I can’t believe I’ve been here for one month already!! Friday was our last day of training camp in Gainesville and the joy of the Lord that I had was overflowing when they announced it was over.
I would be lying if I told you that this past month has been easy. It was a month filled with tender and challenging moments with the Lord and my squad. But I can say that every moment of it was completely worth it. I remember right before training camp began I kept on saying that I didn’t have any expectations for it. Speakers kept saying that these few weeks were going to change me and I didn’t believe it. Turns out they were right when they said that. I realized that I did have an expectation that training camp was going to be easy and that I was going to be able to do it on my own. I thought that I was in a good spot and that it was just going to be a bit of a growing experience without really taking me out of my comfort zone. I was so wrong. Every day the Lord humbled me and showed me how much I needed to rely on Him and surrender to Him. I thought that I had the strength within myself to leave everything that I was comfortable with from home and grow in a few things that I had already decided I was going to grow in before I got to training camp. God really does have a great sense of humor guys. When I say I was humbled, I really mean HUMBLED.
As I surrendered my dependency on others, pride, unforgiveness, and American luxuries like washing machines, dryers, a real mattress, a real shower, a real toilet, being able to eat whenever and whatever I want, and always having access to my phone; God slowly but surely showed me just how much I relied on things other than Him before the race. It took using porta-potties, hand washing clothes, taking moldy showers, sleeping on the ground, and being away from all the people I love for a month to see how truly blessed I am with the life that I have. Doing all of those things were definitely uncomfortable for me, but the more I did it, the more I grew in appreciation for the American luxuries that I have at home. More importantly, I grew in my dependency on the Lord. Training camp consisted of long days filled with sessions when all I wanted to do was listen to music and be alone, long team building exercises that frustrated me to the point of surrender to the Lord when all I wanted to do was be in my comfortable bed at home, eating a lot of food I did not want to eat, and going out in public and surrendering my reputation for Jesus by evangelizing in a Walmart. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! This past month has been so incredible and I am so excited for the next 8 that have to spread the Gospel with new friends that I love. God has truly blessed us and I am so so grateful and expectant for more challenging but worthwhile moments with Him.
Pray for my squad and I as we serve with Samaratin’s Purse these next 2 weeks! We just arrived in Jackson, Kentucky to do flood relief here. We will be working for around 8 hours every day cleaning and gutting houses to prepare them for contractor work. Please pray for unity in our teams and that we will focus on the people over the work. We are here to first love people and spread the Gospel to them. We want to give them the hope that we have in Jesus in the midst of their chaos and poverty. These people are broken and have lost pretty much everything they own and need to see that they can have a hope in Jesus!! After Samaratin’s Purse we are going back to Gainesville for a week of debrief, then we head to Nicaragua!
It is so encouraging to know that you guys are at home supporting me through prayers and reading my blogs! Please continue doing so! I love you guys and miss you all so dearly!
Much love,
Ryann
HI Ryann, I love reading about your journey with Jesus and about the the help you are doing for those in need. I do lift you up in prayer and now I will include your squad. God is so good and He is watching over you and I can’t wait to hear about your new adventures and about all the treasures God is leaving you to find. Keep your eyes on the Lord and you will find Him everywhere. Be well and safe! Sending Love. – Miss Kim
Thanks so much about letting us know details about your experience this past month. You are a brave and courageous young woman! We know God will continue to use you for his glory and provide whatever you and your squad will need in the coming months. Please continue to stay in touch!
Blessings,
Lou and Helen Schmidheiser
Hi Ryann!
Just came here to say that we miss you and love you. And thank you for sharing about your journey so far. God is so good! We love to hear how He is doing incredible things through you. Your humility is encouraging. Praying for you always.
Ryann,
It was so encouraging to read your post and hear how God is working in you and through you as you further His kingdom. We are praying for you as you venture out as Gods hands and feet in Kentucky to live those as Jesus loved!
Blessings from the Spencers
Ryann!
Praise the Lord for his grace as he molds us more into the image of Christ! Humility and complete surrender to the Lord are lessons we learn and relearn in each new season we face and I’m so thankful God has ministered to you as he has taught you that humility!
Love you and I’m praying for your team as you’re in Kentucky!
Sending so much love from home and can’t wait to hear what the Lord does next!
Pieces of my heart are with you-
Amanda D
Ryann
Praying for you and the team. Hoping you enjoy the few weeks in Kentucky ministering to the folks there! I’m sure you all will be a huge blessing to them!
Stephen and Teri Jernigan
Hi my Ryann!
“In Him, Jesus, we live and move and have our being” speaks loud to me as I read your loving words. ThankYOU for showing me what humility and courage looks like. All my love and prayers are with you and all daily. xo
Mom mom (loretta) Posner
Ry, we love you so much and we are so proud of you. Your work is a blessing to read about. What you are doing is reaching into places you don’t even know, like the hearts and minds of your blog readers. Your words are a great encouragement to us and a reminder to keep learning all these lessons too. Love you girl. Keep being awesome.
Ryann, thanks for the update and for sharing how the Lord has been working in you during your time at training camp. We are excited to see how God will continue to work in and through you over the next year!! We are praying for you and the squad and that He will use you mightily while in Kentucky!!!
Great insights! As it turns out and you will discover the Lord is constantly taking us out of the comfort and placing us into the growing zone. We all wish it were a one time ordeal, but the surrender list has no end. However, as you said, your appreciation grows and your dependency on the Lord grows. Blessed, grateful, expectant, challenged are all word signs of your transformation. You’re on a marvelous journey, so glad to be alongside.
I really love hearing how the Lord is moving in your life and using you in the lives of others. Every day we have to surrender something of ourselves. I love how you said that you had to surrender your reputation to evangelize at Walmart. The Lord always calls us to step out of our comfort zones to love others. You are really stepping out! I cannot wait to hear more as you continue on this journey with Him. Love ya.
Let’s goo, God is so good at humbling you when you ask him to!!