I am NOT what you might consider your average, gentle, mild Christian… I am a climber of mountains, a fearless leader, an adveturer, and a fighter. Actually, much like many of the men in the Bible. I AM a man of God and I am trying to get back to devoting my life to His plan for me rather than my own… because following my own plan just leads me down the same empty road time after time. I guess I am one of the people who needs to know that I am making a differnce and doing as much good as possible with my life.
I am currently an undergraduate Political Science student at the University of California, Berkeley and will graduate in May of 2013, just 2 months before the World Race begins. I grew up in a pretty strong Christian home in Ohio and joined the Marine Corps immediately after highschool (June, 2003). After bootcamp and School of Infantry, I was assigned to Alpha "Raiders" of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. In May of 2004, after a long pre-deployment work-up cycle we headed to Iraq. During 2004-2005, my unit was involved in much of the heaviest fighting seen by combat units in OIF to date… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_JRVFMsi2Q
I found myself questioning my faith, angry at God (and pretty much everyone else), and literally telling myself on a daily basis that I was going to Hell. I just didn't know what else to do. So, I did like almost everyone else does: Shut off emotion, stop caring, ignore or even take pleasure in the insane amounts of pain around you, and continue on with the mission. It worked…. sort of.
I deployed again in 2006 with a Maritime Special Purpose Force. And came home again.
In 2007, I was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps after 4 years of service. I found myself separated from guys that I sevred with, loved, and considered family. I had no plans. Iraq was hard, losing friends was hard. The amount of violence, destruction, and death was immense, and I had literally numbed myself to the point that I just didn't care anymore… about anything. It was just easier to be numb and not care than to try and figure out how anyone could possibly still consider me a good person. That hurt. A lot.
I was hurting inside. I had given up on myself. I had given up on God. And I didn't care. On the outside, I tried my best to allow everything to seem normal. But it was a struggle. I was trying, but I was literally a broken man. People would tell me "You're a good dude, Dave"… and it would make me angry. In many ways I was a good dude, but I just didn't know how to accept that compliment after all of the fighting, shooting, killing, violence, and anger. Who could love me? Who could possibly understand?
…God. Even for all the attempts I made to run from God, even for as angry as I was with Him, even for as much as I tried to convince myself that I was going to Hell and I was fine with that, even for all the times I had simply given up on him, He still loved me. He still watched over me daily, just as he had in Iraq. He still wanted a relationship with ME. Imagine that… God, creator of the world, the man who breathed life into all living things, the man who created the mountains and the roaring sea… HE had a plan for me.
God loves me. He created me with a heart bigger than anyone else I have ever met. Perhaps that's why Iraq hurt me as much as it did. He also created me with a determination, endurance, resiliency, and love that only HE could ever understand… and only HE could teach me to use.
I would NEVER change anything about my decision to serve in the US Marine Corps. It was by far the most challenging, motivating, rewarding, and profound experience of my life. I learned more about myself, honor, life, duty, culture, sacrifice, and brotherhood than can ever be explained. However, that chapter is over and I am excited to join the World Race and see the many ways that God will use me and change my life. I know it's going to be hard. I know it's going to be an incredible challenge. And I know that very much is going to change. But I also know that this is the path that God has set for me. He has called on me to go around the world and spread his message of joy, hope, sacrifice, and unconditional love. And I can't think of anyone better suited or more eager to take on this mission. So, please, donate as you see fit or as God puts in your heart, follow me, and watch an incredble journey unfold.
