The experience of a lifetime

What could possibly be waiting for young men who have felonies, difficult pasts, unknowing futures, and challenging lifestyles as their experience of a lifetime? What could change their life where they could turn the corner and be afforded the opportunity to overcome their desperate lives?

Nineteen years ago my position as the youngest in the family was overtaken by my cousin Evan. It was a joyous time in our family, and over the years we were always cheering for him at the baseball field or football field. It was fun to be able to watch him succeed. But things changed six years ago when our family was crushed with the untimely deaths of our closest family members — my uncle, stepfather and grandmother. Evan lost two uncles and the only grandparent he had ever known.

Shortly after my grandmother’s death, Evan’s parents recognized that divorce was inevitable. Obviously, Evan’s world crashed. Personality changes, questionable behavior and other clues, led our family to believe that Evan was quickly traveling down the wrong path in life. We knew that underneath the destructive behavior, the Evan we all knew and loved was desperate to get out. After two attempts at boarding schools, Evan was not willing to accept that something needed to change. For reasons too personal to share, Evan was arrested.

As part of his sentence, Evan was ordered to the Paul Anderson Youth Home for Boys in Vidalia. After learning of his sentence, Evan understood that his behavior had consequences, and he was ready to accept them. August 2007 was a turning point in his life.

Since 1961, the PAYH has provided an alternative to incarceration and a “home” to over 1,000 young men while nurturing and encouraging their families. As part of the rehabilitation process, Paul Anderson Ministries offers opportunities for young men to participate in events such as the Paul Anderson Cycling Challenge. This 500-mile fund-raising bike ride through Georgia teaches perseverance, discipline, teamwork and endurance.
Changing lives is the main reason for the Paul Anderson Cycling Challenge; this year’s participants will never be the same. The ride began Sept. 25 in Atlanta, passed through Rome, Toccoa, Augusta and will return to Vidalia Oct. 2. The team will provide blogs, stories and videos along the way. Speaking engagements have been planned at churches and civic clubs to raise awareness of the ministry’s efforts to help families through placement, resources, counseling and referrals.

I have not seen or spoken to Evan since last August due to the rules that each participant must follow. It has been difficult to only be able to communicate through my aunt when she visits him once a month. In the beginning, Evan had a hard time adjusting to the structure, chores, responsibilities and other unfamiliar territorial aspects of the home.

He began attending Bible studies, church, small group sessions and was saved in December. My mother and aunt proudly and tearfully attended his baptism in January of this year. His personality, disposition, demeanor and attitude have completely changed. I was given special permission to talk with him on the telephone so I could write this article. While talking on the phone, he didn’t mumble, but spoke with confidence, joy and respect. He used his manners when he spoke saying “yes ‘mam” and “no ‘mam” (even though I so badly wanted to tell him he didn’t have to say that to me).

As you read this (Thursday) he will be concluding his 500-mile Paul Anderson Cycling Challenge. I know this will be a turning point in his life and it may even be his experience of a lifetime.

I am so proud of Evan. The progress that he has made, wants to make and continues to make is a true sign of not only his determination, but the youth home’s dedication to changing lives. I am so thankful that he has this opportunity to be a part of such a positive place that offers him so much. He has quickly realized that his life has hope, promise, love and happiness.

I know he will be successful with his life because he has already proven what he can overcome. God bless you, Evan. You are an inspiration.
To learn more about the bike ride and how you might could help, log onto www.payh.org/bikeride. You’ll be amazed at what you see when you watch the videos, read the blogs and understand the story of why they are going this.

They may not know it yet, but being at the PAYH and traveling on this 500-mile cycling challenge may become their experience of a lifetime.

Tricia Massey is a stay-at-home mom, a member of the Commerce Downtown Development Authority and chairs the Commerce Public Library's capital campaign. She lives in Commerce.

For all of the columns and editorials, see the Oct. 1 edition of The Commerce News