1st Annual Heartworks Photo Contest

Official Rules

Who Is Eligible: The Heartworks Photo Contest is open to ALL photographers worldwide.

Donations: A $5.00 fee per submission will be considered a donation. Proceeds benefit Heartworks Photography, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit providing free portrait photography to medically fragile / vulnerable children.

Divisions: Photographers must enter their images in one of the following division:
Child (up to / including age 12)
Teen (ages 13-18)
Adult (age 19 and over)

Categories: Subject matter of photographs will include 5 main categories:
'Kids'
‘Faith/Religion'
'Patriotism'
'International'
'Wildlife'

Bonus Category: 'Love Bugs' – this category is open to your interpretation of what a ‘love bug’ is and should include a brief statement about your photo.

Photo Eligibility: Photographs must be taken between September 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009.

Entrants must submit each photograph along with $5 fee, title, description, and location of each photo. Photos may be submitted via print media or electronic format.

Photographs previously published or pending publication are not eligible.

Digital Alterations: All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified. Acceptable alterations include adjustments to color, contrast, brightness, sharpness and removal of dust and scratches. Cropping is also permitted. Not acceptable are photo composites, the addition/deletion/duplication/moving of objects in the photo or the use of artistic digital filters and effects.

Deadline: Entries must be postmarked no later than November 30, 2009.

Judging: Independent Professional photographers will judge all eligible entries. Each photograph and accompanying description will be treated as a single work of art. Entries will be judged on the following criteria: impact of visual expression conveying the essence of the category (55%); overall quality of photograph (25%); creativity/originality (20%). The decision of the judges will be final.

Winners will be announced December 20, 2009. A list of winning entrants along with their photographs will be published at www.supportlil.blogspot.com.

How To Enter: Prints and Digital photos on CD/DVD may be mailed with each $5 entry fee to Heartworks at 130 E. Adams Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363. Electronic files may be submitted to Heartworksphoto@aol.com.

Acceptable forms of payment include personal check, cashiers check, PayPal or cash. Please indicate “Photo Contest” in the memo line of your payment.

LIMIT THREE (3) ENTRIES per CATEGORY per Entrant. Incomplete entries or entries that do not comply with the instructions will be rejected. Heartworks is not responsible for entries that are late, misdirected, lost, or unintelligible.

Prizes:
One grand prize winner will be selected in each main category. The 5 Grand prize winners will receive
1st Place Ribbon
1st Place Certificate
2010 Calendar showcasing all winning images
$100 Gift Certificate

Honorable Mentions will also be awarded in each main category. These winners will receive:
Honorable Mention Ribbon
Honorable Mention Certificate
2010 Calendar showcasing all winning images
USB Jump Drive

Winners of the bonus ‘Love Bug’ category will also receive a Ribbon, Certificate and 2010 Calendar showcasing all winning images. In addition, their image will be featured on the internet with a bio/story behind the scenes of their interpretation.
Heartworks reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event the offered prize is unavailable. No substitution or transfer of prizes permitted except as provided herein.

Your Rights: Entrants retain ownership and all other rights to future use of the photographs they enter except for the following: Your entry to the contest constitutes your agreement to allow your entered photographs – and your name – to be published as winners/finalists in the contest and used for any/all fundraising promotions of Heartworks.

The Fine Print (a.k.a. Legal mumbo jumbo):
By entering this competition, you agree to these entry rules and the following legal conditions:

By entering, participants warrant that the entry materials are original, do not infringe on any 3rd parties rights, and that the participant has obtained any necessary permissions relating to person(s) depicted in said entry. Heartworks reserves the right to disqualify any entry based on content or if it finds in its sole discretion that any of the foregoing warranties are not true. Decision of Heartworks shall be final and binding.

By entering, participants release and hold harmless Heartworks and each of their directors from any and all liability for any injuries, loss, claim, action, demand or damage of any kind arising from or related to the Contest, any prize won, any use of the entry materials by Heartworks, any misuse or malfunction of any prize awarded, participation in any Heartworks related activity or participation in the Contest.

The Contest is governed by the laws of the United States and is subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Any attempt by an entrant or other individual to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of Heartworks is a violation of criminal and civil laws, and should such an attempt be made, Heartworks reserves the right to seek damages.

All federal, state, and local taxes, fees and surcharges on prize packages are the sole responsibility of the winners.

How To Contact Us: Questions and inquiries regarding contest rules can be directed to heartworksphoto@aol.com.

Good Eatin' in Swaziland

Kwazi

Kwazi roasting marshmallows for the first time

At 14 years of age Kwazi is an example of the all too familiar life of kids in Swaziland. As of July he is orphan. His mother died 8 years ago and his father died last month. Kwazi has 2 younger brothers, Mbulelo age 11 and Majawonkhe age 8. Fortunately, unlike many children in Swaziland, all three brothers have people to stay with, however, they are not living together. Kwazi is currently living with Lori and Pastor La’Salette. Mndeni, one of the young men and a leader at church, takes him to school each day on his way to work and picks him up each evening. In the next few weeks Kwazi will move to a house 3km away and live with Jabulani, one of the assistant pastors. Mbulelo is staying with Angie, another elder at the church. Angie also cares for Zwelakhe, her 12 year old nephew, who lost both of his parents several years ago. Angie and Zwelakhe have been together a long time and call each other mother and son. Majawonkhe remains close to the only home he has known. He is good friends with a neighbor boy and now lives with his family. The boys see each other on weekends. This becomes a treasured time to play together, laugh, and simply hang out as brothers should. Even Zwelakhe is now part of the “band of brothers”.

Kwazi hangin' with the boys

Many people are coming together to raise these boys, many people who choose to live in love, to be their family and ensure their future. Praise God for the love.

Can you build a house in 1 day?

You can in Swaziland. All you need are the right materials, the right people, and the love of God. An older woman’s home in the squatter community of 19 was literally falling down on top of her. With the help of dedicated people from the community, the leaders and youth from Christian Family Church and the K-Team from the US (Kay, John, and Tom on a mission trip serving in Swaziland), a house was constructed on a sunny Saturday in June.

The materials for a stick and mud house are self-explanatory. Adding cement to the mud, rocks to the walls, and some nails and wire to secure the long branches ensure a stable structure.

Loading trees that had been cut the day before. These will be used for the frame of the house.

The frame of the house

Jabulani assess the structure

Filling the frame with rocks – watch your fingers!

Mixing the mud

Playing, uhh, I mean using the mud to finish the walls

Night fall did not stop us. All you need is a candle and the Live in Love Rav.

Checking out the new house

Welcome home!

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty is her name, the Beast is the burns. It is common in Swaziland to cook over fires. Almost a year ago Beauty’s family was preparing to do just this when she fell backwards into the fire. The burns span from her shoulder blades to the bottom of her legs, including her genital area. The pain is unimaginable. For the first many months she used the wall to lean against when she walked, to help keep her balance and hold her up. For the past few months she walks freely without the assistance of the walls but still moves slowly and stiffly. She has not been able to sit since the accident so she is always standing or lying. Despite all of this Beauty remains true to her name, inside and out. No matter how long it takes her to walk and how difficult it is, this doesn’t stop her from getting where she wants to go - usually to play and hang out with the other kids in the children’s ward at Good Shepherd Hospital. The Beast doesn’t stop her from playing, coloring, laughing, and being silly. The Beast doesn’t affect her heart, her smile, or her appetite.
Beauty is not just her name, it is who she is and the Beast will never keep her down.

Hot of the press!

Syndy just returned from a trip to Swaziland to visit Lori and here are some action shots to brighten your day! Lori is doing great and loving her work. Check it out:

Hangin' out with the kids at '19' (a community feeding location)Talking with Abraham about delivering food to the care points.
More fun with the kids.
Delivering food in one of the villages.
Helping Lomasantfo with her medicine.
Teaching the kids some of their alphabet letters.
Lori and her friend 'Loma'
Teaching 'health' class at CFC School.
Reading the bible with the students.
Striking a pose for all of us here in the States that miss her so much!

She's Back!!

Ta-Da! Lomasontfo ready to leave Pretoria in her new "going home" outfit

Lomasontfo returned home to find her sisters, their babies, and several children from the community waiting at her home to greet her. While it was dark when we arrived (and I mean DARK as there are no lights due to no electricty) the greeting was full of excitement after Lomasontfo’s 2 month absence.

Lomasontfo continues to do well. Her biggest challenge has been adjusting to her return to Maphiveni including the change in her diet. While away she had the opportunity to eat relatively well. She had 3 meals a day and even had special treats like eggs and chicken. She gained weight and looked strong and healthy. At home the reality is much different. She will get 2 meals a day, Monday through Friday, at the care point, a bowl of soft porridge in the morning and rice or pop with beans for lunch. As for the remainder of the week's meals there is little consistency. Eggs are quite rare and chicken is a once a month treat at her home when her oldest brother gets paid at the end of the month. Needless to say her hunger has been significant the first week as her body adjusted and she has lost a little weight. The good news is she is happy to be back in school, back with her friends, back to church on Sundays, and most of all she knows Jesus loves her.

Dr. Mohamed removing the wires that had been holding Lomason's jaw in place while it healed

Showing off and looking pretty

Live in Love: Kid Style

Live in Love has no age restriction. Anyone – young, old, or comfortably in between – can choose to Live in Love everyday. Here are 2 kids who choose to Live in Love, all on their own, no prompting from the grown-ups in their lives. They are remarkable and have an early start on how they want to live.

Logan, age 7Logan, like most kids, loves to eat at McDonald’s. While most kids are playing with their Happy Meal toys, Logan does something a bit different. At the age of 6 he thought about children who may not be able to eat at McDonald’s. Logan had the simple idea to donate all his McDonald Happy Meal toys to children’s hospitals around the country. His heart reaches out to other children who need something special to brighten their days; children who are sick, lonely, hurting, or afraid. Logan gives what he has and does so with a smile, no pretenses, no strings attached, nothing expected in return.

Aspen, age 8Aspen has always had beautiful long hair and never wanted to have it cut. That is until, at the age of 5, she heard about Locks of Love, a program that receives donations of hair (must be at least 10 inches long) to make natural looking wigs for children who have lost their own hair to illness and medical treatments. Aspen asked her mom to measure her hair and take her to get it cut. A few days later her hair was on the way, to help other girls. And get this: Aspen did it again last year, her second donation of hair to Locks of Love.

Logan and Aspen are the young ambassadors of Live in Love and we are so thankful for their thoughtfulness, generosity, kindness, putting others first, and, of course, their love. They simply give what they have to those who do not. We can’t wait to see how they grow, give, and love as they continue to Live in Love for many years to come. Thanks, Logan and Aspen!

Return to Pretoria

The day has arrived for Lomasontfo to return to Pretoria to have the wires holding her jaw removed. On Wednesday the Live in Love Rav will hit the road. On Thursday Lomason will have the wires removed. On Friday she will return to her home in Maphiveni. She has been away for 2 months and quite excited to see her friends, go back to her school, and attend church on Sundays. What a joyful day Friday will be for her!

Lomason continues to heal well. The swelling has decreased dramatically. Look for new photos of Lomason later this week!

Swazi Reality: Lunch

Visit from the US Embassy

Visit from the US Embassy
Friday, February 13, was a special day for the children in the rural communities of 19 and Komba. Connie Parker, the American Ambassador's wife, arrived with 150 crocheted bears to share with the children. Her message for the children was of love and comfort. Each bear was unique with multiple colors and shapes. As Mrs. Parker handed the bears to the children there was a multitude of laughing and smiles. Children hugged their bears, held them by the arms and legs, showed their bears to each other, and 1 little guy quickly figured out how to carry his bear without hands, just like his mother carried him as a baby (and how all the women carry their babies).Ah, multiple colors and shapes… sounds like a description of the innumerable ways to Live in Love. Thank you, Connie, for showing the children how you Live in Love today.

Back to Swaziland

On Friday, February 6, Lomasontfo was released from the hospital in Pretoria. Her progress and healing has been much faster than anyone expected. She is staying in Manzini, in the clinic at the Mahkolweni Care Point for the next 4-5 weeks to ensure she is receiving proper and sufficient nutrition as her healing continues. The 2nd week of March she will return to Pretoria to have the wires stabilizing her jaw cut. Lomasontfo is enjoying her time in Manzini and is even attending the school, second grade, at the care point.

Lomasontfo's progress in photos

2 days after surgery with a special friend from Pastor LaSalette

Incision needed to tie off external carotid

3 days after surgery - talking with sister in Swaziland

World problem: How much do you have to mash food so that it will fit in a 9 year olds mouth when her jaw is wired shut and she only has an opening on the lower left side?

Looking beautiful!

1 week after surgery

Stitches out!

Lomason works the camera - she's getting good!

A little school work

Back to silly

Thank you for all your prayers!

Surgery Day

Silly Faces Always Welcome

Wednesday, January 21, the morning of Lomasontfo's surgery, began with a rousing game of Go Fish. She learned to play this game a few days prior and asks to play it everyday. At 10:00am it was time to go to the theater - no, not another movie, it is what the operating rooms are called here. Upon arrival in the hall outside the OR it was learned the anesthesiologist was running late. Time was passed with reading the bible, talking, being a bit silly, and Lomasontfo taking a brief nap. An hour and a half later it was really time for the surgery. After a prayer Lomasontfo rolled away, more calm and peaceful than I had ever seen her, praise God.


7 hours later Lomasontfo arrived in the ICU. Wow she looks different! The cyst was gone and lots of swelling contributed to her new look. The swelling will eventually go away but the cyst will never return. Her progress has been good and more updates are forth coming.

It is amazing to see God's hand at work, using so many people to make this happen for Lomasontfo. Without this surgery and reconstruction her prognosis was not good. The cyst would continue to grow rapidly and potentially create life-threatening challenges. The love of God, the love of many people here, and the love of people around the world praying for her are a beautiful display of the power of love. What a wonderful way to Live in Love everyday, caring about a child in need, whether near or far, whether you know her or not. Prayer and love - a great combination.

Lomasontfo returns to Pretoria

The call came from the surgeon that it was time for Lomasontfo to return to Pretoria for the big surgery to remove the bone cyst. A week later the Live in Love Rav4 was packed up and headed across the border into South Africa. Upon arrival the vascular surgeon did his assessment and shared his plan for tying off her external carotid artery to greatly decrease the risk of excessive bleeding during the surgery. With the weekend and nothing scheduled for Lomasontfo her doctor agreed to her leaving the hospital, getting a break before the surgery when she will need to be there for several weeks. So, what is it like for a girl who lives in a rural area with no electricity or running water to spend a weekend in the city? She was in another world...

Everything was new and so unlike anything she had ever seen or experienced before, from the bath tub at the hotel to the escalator at a mall. She went to a movie, Madagascar 2, and simply being in the lobby was on the verge of overwhelming. When the lights went off and the previews started she leaned into Lori and asked,"Is it night?" This was the only way for her to relate to a place so dark despite it being the middle of the afternoon... outside. When she saw an escalator she once again had the expression of confusion, intrigue, and excitement all at once. Something so simple to many of us, something we use often without thinking twice, became an amusement park ride to Lomasontfo. She wanted to try it. As she stood at the top and watched the stairs moving she was hesitant, unsure of how to get on. With brief instruction and a strong hand to guide and steady her she stepped on and instantly was amazed. At the bottom, with a 1-2-3 and another helpful hand, she didn't merely step off but made a great leap, a triumphant accomplishment completed. She had so much fun with this she went up and down at least 4 more times. By the last time she was determined to do it by herself, no "helping hand". The smile, the bright eyes, the energy in her steps and jumps - you would have thought we were at Disneyland. Actually, for her, it was Disneyland.

Another Reality: Road Signs

Christmas in Swaziland

The children had a great opportunity to celebrate at the annual Christian Family Church and Children’s Cup Christmas Party. Almost 1000 children and a few hundred adult volunteers were on hand at the soccer stadium in Tambankulu. Children were bused in from numerous rural areas. The children participated in activities including face painting, soccer, water slide, and jumping castles.

Pastor LaSalette gets in on the face painting.

Make shift water slide: long sheet of black plastic, sprinklers, hill....

Look out, comin' through!

A wonderful lunch was served including stew, pop (a Swaziland staple), beet root, cole slaw, and juice. When the children departed they each received a gift bag to take home.

mmmmm....... stew

Can you say "cole slaw"?

African woman are some of the strongest women in the world.

1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4.......

9 large pots were needed to cook the stew, pap, and rice. The fires were started at 5:00 am to ensure the pots would be hot enough to cook all the food.

While Swaziland couldn’t be further away from a white Christmas, a great time was had by all.

On a side note, do you know how much food and preparation it takes to feed 1300 people?

Take a look…

230 kilograms of meat

(1 of the many uses for a Rav in Swaziland)

Beet root...

...and more beet root

A small sampling of the food waiting to be prepared.

Bongi, Praise and Worship Leader at Christian Family Church International, shreds cabbage at lightning speed.

After hours of shredding, Bongi takes a well-deserved break as the food preparation the night before the party continues through the night.

Grab a knife, grab a veggie, start chopping....

Mother and daughter team Teresa and Danielle tackle the carrots.

Lori chopping and shredding, too

Are we done yet?

The final count:

230 kg's of meat (507 lbs)
50 kg's of potatoes (110 lbs)
20 kg's of carrots (44 lbs)
150 kg's of rice (330 lbs)
30 cabbages

30 kg's of green peppers (66 lbs)

Way too many onions to remember

NEW MAILING ADDRESS

Effective January 1, 2009 Heartworks/Live in Love will have a new corporate address.

Heartworks/Live in Love
Attn: Synthia Miller
35333 180th Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IL 62366

Thanks to all our loyal and generous supporters for the wonderful year we've had. Please update your records with our new address and keep those donations coming!

Lomasontfo update

Lomasontfo returned to Pretoria last week for a brief visit and biopsy before the big surgery. Although the doctor was unable to complete the biopsy due to excessive bleeding the trip was good. More information was gathered about the upcoming surgery and after care.Lomasontfo also had her 2nd visit to McDonald’s with her first cheeseburger and several more firsts including a bubble bath, stay in a hotel, eating an omelet, learning to take photos with Lori’s cell phone, learning to use Pastor Mike’s calculator, and shooting straw wrappers. She also enjoyed watching her classmates in a video on the laptop sing songs and praying as they do each morning. She sang along and prayed with them as she watched it over and over again. It was like she was there with them.
On the return drive to Swaziland she said,”Lori, I want the songs.” And spent the remainder of the drive smiling and singing.

In the first week or 2 of January she will go back to Pretoria for surgery to remove the cyst/tumor and her jaw and reconstruct this area of her face. This is expected to take a minimum of 5-6 hours and a hospital stay of 2 weeks if all goes well. Please pray for Lomasontfo, her doctors, nurses, and all those caring for her. Updates and information will continue as well as photos of her progress.

Catch up with Lomasontfo

(If this is your first encounter with Lomasontfo, check out the previous posts in the blog to learn more.)

Lomasontfo is doing well, back in Swaziland and at school after 1 week in hospital in Pretoria. During her hospital stay the doctor, did extensive x-rays and CT scans. Although the aneurismal bone cyst has grown significantly, at least triple the size in 5 months, the good news is the vascularity has decreased and it is surrounded by bone which will make it easier to remove. The current plan is to remove the cyst and her lower left jaw then reconstruct with a metal plate. The metal plate is modeled after her right lower jaw using 3-D images from the CT scans. Since the metal plate is specifically made for her, it will take 1-2 weeks to be ready. In the meantime, Lomsasontfo has returned to Swaziland until a date for the surgery and return to Pretoria is set, hopefully within the next week. The next hospital stay will begin with a biopsy to determine what is inside the cyst and if it is benign or malignant. The biopsy will begin with a small needle to assess the level of bleeding. If the bleeding is too much the biopsy will not be done and her carotid artery may need to be tied off during the surgery. Along with the maxilo-facial surgeon, there will also be a vascular surgeon and neurosurgeon involved. After the surgery, Lomasontfo’s jaw will be wired shut for 6 weeks. At some point in the future, bone grafts will be attempted and if they work the metal plate will be removed so her jaw and mouth can continue to grow as she does.

While this all sounds, and is, invasive and overwhelming, Lomasontfo is strong, both in health and in spirit. She has many people praying for her, her doctors, and everyone involved in caring for and supporting her. God’s hand has been in this process and will continue to be. He is involved in every aspect, including the considerable financial burden; a refund on the x-rays (has anyone ever heard of a refund from any type of medical cost?), the doctors in the radiology department at a different hospital deciding to do the CT scans for free, and the hospital where she stays taking 20% off all the remaining charges! No doubt He has a plan for this remarkable girl and we can’t wait to see what He does next.

Clarification and corrections from previous posts: Initially Lomasontfo was reported to be 11 years old. She is 9 years old. The confusion originated from her being the 11^th of 12 children. All 12 children have the same mother with 5 different fathers. Of all her siblings, Lomsasontfo is the only child from her father. Both her mother and father are no longer living.

Swazi Reality: Laundry & Cooking

We Are Marching to Pretoria!

Finally! Lori and Lomasontfo have made it to the hospital in Pretoria. After lots of waiting, red tape and more waiting, the cyst on Lomasontfo's neck is being treated by the doctors in South Africa. Please keep her in your prayers over the next week as she undergoes treatment so far from home.

Can you see me now?

The longer Live in Love is in Swaziland, the realization grows of how easy many things are in the US in comparison. This week brought a trip to the Eye Clinic at Good Shepherd Hospital, a 45 minute drive to the closest eye care. The Live in Love Rav 4 was full: two 11 year old girls with undiagnosed eye problems, an elderly man who is blind, Abraham the wonderful interpreter, and Lori behind the wheel. The breakfast menu during the drive consisted of bread and bananas. Upon arrival at the clinic it took a few wrong turns before we found our way to the Eye Clinic. What relief to discover a much shorter line compared to the line of at least 120 people where we started. The wait to see the doctor was about 2 hours. When we (yes, all 5 of us together) entered the exam room there were other people being examined; you could call it a “community exam room” with minimal privacy and confidentiality. We took our seats in line, once again, on a bench.The older man was seen first. He was diagnosed with glaucoma and cataracts in both eyes. His left eye is completely blind and beyond any repair. The good news: the doctor believes a small amount of vision may recoverable in his right eye. The older man was admitted to the hospital, scheduled to have surgery the next day, and then return home the following day. What joy he will have at seeing his young grandson, a dedicated boy who walks with him, guiding him wherever he goes.Manswane is the first of the 2 girls to be seen. Her left eye rolls back several times through the day. The doctor informed us she has a lazy eye but is too old now to patch and strengthen her eye. The good news: There are no other problems with her eyes.Then it was Hlengiwe’s turn. Her eyes have been red (almost darker in appearance), itching, some bleeding, pain, and her eyelids seem to not open as much. All of this has been getting worse. Upon examination the doctor discovered several things including allergies, significant dryness of the eyelids, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and a staph infection. The staph infection is also in and around her nose as well as her forehead. The good news: the doctor prescribed 3 medications – eye drops, antibiotic ointment, and oral antibiotics and the pharmacy had all the medicines and no line.

The great news: When I asked about the cost for the prescriptions and the older man’s surgery the doctor, a kind Christian himself who has been in Swaziland for many years, said, “Don’t worry about it.” Sure enough we got to the pharmacy for Hlengiwe’s medicines and there was no charge. And the older man? 2 nights in the hospital and surgery for free!

Follow-up: When the older man was discharged from the hospital Friday he had a huge smile on his face… he can see!

The greatest news of all? God is good and still performs miracles everyday, big and small, whether we notice them or not. So, keep an eye out…

Update on Lomasontfo

While I had hoped to write a post that says something like, “Lomasontfo arrived in Pretoria as scheduled. She has been receiving great care and the cyst is beginning to shrink.” Unfortunately, she never made it out of Swaziland. One word: government. The appropriate actions and documents needed to obtain a medical visa were not complete. Almost 2 weeks later and there is no progress. The good news is that Lomasontfo continues to go to school everyday, church on Sundays, and play jump rope with her friends. Updates will continue…

Swazi Reality: Home

Welcome to this first post in a series about the day to day reality of life in a squatter community in rural Swaziland.