I stopped to think this afternoon while I was shoveling some bricks into the dumpster from demolition at the center. A good friend named Peter was with me. It was snowing. In that moment I had a bit of a revelation. I said to him, "We are living in New York City! And we get to work with the coolest kids in the world! Almost no one gets an opportunity like this." I became overwhelmed with thankfulness to God for this opportunity, and for every open door that has led to this. I am in awe that God would allow a person like me to take part in His great purpose in this way. The task that is in front of me and all of us is unimaginable. And God entrusted this small part to me. And for that I cannot be thankful enough. I told Peter that I probably have less physical things than I ever have but I have more to be thankful for than ever. The smallest of the things of God are so much greater than everything we can imagine to accumulate. But you already know that. Or do you, as you seek after and strive for that job to make that money to buy that car, to pay off that house, to get those clothes? Of course you know that to be a fact. But do you know it? So much so that you would give up everything today and then, with nothing left of your own, follow wholeheartedly after everything that is of Christ. Because wait, that is exactly what you as a "christian" are commanded to do. I do not pretend to have arrived, or even come close to this point. But as I seek to discover the things that are of Christ, I realize how far I am from it. But then I am greatly encouraged that I will never on this earth come close to the obedience of everything Christ requires of us. But as I instead strive to diminish my self and flesh until there is nothing left of my own, The Holy Spirit then comes in, and the things that are impossible for me to achieve, become possible only through what the Spirit does in me. Jesus was not joking when He spoke to that rich man. Remember, the man asked "What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" Jesus went on to answer, "If you want to be perfect..."

Sorry, it has been too long.
-Ryan.

Hey everybody!!! Sorry it's been quite a while since I've been on here. Everything with Christmas break and then getting back into working again after Christmas and traveling has been too crazy. But here I am. My Christmas was wonderful. So good to get away for a bit and see family and friends and nature, and eat good food again. Thanks again to everyone. Love you all. On the other hand though, it is so good to be back home. I really missed this place over the holidays, more than I thought I would. I still have not gotten to see a lot of my kids yet. I saw a few on Saturday when I went to deliver a couple late Christmas Presents. Hopefully this week soon I'll get to go on a proper visitation again. For the off-semester a lot of the guys and I (and one girl) are doing work in the center with the renovations in there. We mostly smash down walls with hammers and break stuff. It's good work. A lot of the other side-walk staff are working in the finance department or working with the "Won by One" child sponsorship, helping get presents and letter delivered to our kids and get the thank-you cards back to the sponsors. We all keep busy enough during the off semester. Sunday School will start up again towards the end of March. During this time we do still visit our kids once a week, to deliver stuff from the sponsors and just to see them and hang out. But it will go by quick and Sunday School will be back soon enough for sure. Pray that the staff would take this time that is not so busy and stressful to really rejuvenate for the next semester. And that we would not loose the focus and vision even when it seems this work is not the ministry we are here for. Because the ministry does in fact fully depend on this kind of back-ground work. Thank you for the support. Love.

ryan.

ps. Thank You so much to all of those who took a profile and considering Sponsoring me financially, And especially to those who already are. I really do need you all.

People the semester is done! Wow. that was the fastest, busiest, craziest, most amazing three months of my life. This is just going to be short, I'll give a real update when i get some time to think. The past couple of days i have been realizing what an impossible thing this is that we do. Our church sanctuary is an old warehouse. Half the staff is living in an old hospital that is being renovated around them as they live there. I heard it was more than 25,000 kids this last week in New York. If you have a vision that is not possible to accomplish and the faith that you will see it happen, you will see so much more. The memory verse for this week is Luke 1:37. I am blessed to be a part of this. And you could be to. where ever you are and whatever your doing does not matter. The body has many parts. But the branches that do not produce fruit will be cut off...

almost there

This semester has gone by so fast. We only have four more days of sunday school! Yesterday we had to say bye to the kids at the Tuesday site until March. Those kids are so crazy. So much fun. For some its hard to say bye to because you don't really know what kind of life they go to When Yogi Bear is gone. We do keep on visiting every week all though the time off though. But we still are not able to see them all. Just keep praying for our kids. When I left after my internship though it was different. I knew I would never see those kids again and that was hard. But here it is actually kind of exciting, saying good bye because I know in three months I will be back. I love it here. The past three and a half months have been some of the most challenging, frustrating, and rewarding times of my life all at once. After being here for my first semester on staff I do not regret the decision to come back at all. And I will not be leaving soon. But of course this semester is not quite over yet. And I have a lot to do before I go back for Christmas in five days. If you could just pray that I don't go crazy and have enough energy to finish this very well. Thank you all so much. And I'll see a lot of you soon I hope over Christmas. God bless and Merry Christmas!!!

So those last two post are kinda backwards. Just ignore it. The one under comes first. Have fun...

More Pictures!!!

Hope you enjoyed these few pictures. I'll show you more when you come and visit me and see the ministry. Be blessed.

Pictures!!!

Here are some of the pictures I promised. Just some of the best kids in the world. There are more in the next post because I cant upload more than 5 at a time. I really do not have time at the moment for a huge update. But its okay. Hopefully I will see a lot of you soon over Christmas. I am doing very good. Learning a lot. Pray that the next two weeks go smooth. The two before Christmas are always the craziest. And it is my first time seeing them. Pray that i continue to become diligent with my work and that I would learn more and more to do it as unto the Lord. Thank you for all you prayers and support. Love.