Departures Written by Charity Pilkey, April 2003 To every photograph, there exits the negative from which the subject was derived. And here stand many subjects. Some would think themselves the photographer, or more defined as the photojournalist. Others, of course, are the born model. While some still, would rather not be depicted as either. But all are indeed, to me and my purpose, if not in reality the subject. The subjects in a photograph taken here, before each one’s destination, and yet also, after their arrival. Each one has a negative; a strip like that of a comic, but more properly described as a slide-show. And whether their departure is but for a little while or if it is expected to be for an eternity, there will exist forever in their mind’s eye, this place of departure and the happenings that brought them here. This place where everyone holds ready their passport, will be stamp now in each one’s life passport . A stamp which cannot be erased....
Charity Okurut is an author and blogger who is passionate about sharing through script about theological and sometimes political subjects, as well as from her personal experiences through travel, Christian Ministry, homeschooling, and parenting on the mission field. Charity and her husband, Samuel are the founders and current directors of The Father’s Heart Foundation in El Salvador. The Foundation is establishing a sustainable community for the holistic care of orphaned children.