Pandemic, Scamdemic or Plandemic

                                    Elderly woman wearing her Protective face mask   

                                         Teenage boy wearing his Protective Face Mask

                     A woman with her two children wearing their designer Protective Face Mask 


As the title of the post reads Pandemic, Scamdemic or Plandemic you be the judge. Its definitely not a pandemic as the liberal media and politicians would have you believe. Soon the Wuhan Virus will be gone just it time for China, to release its next version of Bioweaponry.     

Indigeous Indians of Brazil

Taking a Big Toke

Chief from a Tribe in Amazon Region

Chief From the Interior of Brazil

Young Mother with her Baby Boy

Indigenous Indians from all over Brazil, descended on the Capital City of Brasilia, last month in what was called "Acampamento Terra Livre" Encampment for Free Land. Tribes came from all over Brazil, selling their wares shaking hands and just having a good time in what seemed like a Carnival like Atmosphere complete with beer and popcorn.

Portrait of Little Pamala

Little Pamala with her Mother outside their home in Planaltina, Brazil 

Little Pamala not Looking to Happy at the Moment 

Little Pamala turns her head at just the wrong time.

Little Pamala, makes it hard for me to take her Portrait. I, along with my wife have been going to her house for the last few weeks on a remodeling project to helping poor people fix up their homes to improve the quality of their lives. Maybe next week I can photography her with her two other sisters 

Protesters Part 2

The Sign Reads-Lula Head Boss of the Bandits 

Praying for a better tomorrow

Protester pondering the question. What do we do next?

As the protests continued for several days in different cities throughout Brazil I was reminded that protesting (peaceful protest) all though nothing wrong with it seems to accomplice very little. You can't impeach a president with a protest it has to be done through legal channels and here lies the problem. With just about every other politician corrupt that's a can be a hard thing to do. The only answer is prayer.

Ephesians 6:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

7 de Setembro Parade

Old style Military Jeeps in the Parade

Brazilian Army Gunnery Sargent Manning a 50 Caliber Machine Gun 

The Crowd Showing Support For their Military. Or Maybe Just Testing their Camera Phones

Well, I arrived a little late for the start of the 7 de Setembro Parade (Independence Day Parade) in the Capital City of Brasilia. This year it was a little harder to get a good position for photos due to the fact the local government had erected a barrier around the parade especially in the area where the president was to add an extra layer of security for her The pararde itself went off without a hitch. However after the parade was quite a different story more on this in my next post.

A Face A Day

Woman Paying her Respects to a Fallen Solider in Washington, DC

I think I'm going to start a series of post called  "A Face a Day." This will feature photos of people that I have taken all over the world. The one question I get ask the most is what is my favorite subject to photograph and my answer is always "People," especially the the human face. Why? Because the face says a lot about a person, From sadness to joy, angry pain, loneliness, trustworthiness you get the point. Every expression imaginable can be found on the face of every human being.

Last Chance to Dance

The News Media was in Full force capturing this Moment in History 

Maria on the Agogo Bells

Paula on the Caixa or Snare Drum

John Popper of the Blues Traveler Looking for the Stage 

Well Carnaval, is now in full swing in Brasilia, as hundreds (not millions like in Rio de Janeiro) of people hit the streets in funny costumes, musical instruments and a lot of enthusiasm as the excitement builds up. Some people spend all year preparing for this event practicing their instruments and finding the right clothes to wear like this gentlemen in the bottom photo.  

Make a Joyful Nosie

Edgar, leading in song

Los Cinco Rumberos de Colombia, Playing for Change 

Armando pounding out the Rhythm  

The Bible is full of versus about music and the power of music especially in book of Psalms. The Bible also names the the first musician on earth; Jubal was his name found  in Genesis 4 vs.21. David is good example of using music for power as he was called upon by King Saul to play for him to drive a tormenting spirit away. So, music in a sense can be use in three different ways.  1.Good; to glorify God through Praise and and Worship and breaking down strongholds. 2.Evil; we see this everyday especially in today's modern music from pop to rock to rap. 3. Neutral; music that is not use for moral or immoral proposes like these guy's on the streets here in Bogota, Colombia just playing some traditional music that's designs to make you feel good and you go about your daily business.

Mila & Gleisa

Mila 

Gleisa

These are two of my friends that live on the streets in Brasilia. Just about everyday I see them when I'm going to work and I always pray that someday their situation might change. I've never had to opportunity to take their portrait until the other day. They were more than happy to oblige, and being typical women, they were of coursed concerned about how their hair looked. Mila is married and can not walk very well because she has a bad right knee. So, she's always sitting on the hard concrete trying to sell Jewelry that her husband makes but tells me she doesn't sell much. Gleisa, unlike Mila, is not married and tells me she eats whatever scraps local food vendors throw out. I meet her one night after it was raining and she drying her feet off with some newspapers she had found in the trash. Neither women have ever ask me for anything but occasionally I'll give them some money or buy them a cup of coffee or a snack.  The Bible says you will always have the poor and weak with you. So, I know I can't help everyone just the ones I believe God has placed in my path.

Planaltina de Goiás

Me and my Best Friend.

Young mother with baby outside a class were they teach them how to be better mothers .

Bye for now and hope to see you soon!

They say, the best camera you have is the one you have with you at time. Such is the case in these photos. I didn't have time to grab my trusty 40D and speedlite so I had to make do with what I had...my ipad camera. Well, it actually was a good lesson for me in more ways than one. For one thing, at least I did have a camera with me and was still able to inter act with these kids and have fum with them, though I keep thinking I wish I had my regular camera with me. These photos are from kids who live in a poor community outside of Brasilia, Brazil called Planaltina. Where once a month a local church from Brasilia, goes and teaches them about God, prays for them, listens to their problems and distributes food to them. In Mark 10 vs 14 Jesus said "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them. For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. Amen. I guess I'll never grow up then.

Just Drums

Bruna, pound out the the rhythm. 

Cristina, giving it all she's got for the local news camera.

Izabell, I think she was the Drum Princess. 

A group of young lady samba drummers showing off their musical skill to prove a point, that all you need is a good beat to make a crowd happy. Well, there's more to it than that but, the drums are the foundation of most music in the world today from Rock to R&B, Latin and Jazz,  you name it there's a beat. After all where does music come from? It's all over the scriptures especially in the book of Psalms. And not only that, drums is among the oldest instrument in the world along with the cymbals and of course the human voice.

Art in the Park

Artwork in front of the National Museum Brasilia, Brazil.

Step aside your in my way!

On any given Sunday there always something to see or do in the Plano Piloto, in Brasilia. Take this huge outdoor photo exhibit in front of the museum with lights and all. I was impressed by the fact that it was lit up nicely at night so you weren't limited to viewing it during the day like other exhibits I've seen in other cities that were only viewable during the day. I wonder where this guy stores his photos when there not on display?  He must have a big attic.

Natural Light Portraits

Young boy eating bread

Woman begging for money Puerto Salgar, Colombia

Sometimes, you don't always have your trusty speed-light with you and just have to go with what you got. The young boy in the top photo is a perfect example. Had I filled in his shadow side with flash I would have change the mood and look of the photo. With the woman below had I used a little fill flash I believe she would of slapped me upside my head seeing how she was only three feet from me and not in a very good mood.

Year in Review

Salome Ponce, me and Shuyan Ponce  near the Equator.

Playing to a group of school kids in Quito, Ecuador 

Iglesia La Vina, Quito, Ecuador 

One of the highlights for me in 2012 was a mission trip that I was honored  to be a part of  to Quito, Ecuador,  back in April of 2012.  The days were full of playing music and ministering in local schools and teaching music lessons (Drums) in the evening. Our host was a wonderful missioner Oscar Palma, and his family who are from Chile, but have been living and working in Quito, for a good number of years now. I'm always humbled to be with people with who are so dedicated to sever the Lord and spread to Gospel of peace. Many people sadly, especially in the US, chase after the wrong things in life and make Idols out Rock Stars, Politicians and Athletics etc. So, when people ask me who my heroes are I respond by saying " My heroes have always been missionaries" and  I will make the godly my heroes in land. No government policy or religion can change a persons heart only the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, the creator of all things and ruler of the entire universe can do that. Amen.

Maria José

Maria José 

Maria José, with her great big smile.

Sometimes while walking around looking for interesting thing or people to photograph I'll come across someone like this lady Maria José. To me the lines on her face told the story of a life that has been somewhat hard at times. She has five children that she hardly gets see and a husband that abandon her years ago. But, with all that she still manages to smile and has a great outlook on life. She actually made my day with her beautiful smile and kind words of "God bless you" as she left.    

Urban Shoot

Joseph Anthony

Angie 

I love finding different backdrops or setting to shoot against such as this one I came in Bogota, Colombia, a few weeks ago. I didn't have much time to pull off  a lot of shots but I was happy with what I got.  Such is life sometimes, not enough time. But, its taught me to work fast and make the most of  what I have.  So, I thank my two willing participants for helping me out with these images.

Mass Wedding

And don't forget to KEEP you vows!!

The happy  couple Eduardo & Izabella

Here in Brazil, they have a tradition that once a year they'll have a mass wedding in a public arena with over one hundred couples getting married in the same night for all to see. It was like going to a ball game with people sitting in the stands while there love ones tied the knot. Vendor were selling beer, popcorn, roasted corn and cotton candy while these couples exchanged vows.

Feira dos Povos do Cerrado

Young lady working the Acaraje Booth a traditional dish from Bahia

Playing and dancing to Traditional Music

The big chief from the state of Mato Grosso 

The night was filled with food, fun and dance as Brasilia, celebrated the 8th annual Feira dos Povos do Cerrado. It was my first chance to mix and mingle with some of the Indigenous people of this beautiful country  and hopeful not the last.

7 de Setembro-Brazil's Independence Day

Independence Day Parade Brasilia, Brazil

Lady Drum Corp

I'm just glad there's no school today!!

Today Brazil, celebrates its Independence from Portugal. May God bless this country and may the Gospel of Jesus Christ always have free reign here. In the year I have been here I have been encourage especially by youth and there enthusiasm to try make a different in their country.