Off to The East

Hello Everyone,

The day has finally come. My amazing, longer than expected, stay in Cape Town is drawing to a close as I am getting on the plane later today. The past weeks have been filled with wrapping up my life here, saying many goodbyes, and preparing for the next step. As I have said my goodbyes, there has been some sadness, but mostly gratitude. I've just been overwhelmed with thankfulness for this experience, for all the people that have been put in my life here, and for the goodness and faithfulness of my God who has given me this gift of the past 2 1/2 years here.

I've also been so thankful for all of you back home who have faithfully supported me and made this all become a reality with your prayers, encouragement, and finances. Since the time God called me to Cape Town, the entire experience has been a gift. You all back at home have been a gift, everyone here has been a gift, and I feel so humbled that God would give me so much blessing in my time in Africa. As I've been leaving communities for the last time and giving last hugs, I've also felt an incredible peace that this is the right time to leave. I believe that God has accomplished everything He wanted to in me, and pretty much everything He wanted me to accomplish has been done.

I've been reflecting on what's shifted in my own life; how much I've grown and changed. God has touched me here, mainly through many amazing lives. I've seen and been a part of things that I never thought were possible, and yet God has shown me that He does indeed still work miracles. I've thought about all the time I've been able to spend with young lives here and how much we've given to each other. I've thought about how a microfinance project started that I had no intention to start when coming here; and now has great potential with the local staff running it and The Department of Trade and Industry coming alongside to help it take off to greater heights. I've thought about other projects that I've been able to be involved with and now see those taking off. I've thought about the church community I've found and how we've spent so much time encouraging and affecting each others lives. And I'm mostly just amazed at how it is all God. He has orchestrated all of these things, set these things in motion, and shown me the blessing and adventure of following Jesus. So thank you, because not a single one of these things would have been possible without your support.

As I've told you, my friends and I are heading to India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar today. We have felt God calling us there for awhile now. When I get back in August I will be attending either Fuller (in LA) where I have been accepted or Duke University, which is my top choice, but where I'm currently on the waiting list. If you have been sending financial support to Arvada Covenant Church, I would ask that you would discontinue sending there, as the account was open for me only as long as I was in Africa. I am also trusting God for finances to study. Obviously there is no pressure, but if you feel led in anyway to help contribute to my theological education, you may send checks (with "Seminary" on the memo line) to my parent's home address in Colorado which is:
9920 W. 86th Place, Arvada, CO 80005.

So all I can really say is thank you. I am excited for what God has ahead for us in Asia this month. Please pray that we are able to discern God's voice, let Him lead the trip, and walk in the power and love He has given us as His children. I will keep you updated as much as possible on the trip as to what's happening, and I will continue to pray for you all. Love, Ryan