“I was able to get off the prescription drugs and move back in with my parents in Southern California. But by then I was smoking medical marijuana nonstop, and I spent every day at the bar for a year,” Jason says. “What I’ve been going through has not only affected me, but those I love the most: my children, my family, my friends. Every day seems like Groundhog’s Day.”

Ian is one of the best film armorers in the world, a passionate anti-poaching advocate and protector of animals, and a veteran of the South African military. In a little over a month, Ian will join five other veterans from all around the world to participate in the first Soldiers on Safari in Sable Plains, South Africa.

Deeper Roots Foundation proudly announces its official launch as a new nonprofit dedicated to helping past members of the armed forces find healing. Through its flagship program, Operation Soldiers on Safari (S.O.S.), the organization will offer all-expenses-paid retreats at Sable Plains Safaris north of Johannesburg, South Africa for an immersive experience in nature designed to address their challenges with post-traumatic stress.

I’ve never written a blog before. Embarking on this post feels like stepping into uncharted territory. After all, whose life is really that captivating? But as a recent guest speaker at our church humorously remarked, “we all wear watches but seldom have time for the things that truly matter.”