Hello Friends,
I hope that things are well with you all and that you had a great Easter weekend. Mine was great as I spent time with some friends from my church about 6 hours up the coast in a beautiful place called Plettenberg Bay. We spent the weekend just relaxing and swimming at the beach which was well needed after a busy month and a busy week leading up to it.
Things have really been going well in the community of Lotus River. At the end of February we began teaching in a primary school about sexuality, choices, and HIV/AIDS. Since we are working with 6th and 7th graders, believe me it is not the easiest task in the world (you can imagine some of the comments), but both Africa Jam and the school felt that it was a very necessary thing for a lot of these kids who just get educated on these issues from word of mouth through peers.
Then all of last week, before the Easter weekend, we had a holiday camp with 3rd-5th graders at that same school. We spent the week playing games, singing, sharing Bible stories, having competitions and lots of fun. There were about 150 who attended the camp. On one of the days after we acted out the story of Jesus and how God had used Him to bring people back into a relationship with Him, we asked if there were any student who wanted that for themselves, and every single student stood up to respond to God's love.
It was a great week and needless to say, we were exhausted by the end. But things are continuing with our programs in Khayelitsha as well. I have recently met some people who have gotten involved in the planning of our small loan program and are helping push us closer to launching it. So please keep praying for us here. Please keep your updates and prayer requests coming. I would love to hear from you all and want to stay connected to home as time passes. I miss you all and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Peace
Ryan
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Feb/March
Hello Everyone,
The past month has flown by. And it was a seriously hot month. I think that February is the warmest month of the year with several days reaching up to nearly 100 degrees. I sweat driving around town, but thankfully I now have those tinted windows (courtesy of the guy who stole it) on my car to keep some of the heat out. Haha.
The day to day work that Africa Jam has really gotten back up and running for the year. We started our after school program in the community of Lotus River again with over 40 kids coming. Its quite a challenge to try and quiet down and teach guitar to such a large number of 5th, 6th, and 7th graders though, haha. We also started our tutoring program in Khayelitsha again, bringing University of Cape Town students from my church to be with our youth once a week.
A lot of my time recently has actually been spent brainstorming and meeting with different advisers to get input into the loan program we want to launch in Khayelitsha in the next couple of months. It is exciting that we will be putting something in place that will be helping better provide for the needs of the youth and their families through helping them start businesses, but it is a bit daunting to do it well and work out all the details.
So please pray for this program and for all of Africa Jam's projects to be led forth by God's Spirit. Also please continue to pray for the youth we work with, specifically the ones I mentioned last time who were dealing with the rape recovery and the drug addiction. Thanks so much and please send me all of your updates and prayer requests. Peace
Ryan
The past month has flown by. And it was a seriously hot month. I think that February is the warmest month of the year with several days reaching up to nearly 100 degrees. I sweat driving around town, but thankfully I now have those tinted windows (courtesy of the guy who stole it) on my car to keep some of the heat out. Haha.
The day to day work that Africa Jam has really gotten back up and running for the year. We started our after school program in the community of Lotus River again with over 40 kids coming. Its quite a challenge to try and quiet down and teach guitar to such a large number of 5th, 6th, and 7th graders though, haha. We also started our tutoring program in Khayelitsha again, bringing University of Cape Town students from my church to be with our youth once a week.
A lot of my time recently has actually been spent brainstorming and meeting with different advisers to get input into the loan program we want to launch in Khayelitsha in the next couple of months. It is exciting that we will be putting something in place that will be helping better provide for the needs of the youth and their families through helping them start businesses, but it is a bit daunting to do it well and work out all the details.
So please pray for this program and for all of Africa Jam's projects to be led forth by God's Spirit. Also please continue to pray for the youth we work with, specifically the ones I mentioned last time who were dealing with the rape recovery and the drug addiction. Thanks so much and please send me all of your updates and prayer requests. Peace
Ryan
Thursday, February 5, 2009
January Summary
Hey Everyone,
I apologize that it has taken me so long to get back to you after my last email and update about camp. I have been waiting to get pictures from our camp so I could post them and send you all the link (pictures always make the words more clear). But I have to update give an update about our big youth camp that happened from Jan. 4-9. It was an incredible week. Out of the last 3 camps I have been to, it was the best yet. This was so amazing to me coming out of a year with such transition in the organization - to see God work it all out in the end showed me that He is still behind all that we are doing.
We had 200 people from all over Cape Town and a large visiting group from the US. Once again it was so cool to see all the relationships that were built, fun that was had, and walls that were broken down. Since camp has ended I have spoken to many who tell me how much God did in their lives over this week. And it incredible to hear about the diversity of things that God did in each individual life, including introducing Himself to some for the first time.
Riding on the wave of excitement, we have been planning and preparing for the year for our day to day work in the schools and with after-school programs. I am especially excited about planning our small loan project to help provide income for some of the youth and families we work with. So as the schools have gotten back from vacation, we are getting back into the swing of things.
However, we are always faced with the hard realities of life, humanity, and some of the communities we work in. Just this past week, I had a youth come to me and share his battle with drug addiction. And a girl heavily involved in one of our programs was abducted, forced to witness robberies, and was raped. Thankfully she got away and is in the process of proper counseling. So I would really ask for prayers for these two youth specifically for healing and comfort. As well as wisdom from our team as how to better serve the youth. Thanks so much for all your continued support and prayers. Peace
Ryan
http://picasaweb.google.com/decookr (pics of things this year in "Cape Town 09" folder
I apologize that it has taken me so long to get back to you after my last email and update about camp. I have been waiting to get pictures from our camp so I could post them and send you all the link (pictures always make the words more clear). But I have to update give an update about our big youth camp that happened from Jan. 4-9. It was an incredible week. Out of the last 3 camps I have been to, it was the best yet. This was so amazing to me coming out of a year with such transition in the organization - to see God work it all out in the end showed me that He is still behind all that we are doing.
We had 200 people from all over Cape Town and a large visiting group from the US. Once again it was so cool to see all the relationships that were built, fun that was had, and walls that were broken down. Since camp has ended I have spoken to many who tell me how much God did in their lives over this week. And it incredible to hear about the diversity of things that God did in each individual life, including introducing Himself to some for the first time.
Riding on the wave of excitement, we have been planning and preparing for the year for our day to day work in the schools and with after-school programs. I am especially excited about planning our small loan project to help provide income for some of the youth and families we work with. So as the schools have gotten back from vacation, we are getting back into the swing of things.
However, we are always faced with the hard realities of life, humanity, and some of the communities we work in. Just this past week, I had a youth come to me and share his battle with drug addiction. And a girl heavily involved in one of our programs was abducted, forced to witness robberies, and was raped. Thankfully she got away and is in the process of proper counseling. So I would really ask for prayers for these two youth specifically for healing and comfort. As well as wisdom from our team as how to better serve the youth. Thanks so much for all your continued support and prayers. Peace
Ryan
http://picasaweb.google.com/decookr (pics of things this year in "Cape Town 09" folder
Friday, January 2, 2009
Back to CT
Hello Friends,
I hope that you all had a great Christmas and holiday season. Mine was amazing, especially since I got to see or chat to many of you. My few weeks in the states were very busy with fundraising and catching up with friends and family, but it was a great time.
Two nights ago I arrived safely back in Cape Town. It was a long flight and Im a bit worn out, but adjusting. It's always hard to leave home, but much easier to arriving in a place where Ive been able to build so many great relationships.
The main reason I had to return so quickly was our big youth camp for the year. We are starting in a couple days (Jan 4-9). We are trusting it will be a great camp as it has been in the past, with 150 youth from all over Cape Town attending. So...
Please pray for: 1) Camp to run smoothly and for local leaders to be raised up - 2) Everyone attending to be touched by the love of God
Thanks for all your continued support and prayers. Looking forward to walking forward with you in 2009. Peace
Ryan
I hope that you all had a great Christmas and holiday season. Mine was amazing, especially since I got to see or chat to many of you. My few weeks in the states were very busy with fundraising and catching up with friends and family, but it was a great time.
Two nights ago I arrived safely back in Cape Town. It was a long flight and Im a bit worn out, but adjusting. It's always hard to leave home, but much easier to arriving in a place where Ive been able to build so many great relationships.
The main reason I had to return so quickly was our big youth camp for the year. We are starting in a couple days (Jan 4-9). We are trusting it will be a great camp as it has been in the past, with 150 youth from all over Cape Town attending. So...
Please pray for: 1) Camp to run smoothly and for local leaders to be raised up - 2) Everyone attending to be touched by the love of God
Thanks for all your continued support and prayers. Looking forward to walking forward with you in 2009. Peace
Ryan
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Finally
Hello Everybody,
I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you with this update. I have been holding off on writing because I wanted to be certain of my plans for next year. But, in all my thinking, writing, discerning, and praying I have come to a decision for 2009. While I still feel that I will do grad school, it will likely just be pushed back a year into 2010. And I have felt God calling me back to continue the work in Cape Town with Africa Jam into 2010.
From when I wrote my last update and was uncertain, I was feeling very overwhelmed and anxious about what was ahead. Now that I have spent the time to seek what God wants, and have made my decision, I have felt very at peace, revived, and excited about next year. I will still be back to the US on the 10th of December, but could be back in Cape Town as early as December 31st for our big camp of the year.
I am stoked to see what 2009 has in store, as I will be continuing with some of the work that was started this year. My main responsibilities will be continuing with leadership development, mentoring the youth, Bible studies, teaching guitar, and organizing our tutoring program. I'm very excited about our Microloan Project (business generating) that I will be in charge of restructuring, implementing and overseeing. We see it as a great way of battling poverty in the lives of the youth and their families. I'm excited about moving forward with Africa Jam and seeing youth impacted spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
This decision is made completely in faith. I am trusting that this is where God wants me, so He will provide for me. While Africa Jam will be covering a few of my costs, most of my living expenses will have to come from elsewhere. Many of you have supported me faithfully financially, in prayer, in encouragement and I'm truly grateful for that and the deepening of our relationships through that. I ask that you would consider that into 2010. If you would like to partner financially with me, please send tax deductible donations to:
Arvada Covenant Church
5555 Ward Road
Arvada, CO 80002
*And make sure the memo says "Ryan DeCook - Africa Jam" on it *
Thank you for all your support and prayers. Please pray for the detail of my return to be worked out and for Africa Jam plan well for 2009 to really be able to impact the youth here. I continue to pray for you all and hope that I will get to see many of you during my visit home to the US. Please let me know if you will be around or available to spend time together in December. Peace
Ryan
I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you with this update. I have been holding off on writing because I wanted to be certain of my plans for next year. But, in all my thinking, writing, discerning, and praying I have come to a decision for 2009. While I still feel that I will do grad school, it will likely just be pushed back a year into 2010. And I have felt God calling me back to continue the work in Cape Town with Africa Jam into 2010.
From when I wrote my last update and was uncertain, I was feeling very overwhelmed and anxious about what was ahead. Now that I have spent the time to seek what God wants, and have made my decision, I have felt very at peace, revived, and excited about next year. I will still be back to the US on the 10th of December, but could be back in Cape Town as early as December 31st for our big camp of the year.
I am stoked to see what 2009 has in store, as I will be continuing with some of the work that was started this year. My main responsibilities will be continuing with leadership development, mentoring the youth, Bible studies, teaching guitar, and organizing our tutoring program. I'm very excited about our Microloan Project (business generating) that I will be in charge of restructuring, implementing and overseeing. We see it as a great way of battling poverty in the lives of the youth and their families. I'm excited about moving forward with Africa Jam and seeing youth impacted spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
This decision is made completely in faith. I am trusting that this is where God wants me, so He will provide for me. While Africa Jam will be covering a few of my costs, most of my living expenses will have to come from elsewhere. Many of you have supported me faithfully financially, in prayer, in encouragement and I'm truly grateful for that and the deepening of our relationships through that. I ask that you would consider that into 2010. If you would like to partner financially with me, please send tax deductible donations to:
Arvada Covenant Church
5555 Ward Road
Arvada, CO 80002
*And make sure the memo says "Ryan DeCook - Africa Jam" on it *
Thank you for all your support and prayers. Please pray for the detail of my return to be worked out and for Africa Jam plan well for 2009 to really be able to impact the youth here. I continue to pray for you all and hope that I will get to see many of you during my visit home to the US. Please let me know if you will be around or available to spend time together in December. Peace
Ryan
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Another New Home
Hello All,
It has been quite awhile since my last update, but I wanted to get you caught up on what's happening. First, for my housing I have moved into yet another new place. My friend Jacques has an apartment in an area called Sea Point that he has welcomed me into stay...for free!! So God has provided for me once again and I'm just grateful to be here. It's a very nice place and quite a contrast from where I was staying in Khayelitsha, but I'm trying to learn to be content in all situations.
I have still been able to spend a lot of time in Khayelitsha and with the youth however. We also just got back from having our youth lead a camp in the Eastern Cape (another province about a 15 hour drive away). It was a 3 day camp full of fun, music, dance, fun, new friends, and sharing Christ's love. Some of our young leaders from Khayelitsha really stepped up and had a profound impact on some of the youth from this rural area called Willowvale. We just returned to Cape Town a couple of days ago and are resting and recovering right now (especially after our lengthened journey back due to a couple car breakdowns).
The middle of September was an exciting time too as my parents came to visit from the States. It was so great to spend time with them and show them around Cape Town. My favorite part was having my family from home meet some of my new family out here and watching them interact. Both my mom and dad were great sports and fit in well with the locals.
Well there are only about two months left until I am scheduled to come home to Colorado for the holidays. Right now Im planning to come back home for the holidays to be with my family and friends, but am uncertain beyond that. I am open to what God wants from me, so I can really use your prayers for direction. Our director from Africa Jam has recently accepted another position in South Korea, so some possibilities of me coming back to Cape Town have opened up, but I have also been considering grad school in the U.S. So please pray for me to hear God clearly in what's after December. Thanks for all your support, I am so grateful for all of you. Peace
Ryan
PS - Ive posted some pics on this site in the album "Cape Town 2nd Half". http://picasaweb.google.com/decookr
It has been quite awhile since my last update, but I wanted to get you caught up on what's happening. First, for my housing I have moved into yet another new place. My friend Jacques has an apartment in an area called Sea Point that he has welcomed me into stay...for free!! So God has provided for me once again and I'm just grateful to be here. It's a very nice place and quite a contrast from where I was staying in Khayelitsha, but I'm trying to learn to be content in all situations.
I have still been able to spend a lot of time in Khayelitsha and with the youth however. We also just got back from having our youth lead a camp in the Eastern Cape (another province about a 15 hour drive away). It was a 3 day camp full of fun, music, dance, fun, new friends, and sharing Christ's love. Some of our young leaders from Khayelitsha really stepped up and had a profound impact on some of the youth from this rural area called Willowvale. We just returned to Cape Town a couple of days ago and are resting and recovering right now (especially after our lengthened journey back due to a couple car breakdowns).
The middle of September was an exciting time too as my parents came to visit from the States. It was so great to spend time with them and show them around Cape Town. My favorite part was having my family from home meet some of my new family out here and watching them interact. Both my mom and dad were great sports and fit in well with the locals.
Well there are only about two months left until I am scheduled to come home to Colorado for the holidays. Right now Im planning to come back home for the holidays to be with my family and friends, but am uncertain beyond that. I am open to what God wants from me, so I can really use your prayers for direction. Our director from Africa Jam has recently accepted another position in South Korea, so some possibilities of me coming back to Cape Town have opened up, but I have also been considering grad school in the U.S. So please pray for me to hear God clearly in what's after December. Thanks for all your support, I am so grateful for all of you. Peace
Ryan
PS - Ive posted some pics on this site in the album "Cape Town 2nd Half". http://picasaweb.google.com/decookr
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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
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
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