My testimony, My life!
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart!
My name is Ryan Joseph and this is my story
I was born on January 2nd, 1991. I have had an interesting life. Born to a mother with integrity, I was given up for adoption when I was 18 months old. My mother knew what was best for me. I was adopted in to a Christian home. My family was far from perfect. Growing up under the impression that you must work hard all the time, and that you need to have money. Being told that I wasn't normal. Not necessarily an uplifting environment to say the least. Of course, I was no angel either, which made matters worse for everyone. I will say that my parents did the best they knew how to do under all the circumstances. I would not be the man I am today without the experiences I had and the lessons I learned from them!
Then things became really interesting once I started high school. I let my situations spin out of control because I was not grounded in my identity in Christ. Friends died quicker than I thought possible. I got my first job when I was 15 years old working at IHOP as a waiter. Between working almost every day, social problems at school, the loss of friends, and no positive influence in my life; I quickly turned to drugs and alcohol. That opened the door for me to spend time with all the wrong people. So my desire to get high and live life in the fast lane kicked in. I added quite a few different substances to my list of drugs of choice. By the time I was 19 I had used most main stream hard drugs available. I was an addict. I was also an alcoholic. I drank almost every day.
Because of my selfish ways, I got kicked out of high school.I was asked to move out of my parents house when I was 17, on Christmas day. I was enlisted in the Marines, but I was also kicked out when I got expelled from high school. I had no where to go at that point. I was 18 years old and no place to stay, no plans, and barely any money. I had become homeless, slept in parks, on benches, in out houses, behind dumpsters, and in card board boxes. I also used what little money I had left to buy a large quantity of marijuana to start selling again. It was the fastest way I knew how to make a quick buck other than stealing. I had some crazy adventures while being homeless. I had my life almost stripped away from me because of some drug deals that went horribly wrong. God was always watching over me though. For He knew who He had created me to be and He was just waiting for me to step up into His light! In August 2009, my high school sweet heart came back in to my life. She introduced me to a family who took me in right away. They offered me an opportunity to clean myself up and get back on my feet. How could I refuse?
It didn't take long for things to start heading in an unexpected direction. We all lived in a 2 bedroom apartment that housed 6 adults and 1 child. Somehow we all got along until 2 of the girls got pregnant. So my girlfriend and I began to make plans to move out and get our own place. Our desire was to start a family. By December 2009 we had moved out of that group home into our own apartment in a different town. Neither one of us were grounded in our faith nor knew what we were doing. So after 3 months together, our relationship had fallen apart. I was smoking meth and she had left. I chose myself instead of the family that I had created. The day she truly walked away from me was the day I broke completely inside. It was also the day that I decided to never touch meth again.
With her gone and myself all alone I didn't know what to do. I could not afford the apartment by myself so I left. I was taken in by a friend whom I had met while homeless back in my hometown. Once again I received an opportunity to clean my life up. Unfortunately for me, I was very broken on the inside. So I was using and drinking on a regular basis. Yet I was also working and trying to keep my head above water. Until 1 day when I got the idea in my head to break in to a house.
Yes, I had decided I was going to rob a house. I didn't do it alone either. We waltzed right into the home and took beer, cigars, a lot of change; and we made ice cream sundaes. Probably the dumbest heist ever committed. Not even 2 weeks later, on April 16th 2010, the cops had found out I did it and had arrested me in the home I was staying at. I didn't even try to argue it. At the police station, I submitted a statement basically admitting to it as well as taking full responsibility for it. Sitting in jail for a few months was the best thing that could have ever happened to me! God took those 3 months of solitude and began to show me and speak to me that He still loved me. That He still had plans for me if I would give Him the chance. The government wanted to lock me up. I was facing 8-12 years prison time. By the grace of God, I was offered a deferred judgement, 2 years probation and a clean slate if I completed their rehab program. I took it, it was my only chance to finally get my life together. So I was released from jail July 8th 2010. The day prior, July 7th; my son Noah was born.
I was still broken from all the mistakes I had made and lies I was agreeing with. Trying to seek the Lord but not even agreeing with what He said about me made the years of 2010-2012 quite difficult. Once again it was by the grace of God that I completed all my requirements of probation. All the while He had brought me to a new church called Jubilee Fellowship. I was introduced to a few Godly men whom dedicated lots of time and patience to pouring life in to me. God also did some miracles during that time to protect and lead me in to a better life. One fully dedicated to Him.
January of 2012, I was given the chance to go on a missions trip through my church to Kona at the YWAM base to do basic construction work. It was a phenomenal week. God met me in multiple ways showing me that He wanted me to dedicate my life to serving him. I felt at home in Kona, like never before; I felt at peace. I knew God was calling me back. So after 6 months of prayer and petition God had me come to YWAM to do a DTS or Discipleship Training School. I came out in July and was in the AWAKEN school. After 3 months of lecture, my school leaders asked me not to go on outreach to Oman. They felt that God had more for me here in Kona. They asked me to do another DTS, and to spend time praying in to it. I did and after careful consideration I agreed and joined Comm. Trans. It was the best decision I ever made. I saw that I was not yet ready to go on outreach. God spoke so much over me while spending another 3 months in classes. God also showed me and opened the door for me to grow into the leader He has created me to be! I was also able to go on outreach to India with a team that was purely student driven. We had no leaders walking with us physically. It was amazing. We all grew in crazy ways.
Now God has asked me to stay and give Him more time. He opened the door for me to stay in Kona and become a staff member. I have decided to give YWAM Kona a 2 year commitment! God opened the door and asked me to trust Him and to walk in radical obedience. I have grown more in these past 9 months than I have ever in my life. It is all due to my desire to seek God, to put Him first, and to accept myself as His child. I am His son, He is my father, and I trust Him. I met a pastor once who said this "You don't know God is all you need; until God is all you have!" I thought it was a great quote, yet over the last 9 months I have grown to see the truth in it. I gave God the chance to Lord over my life and I have come to the conclusion that this is the way I want to live my life. In full submission to Him, because I have eaten from both tables. I will vouch that Gods table is much sweeter!
I would like to ask that you pray about supporting me and what God is doing in me and through me. YWAM is not free but I believe that God wants me here and I know He will provide. Will you stand with me? Will you see who I am and not what I have done? I have come a long ways in such a short time, I can only imagine where God is going to have me in 5 years. Can you dream with me?! Taste and see that the Lord is good, your seeds will be planted in fertile soil!
Thank you!
Then things became really interesting once I started high school. I let my situations spin out of control because I was not grounded in my identity in Christ. Friends died quicker than I thought possible. I got my first job when I was 15 years old working at IHOP as a waiter. Between working almost every day, social problems at school, the loss of friends, and no positive influence in my life; I quickly turned to drugs and alcohol. That opened the door for me to spend time with all the wrong people. So my desire to get high and live life in the fast lane kicked in. I added quite a few different substances to my list of drugs of choice. By the time I was 19 I had used most main stream hard drugs available. I was an addict. I was also an alcoholic. I drank almost every day.
Because of my selfish ways, I got kicked out of high school.I was asked to move out of my parents house when I was 17, on Christmas day. I was enlisted in the Marines, but I was also kicked out when I got expelled from high school. I had no where to go at that point. I was 18 years old and no place to stay, no plans, and barely any money. I had become homeless, slept in parks, on benches, in out houses, behind dumpsters, and in card board boxes. I also used what little money I had left to buy a large quantity of marijuana to start selling again. It was the fastest way I knew how to make a quick buck other than stealing. I had some crazy adventures while being homeless. I had my life almost stripped away from me because of some drug deals that went horribly wrong. God was always watching over me though. For He knew who He had created me to be and He was just waiting for me to step up into His light! In August 2009, my high school sweet heart came back in to my life. She introduced me to a family who took me in right away. They offered me an opportunity to clean myself up and get back on my feet. How could I refuse?
It didn't take long for things to start heading in an unexpected direction. We all lived in a 2 bedroom apartment that housed 6 adults and 1 child. Somehow we all got along until 2 of the girls got pregnant. So my girlfriend and I began to make plans to move out and get our own place. Our desire was to start a family. By December 2009 we had moved out of that group home into our own apartment in a different town. Neither one of us were grounded in our faith nor knew what we were doing. So after 3 months together, our relationship had fallen apart. I was smoking meth and she had left. I chose myself instead of the family that I had created. The day she truly walked away from me was the day I broke completely inside. It was also the day that I decided to never touch meth again.
With her gone and myself all alone I didn't know what to do. I could not afford the apartment by myself so I left. I was taken in by a friend whom I had met while homeless back in my hometown. Once again I received an opportunity to clean my life up. Unfortunately for me, I was very broken on the inside. So I was using and drinking on a regular basis. Yet I was also working and trying to keep my head above water. Until 1 day when I got the idea in my head to break in to a house.
Yes, I had decided I was going to rob a house. I didn't do it alone either. We waltzed right into the home and took beer, cigars, a lot of change; and we made ice cream sundaes. Probably the dumbest heist ever committed. Not even 2 weeks later, on April 16th 2010, the cops had found out I did it and had arrested me in the home I was staying at. I didn't even try to argue it. At the police station, I submitted a statement basically admitting to it as well as taking full responsibility for it. Sitting in jail for a few months was the best thing that could have ever happened to me! God took those 3 months of solitude and began to show me and speak to me that He still loved me. That He still had plans for me if I would give Him the chance. The government wanted to lock me up. I was facing 8-12 years prison time. By the grace of God, I was offered a deferred judgement, 2 years probation and a clean slate if I completed their rehab program. I took it, it was my only chance to finally get my life together. So I was released from jail July 8th 2010. The day prior, July 7th; my son Noah was born.
I was still broken from all the mistakes I had made and lies I was agreeing with. Trying to seek the Lord but not even agreeing with what He said about me made the years of 2010-2012 quite difficult. Once again it was by the grace of God that I completed all my requirements of probation. All the while He had brought me to a new church called Jubilee Fellowship. I was introduced to a few Godly men whom dedicated lots of time and patience to pouring life in to me. God also did some miracles during that time to protect and lead me in to a better life. One fully dedicated to Him.
January of 2012, I was given the chance to go on a missions trip through my church to Kona at the YWAM base to do basic construction work. It was a phenomenal week. God met me in multiple ways showing me that He wanted me to dedicate my life to serving him. I felt at home in Kona, like never before; I felt at peace. I knew God was calling me back. So after 6 months of prayer and petition God had me come to YWAM to do a DTS or Discipleship Training School. I came out in July and was in the AWAKEN school. After 3 months of lecture, my school leaders asked me not to go on outreach to Oman. They felt that God had more for me here in Kona. They asked me to do another DTS, and to spend time praying in to it. I did and after careful consideration I agreed and joined Comm. Trans. It was the best decision I ever made. I saw that I was not yet ready to go on outreach. God spoke so much over me while spending another 3 months in classes. God also showed me and opened the door for me to grow into the leader He has created me to be! I was also able to go on outreach to India with a team that was purely student driven. We had no leaders walking with us physically. It was amazing. We all grew in crazy ways.
Now God has asked me to stay and give Him more time. He opened the door for me to stay in Kona and become a staff member. I have decided to give YWAM Kona a 2 year commitment! God opened the door and asked me to trust Him and to walk in radical obedience. I have grown more in these past 9 months than I have ever in my life. It is all due to my desire to seek God, to put Him first, and to accept myself as His child. I am His son, He is my father, and I trust Him. I met a pastor once who said this "You don't know God is all you need; until God is all you have!" I thought it was a great quote, yet over the last 9 months I have grown to see the truth in it. I gave God the chance to Lord over my life and I have come to the conclusion that this is the way I want to live my life. In full submission to Him, because I have eaten from both tables. I will vouch that Gods table is much sweeter!
I would like to ask that you pray about supporting me and what God is doing in me and through me. YWAM is not free but I believe that God wants me here and I know He will provide. Will you stand with me? Will you see who I am and not what I have done? I have come a long ways in such a short time, I can only imagine where God is going to have me in 5 years. Can you dream with me?! Taste and see that the Lord is good, your seeds will be planted in fertile soil!
Thank you!