FROM CARINITY
Travis struggled with a gambling addiction which spanned 33 years of his life.
He’d given up trying to give up, even when it cost him everything – his long-term girlfriend, his job, and his freedom.
Travis resorted to white collar fraud to fund his addiction.
It led to four stints in prison, spanning 11 years.
THE KINDNESS OF PRISON CHAPLAINS HELPED TRAVIS TURN HIS LIFE AROUND
That’s where Travis experienced the kindness of chaplains from Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy.
It is an outreach of Queensland Baptists supported by Carinity, providing pastoral care to inmates across state correctional centres.
“Chaplains play a big role in emotional and relational healing for many prisoners,” Travis observed.
“They offer a safe, non-judging presence. They listen without condemning.”
“CHAPLAINS OFFERED ME HOPE AND IDENTITY”
“They assist with processing grief and trauma: chaplains are often there when an inmate gets bad news from home, loses a loved one, or is overwhelmed by regret and fear.”
“They also offer hope and identity.”
“Many chaplains encourage inmates with powerful scriptures, pointing them back to the idea that they are more than their worst day.”
“That God knows them by name and everything about them and everything they’ve done, but still loves them and accepts them just the way they are.”
“This can slowly rebuild an inmate’s shattered self-confidence, self-respect and self-love.”
TRAVIS CRIED OUT TO GOD AND HE ANSWERED
At his lowest point, Travis had cried out, asking God to end his life.
In that moment, Travis was interrupted by a gentle soft voice simply saying: “Trust me”.
All his life, Travis had been searching for the answer to stop gambling and in that moment, the answer was clear:
“Let go and let God.”
But his desire to gamble didn’t just go away.
TRAVIS LINKS JESUS WITH KUNG FU FIGHTER BRUCE LEE
Travis says: “In my opinion the two greatest men to live on this earth were Jesus Christ and Bruce Lee. “
“And here’s the thing; they both died at the age of 33.”
“So, I wanted my gambling addiction to also die at the age of 33.”
“I knew that if I ever had another bet, I wouldn’t ever stop for the rest of my life.”
“So, I had only two choices: never bet again or never stop betting.”
TRAVIS BEATS THE BETTING ADDICTION
Travis’s last bet was in November 2023.
For most of his life, he didn’t go a day without an urge or desire to have a bet.
With or without money, the urges were constant.
But since that date three years ago, he hasn’t had a single urge or desire to place a bet.
His three-decade gambling addiction died that day.
TRAVIS GIVES SPECIAL THANKS TO A PRISON CHAPLAIN
That day doesn’t just represent the day he was set free from gambling, but also the day he was set free from sin – because he was born-again.
Today, Travis is living a life free from gambling addiction – and full of hope.
He gives special ‘thanks’ to one particular prison chaplain who he first met in a Queensland correctional centre in 2015.
“Words can’t express the impact he’s had on my life, and I thank God for transferring me from one correctional centre to another.”
“The blessing this chaplain has had on my life is truly amazing,” Travis said.
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