Who am I? That’s a very good question and I am finding myself asking that same question as every day passes. I really don’t think I know who I really am and I don’t believe I’ll really figure out who I really am until I go on the World Race. I’m going to be changed and stripped and blinded and broken so much that by the end of it all, I fully expect to lose any sense of self I ever had. I hope to really find out who God is and who His children are and all the rest is just self-consciousness. However, in light of all this blogging stuff I’ll humor alll of you readers and tell you a little about who I think I may be as of right now. So here goes…
A little background on Braedon Tabor: I am currently a paid intern as Assistant Youth Director at The First Presbyterian Church of Lewisburg, PA. I went to Messiah College Fall ’05-Spring ’07 as a Biblical Studies major without a defined goal for a career path. Since High School, I felt a strong passion and calling for overseas/cross-cultural ministry, but when I graduated high school in ’04, something held me back from pursuing that. I took a year off and worked, then attended Messiah College where God began to open my eyes to the idea of love and service as our main job and calling as Disciples of Christ. So as I continued in my Bible classes and spoke with many other people who were much more active in helping and loving others, I continued to hear God’s voice whispering to me about His people and Church outside the U.S.
I began talking with some organizations about the possibility of working with them in middle-eastern areas, but they informed me that there was not much opportunity through them at the time. But there were some programs going on in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, especially since I have never done overseas missions before. I tried to research about both as much as possible to get an idea of where the most pain and need was. As I read more and more about Zimbabwe, Pres. Mugabe and their Socio-Economic and Agricultural crises, I could not just cast aside what God was putting on my heart for the people and land of Zimbabwe.
I made the decision to drop out of Messiah College with the mindset that I could better spend my money and time on people who really need it, not on my own future and promotion. I ended up not going to Zimbabwe due to miscommunications, and started working to pay off my loans. My parents moved three hours away, but I was offered this job with the youth back in my hometown of Lewisburg. I was given a car (free) by a brother-in-law of a friend (whom I had never met), and a family from the church I work with is housing and feeding me for no cost (I love the Robinsons!). So as I am trying to find my place as a youth leader (which I never thought I would be doing), I have returned to my search for what God wants to do with me outside the walls (figurative and literal) of the United States.
I finally think I have found what God has been planning for me for this point in my life. I still don’t know what strengths God has given me, but I know that The World Race is possibly the best opportunity for me to see Christ’s work through me. To live out of a backpack, eat foods I never thought God would create, and being in community with brothers and sisters from completely different cultures and lifestyles will be perhaps the biggest turning point in my life. I know that God has great things planned for His Kingdom and His children, and I thank God for His Son, Jesus Christ, and for His voice calling me to serve Him. It is a privilege to say I serve The Most High, and that He loves me. I have Jesus Christ as not only a Savior, but also a teacher, a comrade, a friend, and a brother. That is how personal the Creator of Life gets. He is not just some authoritative voice yelling through a loud-speaker telling my team and me to go and serve others. Jesus will be walking, eating, sleeping, and loving alongside us every step of the way, and I can’t wait to watch His hands at work.
Some facts:
-I am 22-years old so far, but I’m working on becoming 23. I still have some badges to earn…
-My father has taught me everything I know (whether he intended it that way or not), my mother has given me a lot of my personality, my older sister Kim has helped lead me down this road I am on and she will always be one of my role models, my younger sister Kara is one of the most beautiful girls in the world and has the personality to go along with it, and my brother-in-law Jeff will never stop challenging me in my faith. They are all so important to me and we are a family built with the Love of our Father.
-I have several adopted families whom will be blessed for their service and giving. Thank you.
~The Robinsons are giving me a roof, a bed, and food, all so that I can save up for the World Race. They are the most selfless family you could ever meet.
~The Emedans are indescribably caring and give me so much joy in what I am doing with life.
-All of my friends, from Bedford, Lewisburg, Krislund, and Messiah, are amazing and have helped to mold me into the man I am today.
-I enjoy bouldering (rock climbing).
-I look like Napoleon Dynamite (yippee…)
-I am not easily excited about anything. but I am ecstatic about The World Race.
-I have clammy hands.
-I am tall and weigh a lot less than I should.
-I have two tattoos. The first, on my right forearm, is the red lion from the Scottish flag to represent Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia. The second, on my left forearm, is Matthew 6:33 (look it up) in Koine Greek rapping around my arm. I hope to get more, but my tattoo artist (brother-in-law’s brother) lives 7 hrs. away…
-I am unfortunately afraid of spiders…
-I have a sense of humor that not many people get. If you do get it, please laugh. If you don’t get it, please laugh.
-All in all, I’m real chill. I do well with small groups rather than big groups, and I really enjoy just sitting around and sharing thoughts with people.
