Eyes to See

This blog serves as an opportunity to follow us (Liz and Blanca), as we make our way around the world in an effort to educate ourselves about the issues and struggles facing those thousands of miles away, as well as the work that people are doing to help the poor and the suffering.  Our desire is to then come back to the states and help raise awareness on these issues, and mobilize people to take action.  We will be traveling through Africa, Northern Iraq, India and SE Asia in a period of about 45 days.  Please bookmark our blog, leave comments, etc.!

1/5/09

Here’s something I typed up recently for a friend that has generously offered to be our PR rep of sorts and try to get a story published about our trip.  Thanks again to all of you who have offered your help in so many ways!  As many of you have asked for additional clarification on what this crazy around the world trip really is, I thought posting this here, might provide a bit – Liz

Blanca Garcia and Liz Rivas believe the Lord has given each individual eyes to see and ears to hear that we might collectively act to relieve suffering, fight against injustice, and simply love both our neighbors in the U.S. and those living in other nations.  However many Americans either cannot or will not visit places like Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Iraq to see and hear for themselves.  These two women hope that by personally going to these countries and bringing back pictures and stories they might be used to bring the hurting and the needy from across the globe closer to those who can help meet those needs.

They will be visiting eight countries and at least eight relief organizations in a period of 50 days.  Blanca is a professional wedding photographer trained in photojournalism at the University of Texas at Austin.  For years she has longed to use her skill outside of America to capture faces of need and hope and images that portray both tragedy and beauty.  After a trip into the IDP camps of Myanmar this summer and time spent among the impoverished peoples of Asia and Africa, Liz felt led to continue expanding her world and communicating what she sees to help enlarge the world for others.  They are currently traveling and cataloguing their journey through their blog (eyestosee2009.wordpress.com).  Upon return to the states, they hope to publish a coffee table book of photographs and short stories in an effort to continue to raise awareness of both the needs and those organizations and individuals striving to meet them.