So a couple of days ago my teammate/friend decided we would watch “Blood Brother” for team time; just a time everyday we come together and doing something fun, like a movie. I never expected for the movie to hit me so hard.
This documentary has won many Sundance Film Festival awards and rightfully so. The narrator and director follows a friend, Rocky, and his journey in discovering a bit more about what “life is about.” Rocky has moved to a village in southern India to become a father, brother, and friend to a group of orphans living with AIDS. He stumbled upon the orphanage while he was traveling through India and didn’t want to be just another drifter going through, so he has made a home for himself there with the kids and workers for the past 2 plus years. Rocky truly makes a life for himself there learning how to speak the language, love these kids through their constant physical ailments, cry, laugh, sing, and just be there for them.
It’s heart warming and heart wrenching all in the same moment. That’s the shortest summary I could give but I seriously recommend you even just look up the trailer on YouTube. Go do that, then come back.
I’ve been missing home lately. I’ll admit it. There are so many comforts of home that I can shut my eyes and just picture. My bed, my fridge filled with nutritious food, my parents, my dogs, my car that I can just drive wherever I want, my own bathroom with a tub. Little things here and there. 5 months apart from anything I’d consider normal can become a bit taxing.
There’s also a sense of disconnect from home. I’m not physically there so I feel like I’m missing something, I don’t know what, but something.
No place like home, right?
Then I watched this movie and it hit me. I basically felt like I was hit in the face.
My wake up call.
I’m here. I’m here, right now in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia for a reason. Every place I’ve been so far has been for a reason.
I identify so much with Rocky.
There may be a disconnect from home but there is a connect to everywhere I’ve been. My heart is being spread and left in each country we go to. I’ll never have those pieces of my heart back but I’m so happy for that.
It makes me want to cry about how much I love this fact:
I have been given the opportunity to give my heart up to such beautiful people and places; and I have.
I should be focusing more on loving and praying for all the children I’ve met and not be anxious not being promised a bed next month. These silly little things are getting in the way of giving out more of myself and the love I have to give that was given to me from God.
I’m not going to criticize myself too much. There’s grace for myself where God has freely given it. But geez did I need that kick in perspective change. Documentaries, like “Blood Brother” aren’t just inspiring movies to me anymore, that’s life. I’ve met kids like the ones he is working with. I’ve become attached to their smiles and laughter, to helping their family (if they have one), to their cries for help, to them.
This month I’ve had the opportunity to work with four special needs children below the age of 13. I’ve smiled more than I think I have this entire Race, just playing with them and helping them with physical therapy.
Here I am thinking of America when these sweet children in front of me just need my whole heart. How could I deprive them all the love I have for material things?
Thank you Jesus for the wake up call.
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is do, when it is in your power to act.”
How can I not give my all to these precious children? My hands, feet, and spirit are more than able to love on them with all I have!
The other part part of this blog directly involves you all!!
I am still in need of $4,696 to be fully funded by March 1st. I know March seems too far away but hey we’ve only got 29 days until March, crazy right? I am so thankful to all of you who have made these pictures and the love that goes into them possible up to this point. You truly are a part of this journey and I pray for you often. I would absolutely love to see this Race to month 11 and continue to spread Christ’s love to kids, and adults, like these who so enjoy it. Would you be willing to step out and share this blog? Maybe give even $5 more. Every donation is so appreciated and brings about an incredible opportunity to share Jesus.
I have 29 days to raise $4,696 and totally believe God can do it!
1 Timothy 6:12
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
