INVISIBLE CHILDREN

Over the weekend I saw the Invisible Children documentary, which primarily chronicles rural children in Northern Uganda who commute to the cities at night to sleep in crowded, dirty shelters, for fear of being abducted by the rebel army and forced to fight and kill in a war they are too young to understand.

I’d heard of the Invisible Children organization, but had been skeptical of it, since popular young adult church groups had begun to crusade for it, and it seemed to be the trendy new cause to triumph.

Having worked for a magazine whose aim was to find stylish causes and pretend to be involved in and passionate about them, I’m pretty much over it. I’m over getting hyped up about some new mission that’s drawing attention because hot T-shirts are being designed for it and up-and-coming bands are doing benefits for it and all the cool kids are plugged in.

But what happened was that my friend David caught the vision, and it wasn’t because it was marketed well. David’s heart has just been getting broken lately by the things that break the heart of God, and when he saw these children living in such filth and fear, he wanted to do something about it. So he planned to host a screening of the documentary.

(Now, I can’t let David totally off the hook, because the impetus for his rekindled compassion was a speech given by Bono, who everyone knows is the poster child for all things cool and charitable. But I know David’s heart is sincere, so I forgive him.)

So in support of David, I went to the screening. I began to embrace this organization because I knew that since David saw something real in its mission, it must mean that it’s not all about being in the right club, so I could be associated with the right people while still making a difference as an added bonus. David believed that it truly was about helping these children, and that was something I could get behind.

The documentary is sobering, to say the least. It’s well done, and not pretentious. I doubt anyone could watch it and not want to show their support, somehow, some way.

Injustice is a hard thing for us Americans. It’s hard for me. I feel bad, I want to help, but … well, what can I do? How can I stop a war that’s been raging for almost two decades? And, well, I’m pretty busy with work and church and my friends and trying to find time to be with my husband and trying to find time for myself … And really, I just can’t relate. I’m safe in my own bed every night; all my needs are met; nobody’s dragging my sisters away to rape them and enslave them and force them to become murderers.

At the end of the film, the narrator encouraged viewers to volunteer their time, talent, and money to help provide education, protection, and rehabilitation for these oppressed children. Philip and I donated a little money (sort of … in return, we got dinner, a bracelet, and a DVD, so I don’t know if that counts as a donation … yeah, no, it doesn’t), and now I’m using my writing “talent” to get the word out.

My primary audience is those who sincerely want to help, who want to “maintain justice and do what is right,” but who, like me, are not interested in being one of the cool kids.

I’m not looking for a cause to live for. I’m not hunting for some overarching life mission to give me purpose and belonging and identity. I’m not going to remedy the AIDS crisis or end world hunger. I’m not even going to convert the world to Christianity.

I’m going to invest in relationships; I’m going to pursue knowing God; I’m going to do my work to the best of my ability; I’m going to use my talents for the greater good; I’m going to spend time doing things I enjoy; I’m going to help out where I can.

So here is where I’m helping out with Invisible Children today. I’m letting you know about the problem; you can learn more about it by watching a compelling movie. I can get a hold of it for you; you just have to ask. You can also visit www.invisiblechildren.com. David’s next endeavor is to organize participation in a related fundraiser called Gulu Walk Day (www.guluwalk.com), which takes place October 21. So I’ll participate in that, too, and invite others to as well.