What makes this trip exciting for me is the opportunity to spread the gospel in areas other than our backyard here in Dallas, Texas. 

Pre-September 3, 2016: my life was marked by:

• Insecurity in my identity as a man, which resulted in seeking my validation through the approval of others (people pleasing).
  
• Numbness, stemming from selfishness, that had been developed and maintained through years of excessive alcohol and drug use, apathy, rule breaking, and emotional isolation (not allowing people to really know me).
• Confusion as to what is important in life, how to best make decisions, both large and small, for the thousands of choices that are presented each year, and what my role is here during my lifetime.

September 3, 2016: Despite growing up in church, I met Christ for the first time at a church retreat (which I had gone to in order to appease my now wife and maybe meet some new friends) with 1,000 young adults celebrating Him. I realized for the first time, that He is real, that He wants a relationship with me, and that He transforms lives. 

Post-September 3, 2016: my life is marked by:

• Eternal security in  my identity as a man is in Him, not in what others think about me.
• Life that celebrates relationships, choosing to serve other over myself, and is sensitive to the world around me.
• Confidence in what is important in life, how to best make decisions for those thousands of decisions that must be made throughout the year, and what my role is here during my lifetime. 

Like Paul, I fail at what I strive for daily, and I am forced to humble myself, ask for forgiveness to those I have harmed, and bring God into that area of my life. 

Romans 7:15: For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Takeaway: In 28 years of living, making mistakes, reading self-help books and memorizing motivational quotes, and now being surrounded by thousands of people who are not afraid of being fully known for all of their shortcomings, I know that I am who I am today because of Christ, and I cannot wait to share that information with the folks in Ethiopia alongside my wife on our first mission trip together. 

I would love your support in helping make this trip possible, whether that takes on the form of prayer, encouragement along the way, and/or financial support, and if you have any questions regarding the nature of the trip, details, etc. please do not hesitate to let me know!