These are pictures of the Pot Luck with Orphangae Team 2 and 3 last Friday , July 9th , 2010.

We leave tomorrow!

Wow, it's almost here.This is my first trip of this type and at some level I still cannot believe that I am actually going - much less that I am taking my son.Things have lined up well at work to allow me to go. I was afraid 3 weeks ago that that was not going to be the case but prayer and execution have prevailed.

I keep asking myself, "Am I ready for this? Has God prepared me enough? Have I prepared myself enough? Have I prepared my son enough?"Certainly I am physically prepared. I have taken new immunizations, and created a small pharmacy to take with me. I have clothes ready, travel toiletries ready, and enough fragrance-related items to attract a swarm of confused bees.

My son and I have both adjusted our diets as recommended by our teammates (thank you!), so we will limit our jet lag when we arrive. Mentally I am as ready as I can be. I have certainly travelled to many different places and experienced many different cultures. I have worked through interpreters many times also.

That said, this will be the furthest from the US that I have ever been, and it will be the most different culture from my own I have experienced. I am excited and open to the experience. I am more mentally focused on keeping my son engaged and involved in what he is experiencing. I do not want him to get overwhelmed, shut down, and lose out on the experience.

Spiritually, I have done all I can to prepare. I have prayed alone, with my son, with our family, with my small group, and with our team. While I am using the capabilities that God has given me to prepare, I know that in the end it is in His hands.

Last night, my son looked at me at said, "You are going to take care of me over there, right?" I told him that of course I am. But it reminded me of the same question I have been asking God, "You are going to take care of us, aren't you? You are going to use us and guide us, right?" I know by the calmness and peace I feel about this trip He has answered, "Yes."

Please keep us in your prayers as we start this journey! We will let you know how it progresses.

Scott Ryan

Last night over 40 people gathered (Top Left) to pray and send Team 1 Orphanage and Camp and Team 2 Camp to East Asia. It was comforting and rewarding for those going and those sending to be a part of a story bigger then each of us. As Team 1 flies tomorrow morning, our prayers cover them for the journey and the peoples and the country they will serve for the next 10 days.

What is it like to embark on a short term mission trip? Here is what our youngest team member Mitchell Ryan's answer. (Top Right - Mitchell getting packed and Bottom Right -Team 2 Camp)

"Baseball is finally done and now I am getting to think more about our trip. Baseball has been so much fun but I am kind of glad that it is over. It has been REALLY hot and we have been playing a lot of games in these tournaments.

As I think about this trip, I am not certain at all what to expect. I am kind of nervous and very excited. I have not been this far from home in my whole life. I have seen pictures and movies, so I know that it is going to be very different than the U.S.

It will be exciting to meet kids from another part of the world. It is going to be really strange that we will not speak the same language. I know that God will help us and guide us, but still it's going to be weird.

I love all sports and I hope that some of the kids there will too. I play baseball and basketball the most. Those are American sports but people play those all over the world now. I also like to play soccer, ping pong, football, kickball - really anything. I like being a part of a team, encouraging my teammates, and playing my best for my team.

Since my dad told me about this trip, I have been praying that God takes care of us as we travel and when we get there. Everything is totally new for me, so I will be relying heavily on God, my dad, and the rest of the team to lead me through this. I want to help the team as much as they help me, so I am praying that God helps me find my place on the team.

8 more days! I cannot wait!"
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