EXCITING NEWS!

EXCITING NEWS:

Meet News Contributor, Tara Stephenson

Tara, whale watching in New Zealand

It’s time for you to meet one uniquely gifted and amazingly talented woman!  Say “hello” to Tara Stephenson, a native to Northwest Arkansas, a fan of live music, a lover of people and a photographer extraordinaire.  Tara serves as SeaShine Magazine’s News Contributor, and, well… she has nothing less that something amazing to share with us.  In two years’ time, Tara has traveled to 30 countries doing mission work and absorbing the sights, sounds of experiences of some 30+ cultures.  And, no the journey hasn’t stopped for this humanitarian; instead, it’s just beginning.

So, sit down, buckle up, and prepare yourself for a wonderfully eye opening ride as Tara shares about herself and her amazing experiences with us today and throughout the year.

SS: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Tara!  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time, and what are your hobbies/interests?

TS: I really love a variety of things.  When spare time comes, I love to explore.  If I am in a new city, I usually take my camera with me and document my journey.  I am a coffee coinsurer, and I enjoy live music, movies, theater, and most sports.  My friends and I are usually up for dancing: including and not limited to, hip hop, salsa, modern, even ballroom.   And if I get the special opportunity, I will attempt to surf.  That is where I just chill with God.  I love and invest most of my time simply in people – in learning their stories and in seeing them come alive.

SS: Give us a little insight into your educational and professional experience.

TS: I graduated from John Brown University in 2007 with Bachelors of Science in Public Relations and a minor in Broadcasting.  While at JBU, I served on newspaper staff and also served as radio announcer for the local Christian station, KLRC/Fayetteville, AR.  While in school, I also interned for a semester with Provident Label Group in Nashville, where I met you (Whitney ) and supported the rest of the National Radio Promotions team.  In July 2008, I left for The World Race and then attended a leadership academy in Spain called Generation 42.  I am now working with The World Race and co-lead a squad of 55 in January of 2010.

SS: How did you get involved with The World Race?  Tell us more about the organization.

Working with the “women of the night” in the Philippines (March 2010)

TS: I learned about The World Race through a friend at JBU.  After a lot of prayer, I applied and was accepted to go.  The World Race is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries.  We work with preexisting contacts in each country, and serve in their regions however possible.  Our ministry opportunities range from coordinating disaster relief efforts, working with orphans, loving on AIDS victims and helping sex trafficking victims and prostitutes find other jobs.  And, the list continues!  We live out of a backpack, change our clothes daily, and go!  Crazy – the things I’ve witnessed.

SS: I can say, honestly, that ever since I’ve known you, you’ve always had an infectious spontaneity about you!  Do you and your teammates find that quality an asset to your group?  (I wish I had a bit more of that characteristic myself.)

TS: Ha well, yes.  I have learned how to own that characteristic within myself and to embrace it.  In fact, I sometimes surprise myself even!  I really enjoy bringing spontaneity, paired with a bit of joy and a lot of laughter to every situation!  When you take an ordinary day and throw some spice on it, you tend to find yourself later with an unexpected yet amazingly tasty dish.

SS: What are some of the most impactful things you’ve encountered during your travels?

TS: I have proclaimed God’s strength and power most of my life, but when you see His work first hand, it rocks your soul.  I have seen women freed of depression and bitterness, instantly.  I’ve prayed with a beautiful woman for healing from cancer and for God’s grace to overwhelm her abusive marriage.  I later returned, only to hear that her cancer was gone and that her marriage was on the mends (as her husband chose to pursue and shower her with love).  I think God has done something truly astonishing in me and in my peers as we’ve watched these things happen.  We once collectively said, “Someone has to do something!” but we now join together and say, “Ok, what can we do to help?”

SS: Do you feel you’re a changed woman, now that you’ve visited so many places and have spoken with such a variety of people?

Gypsy kids in Romania

TS: Changed?  Oh, yes.  I really didn’t have a strong understanding of “culture” prior to my travels.  My experiences overseas have given me an entirely different understanding of the world.  I’ve found myself at the most random places – in an Indian wedding in Malaysia, for example, or in Romania cutting lumber with the Gypsies.

The trip that truly changed me though was my journey into Myanmar (Burma) where I was able to see exactly where the cyclone hit in 2008 – only five months prior to my visit.  The sweet children left orphaned as a result of the storm’s fury changed me as did the grandmothers (called “Go Go’s”) in Swaziland, who joyfully look after these children.

I found my soul music in that land.  My time in Spain broke me – only to build me back up again with the confidence, strength and peace I needed to move forward.

SS: What do you feel we, Americans, take most for granted in our day-to-day lives?

TS: Besides our everyday needs (water, healthcare, food, etc.), I think we take our own opportunities for granted most – the “rights” we’ve acquired by simply owning a US passport

.  It is simply unheard of in many nations that others may dream.  Some only think day to and never consider their future.

SS: What have you learned about God since leaving the US in July of 2008?

TS: In two years, I’ve visited some 30 countries and have only revisited the US twice.  I have come to a place now, where I just don’t think Jesus is Lord, but I know He is.  God is Who He says He is, whether I understand that or not, in fact.

As a result of this boldness and assertive strength He’s given me, my faith has obviously grown.  I find though that what He’s led me to on my journeys (literally and metaphorically) requires that strong faith.  I’m seeing that things only get harder on this journey and the pain of people’s grief deeper.  I need that confidence and sheer trust in Him in order to lead – period.

The power of His Spirit is the other thing that has truly moved me.  The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in us.  Now that is pretty incredible.  His voice, His spirit and His love have spurred me on, and His honesty is changing me daily.

SS: What affects have your travels had upon your family and friends here in the United States?

TS: I believe some of my friends and family members are quite inspired.  They love to hear what’s been happening, and they love to be a part of it through prayer and financial support.  I could not do what I do without them!  No matter where I am and regardless of how tough situations may be, I know I have people behind me, and that means so much.

SS: Tara, your photography is astounding!!  The photos you’ve captured during your travels speak stories words couldn’t express effectively.  When did you pick up photography, and how has this medium has affected your time abroad?

Beautiful Mothers in Malawi (March 2009)

TS: Thank you, thank you!  Growing up, my dad always shot with an old film camera from the 70’s.  He taught me how to shoot it when I was young, and then I bought my first film camera after high school.  I’ve since moved over to the digital world, but I miss film so much that I keep all my settings on manual, so I can capture what I see as I want to see it.  That is an art in and of itself!  Abroad, I have been able to shoot for orphanages and different organizations.  I have also been able to use the images I’ve captured to bring awareness to social justice matters.  I hosted my first gallery last year to raise money for my funds in Spain.  But, I really just to bless the people I’m with, with great photos documenting our experiences together.  Regardless of their nationality, race or culture, when people see themselves photographed for the first time, they light up!  If you’d like to see more of my photos, check out my blog.

SS: If you had one bit of photography advice to share with an amateur what would it be?

TS: Get that thing on manual!  When you see a picture you want to capture, try getting the lighting and exposure right.  You can do that through manually setting your exposure and/or your aperture and shutter speed.  Turn off the flash and go.  See what you get.  Keep playing with the settings, and you will teach yourself the art.  You can do this on most small digital cameras as well.

SS: What does your travel schedule look like for the remainder of this year?

TS: It’s always a surprise.  I am leaving for Georgia for a week then heading to Nashville.  July will bring Chicago and California.  Then I’ll be attending a debrief and conference called The Awakening (with the squad I led in January) in Dublin, Ireland.  Our final debrief will be in November, so I’ll return to Eastern Europe and finish the journey out with them at that time.  I may also be going to Spain by the end of the year long term.  Lots ahead, but I’ve become acclimated to a monthly change of country.  For now, I’m so happy to be in the States for a while.