In the spring of 2011, one year after graduation, I finally realized that my college life was over, and it was time for me to move on in my endeavors. At this stage, I had been working for Toyota for a year and purchased my own house, but living life I felt like I was going through the motions of going to work, going home, and being a hermit on weekends. My weekend plans were desolate, because a huge portion of me was done with the bar scene that dominates the free time of many new young professionals. Not that there was anything with that life, but for me I loved being active and yet I felt more depressed and less fulfilled than at any time in my life.
A huge issue for me was my desire to follow the "ideal life path": high school -> college -> employment -> wife -> house -> kids. I was seeing old friends starting families and I was frustrated because my life seemed like a hamster wheel of just late nights at the office.
It was at this time, I decided to finally appease my mother's requests and return to church. I'd like to say my initial intentions were pure, but in reality I still had a strong distrust for Christians. I found Christians to be fake. I felt a lot of the Christians I knew spoke about the good book, but didn't seem very concerned about the struggles of their own neighbors. Also, I felt God owed me the next step of my life plan by introducing me to the woman I am to marry.
At the coaching of two ministers I used to associate with, I found a place called First Church of Christ in Burlington, Kentucky. I took their feedback, but I didn't act on it until several months later. When I did, I remember going on a rainy Sunday, but I cannot say I remember any person that I met. Yet it was that day, for the first time ever, I felt God speaking to me. The topic of the day was missions. The theme was ESPN's Sportscenter. There's been one interest that dominated my hobbies since my earliest days of school, and it was my love of sports. I couldn't imagine that the one Sunday I showed up at this place was when my interest was peaked the most. I knew right then and there I was where I was meant to be.
So, I became active in the church, attending bible studies, Sunday morning sermons, joining softball team, going on canoe trip, etc. Yet it was my desire to volunteer with a group of middle school guys that has changed my life forever. Now, I could share story after story after story after story about the challenges and rewards of leading this group, but I am trying my hardest to keep to a word count, so I was save this for my book. But there's that one prevailing thought on why these guys have motivated me to join the journey to Haiti. It is about being the example. When you become invested in mentoring & leading youth, it isn't something you can take lightly. Initially, I thought this would be just a Sunday school class, but over time these guys became my little brothers and some of my best friends. However, it was recently I asked myself, how can I show these guys the way to live, if I am not readily stepping out of my comfort zones? Thus, the puzzle is finally coming together. It wasn't just an ESPN skit calling my name, but it was the mission aspect of it too.
Anyway, it is nearing my time to go and I am both excited and nervous about the journey before me. For the first 2 weeks of July I will be in Haiti without my cell phone, iPad, car, mattress, car, etc, and I am ready to do whatever I am called to help with.
I have been blessed with so much in my life that I am able to pay for this journey myself, but honestly I could use your assistance to limit my burden. This isn't a trip I take lightly, I find this journey to be one of self-enhancement. I have already started what I am calling the "Haiti Fast". For a 70 day period, I am on day 20, I will drink only water and I will not eat fried food, cookies, candy, french fries, chips, ice cream, and any other food I consider unnecessary privileges. There isn't anything wrong with those types of food in moderation, but I feel I take on gluttony to a point where it becomes an overly luxurious lifestyle.
So in the end, I would appreciate your support in 1 of 2 ways:
1) Go to http://nwhcm.org/give/travel-payment, enter my name in the notes, and donate
2) Support my "Haiti Fast" Challenge by contributing based on my weight loss goals by pledging a certain amount in the comments based on pound lost (my goal is to go from 264 to 240 by 7/1)
I hope you can be part of my journey. Whether it is giving five dollars of support or joining me as I blog about my preparation, trip, and return to reality. I have always wanted to blog and I believe this is the best journey of my life so far, so I am excited to share this with you.
In Christ,
Tavis Bregel
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