Where it all began.
As a hobbyist woodworker, one thing that I have to do is to keep up with current woodworking trends. I do this the same way everyone else does… scrolling the voids of the internet. One day I happen across an amazing national nonprofit organization. This organization meets monthly with volunteers and builds beds for children in need. I was immediately hooked. This resonated with my soul. I was saddened, almost heartbroken, when I realized that while a chapter of this organization was close (about 45 minutes away), they did not service the county I live in, nor the county I work in. This did not deter me. I called to volunteer my time and skills and was happily accepted. Mind you, thus far, this has happened within less than 10 minutes. As I continued my research of this organization, I came to the conclusion that I did not like their bed design. It was clear to me that they were all about quantity and not quality. Don’t get me wrong, I am not talking badly about this wonderful organization. I just knew I could do better.
I walked downstairs and sat with my wife. I started telling her what I was thinking and what I was feeling. Before I could get much more than a sentence out… tears started falling. I was overcome with emotion. My amazing wife said to me, “God is moving you to do something. You can’t ignore this.” I took some time to compose myself and finished telling her my thoughts. I believe she was immediately on board.
I then went back upstairs and called my good friend, Matthew Perry. I filled him in on what I had been doing and thinking. I told Matt, “I think we can do better.” His response was perfect. Without hesitation, he said, “Let’s go get some wood and build a bed.” Excited as I was, I had to be realistic. We needed to come up with a design that was durable, easy for volunteers to help with, looked good, and could be taken apart easily. That evening I sat down at the computer and was able to 3D model a bed and come up with a material list.
The next morning, Matt and I went to the local lumber store, and to my surprise, Matt paid for all the materials needed for our first bed. We then went back to my shop (a two-car garage) and we started. Our prototype bed took us about 12 hours total from start to finish, including multiple trips to the lumber store… and one trip to set up a brand new 20-foot tall Santa Claus. Yes, it was huge!
This had become real. It was happening, and happening fast. I then started the incorporation of the business and filed for nonprofit status through the IRS and the State of Indiana. Dream Builders of Indiana, Inc. was born.
I can think of a few times in my life when God has gently nudged me in certain directions that He wanted me to go. Sometimes I went with the flow, and sometimes I ignored it and did my own thing. This time was different. This time… God is pushing me with the force of a Mack truck in the direction He wants me to go. There is no ignoring this push. There is no doing my own thing. I know, without a doubt, God is calling. I’m answering this call. Will you join me?