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So, as many of you know, I am going to be leaving for a year long mission trip starting in June of 2009. We have to keep a blog during our journey and instead of writing the same thing twice, I will be posting a link to the updated blog. Currently I am at training camp for the trip and here is the first link:
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Here We Go
Wow. It has been a long time since I posted anything. I'm trying to think why...is it because I am too busy being back in the hustle and bustle of America? I don't really think so. I think it has more to do with the fact that something crazy doesn't happen everyday here and there are a lot more distractions here that I entertain before I think about writing on the blog.
Anyway, things are going well and moving right along. I spent the month of February working. Not you typical job, but that's why I liked it. I traveled along the eastern United States with a buddy and we inspected cash registers and Walmart and Sam's Club stores. Basically we just made sure the cleaning person was doing there job and we reported whatever we found with pictures and a write up. The work wasn't bad and the perks of the job were great. Would you pass up a road trip with a buddy, travel the coast, and head south to enjoy warm weather and the beach?? I didn't think so. We met up with friends and family along the way and did everything from four-wheeling, to shooting, to go-kart racing, to bocce ball, and a lot of frisbee on the beach.
On our travels we stopped by Savannah to see the city. My buddy Aaron was super excited to go to some restaurant named, The Lady and Sons. He said we had to go because it was Paula Deen's restaurant...so I asked who Paula Deen was. Apparently most people know who she is, but not me. Anyway, after some persuading we went to check it out and somehow got in. The food was great....a little expensive...but good. I guess I can check this one off my list of things to do before I die....eat at The Lady and Sons.
Now I'm back in Ohio and trying to get everything ready for the next year of my life. Here is the plan: This weekend I am goin backpacking with some friends. After getting back from that I'm heading to Cincinnati to spend a day there on my way to Georgia for training for The World Race. Immediatly after that ends I am going to be meeting up with a friend in Georgia or Tenessee and we'll be heading out West on a cross-country motorcycle trip. I've always wanted to do this, and I still need to make it out to California to see friends before I leave on the missions trip....so this will work out great. A week or so after I get back from that journey it will be off for a year long mission trip with Adventure In Missions (The World Race). It's all starting to come together and I am super excited about everything. Alright, that's it for the quick update. Till next time...
Anyway, things are going well and moving right along. I spent the month of February working. Not you typical job, but that's why I liked it. I traveled along the eastern United States with a buddy and we inspected cash registers and Walmart and Sam's Club stores. Basically we just made sure the cleaning person was doing there job and we reported whatever we found with pictures and a write up. The work wasn't bad and the perks of the job were great. Would you pass up a road trip with a buddy, travel the coast, and head south to enjoy warm weather and the beach?? I didn't think so. We met up with friends and family along the way and did everything from four-wheeling, to shooting, to go-kart racing, to bocce ball, and a lot of frisbee on the beach.
On our travels we stopped by Savannah to see the city. My buddy Aaron was super excited to go to some restaurant named, The Lady and Sons. He said we had to go because it was Paula Deen's restaurant...so I asked who Paula Deen was. Apparently most people know who she is, but not me. Anyway, after some persuading we went to check it out and somehow got in. The food was great....a little expensive...but good. I guess I can check this one off my list of things to do before I die....eat at The Lady and Sons.
Now I'm back in Ohio and trying to get everything ready for the next year of my life. Here is the plan: This weekend I am goin backpacking with some friends. After getting back from that I'm heading to Cincinnati to spend a day there on my way to Georgia for training for The World Race. Immediatly after that ends I am going to be meeting up with a friend in Georgia or Tenessee and we'll be heading out West on a cross-country motorcycle trip. I've always wanted to do this, and I still need to make it out to California to see friends before I leave on the missions trip....so this will work out great. A week or so after I get back from that journey it will be off for a year long mission trip with Adventure In Missions (The World Race). It's all starting to come together and I am super excited about everything. Alright, that's it for the quick update. Till next time...
Friday, January 30, 2009
The World Race
I put together a short video that gives an overview for the upcoming mission trip I will be going on. Take a look...
The World Race from Matt Ruple on Vimeo.
The World Race from Matt Ruple on Vimeo.
To find out more about The World Race, read my blog posts, or donate to me and this ministry, click: mattruple.theworldrace.org
Friday, January 16, 2009
Dependence
Proverbs 30: 7-9
"Two things I ask of you, LORD;Hmmm....can I honestly pray that? Can I say that I want only enough to sustain me? Only enough so I 'm constantly relying on God? That's not what I hear in America. It doesn't seem like we need God...or at least we don't act like we do. Is it any wonder why? We're conditioned to become independent, save for the future, become stable...and these things aren't bad, but let's not forget what part God plays in everything. When these things cause us to disown or dishonor God, we've got a problem.
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God."
On another note, I put together some pictures of my time from Haiti....it may be a little long, but you can always watch it in segments. Hope you enjoy.
My Time In Haiti from Matt Ruple on Vimeo.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
That's Life
The holidays have come and gone and now everyone I know is back to their routines while I am left to decide what my future will look like until I depart for the World Race. I knew that returning from Haiti would present challenges, especially coming back to America during the Christmas season. Had it only been for the reverse culture shock, I think I would have done reasonably well. However, a lot of other things happened very quickly and I got to a point where I felt like I couldn't take anymore.
Talking things out with a friend I remember saying how excited I was to be going on the World Race...how I felt like this was the direction I needed to be heading....how I think God is going to teach me so much through it....and how I almost expected things to be a challenge since the roller coaster of life seems to take the largest fall after we're on top of the world. I remember thinking, "Ok, I can see things happening that are going to challenge my attitude and my decision to go on this mission trip." Looking back, I realize that I had put things into two categories....things that were ok to be challenged, and things that I relied on to heavily for them to be messed with. Well, if you want to render someone ineffective, you challenge the latter of those two options....and that's what happened.
Relationships fell through, other changed considerably, things I relied on and put hope in have proved only to be temporary. And while all this was happening I knew God was saying, "You still have a choice. Will you let this take you out of the game, or will you rely on me and continue to move forward?" To be honest, I felt like I didn't want to continue. I wanted to get mad at people, to say that life had dealt me a raw deal, that God didn't care what I was going through. But the more I thought about this option, the more I realized I'd regret it in the future. I knew that swallowing my pride and trusting God may not be the easiest choice, but it would be the only decision to bring joy back into my life. It has been hard and a continual struggle to trust God, but I am so grateful God gave me the insight to see what was going on. If this life lesson had to come, I'm thankful it came when it did. To have my family and close friends near-by, for them to be patient and let me work through my emotions, and to have their support, has been an amazing gift.
On another note, I'm currently in Cincinnati trying to catch up with old friends and raise support for the World Race. Raising support has proven to be quite the challenge and a humbling experience. I know God will provide everything, but He also doesn't mind making me a little uncomfortable in the process. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and for giving to the ministry I'm a part of. It has been great to see college friends and the hospitality I've encountered reminds me why I love the people here. I'm still trying to determine what I'm doing for the next few months, but I'm enjoying time with friends while I figure everything out.
Talking things out with a friend I remember saying how excited I was to be going on the World Race...how I felt like this was the direction I needed to be heading....how I think God is going to teach me so much through it....and how I almost expected things to be a challenge since the roller coaster of life seems to take the largest fall after we're on top of the world. I remember thinking, "Ok, I can see things happening that are going to challenge my attitude and my decision to go on this mission trip." Looking back, I realize that I had put things into two categories....things that were ok to be challenged, and things that I relied on to heavily for them to be messed with. Well, if you want to render someone ineffective, you challenge the latter of those two options....and that's what happened.
Relationships fell through, other changed considerably, things I relied on and put hope in have proved only to be temporary. And while all this was happening I knew God was saying, "You still have a choice. Will you let this take you out of the game, or will you rely on me and continue to move forward?" To be honest, I felt like I didn't want to continue. I wanted to get mad at people, to say that life had dealt me a raw deal, that God didn't care what I was going through. But the more I thought about this option, the more I realized I'd regret it in the future. I knew that swallowing my pride and trusting God may not be the easiest choice, but it would be the only decision to bring joy back into my life. It has been hard and a continual struggle to trust God, but I am so grateful God gave me the insight to see what was going on. If this life lesson had to come, I'm thankful it came when it did. To have my family and close friends near-by, for them to be patient and let me work through my emotions, and to have their support, has been an amazing gift.
On another note, I'm currently in Cincinnati trying to catch up with old friends and raise support for the World Race. Raising support has proven to be quite the challenge and a humbling experience. I know God will provide everything, but He also doesn't mind making me a little uncomfortable in the process. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and for giving to the ministry I'm a part of. It has been great to see college friends and the hospitality I've encountered reminds me why I love the people here. I'm still trying to determine what I'm doing for the next few months, but I'm enjoying time with friends while I figure everything out.
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