
Well, ready for this... Fuel is over $10 a gallon! Yes, I typed that right. Take a minute to absorb that figure. All transportation is expensive. Many drivers simply ride on empty getting a liter here and there, but not able to always have their tanks full. In South Africa, we are now well over $5 a gallon. Thank God for a 36 mpg car, but still its painful!

4) Why didn't you get the direct flight to Livingstone?
We asked ourselves this again and again! At the time of booking tickets, they simply told us that route wasn't open yet, which was completely incorrect. It happens. Don't worry, we did some maneuvering with our tickets and got that flight home. So the trip back was a pleasant, quick 7 hours TOTAL!

5) You traveled to Livingstone, Zambia, as in David Livingstone?
Yep! Named after the famous missionary explorer. Pretty surreal!

6) Why did you go to Zambia?
We answered this in our latest newsletter. We went to help start a pioneer School of Biblical Studies. We taught the first 2 weeks in their school, which was a bit of a marathon for just the two of us to manage. Last year we sent a Titus Project team of teachers to Zambia, and wanted to follow up on the groundwork they laid. We are hoping to send teams again. But above all, we go to these places for people; wonderful students who are given the opportunity to learn the Word of God. We got to spend alot of time with them in and out of class. That's their picture below. All in all, it was a successful trip and worth the 21 hour journey!

Up Next: Our Trip to Swaziland to Teach!

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Enjoy our July Newsletter.

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(Marysol writes) Many of you have told us "You really should consider selling your photos". I have responded "I know, I know, I just haven't figured out how, blah, blah, blah." Well I still haven't figured out how and I have tons that you haven't even seen yet, but we are making a start. Baby steps.

Recently my leaders, Chris & Lindsey Lautsbaugh asked me if I would be willing to donate 3 images for sale. They are speaking at huge missions conference in the US, and have the opportunity to sell them. 100% of the profit would go to their non-profit, Project Grace, which would all be used for scholarships for students in Africa who want to study the Bible. Another cool thing is that if they sell, it would be the first time I have ever sold any of my photography.

And just in case you would love to have one up on your wall, you too can buy one!

TO PURCHASE: Click here! Make sure to note which one you want. It would be an 8 x 10, quality print for a suggested donation of $30 shipped to your door (US & Canada only). Chris & Lindsey will be in the US to handle this. 100% of profits go to a good to Project Grace for African Bible Students Scholarships!

GIVEAWAY: And because we are feeling generous, we'll do our first ever blomerus.org give-away! We have a winner! More people than we expected entered, some of you within 5 minutes of our email! Wow! But beating everyone out by sheer seconds, was Dustin, who requested the Masai feet. Thanks for playing along, we hope to do more give aways in the future!

Really like Boy in Red Shorts? Read the story of how I got that image!

(Marysol writes) Those of you who have followed this website for years know I love photography. I'm a total rookie, I may have an eye but I'm way behind on the science. But its been my father and my husband that have pushed me to start taking it to the next level and refine this interest of mine. So, this year I took the plunge. I photographed my first wedding. I almost chickened out at the last minute. I mean, its someone's WEDDING! The biggest day of their life, that has to be beautifully captured, and can not be re-staged. I just got married, I know how special those photos can be. But these were friends of ours, and it was our gift to them. I had to make it happen. I'm so glad I did, I loved the results and learned alot in the process. Who knows, maybe one day I could actually make money doing this on the side?

So here are about 30 of my best shots. Introducing Jean Eric & Selassie. They are missionary colleagues of ours here in South Africa. Both from West Africa; she is from Ghana, he is from Cameroon. Their day was beautiful and I was thrilled to have such a spectacular couple to work with! It was a joy to be such a close part of their day from morning to night. They now live in our apartment building. We hang out, trade cups of sugar, and stop by all the time invading each other's newly married lives.

Thanks to Sharon & De Wet for assisting and working so hard to help pull it off.

See our flickr group

Hakani.org

As a base and personally, we are getting behind this issue of injustice. Its the murder of children called infanticide. Children, babies buried alive by tribes for being thought evil because they are deformed, a twin, or conceived from incest or adultery. We have the chance to write in and be a voice for them. The founder of our mission (Youth With a Mission), Loren Cunningham's son, Dave Cunningham produced this documentary.

We encourage you if you are surfing around online: watch the video, spread the word, and use the template on the site to write in. It takes less than 15 minutes.

Its impossible to be a missionary without a dedicated team that stands behind you on the home front praying and giving generously. We like to think we have warriors behind us. Brave people who invest radically and send us to the front line. Sometimes we profile the people we work with on the mission field, but today we'd like to profile one of our partners. The people who make it possible.

Josue & Damarias Yrion are "heroes of the faith". They started in YWAM decades ago and now have a worldwide ministry. One thing their ministry does is choses other missionaries and partners with them monthly. I (Marysol) met them through my father over email. Then I went to preach in Los Angeles last year. They graciously took me out to breakfast, got me to the airport, and Damarias predicted I would end up marrying De Wet! She was right. We all connected instantly. Over the rest of the year, we emailed and they encouraged me routinely. As we were trying to raise our monthly team and get ready to move to South Africa, they were praying about coming on board. The thing was, its not their decision alone. They had to convince their board, having never met De Wet. Its a risky move. See what I mean about brave people? Without ever meeting him, they joined on wholeheartedly. We were so overjoyed!

We invite you to check out their site, click on "missionaries". You'll see all the spots on the globe that they partner with missionaries, including ours at the bottom of Africa. Then explore their site and their great work. We are so proud to have such a caliber of people behind us and hope to one day return to LA to say thank you in person.