Through an invitation on Facebook I participated in the nationwide One Day Without Shoes campaign sponsored by tomsshoes.com. Their idea was to take a stand against the preventable deaths around the world simply because some people aren’t able to have shoes. Tomsshoes.com also does this one for one thing that gives a pair of shoes to someone in need around the world with every pair of shoes purchased. Sounded pretty cool.
I wasn’t able to make it to any of the concerts or festivities that the One Day had to offer, but I was rather curious about what a day without shoes would bring…so I figured why not. The first time I tried to go without shoes was the first time I went down to Swaziland. They call them “Africa feet.” Tough, calloused, and well worked feet. I took my shoes off to play soccer with the kids and that only lasted about 20 minutes. They laughed. I humbly smiled back and enjoyed the moment of simply Africa.
Overall the day awakened me to the blessings I take for granted. My feet had never hurt that much before. A simple pair of shoes saves us from a lot. And from only one day barefoot I only got one piece of glass stuck in my foot. But it wasn’t really the pain I got to endure or the experiential stories I could tell that kept me shoeless. It was the Swazi kids.
Those precious angels that made me smile since the first time I met them over three years ago. Last year when our World Race team was there we had the chance to clean, clothe, and provide shoes for dozens of orphans. Their faces lit up as they danced around in the dirt showing off even their brand new underwear to their friends. No joke. I love that country and all of the people there who have showed me love and life in spite of their dying physical conditions.
The world is a lot bigger than me or you. If one day without shoes helps you see that then rock on and try something new.
