We have moved all our content, films, details about our outreach projects to
Our WEB SPACE : www.theadonaifilms.org
Kindly take time to go through the same.
December 1 2008
There was something different about that day when I sat with my bible and the verse flashed "Behold I will do something new I will run streams in the desert" Isaiah 43-19.
It was a Wednesday and my manager who was based in US had called me for a One-on-One (telecon) that we normally had on Thursday’s. On entering my office I saw my colleagues very concerned , they sensed that the meeting would be something to do with my job and I could see fear on their faces. I was not worried until that conversation, but thereafter I was wondering if something like that happens how would I take it. Before heading into the conference hall, I prayed and remembered my prayer partner’s words "Behold I will do something new, I will run streams in the desert" Isaiah 43-19. Lord once again promised the same verse through her. When entering the meeting room I began contemplating the promise.
As I logged in the my host manager (in India ) came in with a third person and I then realized that the person who had entered with the host manger was an HR personnel. My manager greeted me and said "Divya I do not have good news for you" and asked the HR to hand over the copy of the letter to me. In my six years tenure in the company and 12 years of career, I had only received promotion or salary increase letters but this time the letter being read to me was one of the first of it’s kind which said I have been placed under a Work Force Reduction Program and that I should be looking out for another role within the company until December 26, 2008 failing in which I will have to quit the company by January 23rd 2009.
As the letter was being read out to me I was receiving some amazing strength and awesome peace !!! I was surprised but things were moving so fast, I did not actually have the time to analyze my feelings. There was a joy which was coming in that was very difficult to explain. The letter also said "incase I quit I would get a 6 month's pay". Every part of me knew ‘HE’ was there in the room taking complete control of the meeting. As my manager read two lines of the letter he said "let me give you time to digest’’. I said to him "I know this is happening so that I could be placed where my skills can be utilized best and I look at this as an opportunity". I was myself much surprised to what I had said. My manager was really pleased he said "Normally the first reaction under such circumstances is only a denial and glad you are taking this positively".
I am a people’s person except for analyzing customer survey’s or creating the websites or conducting team building sessions my heart was never into the team’s core activities like the late nights on a virtual platform on a phone call/ internet without a face to face communication. Since the time I had moved into mainstream BPO in June 2007 I had missed the my precious evenings with my prayer partner.
In September 2008 just 2 months prior to me receiving the news about my job, a filmmaking course had come my way. Then Madhu a friend of mine had said "Divya you are not meant to be in the corporate, you are a misfit, you must be in performing arts there are lot of openings in the media and take up the film making course". My conversation with Madhu was not a sheer co-incidence then but I knew that it was a step towards building a dual career.
In the year 2008, September the Lord also connected me to a youth group called Hosanna Youth (prayer group). Hosanna Youth was then praying and seeking someone to lead the Arts Ministry. I was given charge to lead Arts Ministry who performed bible based skits and choreographies. We performed at many colleges, churches and youth conventions in Bangalore and Mumbai.
It was during that time that I understood how strong a medium it is to communicate the Message of Salvation. In the past, I had been involved in theater as an actor but none of those experiences were as rewarding as these art pieces. Prior to my involvement in the Arts ministry after every performance I would feel the vacuum and loneliness but now it was all so different.
As I continued to ask the Lord what I must do, He replied "’MEDIA". I said ‘What in media’ He said ‘DIRECTION’. Then flashed the whole scene, while doing my filmmaking course how by chance, the camera had come into my hands (since there was no role for a female in the script, therefore women were asked to take up direction.) We were 2 women since one of the male characters did not turn up, my group mate (female) chose to join the crew and I took up direction. All of a sudden !!!! I could relate to all that had happened. Why the Lord had asked me not to go on stage during Hosanna Youth Art’s Ministry. ‘ He wanted me to stay away and look at a bigger picture in direction ’. These were my words to the Lord, " Lord i have directed only one film and just some gospel skits. People will think I am mad if I move into the media. I want a sign in the natural".
On December 26th, 2008 I attended a youth convention in Mumbai. It is there that I approached Bro. Fritz Mascenrahnes (a true man of GOD and one who lives the Gospel). I told him "Brother I have been laid off ". Bro said" Divya just say "Let YOUR kingdom come let YOUR will be done".
Rajat also connected me to a filmmaker Rohan a young boy full of enthusiasm, who had completed his Masters in filmmaking from the UK had made ad films and now wanted to teach film making. During the course of our conversation Rohan said "Buy a camera will cost you Rs.20,000/- to Rs. 30000/- and you must start shooting". I said to him "Here I have lost a job ‘not sure if I should spend on a camera’’. ??
The next day I was connected to Sapna who in turn connected me to a Madhusudhan from MAM movies who was associated with films only for NGO related projects, which was of great interest to me. MAM had done a lot of projects related to Women and Child issues. I went to meet Madhu thinking I would get connected to a director whom I could assist.
Madhu told me "Divya you are where me and Meghna ( his wife) were two years ago". He gave me a book, which had a write-up about how MAM began. I gathered that they helped young filmmakers and were also conducting a filmmaking workshop for girls from Dharavi ( the largest slum in Asia). We spoke about faith and how on seeing their good work the ICICI foundation supported them. Madhu and Meghna had completed their Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Motion Pictures from Academy of Art University, California. Madhu had decided to use media to bring a social change and wanted to make documentary films. One day he received a $3000 Canon Gl-2 video camera with all accessories as an anonymous gift from someone (they were to do Charity Focus project's) in the US (a GL2C cannon costs about 2 lakhs. That was really a miracle!!!!!!!!). Madhu said " that Canon Gl-2 video camera had stopped working since a month’’. He paused for a minute and said "I think it is waiting for you" I was dumb struck my heart had stopped beating. Madhu disappeared for a while and got the camera and said take ‘ If this can be repaired it is yours go and shoot one film a week’. Madhu mentioned that he would been happier to give the camera had it been working. But the very fact the camera was given meant a lot to me. "Lord!!! I said you are showing me the sign that I should move into the media". Here there was a sign from God. I got the camera home my cousin Bhakti, did believe what I was saying.. IT WAS A MIRACLE she understood what a sign it was from me and we both rejoiced.
After a whole lot of amazing experiences in Mumbai I returned to Bangalore on January 9, 2009. I constantly had my friends and family praying for me and I would like to express my gratitude to them. Seena’s prayer cell, which consisted of a whole lot of young girls lead by Sister Priya, had constantly been praying for me too and I had to thank them. I then met the Pastor Samadhanam of The Pentecost Mission Church truly a man of God so composed and soft spoken. I mentioned to him that I was interested in filmmaking, now pastor lead a life which was very simple and the church he lead did not believe in any form of entertainment. At first pastor asked me "Are you sure Sister if you have to be in this media field "I said "Yes pastor as I can see signs of God " He paused for a while and then said "He knew of someone in the filmmaking and he knew of an associate of AVM Rajan production (a well known production house of the south) and that he would organize a meeting for me with then tomorrow".
The next day I met up with Brother. Richard who was very close associate to AVM Rajan. He heard me out and saw what God had been doing for me and asked me to direct a Video Cd for a gospel Audio Cd which existed and 7000 copies of the Audio CD’s had already been sold. PRIASE THE LORD I got my first assignment!
(At one time, when I was involved in theater and my friend Seena had been buying Gospel film DVD's with a leading that I would be making films someday. She was praying to the Lord for a sound fellowship too and was very Happy that I had joined Bread of Life and the Arts ministry in Hosanna Youth.)
Now that I had to resign from my company I had felt the urge to buy a laptop. But the Lord had intimated me not to buy a laptop and that my priority was to get the camera repaired. I was returning tired from the hardware shop with my 8 year old computer (pentium 2) as they did not have the parts yet and I started humming the song
"Hold me close, let your love surround me
Bring me near draw me to your side.
And as I wait, he rises like an eagle
Draw me close to you, your sprit leads me on
By the power of your love ‘’
I could really feeling the lord lifting me-a feeling of complete peace.
The next day my ex-colleague Srikanth from office had come by and fixed a Lan card making it possible to me to access mails. WoW!!!! IT WAS GOD’S HAND AGAIN.
Now coming to the camera, I had given it to Cannon through Anand the G.K Vale owner whom I once come in contact with during my days as a travel manager. Cannon got back to me with a quote ‘the exact amount which I had once set aside for the laptop’. AMAZING IS’NT IT.
My entire life has been a testimony sincere thanks to all my friends who have been praying for me. I value every prayer and their contribution to my life. At each stage of my life, I had a friend who supported me with prayers I always had a prayer partner who continues to pray for me. The strongest weapon is prayer and this has been proved to me time and again.
All along my schooling and college life I have always been involved into different forms of arts music, choreography, theater and my deepest desire was to do something in the field of arts. It was a deep desire but had not discussed this with anyone and not that I even thought about it even once a year. But the lord knew my desire and he churned it through my heart.
‘‘Delight yourself in the Lord and he would give you desires of your heart ’’.
Psalm 37-4
Our WEB SPACE : www.theadonaifilms.org
Kindly take time to go through the same.
December 1 2008
There was something different about that day when I sat with my bible and the verse flashed "Behold I will do something new I will run streams in the desert" Isaiah 43-19.
It was a Wednesday and my manager who was based in US had called me for a One-on-One (telecon) that we normally had on Thursday’s. On entering my office I saw my colleagues very concerned , they sensed that the meeting would be something to do with my job and I could see fear on their faces. I was not worried until that conversation, but thereafter I was wondering if something like that happens how would I take it. Before heading into the conference hall, I prayed and remembered my prayer partner’s words "Behold I will do something new, I will run streams in the desert" Isaiah 43-19. Lord once again promised the same verse through her. When entering the meeting room I began contemplating the promise.
As I logged in the my host manager (in India ) came in with a third person and I then realized that the person who had entered with the host manger was an HR personnel. My manager greeted me and said "Divya I do not have good news for you" and asked the HR to hand over the copy of the letter to me. In my six years tenure in the company and 12 years of career, I had only received promotion or salary increase letters but this time the letter being read to me was one of the first of it’s kind which said I have been placed under a Work Force Reduction Program and that I should be looking out for another role within the company until December 26, 2008 failing in which I will have to quit the company by January 23rd 2009.
As the letter was being read out to me I was receiving some amazing strength and awesome peace !!! I was surprised but things were moving so fast, I did not actually have the time to analyze my feelings. There was a joy which was coming in that was very difficult to explain. The letter also said "incase I quit I would get a 6 month's pay". Every part of me knew ‘HE’ was there in the room taking complete control of the meeting. As my manager read two lines of the letter he said "let me give you time to digest’’. I said to him "I know this is happening so that I could be placed where my skills can be utilized best and I look at this as an opportunity". I was myself much surprised to what I had said. My manager was really pleased he said "Normally the first reaction under such circumstances is only a denial and glad you are taking this positively".
I am a people’s person except for analyzing customer survey’s or creating the websites or conducting team building sessions my heart was never into the team’s core activities like the late nights on a virtual platform on a phone call/ internet without a face to face communication. Since the time I had moved into mainstream BPO in June 2007 I had missed the my precious evenings with my prayer partner.
In September 2008 just 2 months prior to me receiving the news about my job, a filmmaking course had come my way. Then Madhu a friend of mine had said "Divya you are not meant to be in the corporate, you are a misfit, you must be in performing arts there are lot of openings in the media and take up the film making course". My conversation with Madhu was not a sheer co-incidence then but I knew that it was a step towards building a dual career.
In the year 2008, September the Lord also connected me to a youth group called Hosanna Youth (prayer group). Hosanna Youth was then praying and seeking someone to lead the Arts Ministry. I was given charge to lead Arts Ministry who performed bible based skits and choreographies. We performed at many colleges, churches and youth conventions in Bangalore and Mumbai.
It was during that time that I understood how strong a medium it is to communicate the Message of Salvation. In the past, I had been involved in theater as an actor but none of those experiences were as rewarding as these art pieces. Prior to my involvement in the Arts ministry after every performance I would feel the vacuum and loneliness but now it was all so different.
As I continued to ask the Lord what I must do, He replied "’MEDIA". I said ‘What in media’ He said ‘DIRECTION’. Then flashed the whole scene, while doing my filmmaking course how by chance, the camera had come into my hands (since there was no role for a female in the script, therefore women were asked to take up direction.) We were 2 women since one of the male characters did not turn up, my group mate (female) chose to join the crew and I took up direction. All of a sudden !!!! I could relate to all that had happened. Why the Lord had asked me not to go on stage during Hosanna Youth Art’s Ministry. ‘ He wanted me to stay away and look at a bigger picture in direction ’. These were my words to the Lord, " Lord i have directed only one film and just some gospel skits. People will think I am mad if I move into the media. I want a sign in the natural".
On December 26th, 2008 I attended a youth convention in Mumbai. It is there that I approached Bro. Fritz Mascenrahnes (a true man of GOD and one who lives the Gospel). I told him "Brother I have been laid off ". Bro said" Divya just say "Let YOUR kingdom come let YOUR will be done".
I found it difficult to understand. But yes in those few days I started to repeat "Let YOUR kingdom come let YOUR will be done" so many times. It is then that I saw this scene from "The Passion of the Christ" unfolding in front of me, where Jesus was kneeling down in the garden and asking HIS Father in heaven " Father let this cup pass from me. But Let your will be done not mine" .
Suddenly it dawned on me that it is about HIS will not mine and I decided to meet with people in the media and check out options in film direction. My cousin Anne who was well briefed on how I was lead into the media was really supportive and connected me to a few people. My first contact was a photographer who was also a film maker Rajat . Until I met Rajat I was of the opinion that people in the media are high flyers but I discovered it is the small pleasures in life that he truly appreciated. Interestingly he had things to share on the same lines. He said "I was in the US where I completed my Master’s in Geology and there after I decided to do my Masters in a film making. I had funds to pay up only for one semester, therefore I started to look for finances and just then I gathered that Bank of Boston was giving interest free loans to student’s. I acquired the loan and thus completed his Masters in Filmmaking. I got a job, which helped me pay up the loan in a year’s time. Wow !!! I said to myself how great to acknowledge the miracles that were a product of faith and only faith !!!.
Rajat also connected me to a filmmaker Rohan a young boy full of enthusiasm, who had completed his Masters in filmmaking from the UK had made ad films and now wanted to teach film making. During the course of our conversation Rohan said "Buy a camera will cost you Rs.20,000/- to Rs. 30000/- and you must start shooting". I said to him "Here I have lost a job ‘not sure if I should spend on a camera’’. ??
The next day I was connected to Sapna who in turn connected me to a Madhusudhan from MAM movies who was associated with films only for NGO related projects, which was of great interest to me. MAM had done a lot of projects related to Women and Child issues. I went to meet Madhu thinking I would get connected to a director whom I could assist.
Madhu told me "Divya you are where me and Meghna ( his wife) were two years ago". He gave me a book, which had a write-up about how MAM began. I gathered that they helped young filmmakers and were also conducting a filmmaking workshop for girls from Dharavi ( the largest slum in Asia). We spoke about faith and how on seeing their good work the ICICI foundation supported them. Madhu and Meghna had completed their Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Motion Pictures from Academy of Art University, California. Madhu had decided to use media to bring a social change and wanted to make documentary films. One day he received a $3000 Canon Gl-2 video camera with all accessories as an anonymous gift from someone (they were to do Charity Focus project's) in the US (a GL2C cannon costs about 2 lakhs. That was really a miracle!!!!!!!!). Madhu said " that Canon Gl-2 video camera had stopped working since a month’’. He paused for a minute and said "I think it is waiting for you" I was dumb struck my heart had stopped beating. Madhu disappeared for a while and got the camera and said take ‘ If this can be repaired it is yours go and shoot one film a week’. Madhu mentioned that he would been happier to give the camera had it been working. But the very fact the camera was given meant a lot to me. "Lord!!! I said you are showing me the sign that I should move into the media". Here there was a sign from God. I got the camera home my cousin Bhakti, did believe what I was saying.. IT WAS A MIRACLE she understood what a sign it was from me and we both rejoiced.
After a whole lot of amazing experiences in Mumbai I returned to Bangalore on January 9, 2009. I constantly had my friends and family praying for me and I would like to express my gratitude to them. Seena’s prayer cell, which consisted of a whole lot of young girls lead by Sister Priya, had constantly been praying for me too and I had to thank them. I then met the Pastor Samadhanam of The Pentecost Mission Church truly a man of God so composed and soft spoken. I mentioned to him that I was interested in filmmaking, now pastor lead a life which was very simple and the church he lead did not believe in any form of entertainment. At first pastor asked me "Are you sure Sister if you have to be in this media field "I said "Yes pastor as I can see signs of God " He paused for a while and then said "He knew of someone in the filmmaking and he knew of an associate of AVM Rajan production (a well known production house of the south) and that he would organize a meeting for me with then tomorrow".
The next day I met up with Brother. Richard who was very close associate to AVM Rajan. He heard me out and saw what God had been doing for me and asked me to direct a Video Cd for a gospel Audio Cd which existed and 7000 copies of the Audio CD’s had already been sold. PRIASE THE LORD I got my first assignment!
(At one time, when I was involved in theater and my friend Seena had been buying Gospel film DVD's with a leading that I would be making films someday. She was praying to the Lord for a sound fellowship too and was very Happy that I had joined Bread of Life and the Arts ministry in Hosanna Youth.)
Now that I had to resign from my company I had felt the urge to buy a laptop. But the Lord had intimated me not to buy a laptop and that my priority was to get the camera repaired. I was returning tired from the hardware shop with my 8 year old computer (pentium 2) as they did not have the parts yet and I started humming the song
"Hold me close, let your love surround me
Bring me near draw me to your side.
And as I wait, he rises like an eagle
Draw me close to you, your sprit leads me on
By the power of your love ‘’
I could really feeling the lord lifting me-a feeling of complete peace.
The next day my ex-colleague Srikanth from office had come by and fixed a Lan card making it possible to me to access mails. WoW!!!! IT WAS GOD’S HAND AGAIN.
Now coming to the camera, I had given it to Cannon through Anand the G.K Vale owner whom I once come in contact with during my days as a travel manager. Cannon got back to me with a quote ‘the exact amount which I had once set aside for the laptop’. AMAZING IS’NT IT.
My entire life has been a testimony sincere thanks to all my friends who have been praying for me. I value every prayer and their contribution to my life. At each stage of my life, I had a friend who supported me with prayers I always had a prayer partner who continues to pray for me. The strongest weapon is prayer and this has been proved to me time and again.
All along my schooling and college life I have always been involved into different forms of arts music, choreography, theater and my deepest desire was to do something in the field of arts. It was a deep desire but had not discussed this with anyone and not that I even thought about it even once a year. But the lord knew my desire and he churned it through my heart.
‘‘Delight yourself in the Lord and he would give you desires of your heart ’’.
Psalm 37-4
AMEN
