From John Priddy-

A USA TODAY online article, “Transformative travel: Readers’ tales of trips that changed their lives,”  reads more like a blog, as travelers share personal stories about life-changing journeys. Roger Dean, for example, writes of a trip to Haiti 22 years ago. Since then, he says, “I see myself, my family, my country and my life completely different. Even the simplest things have a new perspective. I made no impact on the children of Cape Haitian, Haiti, but they sure changed me with a single song.”

Most of the “posts” included in the article are interesting; even the most casual reader can appreciate them. But Dean’s memoir really resonated with me, reminding me that so often in our Christian circles, we talk about short- or long-term mission trips, and how we are going “there” to serve “them.” As one who has taken many a journey for “them,” I have come to understand that in almost every instance, in the end it is I who has been profoundly changed.

Webster’s defines this strange and preposterous metamorphosis as transmogrification — the same word that describes the type of things that happen in fairy tales, like when a frog turns into a prince.

More and more these days we hear of people taking vacations “with a purpose.” You know, where they go somewhere to do much more than simply see the sites. They come to volunteer. Friends in New Orleans tell me how much they love to meet college students who have chosen to give-up “normal” spring breaks and summer activities to come to the hurricane-devastated area and help with mundane tasks like restoring a church, a school or a home. Frogs into princes … Perhaps!

 One of our favorite Windrider films this year, The Third Wave, takes the viewer on a remarkable journey of transmogrification. Filmmaker Alison Thompson has aptly termed the process of traveling and serving as “voluntourism.” 

From left to right: Director Alison Thompson, Volunteer Donny Patersen, DOP Sunil Elvitigala and Producer Oscar Gubernati.

“The Third Wave explores the complexities and joys of volunteering …and that there is a hero in everyone.” -Director Alison Thompson

Thompson’s film chronicles four independent volunteers, who after 2004’s tsunami, race off to Sri Lanka to see if they can help. With little money or experience they arrive in the main city, meeting each other by fate, renting a van, filling it with supplies and heading out. They stumble upon Peraliya, a tribal village devastated by a 40-foot wave, leaving more than 2,500 dead.

The four amigos set up a first aid station and quickly find themselves in charge of a refugee camp caring for more than 3,000 people. The two-week trip morphs into a year-long odyssey of hope, heartbreak and setbacks (as the villagers slowly rise up against them when the world’s relief money never materializes). The volunteers break every rule in the ‘Disaster Aid books’ and in the end, an entire village is re-born. Frogs into princes …

You can view the film’s trailer here: http://www.thethirdwavemovie.com/Movie%20Trailer.html

I first saw The Third Wave at the Tribeca film festival in New York City and was amazed by the audience’s response — three standing ovations. Penn is now on board in presenting the film around the world.

Thompson and Producer Oscar Gubernati joined us in 2008 at Windrider events in Colorado Springs and Toronto, and the reaction was the same.

Sean Penn and Bono at the Cannes premiere of The Third Wave

“The Third Wave is truly a ‘must see.’ For ourselves, our children and everyone we know. For anyone who has two good legs and a dollar in their pocket. It inspires the very best of us, just when we need that most, and comes close to answering our purpose in life, more than any other films in my recent memory.” -Sean Penn

In my view, The Third Wave is a roadmap for volunteering. And transmogrification. It shows us that, in a world of increasing natural and manmade disasters, everyone is needed. No experience required. This is a perfect example of the films we love to showcase at Windrider forums. It creates a conversation around important issues. And maybe even some of those can undergo a preposterous metamorphosis. Now a frog … then a ???? 

What do you think?

-John Priddy