Praise Report

Hello Friends and Family,

I hope you are all well, I wanted to send you all an exciting update after my last one. In moving to Khayelitsha, I knew that there would be possible dangers, but I knew that if anything "bad" did happen to me that it would be for good, to mature me, and for God's glory. So I still trusted that and prayed (with you all) for that in this situation with my car....And here's what has happened.

Last week the police recovered my car in a high speed chase. There are some things that need fixing, but it is in one piece after a couple weeks of being missing (which they say is very rare). AND I now have very tinted windows...free of charge..haha. So I am in the process of receiving my car back in working condition, saving me from losing over half the value of the car with insurance. And they arrested the man who was caught with my car.

Now in the good news of my car being found, I felt the challenge of what to do in the legal situation. The police detective wanted me to press charges and for Loyiso (roommate) and I to testify against the man caught in the chase. However, having already forgiven the men who stole the car, I felt torn about what to do; called to something more you might say. After much thought and prayer, I felt that God wanted me to drop charges and to speak to the guy who was caught with my car. So yesterday I went to the Khayelitsha Police Station to speak to the man who stole my car.

I explained to this guy that I had forgiven him and I was able to forgive him because God has forgiven me of all the wrongs I have done. I told him that God loved him and could forgive him of anything, because He sent Jesus to die on the cross for all of our wrongdoings and by putting our faith in Him, we can be set free, forgiven, and receive new life. I went on to say that the very reason I was dropping the charges was so that in some small way, he could see a picture of that type of grace and forgiveness. As we ended our time, I prayed together with this guy as he put his faith in Jesus, and received God's forgiveness and presence into his life. Needless to say I was blown away at the outcome of this situation...never could have I imagined this, but God is amazing like that and was glorified in the end.

Please pray for this man that God will truly change his heart and his actions. He still is facing about four other charges and has done a lot of things, so pray grace to really change his. Also, please pray for me for continued direction for the future. God has been faithful in providing some housing options for me, and allowing me to still work in the communities, but I still have decisions coming up. Thank you all for your support and prayers. I love you all and thank God for you. Peace
Ryan

Update

Hello Everyone,

I'm sorry that it has been awhile since my last update. It has been an eventful month to say the least. Since I last emailed, a lot has been going on, specifically in Khayelitsha. First of all we had a day with the youth to fast and pray for the land we are seeking to build a youth center on. The day was also a community service day of our youth group going around to several houses that were in need of help in Khayelitsha. It was great to see the youth helping others in need in their neighborhoods. And that night, at our prayer meeting, there were 10 teens who committed their lives to Christ. Exciting day.

Also, the drama group has been using their musical and theatrical skills to minister to and encourage others around different parts of the city. Just recently, they came to my church which is a predominantly white community in the suburbs. It was also to help kick off a tutoring program with the people from the church (many of whom are university students) for the youth from Khayelitsha (an educationally under served area). To see two communities of different race and backgrounds coming together was exciting.

Now finally, I thought I would let you all know about an event that happened to me personally this past week. I was coming back from the grocery store with my roommate Loyiso and we were held up at gunpoint by two men in front of our house. Thankfully no harm happened to us, but our phones were stolen as well as my car. It happened very quickly and we were shocked, but we have been in prayer about it and forgiving the guys who did it. I have felt the unexplainable peace of God in my heart in a time that should seem to be more chaotic. But the situation has forced me to move out Khayelitsha (as requested by the board of Africa Jam). Things for my immediate future are up in the air right now, as far as housing, location, my car, etc. So....

Please pray for direction in this time and wisdom. Also please pray for comfort and peace for my family in this time of being so far away. And finally please pray that the police are able to recover my car, as the insurance I have only covers less than half of the value of the car. Thank you for all you support and prayers as I continue to pray for you all. Peace
Ryan