Last night my mom, a long time family friend and I went to the Cinema Center in downtown Fort Wayne for a special movie screening. My mom was invited by DSANi (Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana) to view "Anita" and took us along with her. It was a blessing to see, but life altering. "Anita" takes place in Argentina in 1994. An adult woman with Down Syndrome lives with her mother a few blocks from the Israelite Mutual Association. One morning, Anita's mother leaves Anita at home to walk to the AIMA. Tragically, that day a bomb is set off at the AIMA killing Anita's mother and destroying Anita's home. In all the commotion, Anita stumbles out side bloody and confused and is put on a bus. She ends up at the hospital where they care for her wounds, but then she wonders off. She wonders for days, weeks. She's lost.confused. She's ignored by many. Helped by few. Finally in the end, she's reunited with her older brother.

Through the whole movie my anxiety was through the roof. I watched Anita and could only think of my sister. Lost, lonely, confused. Thankfully, we live in a country where she is welcomed. Thankfully, we live in a small town where most anyone knows her. Thankfully, she is loved, wanted, safe and happy. I was physically and emotionally shaken at the end of the movie. My mom says to me "It's only a movie." But, the problem is, I know it's not only a movie. For 147 million orphans world wide, it's reality. 147,000,000 children lost, lonely, confused. It's a tragedy. No other way to look at it. My mind races. We HAVE to do something. We HAVE to change it. Can you imagine your child, the one you tuck in at night. the one you sing to. the one you fix lunch for. the one who feels your love daily, being lost. Wondering the streets. Cold and hungry. heartbroken. The thing is, as a body of Christ, these are His children. Through Him, they are our children. I'm sad and confused. My heart is broken. wondering if what we are doing is enough. We're helping one. One out of 147,000,000. My mom says to me "But, your rescuing ONE. If we all just helped ONE things would be different." And I say "Exactly." 

If you have a chance this weekend and are looking for a cheap night out, please visit the Cinema Center of Fort Wayne. Dare to be challenged. Dare to have your heart broken. Dare to face reality.

            Tickets are only $3. Viewing times are Sat., Oct. 29, 7:30 P.M.

                                                                       Sun., Oct. 30, 2:00 P.M.

                                                                       Mon., Oct. 31, 7:00 P.M.

                                                                       Tues. Nov. 1, 7:00 P.M.

You can go here to view a trailer of "Anita".

 

xo,