I was beyond thrilled when our friend Mary contacted me to shoot headshots of Albert Cheng for the soon-to-be published book about his life.  Having known some of Albert’s background, I was so honored to be involved.  Albert is from Cambodia, and the road he took to get here today is definitely worthy of writing about.  Having escaped from a communist concentration camp, here is where he found himself next: “Emaciated and exhausted from four years of forced slave labor by the Khmer Rouge and barely alive from the past three months of seeking freedom running barefooted through the jungles of Cambodia, 24-year-old Albert Cheng had arrived perhaps 100 yards from the border with Thailand, and freedom. Yet, the danger was not over. Buried in the field before him were landmines and oft-times poisoned bamboo “punji” sticks. Behind him came Khmer Rouge troops and before him amidst the trees were Thai soldiers, all ready to shoot anyone they saw attempting to cross the border. Going back, staying put, were not options. Cheng thought to himself, “If I can cross, I can be free. But if I die, at least I will die free.”  He did survive that treacherous journey, but he was only one of two who made it across.  The book Grace Will Lead Me Home chronicles Albert’s journey both physically and spiritually that brought him to the United States and to the discovery of Jesus Christ.  He is truly a remarkable man.  Meet Albert:

This is Albert and the author of the book, Del Hayes.  This bay window was the place where they conducted almost all of their interviews during the writing process, and therefore became a very special place to both of them.  If you are interested in learning more about Albert, than you are in luck!  There is a pre-publishing special going on until March 31st.

Thanks again Mary, Del, and of course, Albert for allowing me to be a part of this project.  I look forward to seeing the final product in print!