Running The Race

"I was deeply moved.. shaken.. It almost felt like I was him, or her"

That is how I felt.. when I walked in the life of someone with HIV/Aids.. Someone who didn't have all that we have.. someone who was suffering.. fearing for there lives day by day and not knowing who would be there for them.. not knowing any hope.. not hearing any good news..

It was about two or three weeks ago..maybe a month.. I was at CFC on a Sunday morning.. For some reason I didn't get to make it out on Saturday night so I went into the 9 A.M service that Sunday morning. This was probably about the time I started backsliding on my faith.. I was update but seems like Church always does good.. It always brings me in a state of peace .. After the service I went up to the Media desk to get a Sermon for LaDawn, and then someone called out my name.. I looked and she was seeing if I wanted to volunteer to for the World Visons Experience: AIDS.

Mike had made an announcement and had a video played during one of the evening services.. I was somewhat moved but honestly at the time I was worried about other things.. This was when Swine Flu was all over the place and people were freaking out.. Needless to say I was not to focused on Swine Flu..or Aids..

So I took about five seconds to think about it and said sure I will help I can build and that would seem like a good time.. So I signed up to help setup the exhibit Saturday, May 30th at 8:00 A.M.

The days would play out.. I did not think to much about it the next two weeks or something.. Then I got a call from Zach Mullet talking about going to Earth Crisis show in Louisville..
It almost slipped my mind that he was talking about going to this show back in March one night when we were chatting right after Service. I said ya I am down to go.. I love Earth Crisis and Louisville was not a bad drive at all from Evansville.. May 26th we headed out.. it was a interesting trip up.. we got a bit detoured but we managed to make it to Uncle Pleasents.. I spot Lee right when I get into the venue area and say hey.. Apparently there were only three bands playing instead of 5 and 1 had alreadly played so we caught walls of jerichos set.. which kicked.. Female vocals in a hardcore band is hot... no doubt..

So I grab a coke.. Drink up and get ready for Earth Crisis! The first song they played was off there new album.. it kicked! After that they played All Out War off there first ablum.. BRUTAL .. Then some guy ran into a guy and a guy ran into.. hit me just the right spot.. cause as I fell so did my shoulder.. Fell right out of socket..

Since this has happend 8 times before I knew what was going on.. Yet I still managed to have that face like I was about to die.. Clayton Long knows this face best.. I remember 1123.. It was the 2nd time Outbreak had came to town... Straight and Alert was playing and it was the first time they did a hardcore fast verison of Dirty Deeds by AC/DC. Well I love AC/DC so you know I was running around crazy doing stage dives and fallen into people..

Brad Long got on the floor.. and lifted his back up.. I ran towards him and jumped off his back.. I went so far that I flew over the crowd that I was suppose to fall on.. hit my shoulder against Adam Knobletts amp and there we have it.. the 2nd time I dislocated my shoulder.. Clayton fell on me and had this look in his eyes that he was about to kill me.. then he realized I was in shock and helped me up..

Anyway.. So at that point I make my way out of the venue.. and eventually make it back to the car.. Zach drove us back and LaDawn took me to get it put back in.. as you know..

So now I got a bum shoulder and I really can't work at building the World Vison stuff.. on top of that I had to go into work that morning at 4 and work till 8.. So I called CFC and was just like I'm sorry I disclocated my shoulder and can't help.. but I can volenteer to work the experience.. She set me up with Wednesday June 3rd I said cool..

While all of this was going on I had been praying for the Lord just to use me.. Nothing makes me more happy then when God uses me for whatever He wants me to do..

That morning I went in at 9:00 to train.. I hadn't slept the night before because I thought I had to work.. even though they called me off.. I had also been at Bill Burkes most the night.. so by the time I did get tired.. I just said whatever because it was almost time to go..

When I heard what World Vison was all about I started feeling really excited.. I don't know what it was but I hadn't felt this way for a while..Once we were shown what World Vision was about we went back to the Exhibit and got our positions .. I was Bouncer.. which sounds like someone that would throw you out but no.. It was signing people into the exhibit..

Before we started work we went though.. one of the four people that you can go to see.. I went though with a open mind.. but once I put those headphones on.. and stepped into Aferica.. Something happend..

I almost felt as if I was this child.. that was the whole point.. I put myself and my family in the situation that this poor kid was going though.. and it gave me chills.. it touched my heart.. I then realized.. that my life.. what I have.. oh my gosh.. What a jerk I have been not to apperciate what I have..

By the time I made it though the whole thing.. I was changed.. I felt God really putting this on my heart..

I then thought about my life.. What God has done in it.. He has done so much.. He has blessed me so much.. My life would not be anything without him.. I thought about the job He brought to me.. and I thought.. you know what .. I am doing this.. The first child I saw when I left was the one I picked.. Her name is Marion.. and I am now sponsering her.. It feels great to do be doing this.. I know God will use my Money to really bless this child and the community to where she lives..

The whole experience has really gave me a new mindset.. and its helped me grow.. What a blessing..
God works in amazing ways =)