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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 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.
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.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Food for Thought
The other day I came across the following information on The World Race website:
Take a good look at the food that is eaten in one week and how much is spent...
Take a good look at the food that is eaten in one week and how much is spent...
Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily
Food for one week:214.36 Euros or $260.11
United States: The Revis Family of North Carolina
Food for one week $341.98
Food for one week $341.98
Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07
If the family in Germany didn't eat for ONE week, the family in Chad could eat for 6 years....
Food for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07
Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23If the family in Germany didn't eat for ONE week, the family in Chad could eat for 6 years....
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Greetings from Ohio
I guess this brings the blog full-circle. I started writing when I left for Haiti and now I am back. However, I don't plan to stop writing, but simply switch gears into the next adventure. I flew into Chicago on Saturday night where Nick and I met up with another roommate from college. We stayed the night there and then I met my parents in Dayton on Sunday night and headed for home.
The past few days have been quite interesting trying to adjust to life here. I know I spent most of my life in this society, but coming back after spending six months in Haiti makes me feel like a foreigner here as well. I've become accustomed to life without hot water, without good roads, with unreliable electricity, and always being starred at wherever you go. Parts of being back are great...but there are things I really miss from Haiti. I miss the simplicity of life there, the lack a pressure to be busy to appear important. I miss my friends and the family I became a part of. I miss the challenges of everyday life and seeing God work in so many people there.
I love the question, "So, how was Haiti?" I get it all the time. Sometimes I want to brush it off and say, "It was good and I'm glad I went, next question." Sometimes I want to open the can of worms and say, "Honestly, it changed my life and I've had to reevaluate everything in my life and my walk with Christ." I went to Haiti with so many questions, hoping to find some answers and more clarity, but what I've found is that I returned from Haiti with more questions than when I left. There is so much that I have had to deal with and think through and wrestle with....part of me wants to say to people, "You will never understand what it was like, there is no way I can explain it, and if you really want to know, you need to buy a plane ticket and find out for yourself." But then I think, that probably isn't the most productive thing to say and could be considered too coarse. So, instead, I try to tell about the transformation of what happened to me there....I try to let God speak to them, to challenge them, to give them insight into how their life fits into His plan.
Alright, I'll stop ranting and get on with this post. I've been putting off telling about what my next step is, mainly because I wanted to tell the people that it affected before I broadcast it on the Internet. Now that I've been home I have been able to tell everyone, figured I might as well share it here. I won't go into a lot of detail, but in June of 2009 I am going to be embarking on The World Race. It is a year long mission trip that I'm very excited about and know it will provide some amazing opportunities. If you want to learn more they have a great website: http://www.theworldrace.org/
I am going to be sending out a letter to friends and family telling more about this opportunity. I would love to send this to anyone interested and if you would like to receive the news/support letter just let me know. You can post a comment on the blog or send me an email at: mattruple@gmail.com
The past few days have been quite interesting trying to adjust to life here. I know I spent most of my life in this society, but coming back after spending six months in Haiti makes me feel like a foreigner here as well. I've become accustomed to life without hot water, without good roads, with unreliable electricity, and always being starred at wherever you go. Parts of being back are great...but there are things I really miss from Haiti. I miss the simplicity of life there, the lack a pressure to be busy to appear important. I miss my friends and the family I became a part of. I miss the challenges of everyday life and seeing God work in so many people there.
I love the question, "So, how was Haiti?" I get it all the time. Sometimes I want to brush it off and say, "It was good and I'm glad I went, next question." Sometimes I want to open the can of worms and say, "Honestly, it changed my life and I've had to reevaluate everything in my life and my walk with Christ." I went to Haiti with so many questions, hoping to find some answers and more clarity, but what I've found is that I returned from Haiti with more questions than when I left. There is so much that I have had to deal with and think through and wrestle with....part of me wants to say to people, "You will never understand what it was like, there is no way I can explain it, and if you really want to know, you need to buy a plane ticket and find out for yourself." But then I think, that probably isn't the most productive thing to say and could be considered too coarse. So, instead, I try to tell about the transformation of what happened to me there....I try to let God speak to them, to challenge them, to give them insight into how their life fits into His plan.
Alright, I'll stop ranting and get on with this post. I've been putting off telling about what my next step is, mainly because I wanted to tell the people that it affected before I broadcast it on the Internet. Now that I've been home I have been able to tell everyone, figured I might as well share it here. I won't go into a lot of detail, but in June of 2009 I am going to be embarking on The World Race. It is a year long mission trip that I'm very excited about and know it will provide some amazing opportunities. If you want to learn more they have a great website: http://www.theworldrace.org/
I am going to be sending out a letter to friends and family telling more about this opportunity. I would love to send this to anyone interested and if you would like to receive the news/support letter just let me know. You can post a comment on the blog or send me an email at: mattruple@gmail.com
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