“Don’t let go. Don’t . . . let go.”
Samwise the Brave beckons these words at the end of Return of the King as he reaches to full extent for Frodo’s arm, lest he fall off a ledge into an active volcano. At the tale end of this journey, the two have traveled far and wide from humble beginnings and callings, with support and aid of countless friends and peers, through a years worth of effort and preparation to this climactic apex. Frodo falls, and with one hand is holding onto the ledge lest he fall into the fiery depths below and Samwise reaches deep.
“Don’t let go. Don’t . . . let go.”
This month in the Philippines has been a completely opposite experience from the rest of the Race for me. We are in the third month, being well fed and with an amazing ministry in the mountains. It appears as if our ministry sight is within Middle Earth itself. We spend the morning doing chores such as working with the livestock, landscaping, cutting wood, and painting a local mission. During the evenings we venture into town to spend time with nationals (locals) and play basketball with them. We are building awesome friendships and relationships with the people here. The children are adorable, the weather has been phenomenal (think Southern California), the sunrises and sunsets have absolutely blown our minds as well. We are working with another team this month and growing closer together and with one another. In Manila, I made friends with some of the local tattoo artists and have spent a few days with them, reminiscent of the feels at home at the Ace’s Tattoo shop in Denton, Texas. Feels just like home in a tattoo shop, especially when the tattoo artists there listen to the same heavy metal bands I do. Our contacts this month are Natalie and Mike who are originally from Chicago, they have an outreach with street kids similar to Young Life, and have many connections in the hardcore music, punk, and tattoo scene. Whenever they first moved overseas they felt similar frustrations that I had been feeling in Central America.
The months spent in Central America for me were very difficult. Like poison, thoughts of venturing home to Texas spread throughout my mind and affected my perspective and ministry. I spent the days and weeks counting down until I could go to the next country, or go home to America. Like Frodo, I had many friends and peers help me get to where I was. Like Frodo, I had many close knit friends carry me up the mountain. Like Frodo, I cannot do this on my own and often succumb the weight of what I’m carrying. Like Frodo, I have close friends – Samwise Gamgee’s – who are there to encourage me and reach out their hands… pull themselves down to my level, remind me to not give up and help me get pulled back to safety. If you are one of my friends throughout this process, thank you for your help, support, and most importantly your friendship.
I appreciate it more than you know,
With respect and love,
-J
