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Generous Sketches

From an early age youngsters are given chalk-boards to enjoy themselves.  Often fingers and faces are decorated too but it has been a very practical way of enabling children to develop their creative skills.  The pictures can be rubbed out and a fresh start made so easily.  Those of us in the educational world can also identify with the chalk-era. Drafting notes, drawing sketches, plans or diagrams were part of our daily routine.  Silicosis might be in the side-wings but still the chalk boards survived for many years before being replaced by the white boards – fibre pen writing was then the “in” medium later giving way to the computer age and Power Points etc.  

Personally, I enjoyed sketching in chalks and bringing to life history or science lessons.  Of course, erasing such artwork was a challenge but part of the process in those days. From time to time, I have come across chalk-artists and always been fascinated by this form of presentation. One such master in this field is Small Paul or Paul White.  He develops gripping images in chalk and with lighting to entrance audiences often numbering hundreds. These can be students or prisoners or general public.  His work output is amazing and with verve and vitality as he travels the length and breadth of South Africa and beyond into other African countries. His generosity in sharing his heart-felt vision through chalk scenes knows no end.  Each chalk picture illustrates key life issues and points the audience to the One who can bring colour, focus and meaning into their lives.

The skill, the enthusiasm and the endless energy of the artist come through in each presentation whether it be in a school auditorium, an outdoors venue or a prison.  A heart of generosity is transformed into colours and shape to point the exploring one in the right direction.  In the past few years, his audience have mushroomed as he has been screened on TV stations throughout the continent.  He also has his material on DVDs and on his website:  www.drawingotherstochrist.com  His pen (or keyboard) is as active as his chalks and a whole list of small books have been authored on pertinent subjects.  Check it out for yourself. Below are a couple of clippings from Paul’s news…. 

Blown Away!  When Paul’s sister Grace was ministering with us for 15 days, the wind was so strong, two schools postponed the assembly.  In another, the high winds blew away Paul’s chalk.  It took both James and Grace to hold Paul’s chalk board in place against the wind.  Grace came home looking like a sample palette for Paul’s chalk colors where the chalk board had been blown against her.  In spite of the wind and blowing sand, the kids were pretty attentive and responsive.  On two days a major road linking Muizenberg and Mitchell’s Plain was closed because of sand drifts. Maybe we should add the weather as a prayer request. 

ImpactAnother friend encouraged us with a story of the impact of one of the DVD’s of Paul’s chalk talks.  A church lady brought one to her alcoholic sister, and they said they watched the whole thing in one day!  (That’s about 13 hours of watching!!!)  The alcoholic sister came to church, tapped the wife on the shoulder and said, “I’m here to repent.”  Sweet!  Of course she still needs a lot of shepherding, as many others do as well. 

Global Hand

19 February 2010

 Posted on: Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10:30 am
 Global Nomad's Notes.
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