Everyone sat down and talked. I'm sure I talked a little bit, maybe started a conversation. The girls left and did their bible study somewhere else. Us, guys, stayed. His name was Travis (maybe you figured that out by the title). He had a Bible in his hand that he seemed to stumble through. But something was different about Travis. When we started to read, and spent time just reflecting on the passage, he would often dig his nose into his bible, pouring his eyes over the pages. They say you can see some one's soul through their eyes. That night, as I glanced at Travis, I caught his soul yearning for every syllable he read. His Bible may have been new to him, but it wouldn't be for long.

Weeks went by and as we started to hang out at Bible Study and Campus Crusade for Christ. We started to enjoy each others company. Soon, the guys of Bible study were a tight knit group: myself, Tom, Kuo, Kurt, Travis, Jake. I found myself with a close group of friends.I remember sitting in Travis's dorm while watching him sit on his bed. His elbows were propped up against his knees as he tried to hold his head up. In the end he would get through it. But at the time, what he was going through was what seemed a pretty devastating crisis. It was tearing his world apart.

I sat there and almost waited to see his faith fall apart, just like his world. He was a new Christian, and I was prepared to see him become like so many others: just turn away from God when times become hard. Even I myself had done it on numerous occasions, occasions not as difficult as his. He started to talk about how he was reading his Bible a lot more. Praying every chance he could get. That the only thing keeping him going was God. Somehow, in someway, Travis gave everything up to God. I was shocked. Sure, this is what you're supposed to do, but that doesn't mean it is the average. I didn't hear him blame God, get angry, or curse. Instead I would come into his dorm room and see him devoutly reading his bible as Christian rock music blared in the background. I suddenly became aware that his faith, although young, was solid.

A few weeks later, us guys went to a party on North Campus. It was pretty boring (hey, it was on North Campus) and Travis was feeling burdened, so him and I walked back to South Campus. As we passed libraries and classrooms, it was quite apparent that he had a lot on his mind. We ended up sitting at a bench at mirror lake, watching the fountain burst 20 feet high and splash down onto its many inhabitants: ducks. For the next hour and a half we talked. I will never forget that night.

Unfortunately, as summer came along, things changed. School was out, and so was the social life of the dorms. Both of us worked, and we hanged out less. Next year came along, and we did not hang out much.

I regret having been less of a part of Travis's life over this past year. If there is anything I could change, it would be that. I often lie to myself and tell myself that Travis is my best friend. I know that I don't hang out with him much, and I know that he has closer friends. But it is such a privilege to have him as a friend that it is an honor to know him. When us guys would all hang out, it would be Travis that knew what to do and where to go. He was a year older than us, and had been on campus for one more year, but I realize that we often looked to him for much more than how to get to Oxley's. You see, Travis is what we call a man's man. He is likely one of the smartest and wisest guys I know of his age, and shows great leadership. His faith is strong, and his friendship is stronger. I find myself looking up to him as what kind of person to be. (sure, you can say I have a man-crush on him, but I just recognize great people when I see them)

He is now headed to Iraq. Is he scared? No. I am not surprised. He loves his duty, and is ready to serve. I am looking forward to seeing him next August. I can't wait to see the Sergeant and be able to hang out with him again. Until then, I am sure I will be sending him many care packages.