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