A Trench Head-Deep

Standing Together, Behind the Scenes

Earlier today, Evangelina and I drove to town to deliver a gift. We were talking about the fact that she doesn’t go on camera with me—which many of you may or may not understand.

When we first met, I never understood why she avoided social media like the plague. Sure, people are more judgmental than ever. Sure, the keyboard makes folks feel more brave than if we were face-to-face. But she is a beautiful, wonderful human that everyone loves, so I didn’t get it.

To please me, she made a Facebook because I thought it was important to have her publicly show support for the mission. Before we knew it, she had 4,000 followers with no effort—and an inbox full of creepy photos and advances. Her Facebook automatically turned into a very uncomfortable place.

So, although I believe that it is important for people to see a unified front on a mission like this, I must respect that her grace is more valuable than having her at my side in the public eye. She is always here—editing, building, testing, and even setting up the lighting for me. She sends her love to this community.

Digging the Trenches

Now I want to share something else, something more personal.

My first experience in plumbing wasn't glamorous. At 11 years old, my grandfather handed me a pick and a shovel and said, "We need a new leach field. Dig three trenches until you're head deep." That was my introduction to hard work.

As an adult, I worked for several plumbing companies. I saw some amazing people, and I saw some things that just didn't sit right with me at the corporate level. I started looking more deeply at the world. Then I discovered that family court in America was absolutely corrupt. My spirit was completely crushed. My rose-colored lenses were scratched beyond repair.

Eventually, I landed here in this amazing community during one of the most difficult seasons of my life. Something happened during that time. I stopped focusing on what I could get, and started focusing on what I could give.

If I made enough money in the morning, I'd work for free in the afternoon. If I pulled into a driveway and saw a family struggling, I wouldn't charge them at all. One of my pastimes was to go into the gas station nine times a day just waiting for someone to put ten dollars in their tank—then I'd ask the clerk to fill it up for them. The point is that I never used what I made to better my own life. Not in the financial sense anyway.

The Price of a Prayer

That helped me discover something that completely changed my life: The more I gave, the less I worried. The more I served, the more peace I found.

I believe God was showing me something, and I wanted to share that message with people. Some listened. Some did not. One day, out of frustration, I prayed a prayer I'll never forget. I said:

"Father, I don't want to just talk about your grace. I want to be an undeniable example of it. I want to prove that with faith, integrity, and perseverance, mountains can be moved. I ask for the hardest training no matter the cost. Walk me through the darkest valleys and bring me out the other side stronger but without a scratch.”

I didn't realize at the time that my prayer was about to be answered. What followed was certainly the hardest of all my experiences. Everything I had built seemed to disappear. I found myself drinking like a fish and behaving in unspeakable ways surrounded by demons.

But by the grace of God, I made it out. Every lesson, every hardship, every obstacle had prepared me for exactly where I am today. Alcohol never touches my lips and never will. I am now an unstoppable force regardless of how many puny little demons come nipping at my heels.

Turning Over a New Leaf: A Warning to the Thieves

So now, with that mushy love stuff out of the way… I hope that we are on the same page.

The first order of business to handle is some thieves. I have been receiving emails for the past two years regarding some plumbers who think that it is ok to send three guys to a drain call and leave retirees with the stress of a five-figure proposal of things that were absolutely not needed. I have several examples and the proof to back it up.

It is abundantly clear that this is just their business model. Now, what kind of preacher would I be if I didn’t stand up for the people?

Let my message be clear. Plumbers are charged to protect the health of the nation. Yes, this deserves adequate compensation considering the hazards and skillset required to do that job correctly. But in no world is it ok to lie to people in an attempt to rob them for profit.

In Jesus' name, you will need to change this business model. I advise that you start turning a new leaf and treat people properly. That game is over.

To those of you that have stood by my side through all of these years… thank you. I am eternally grateful.

The scripture never stopped being written… and we are only getting started.