WHY ARE YOU BAREFOOT? - Dr. Jeff Brodsky - One Free Book

Welcome, Dr. Jeff. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I am a Messianic Jew who is a modern day abolitionist. I have devoted my life to the Rescue, Restoration, Reintegration, and Prevention of children, teens, and young women who have been trafficked and forced into commercial sexual exploitation.

It’s such an important problem to deal with. I applaud you. Tell us about your family.

I am happily married to my wife Gail for 44 years. She is my biggest support and prayer warrior. We have 3 children and 7 grandchildren.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

I have written The Least of These - One Man’s Remarkable Journey In The Fight Against Child Trafficking - Published in 2018. I also authored the book Stepping Into Adulthood - Published in 1997. This was a book about the lack of the Rite of Passage in Christianity.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

I am writing one more book based on my Barefoot journey

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

Since I work up to 16 hours a day… my favorite things to do would be BBQ’ing, fishing, and the most enjoyable - spending time with my wife, children and grandchildren.

Why did you write the featured book?

After being invited to speak at an Elementary School about JOY International, I didn’t know how I could present the work I do to young children, since it involved the child sex trade. When I arrived at the school an idea came to me and I immediately knew it was God speaking to me about what to share. It was a powerful object lesson presenting modern day slavery to the children with all references to the child sex trade removed. When I was finished speaking the Principal of the school came to me with tears and said, “Dr. Jeff what you just shared with the children was fascinating. It would make a great children’s book." That was the start of putting it together.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I want the reader to understand that awareness is good, but awareness without action is apathy. My hope and heart’s desire with the book is that it motivates people to action to help in the fight against child trafficking.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?

Tell your readers that no matter what age they are, there is something they can do to help. Tell them the story of 8-year-old Braelynn in Anchorage, Alaska, who after hearing of the plight of children forced into slavery, she told her parents she wanted to help Dr. Jeff. She found a recipe for Peanut-Flavored Dog Biscuits. She baked them, bagged them, labeled them and sold them and raised $1,200 the first year and $1,500 the next year. Astounding for an 8 year old! She’s now 10 years old with a goal of raising $2,000 this year!

I love it when things like that happens. Please give us the first page or two from the book.

Why Are You Barefoot?
by Dr. Jeff Brodsky

“Who’s ready for our special speaker today?” Miss Porter asked. The kids in my class rolled their eyes, but then she said, “This will sound a little strange, but the man coming to speak today has been barefoot for over 5 years!”

I thought, “Seriously? He’s been barefoot for over 5 years?” How is that possible? Maybe this was one speaker who wouldn't be boring.” 

I raised my hand and Miss Porter said. "Yes Emma?" I said, "Miss Porter, does he go barefoot all the time, even here in Colorado, in the winter, in the snow?" Miss Porter laughed and said, "Emma, why don’t you ask him when he gets here? I’m sure he would be happy to answer any questions."  Then she had us all go to the auditorium. All the other classes were there too.

When the speaker walked in, he looked just like Santa Claus, but everyone was looking at his feet to see if he was really barefoot. Me too! Yep! Omigosh! He was really barefoot! Miss Porter wasn’t kidding! She said, "Alright everybody, let's welcome our special guest speaker today, the President and Founder of JOY International, Dr. Jeff Brodsky.”

As he walked on the stage he had a big smile and he greeted everyone by saying "Good morning boys and girls! Hey, how come everybody’s looking at me funny? I know, It’s because you think I’m Santa Claus right? No? Then what is it? Is something wrong?” Lots of kids starting laughing and shouting out “Yeah! You’re barefoot! Where are your shoes and socks?”

“Oh, so that’s it huh? Well, I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’m barefoot. Well, there’s a good reason and I promise, that’s something I’ll share a little later with you okay? Right now, I have a very important question to ask you. Are you ready? Here goes. If your Mother sold you, would she be a good mom or a bad mom?”

"Huh?" I thought. What'd he say? Is this a trick question?

"Let me ask you again," he said. "If your Mother sold you to someone, would she be a good mom or a bad mom?"

Everyone started calling out their answers, "Bad!" “Really bad!” One kid yelled out "She’d be a terrible mom!" I thought, "Of course, that would be terrible if my mom sold me. Are you kidding me? No way! It would be horrible! Why would any mother ever, ever sell their child? That could never be good. Could it?"

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

I can be found at: www.joy.org 

Thank you, Dr. Jeff, for sharing this book with me and my blog readers. I’m eager to read it and share it with my great grandchildren.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Why Are You Barefoot? - Paperback
Why Are You Barefoot? - Kindle
Why Are You Barefoot? - Hardbacki

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