My brother

photostory 5
Originally uploaded by relientpunk.

I was checking my blogs tonight, and went to my brother's blog to see what was new with him. He'd posted a series of pictures that show his life right now. A refresher for those of you who haven't read about my brother yet, he's working for a group called People of Faith Against the Death Penalty in Chapel Hill, NC. His working there has made a huge impact in my life, and forced me to get off the fence on the issue, and take a stand. Anyways... I went to his blog, and saw these pictures, and almost broke down crying. I am so moved by what my brother does... so touched by what he's giving up to do this work. My brother gets paid very little (just receives a stipend for living expenses), lives in a community with 3 other people in a house, and has choosen to live a simple life. His internship is up in July, and he's trying to gather a group of people to continue doing something similar to what he's doing, forming an intentional community. They'll live in a house in a poor part of town, and live with the people in that community, and minister to their needs. This isn't something like they prostheltize (sp?)... they just meet peoples needs. No strings attached. No expectations of conversion. Just... Loving people. (I think the world needs more people like this) Anyways... but what touched me was seeing how grown up my brother is. I still remember when he was shorter than me... when he was shy and hid behind my mother... when we'd fight with each other, joke with each other, and just do silly kid things. I look at him now, and he's all grown up. And I couldn't be prouder of him.
If you have the time, check out PFADP's website. (There ARE christians out there who care about the issues, and don't buy into the "religious right")