Esther Havens
About the Author

Esther Havens is a Humanitarian Photographer. She captures stories that transcend a person's circumstances and reveal their true strength. For many years she has worked on social-awareness campaigns with organizations such as charity: water, TOMS Shoes, Concern Worldwide and A Glimmer of Hope. Her images compel thought and challenge action....

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. Esther,
    You have so beautifully captured the San people. It never ceases to amaze me that people are so hungry for God’s word and when they read it or when it is spoken to them around a camp fire, they are filled with living water. I am working with a fledgling ministry – Redeemer Christian School in Pakistan – and I see in the faces of the children their joy in hearing about Jesus’ love for them. I wish you could capture their angelic faces as many hear the Word for the first time. What a wonderful ministry you have…thank you for sharing!
    Blessings to you,
    Bev

  2. Wow, this is amazing. Your photos and those quotes – wow they are so powerful! Thank you for sharing them, and for all you’ve done to raise awareness and help them to fundraise for this new translation work.

  3. Esther, this post brought tears to my eyes. It’s so beautiful to see people find their identity in Jesus. And when I see someone so “different” from me, it touches deeply. And how challenging for me that they want to teach the Bible and the truths Jesus taught to their community. I need more of a heart like that.

    Thank you for sharing this. And, your photos are beautiful!

  4. How awesome! Human contact can never be replaced with technology. What a beautiful work The Lord is doing in their lives. I love this story.

  5. I had heard of Oral Bible Storytelling a number of years ago, but this captures the essence of the beauty of the ministry to the people who Jesus is speaking to and loving them in His personal way with other believers. Thank you for making us aware of the need for the San people, and all the other people groups are small and still need the Word for themselves.

    Cameron Townsend was told when he was trying to sell bibles in Latin America to the Quechua people that if God really cared He would speak to them in their language. (Loosely remembered quote) I have never forgotten that message that God desires to speak to people in their language.

  6. Beautiful photos and stories! Thank you! It is so true that absolutely nothing compares with the wonder of the Word as it takes root and bears fruit in people’s lives! We work in Tanzania and it is such a wondrous privilege to see people seek and grasp God’s story for themselves. Rachel

  7. Awesome Esther! Thank you for sharing your photos with us, and the stories of the San people. Now we know the San people and can pray for them. I heard it said, that one day that ‘last’ person will receive Christ, and usher in Jesus’ return! Just maybe that ‘last’ person will be one of the San people…
    Bless you!

  8. I am truly humbled we have so much here in Canada, and U.S. my live so small when I see these beautiful people with so little have such a hunger and love for God

  9. The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women is an organisation of three and a half million women in over 70 countries and has as its motto”To know Christ and to Make Him Known”. This program fits beautifully with that. Our next World Assembly in 2016 will have as its theme “Chosen People: Called to Proclaim”. As World President I would love to share this story and photos at that event.

  10. Hallelujah!! God is Awesome, I truly give God thanks for your obedience to the ” Call”.
    I have never heard of the San people and to read your story and see those photos brought tears to my eyes and an overwhelming feeling of how sweet and real is God’s grace.
    I thank God for your life and allowing Him to break your Alabaster Box, so that sweet fragrance of Christ can be released to saturate their lives.
    Renewed strength and fresh anointing as you continue to do the will of your Father.
    Dolly

  11. The Word of God is alive…and this is living proof. Thank you so much for bringing to light another place where the Living Word is bringing hope to a people who obviously have embraced the joy of finding life in Christ.
    The work that the Seed Co is doing, in partnership with Wycliffe and others translating God’s Word, I believe to be the precursor to Christ’s return. I applaud the courage and commitment that it takes to give up “creature comforts” to be a part of bringing the Word to another people group. May God’s richest blessings and care be yours!

  12. This article was such a blessing! I am a part of the Great Commission Women, an auxiliary ministry of the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination. The C&MA has joined with several other mission organizations (including Seed Company) in the “Onestory” partnership, to reach Bibleless unreached people groups. The theme for our GCW National Project this year is “TELL ME a STORY”!—to raise funds for storytelling training of international & national workers, also to provide technological equipment for the orality ministry. It is estimated that approximately 2/3 of the world’s population are oral learners—Storytelling is a vital means to reach them before Christ’s return!—God bless you, & thanks for focusing on this important ministry!

  13. God has promised that HIs Word will not return unto Him void but will accomplish that for with it has been sent. How wonderful to see how the San people are embracing His Word with such joy and zeal. God continue to bless this important Ministry.

  14. Very inspiring account of how amazing people spend their time and talent to bring life to the Word
    and share it with others. Praise God!!!

  15. It never ceases to amaze me that people around the world “hunger” for the Word of God–yet a lot of people in US don’t care about or want to hear it. We don’t treat it like we should–memorizing scripture and devouring every word!

    Why can’t we get back to the basics of loving God’s word and hungering for it? I love the pics and quotes!!

  16. How timely. I just came back from Maun, Northern Botswana for an arts festival. I saw your post in my inbox and I know I just had to open it up. I’m a poet and a storyteller. Reading this affirms to me the importance of storytelling especially in shedding God’s truth and love to the world. It has been an amazing experience in Northern Botswana and I know you have probably felt the same. God bless your endeavours and mission!!

  17. Wow! I am so blessed in your ministry. Thank you for sharing this to me Sis. Sharon.

  18. Thank you for a beautiful work done – and giving up of self to do it! A seed planted will give much in return. Be blessed for your unselfishness.

  19. This is amazing! See what these missionaries are doing, discovering the undiscovered by heart empowered by God’s love, humm! May bless them and double their zeal for Christ.
    May this message of love and obedience to Jesus’ command awaken us from spiritual slumber in Jesus’ Name Amen.

  20. God’s Word is alive and full of power and needs to be exhorted, or proclaimed over people to bring them hope and encouragement in their lives, especially the wonderful knowledge that they have a Savior Jesus Christ Who loves them. As we have seen with the San people, with the advancement of modern technology, the Word that God speaks is reaching the uttermost places and peoples on the earth, clear evidence that the Great Commission is reaching fulfillment in these last days, before the return of Messiah to claim His bride from every nation and from every tribe.

  21. I am very happy for the San people:) Getting to know God and finding out all about Him and His Everlasting Love for the people He’s created is a marvelous blessing. It’s overwhelming the love you feel when The Spirit of the Lord moves through you. They are most blessed to be learning of The Almighty Creator of the Universe, and I pray that they grab hold and never let go!!! Jesus is the very best thing that can EVER happen to anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)