On Nov 27th of last year I was interviewed by WJRT which is out of Flint, MI. It was the first time I've ever been on TV talking about the project. The last few times I've been in the media it was in print. Including a few years ago a story that went to the APwire via the Saginaw News/Mlive.com even going so far as to making a blurb in USA Today. Since that time I've been wondering what else I can do with the project.
The displays of course are one of the most important aspects of what I do. They allow me to showcase my work. But even then finding locations and the transportation to make them possible is a profound challenge. The primary way to do this is to develop contacts and partnerships with parishes and leaders. All of the displays of the past few years have been done in this fashion. However securing sites and having them commit to rides is not always easy. More so when a location doesn't fully understand what I'm asking. Or the reasons behind me doing it. This creates a high level of internal frustration on my part. Some of which is a direct result of my own limits.
Currently I'm doing around three or four displays per season. Which really isn't a lot given the nature of what I am doing with the project. For me if the host locations provided transportation I could easily do around six or seven displays from May to December. With a decent mix of multi week runs and single events. Because of the nature of how I do the project every year. Some of those events could turn into multi year runs. Such as Christ the Good Shepherd which has hosted the project for Christmas every year since 2003. That is the core of my frustrations. Being able to locate good locations and have the support to pull off an amazing display which includes either all or part of the transportation. So far I've been rather blessed in that respect. But that brings up an important element of what I do. Every year is a new project. Each season tells a different story. So if I'm coming back to a location I was at the previous year. Then that means I have a brand new building to show off.
It is also important for me to be able to share the message of the project. Which is why I don't mind the media attention I have gotten. So long as I am able to share what God is doing for me then it is very worth while. The problem of course is that when your doing a display and you have a flood of people. You don't always get the chance to share with them what the mission is. In fact I've had many people get out right surprised that I have a mild form of cerebral palsy. It catches them off guard and makes my work stand out even more. But the moments to plant seeds are very fleeting at most. I've often thought about trying to create some kind of talk that I could give about what I feel is important in raising awareness and hope for those of us who deal with challenges. A renewed sense of purpose. I've seen this first hand in some of the people who look into the project. To realize that they are able to do more than what their limits suggest. My problem of course is that I'm not fully sure how to realize this goal of mine. I'm honestly not sure on how to proceed and let alone develop the contacts needed to pull something off. But either way. I want to expand the role of the Project because I see it something very important in this day and age.
The Lego Church Project is a dream of mine turned into a reality. I would ask for your prayers and continued support for what I am doing. I pray that I can expand the role of the project in a way that deeply touches the lives of those around me. This is an art project. But it is also a passion of mine. The message of what I am doing is just as important to me as building of the project. I see it as a very neat way to reach out and evangelize. I once again thank everyone who has given donations or have given support in other ways. I am deeply humbled by this.
If you have any further questions drop me an e-mail at: kc8wzm@gmail.com.
-JM
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