We are happy to report that we have returned from Togo after a very successful trip. Our goal was to complete four specific video tasks, and through the grace of God we were able to do just that. A summary of each of these tasks is below.
"Throw a Few Things on the Ground" (in French, JETEZ QUELQUE CHOSE PAR TERRE)
Cheryl Gayle and her Togolese team authored a story and script that we were able to video and edit into a 2 hour feature film. Before we left for Togo we had thought the video might be just under and hour in length, but as it turned out there was much more of the story to be told. All the actors were Togolese and we did the majority of the video capture the first full 2 days we were there at various locations in and near the town of Tciko. It was hot both days, and we put in some long hours to get all the scenes completed. There was additional shooting in Lomé, the capital of Togo, that we completed the first weekend we were there and then some final reshoots that following Tuesday. When we were not shooting video we were downloading video and editing. We finished up the editing and created the initial DVD 2 days before we were to leave. Cheryl showed the full video first to her Togolese team and then to the American missionaries. They loved it and commented that the Gospel is clearly stated and in terms that West Africans would understand. We are continuing to work on the video here in Virginia to smooth out the audio a bit and produce a PAL version which can be used on European and African televisions/DVD players. We will also be adding English subtitles.
"Somewhere Forever" (in French, QUELQUE PART POUR TOUJOURS)
Based on a video produced by a church in Pensacola Florida a number of years ago, this video addresses the question "Where will you spend eternity - if anywhere?." We videoed a pastor who speaks of the Christian response to this question and videoed 3 Togolese with different testimonies of coming to Christ. One had been in the fetish world, one had been a Catholic and one had been a Moslem. Segments of each of these testimonis were interspersed within the pastor's message to create a engaging response to where will you spend eternity. This video was completed prior to leaving Togo. We will produce a PAL version that can be distributed in Europe and Africa. We also hope to add English subtitles, but no plans have been made yet.
"The Champion" (in Sereer)
We had produced the video "The Champion" in 2004 in Senegal in the Sereer tribal language. Shortly after finishing the video we added English subtitles. Cheryl Gayle and others in Togo believed that the video could also be used in Togo and other African countries if French subtitles were added and it would have a greater impact in Togo and neighboring countries if Ewe, the dominant tribal language of the area, subtitles were also added. So while working on the other projects, we were able to add the French and Ewe subtitles to "The Champion". This was completed a few days before we left Togo. We will create a PAL version for distribution in Africa and Europe.
The Gayle's Ministry Video
One of our goals was to capture video to use in a short documentary of the Gayle's ministry in Togo. We were able to find sometime to do this during the final 2 days we were there. We will be creating a short documentary from the material we captured that Michael and Cheryl can use to tell their story while they are back in the states during their home assignment that begins in June of this year.
A Thank You
Jamie and I wish to thank all who have supported us through prayer, contributions and encouragement. We were blessed to spend the 16 days in Togo. We met many wonderful people who were generous with their time and fellowship.
Pictures
Here are a few pictures that will give you a taste of our experience.
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Project Overview
Project Togo is an outreach of Waterford Video Productions under the authority of Purcellville Baptist Church in Purcellville, Virginia. Members of the Waterford Video Productions team will be traveling to Togo, West Africa for 17 days in April 2008 to shoot, edit and author DVDs for 2 videos depicting the path to Christianity. Both videos have been scripted by Micheal and Cheryl Gayle, medical missionaries in Togo. They have been given this vision and are leading the team in Togo. The videos will be shot in French and will feature an all Togo cast. The intended audience is not only Togo nationals but also those in all the French speaking African countries as well as the African expatriate communities in France itself. Once the team returns to the states, they will produce English subtitled versions of both videos.
Purcellville Baptist Church is accepting donations on behalf of Project Togo. Although Waterford Video Productions is donating their time, talent and equipment, there are a number of costs for which funding is needed. These include: travel, visas, in country living expenses, shipments and supplies. If you wish to make a donation, you may send a check made out to “PBC – Togo” to:
Purcellville Baptist Church 17333 Pickwick Drive, Suite C Purcellville, VA 20132
You may also charge your tax deductible donation by selecting the pay now button below.
All those who contribute will receive a complementary DVD copies of the videos (English subtitled version).
We are excited about this opportunity to serve and appreciate your consideration and your prayers in support of this project.
PROJECT TOGO SCHEDULE
SUNDAY APRIL 13 leave Dulles at 7 PM
MONDAY APRIL 14 arrive Frankfurt for 4 hour layover and then depart for Ghana.
MONDAY APRIL 14th arrive in Ghana. Go to the Southern Baptist Guest House on Tito Ave, in Accra. Jimmy Huey is the host. He OR his assistant will be there to pick you up.
TUESDAY APRIL 15th. Breakfast at Guest House. Wilson, our Ghanian friend, will arrive at the Guest House around 8am to bring you to Togo. Be sure and eat quickly. I think that breakfast starts at 8:30am. Wilson will bring you directly to the hospital in Togo. It is around 5 hours. A couple of border stops. Good roads to a dirt road about 45-60 minutes before the Togo border. He knows what he is doing and is very reliable.
TUESDAY APRIL 15th. Arrive at our house where you will be staying. We have two bedrooms. One with a queens size bed and no a/c. One with two twin beds and a/c. You two can split up into a room each. OR you can both sleep in the a/c room and put your stuff in the other room. Once you arrive, I want to take you all around to see where we're at and also to take you to the various film sites so that you can get an idea of what we're working with.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 16th. We "shoot" starting at 8am---Tchessa's House (the newlyweds, hospital scenes, and the "city" house which is really just right by us.) We are praying for about 4-6 hours of shooting, but I told them to plan on up to 12 hours if needed....
THURSDAY APRIL 17th. We "shoot" starting at 8am---these scenes are more in the bush and have to represent the "village/fetish" life. We also have a school scene to fit in.
FRIDAY APRIL 18th. We have the morning to work on things until Michael finishes hospital rounds. Then we might leave right after lunch to go to Lomé. The drive to Lomé takes about 2 1/2 hours. When we get to Lomé, we'll go and look at the film sites for Sat and Sun. Meet a couple of the people we'll be shooting on Sat.
SATURDAY APRIL 19th. We start around 8am. "Shoot the pastor on the SOMEWHERE FOREVER video and we shoot one interview. Then you can get any "city" scenes that you want (or can get legally) for our city scenes in our other film. This should be a fun day. Maybe a little site seeing too? Depends on how much work you want to do in Lomé and how tired we are.
SUNDAY APRIL 20th. We will go to a "city" church. There we will film our "hero" as he shares in a church service as a Christian. We'll have him change clothes and sit somewhere else with his "wife" and film some more of him with his wife---during church and afterwards talking to people.
MONDAY APRIL 21st. Work on the film
TUESDAY APRIL 22nd Work on the film
WEDNESDAY APRIL 23. Tape the other two interviews for SOMEWHERE FOREVER. Work on the film.
THURSDAY APRIL 24. Work on the Film
FRIDAY APRIL 25 Work on the Film and Cheryl's 50th birthday celebration IF we have the time and the energy!
SATURDAY APRIL 26 Work on the Film and some local site seeing if you want.
SUNDAY APRIL 27 Go to the local church here and film the opening and closing of our film. Afterwards a celebration feast for the movie cast.
MONDAY APRIL 28 Work on the Film AND if time and energy, maybe get some footage of Michael and I doing some of our ministry.
TUESDAY APRIL 29 same as Monday
WEDNESDAY APRIL 30 Leave
THURSDAY MAY 1 Arrive Dulles about 3 PM
Waterford Video Productions has participated in a number of feature film/video projects. In 2004, The Champion was produced in Senegal, West Africa. It was shot completely in the Sereer tribal language and featured a Sereer only cast. Click on the top picture to view this movie with English subtitles. Currently, Waterford Video Productions in completing the editing phase of a Civil War era movie, Waterford's War. Click on the lower picture for additional information about the project.
