From my blog:
http://www.joy.org/2012/07/18/my-barefo ... ars-today/
My Barefoot Journey – 2 Years Today!
Posted on July 18, 2012
It was exactly 2 years ago today (July, 19, 2010) while on a trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia that I chose to go barefoot. Being outside a garbage dump where children were at high risk of being snatched by predators and forced into the child sex trade, I noticed a group of children who were all barefoot. When I went to my room that night, I took off my shoes and wondered what it would be like to live life everyday – barefoot. I put my shoes and socks away and
I’ve been barefoot ever since. I was originally going to go barefoot for just one year. Last year, when my one year journey ended, I decided to keep going because I knew those children were still out there and I knew that my going barefoot was speaking to people and motivating them to action. As I shared with Gail (my wife of 37 years), “Gail, I’m going to continue going barefoot as long as people are motivated to action in a way that will help me rescue just one more child each year.”
Has It Been Worth It?
Ask the Conifer High School students who
went to their Prom – Barefoot. Or you can ask the 100+ Elementary, Junior and Sr. High School students in Littleton, CO who went
barefoot for 3 days. How about High School Student
Cobi Jones
who went
Barefoot for 30 days in the middle of the Colorado winter. You can also speak to many people from the city of Conifer, CO who are co-hosting the
Barefoot, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival
on August 4th or the many people of all ages from around the world who have written and shared their stories of joining me on my barefoot journey.
Has it Been Difficult?
Sometimes. At times it can be painful (especially when it snows here in Colorado) or even worse, when it’s 100º outside and the pavement is scorching hot (I’d rather be barefoot in the snow). It can also be embarrassing when confronted by incredibly insensitive and ignorant people.
There are NO LAWS or Health Code violations anywhere in America that says I cannot be barefoot in any restaurant or retail establishment! Although it can be a real hassle at times, for the most part, I’ve come to truly embrace the barefoot lifestyle.
My Worst Day Barefoot So Far
It happened just this past week. While at a VFW Breakfast with 2 team members trying to sell tickets to our upcoming
Barefoot, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival
, I saw a man I knew from a local church. I went up to him to shake his hand. He looked at me, looked at my bare feet and said
“Uh-uh. I don’t agree with what your doin’ and I’m not shakin’ your hand! Now back off!” I was shocked. I said, “Are you serious?” He said,
“I told you to back off, now back away!” Besides being embarrassed, it broke my heart that a man confessing to be a Christian would behave like that. Even Jesus loved and commanded us, to love our enemies. How much more should we love and accept each other. I felt sorry for the man and walked away.
While having those moments where it causes me to wonder if I made the right decision, more than anything else, my confirmation in being barefoot has opened many doors of opportunity to share the plight of
THE most abused children on earth today. I will do anything to get another child out of a brothel where they have to service 10 – 20 of the most vile men on earth. If my going barefoot will get even one more child out – then so be it.
So my friends (and naysayers),
YES, I am going to continue going barefoot. As long as there’s another child who needs to be rescued from being held as a slave in a brothel and used in the most heinous way imaginable, I’ll stay barefoot.
Again my friends (and those I’ve yet to meet), the next time you see me (you’ll know it’s me if you look down), don’t reach out to simply shake my hand. Instead, open your arms to embrace me with a hug. I need all the hugs I can get!
By the way, if you think it’s easy going barefoot, why not try it for a day. Just one day. When you wake up, no shoes, no socks – go totally barefoot for 24 hours. I dare ya.
Dr. Jeff Brodsky
President/Founder
JOY International
HEY COLORADO - I hope to see you at the Barefoot, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival on Saturday, August 4th from 11:00am to 6:00pm. It’ll be a fun time for the entire family. Tickets are just $25 ($35 after Aug 1st). Children under 16 are FREE! You can get your tickets Here – Ya’ll come and have a rootin’ tootin’ good ol’ time!