Ryan served his country in the United States Army. That in itself speaks of a sacrificial attitude that esteems others as more valuable than himself. Jesus spoke about the greatest things we can do in Matthew 22:37-39,
"Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’"
Every once in awhile a special person comes along and lives out those words in thought, word and deed. The words that Jesus spoke could almost be a mission statement for Ryan's life.
He's a magnet for children with a smile that stretches from his heart to his eyes. He's an expert "Bounce House Technician." That might be a new term for you, but it's a great way to describe a guy who makes kids smile as they burn off youthful energy. Being in a bounce house can rattle the brain or tickle your heart, it depends on your age. Ryan is ageless in his pursuit to create happiness in the lives of children. Many of them have been abused and neglected. At least for a short time when Ryan is around, the kids get to know what love is. He truly loves them in a Christ-like way.
The Sunshine Rescue Mission is dear to Ryan's heart. His life led him there as part of his learning process. In a short time he was named "Disciple of The Month." That story was reported in the YWAP News. He was also named to the Leadership Team before he moved on to the next phase of his learning process. Ryan has one of the greatest leadership traits that any person can have, it's called "teachability." He's always eager to learn new things.
At Church For The Nations Flagstaff, Ryan is one of the first to volunteer when the need for help arises. Some volunteer positions are more fun than others, but Ryan shows the same enthusiasm whether the task is exciting or tedious. He wraps gifts and gives gifts. He buys bandanas because kids ask for them. He gives away his sunglasses to kids. He sets up bounce houses, cleans bounce houses and he jumps in bounce houses! He paints kids rooms. He hikes mountains. He runs a sound booth at church. He hangs up decorations and takes them down. He helps homeless guys find a home in his heart. Ryan has skills that enable him to do what needs to be done and he does it with excellence. Ryan's skills are heartfully applied at a men's mission, an orphanage, at church, on the job and in his friendships.
Ryan might be a high energy guy, but don't hesitate to ask him to pray for you. He knows how to, "be still and know God."
The pictures below only give a small glimpse of the servants heart that smiles deep inside Ryan's chest. The next time you see him, you might want to say,
"Hey Ryan! I'm proud of you! Jesus loves you and so do we!
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As the Director of Youth With A Purpose who has spent the last 20 yrs. learning about pain and perseverance from inner city young people and their families. Healing starts with the Love of God and grows through compassion and empathy. The greatest way to change a life that's heading toward destruction is through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Bob can be reached at 716-830-8240 or ywapbuffalo@yahoo.com. www.youthwithapurpose.org
