Inspire, Fall/Winter 2011

Every day we take things for granted — big things, like the privilege of living in a free country, and small things, like heat and clean water. On Thursday, September 8, many Cedarville students chose to experience a day without one of Western life’s simple conveniences — shoes. The idea for “Barefoot Thursday” began as a Facebook discussion thread among students in the incoming freshman class. Cedarville’s student life division had given students copies of Palmer Chinchen’s book, True Religion, to read over the summer. The book challenges readers to live a selfless life, pouring out love to others in unexpected ways. Each chapter ends with “Ideas for Becoming the Expatriate.” Hosting a “Barefoot Sunday” was one of many ideas in the book. The class of 2015 decided they wanted to play a part in this radical movement of love and sacrifice by hosting a barefoot day at Cedarville. After discussing their ideas on Facebook, they proposed the event to Dr. Carl Ruby ’83, vice president of student life. Ruby was encouraged by their sensitivity to the needs of the poor and their desire to make a difference. On the day of the event, students across campus placed 3,276 new and gently used pairs of shoes at the front of the Jeremiah Chapel. Many chose to go the rest of the day barefoot to experience — in a small way — a daily reality for millions in poverty around the world. The chapel remained open all day for students to come individually or in groups to pray for the people who will receive these gifts. The Student Government Association raised $2,500 to ship the shoes to Chinchen’s church in Chandler, Arizona. There, they were loaded into an overseas shipping container bound for Liberia. In May, Chinchen and other volunteers (including Cedarville’s dean for student life programs, Jon Purple) will travel across Liberia on motorcycles delivering the shoes to people who need them. “The purpose of ‘Barefoot Thursday’ was to emphasize that individually we need to do our part to help a hurting world for God,” said Kaitlynn Sinclair, the freshman spokesperson for the event. “When we each do our parts together, we achieve so much more than we can ask or imagine.” “I’m very humbled and encouraged,” Chinchen said, noting that Cedarville students were the first to organize such an event at a college at which he was speaking. “I really feel like most of the students were doing more than giving shoes.” Chad Smith, freshman class president and an aspiring pastor, said his outlook on life has changed. “I want to meet people’s needs,” he said. “I want to bring pieces of heaven to places of hell on earth.” A Day Without Shoes Freshman students led the effort to collect more than 3,000 pairs of shoes. Many students paused to pray for the future recipients of their gifts. Learn more. Get involved. • Listen to Palmer Chinchen’s message. • See more “Barefoot Thursday” photos. • Organize your own local shoe drive. cedarville.edu/barefoot CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY 3 campus news