The Stories We Carry

When the walls fall down…

There’s something deeply powerful about a testimony. Our stories are among the most personal things we own. No one is entitled to them — they shape who we are, frame how we see the world, and fuel our hopes, dreams, and visions for the future. A story is sacred. It’s yours alone to share, and no one can touch it unless you allow them in.

That’s why we never take the work of storytelling lightly.

When we begin a project, we usually have a sense of the narratives we’ll be capturing and the kind of impact they might have. We invest heavily in pre-production — doing our research, building plans, preparing to tell these stories with the care and intention they deserve.

But then, more often than not, something unexpected happens.

There’s a moment — sometimes quiet, sometimes overwhelming — when trust is extended. When walls come down and we’re invited into parts of a story we hadn’t anticipated. And it’s in these moments that the story begins to breathe on its own. It grows. It deepens. It becomes more powerful than we ever imagined.

These are the moments that stay with us. The ones that change us. They become the heartbeat of the project and the reason we do what we do.

The Philippines

We recently spent two and a half weeks in the Philippines, filming four separate projects. It was intense: early mornings, twelve-hour shoot days, long road trips, a steady stream of caffeine, and as much water as we could manage to counter the heavy humidity.

We worked hand-in-hand with locals, gathering stories and forming friendships that will last a lifetime. Every story opened our eyes further — to the reality of life in this beautiful, resilient country, and to the redemptive power of Christ at work through KIDS International Ministries.

Some stories surprised us — in both heartbreaking and profoundly hopeful ways. We felt the weight of struggle, but also the steady, undeniable presence of hope.

There are stories we’re excited to begin shaping. Others we may never share — not because they’re not worth telling, but because they’re sacred, and we were trusted with them in confidence. And still others we will share — but only when the time is right.

Stories of overcoming poverty, abuse, abandonment. And yet, through it all — joy. Hope. Resilience. The kind that humbles and transforms you.

Coming Home

And then… we come home.

Back to the western world. To edit the footage, inspire audiences, and prepare for the next assignment.

But how do you return from a trip like this and simply resume “normal” life? How do you go back when you know you're no longer the same person who left?

The change reveals itself slowly — in the small things. Your worldview shifts. What once felt urgent now feels trivial. And your ability to empathize, to care, has grown.

The truth is, you don’t come back the same. And that’s something we’ve learned to accept — even embrace. It’s part of the calling. We carry these stories with us. We let them transform us. And we allow that transformation to guide our work moving forward.

Sometimes, this work breaks your heart. But then you witness hope — the kind that refuses to be silenced — rising in every country, every story, every person. And we’re honored to be the ones invited to share that hope with the world.

Because no matter where someone is in their journey, their story isn't over.

If you can still put one foot in front of the other… it’s not the end.