Public High School Retreat

This past weekend I got to experience a wonderful weekend with some public high school students. The Georgia-Cumberland Conference has a great program, lead by Pastor LeClaire Litchfield, that brings all the students who are Adventist together for a weekend to encourage, strengthen and praise God.

We met at Cohutta Springs Camp, which is run by Pastor Rob Lang, Cohutta beautiful with a man made lake, and between the hills of North Georgia. The camp runs during the summer with summer camps and is rented at times during the off season. There is no cell service at the camp.. but there was internet. So I was able to connect with the outside world, but of course it was not as easy when you have to use your computer.

Anyways, the schedule was packed. We spent each day singing, praising, listening, talking and learning. I was there to help lead out a small groups study. We had three studies during the weekend. I was given a group of boys from Conyers, GA. What a great group of boys. They were genuinely asking questions and wanting to know about God.

Our first study was about 2 Cor. 4:1-12, our second study was about 2 Cor. 2:14-17, and, lastly, we went over 2 Cor. 5:14-21. The Theme for the weekend was "Live to Give."

I think the best study was when we read 2 Cor. 5. Paul talks about being ambassadors! Since we have become new creature through Jesus Christ, we have now become ambassadors of Christ. And as ambassadors we are to represent our nation, the Kingdom of God, which we have become part of, the best that we can and be like Christ and reflect Him.

I really was refreshed and enjoyed talking with and interacting with these gentlemen. I pray that they take what we talked about home with them and reflect Christ at their schools. There were two students and a fellow leader who shared about some things they learned. Justin and Rayvon, two students that said "they learn a lot and will be studying more." Rayvon even stated that he wants to get baptized. Praise the Lord!

Then there was Greg. He had never really read Romans 1:16 before, it reads, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of Christ unto Salvation, for those who believe..." He stated that he will be going back to his University unashamed of this Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am looking forward to being apart of this program next year! God bless everyone.

Year 2010

Well, I haven't wrote much on here for awhile but I have decided to start it back up again.

Year 2010, is looking like a great year.

I spent first Semester of this school year, 2009, working with the SEYC - Bible workers club. I helped with giving bible studies, and going door-to-door. I really had a chance to grow as a person and use some of the things I learned from ARISE 2007.

Second semester the SEYC and I parted ways. They were not able to pay me anymore. With that I had to look for another job, so I started substitute teaching at Collegedale Academy.

This week I have been blessed with working the whole week. Of course lately when I have gotten a chance to sub it is because of bad news. One of the teachers had to go up to New York, because their son need to have surgery. Hopefully for the last time.

Anyways, I have really enjoyed working with the students at Collegedale Academy and even AWSpalding.

I have been volunteering as Assistant Chaplain at Collegedale Academy, and helping my best friend with coaching the 8th grade boys basketball team.

I miss my friends in California, and in Thailand. I hope each of you are having a great time where you are and that God is blessings.

Back in the USA

For some of you who follow my blog, I am sorry I have not updated it in a lonnng time. But I am living in the USA right now. After long thought and debate I decided to stay here this school year. I will miss Thailand, and who knows maybe I will go back and work some day.

Right now I am working for the SEYC/Bible Workers and volunteering at Collegedale Academy. I am really enjoying this right now. It is nice to be active and interacting with students. Still working on organizing the members and students at the University for Bible Work.

I hope everyone is having a blessed time, both in USA and Thailand.

Blessing.

Ryan

Turning Thirty

Well, the day has almost come. Tomorrow I will be turning Thirty. The big 3-0. It looked worse coming in then being in. :) I never really thought of myself getting this old. I was always caught up having fun, working hard, and trying to enjoy life. But now I have found myself becoming an older man, not quite sure but I think I am starting to bald. Haha.

Anyways, this will probably be my most unique birthday ever or at-least the location. Most of my previous birthdays were experienced in Collegedale, TN.

I am looking forward to the close of this school year. I would like to kiss the bad good bye and look to a better tomorrow. We have three more weeks left, which are going to fly by and I will be on a plane flying to the States. I am looking forward to the possibilities for next school year, due to the fact that we are becoming organized in the PE Department.

I can't wait to see what God has planned for the next school year. I think there is so much potential here but there are few out spoken and strong Christians. I would even put myself in that category. Where there is darkness, we should be shining light. And I really haven't been shining any light lately. So there are some positives.

So as another year of my life has come to its close, I am looking forward to a new year, with possibilities! Can't wait to see family and friends from the States! God bless you all.

U13 Volleyball Tournament

(Nattamon, Nattaporn, Onjira, Pornchanok, Ramida, Angella, Lalita, Panjitra)

My Super Energetic and almost uncontrollable, talktive, and extremely, ADHD, but fun and enjoyable, sweet, U13 Volleyball Girls)

:)

This past weekend, I came off the DL (Disabled List) to take my U13 Volleyball Team to NIVA, which is one of our sister schools, to play in a BISAC tournament.  I was worried because I had not coached them in about two weeks, and I wasn't sure that I would be able to make it since I was coming back to action from being assigned to bed rest.

Well, I was hoping for a 7th spot with our girls, but we didn't get that, back in my mind I was hoping for more but realistically I think I knew.  We tried our hardest but we fell to the 8th spot out of 8 teams in the tournament.  Honestly I don't think we were that good to compete with the other schools.  My team consists of 6th graders and one 5th grader.  My girls have never played volleyball and I was teaching them from scratch.  While the other schools, had 7th graders or a whole team of them, they had been playing for 2 years and actually looked quite older than my little girls.  We improved so much through the year, but there is only so much you can do in one season.

The core 8 girls that went with me to the tournament were my top players and the ones that showed up to practices and have good skill.  So I knew we were putting our best efforts up.  I felt bad though, 2 of the girls cried, and I don't know what to say or do in that situation.  Plus, it is so hard to comfort them because as I do they get agitated and distant.  I feel helpless, and I try to explain, it's just a volleyball game.  But it's the BISAC tournament, the big one!

Anyways, we all survived, and hopefully I get a chance to coach them next year, and hopefully they will have a good rest of the year.  Here are a few pictures from the tournament.

God bless.