JACKSON, Tenn. — May 5, 2006 — About 70 Union students spent a windy and rainy night April 29 on the concrete floor of the West Tennessee Farmers Market in Jackson.
They did it to demonstrate to themselves and the community the daily hardships faced by children of war-weary northern Uganda. It was part of a national event called the Global Night Commute in which more than 50,000 people in 130 cities drew attention to a group of 鈥渋nvisible children.鈥�
鈥淎s a [Christian] believer, we have a responsibility to care for the poor and oppressed,鈥� said Union student Matt Elia, who participated in the event.
He cited 1 John 3:17, 鈥淏ut whoever has this world鈥檚 goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?鈥�
The night commuters handwrote letters petitioning political support for their cause and watched 鈥淚nvisible Children: Rough Cut,鈥� a documentary offering a glimpse of the harsh reality faced by these children.
Amidst national attention on social issues like illegal immigration and Darfur鈥檚 genocide, the non-profit organization Invisible Children Inc. is circumventing the mainstream media to organize a grassroots movement among college campuses and youth groups. It is a movement dedicated to raising awareness and action for the estimated 30,000 Ugandan children kidnapped and conscripted by the Ugandan rebel group the Lord鈥檚 Resistance Army.
Invisible Children Inc. hopes that, in addition bringing aid and political action to Uganda, the night commute will connect the youth of America with the youth of Uganda.
鈥淲e haven鈥檛 been encouraged enough by the older generations,鈥� said Union student Camille Ransdell. 鈥淲e need to force ourselves to be socially aware.鈥�
Elia said he was encouraged by the number of 鈥済lobally-minded Christians鈥� he sees in Christian colleges.
鈥淥ur only opposition in the issue is apathy,鈥� Elia said.
Kevin Furniss is a Union freshman who helped organize the Jackson night commute.
鈥淭he Lord has laid Africa on my heart鈥nd with this knowledge I have, I feel, a responsibility for these brothers and sisters,鈥� Furniss said.
He plans to volunteer for Invisible Children Inc. next summer and, like others at the event, has plans for missionary work in the future. Another of the organizers, Tyler McMurtry, learned about the Ugandan crisis from his brother Brody鈥檚 experiences with the International Justice Mission in Uganda. He invited Invisible Children to present its documentary to 51社区 in February.
After the screening, representatives informed students about the Global Night Commute. McMurtry said that after seeing the film, he couldn鈥檛 remain uninvolved.