Ryan Carmichael

January 30, 2008 | by Adventures in Missions | 17 Comments | Views 0

17 responses to “Ryan Carmichael”

1. Hey Ryan welcome to the team. I excited to see what you and your team does over in Africa this next year. So do you play guitar? If you do you should take it with you to Africa. Its always nice to have a couple on the team. So when you are paddling down the river are you in a canoe or a kayak? That was probably all really random what I just wrote but that is how I am sometimes. All that to say Welcome to the team.

   Oh and I noticed that you were asking people if they are staying over Christmas or not. I would recommend staying in Africa if you can’t decide. I did and had a great time. Yeah I missed family and friends but I got to spend Christmas with new friends and family. Plus had a lot of fun doing it. Its time that you can travel the country. I went to cape Town for a week with a few others. That is just my opinion.

2. Hey Ryan welcome to the team. I excited to see what you and your team does over in Africa this next year. So do you play guitar? If you do you should take it with you to Africa. Its always nice to have a couple on the team. So when you are paddling down the river are you in a canoe or a kayak? That was probably all really random what I just wrote but that is how I am sometimes. All that to say Welcome to the team.

   Oh and I noticed that you were asking people if they are staying over Christmas or not. I would recommend staying in Africa if you can’t decide. I did and had a great time. Yeah I missed family and friends but I got to spend Christmas with new friends and family. Plus had a lot of fun doing it. Its time that you can travel the country. I went to cape Town for a week with a few others. That is just my opinion.

3. I think that it would be okay for you to take yours but if you are worried you can take a cheaper one too. I love Kayaking. My best friend and I go all the time in the summer.

   Yeah I did go thru the FYM program. What did I learn. So much. I don’t even know where to begin. A lot was to do with conflicts and living in community. There was 15 of us that shared a house and 10 of those shared a bathroom. I have grown to have a huge heart for community and have seen how much God can do thru it. I also learned to have a stronger faith and to step out in it. It was a great year of being and doing everything with Christ. It was 9 months where everything had to do with him. I loved it.

4. Why Hello… it’s nice to meet you Ryan. Thanks for the comment- I’m really excited to get to know everyone so thanks for getting the conversation started.

   As far as the Christmas thing goes… I’m praying about it, in all honestly, I’m seriously considering staying in Africa over the break… but we’ll see what God says. =) What about you?

   I hope all your “detail work” is going well and am praying that God will provide in amazing ways. I’m really excited to see all that God is going to do in and through the team and I can’t wait to get started. =)

5. Hey Ryan,

   It’s nice to hear from you. I’m actually positive that I am coming home for Christmas. I was pretty sure they told me that I had to know before leaving whether or not I was staying… And i really don’t know anyone down there, haha. I’d also really like to come home and share a lot of what will happen while we’re down there.

   Anyway, I hope all is going well for you in your prep time and with support raising. I will be praying that all goes well. =]

6. I know what you mean about the thinking ahead thing. As far as the internship thing goes I thought I saw somewhere that there was an age requirement and… if that is the case I don’t think I met it. Yet again, something I should probably start praying/thinking about. But like you, I have potential summer opportunities so… I’m not sure.

   So how did God get you to the point were you decided to go on this trip for 9 months? What’s the story (if I may ask..)? =)

7. Hi Ryan, thanks for the comment. I didn’t see it until now, I guess I’m kinda of slacking. Oops. 🙂

   I am planning on coming back for Christmas break. I would love to see my family and friends again-especially my sister’s baby that is less than 5 weeks away from entering the world now.

   My support letters, well it’s been a bumpy ride getting them ready to go-with computer problems and etc. But, now all I have to do is buy the stamps. 🙂

   And as for whether or not I feel called to be a missionary for life..Definitely. I have felt that calling since about the age of 12 and Africa has always been the place on my heart.

8. Hey Ryan! I’m so pumped for this trip, it’s great to read a little bit about what God is doing in your life, i hope that all of the preparations for you are going great. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do during the 9 months we are there, because He’s already moving in big ways just in the preparation, you’re in my prayer!

9. Thanks for sharing your story! It so exciting to hear about how God has and is working to bring us all together to serve.

   My story is pretty similar to yours. I accepted Christ at a young age- and grew up striving to live and walk in that relationship. My walk with Christ stayed steady throughout the years- I was growing in my faith, all the while dreaming of one day going to Africa (it’s always been on my heart). It was about 2 years ago that God really challenged me. It was a point when I had to decide if I was really willing to completely live for Him. I had prayed that God would break me- and he did. He pointed out some things in my life that I needed to “come clean of”, a long, painful, process where I experienced God’s sweet grace. It was during this time when God challenged me with the question, “If you can’t be faithful in this area of you life, how do you expect to be faithful in Africa?”. A bitter sweet ultimatum… that was when it was confirmed that I was going to Africa but only after I was willing to take steps of obedience. Since then, I feel like me walk with Christ has only intensified- the opportunities and challenges He has given have been an exciting adventure and quite the growing experience. Upon praying about what to do after high school, I got absolutely no direction, no peace about any colleges. I began to ask if this was the time for Africa and much to my excitement, God confirmed it. So here I am, because of God’s sweet grace. I can’t wait to get started… =)

   And to answer you question about being a missionary for life- the quick answer is yes. I’m not sure as to what capacity, but missions have always been on my heart and I can think of no more dangerous, rewarding and adventurous way to spend my life. So you’re feeling called to missions as well?

   wow, that was long. =)

10. Hey Ryan…thanks so much for the comment!
    Sorry i did not repsond earlier, i am still figuring out this blog stuff and realizing that it is slightly more complicated than i once thought! But i am actually hoping that God is calling me into the mission field to some extent. I really love children and working non-profit/serving. I have no idea though…so i am praying that God reveals what He needs to to me on this trip! What about you? Any future plans so far? And i am planning on coming back for christmas, i think i will want to see my family after 4 months…

11. Well said. Sounds like God has put an awesome vision in your heart. I agree about feeling selfish in America- it seems so hard to break free of the “comfort” mentality that is infused in American culture. Drives me crazy. I think God calls us not to be comfortable, or “safe”, but to, like you said, make the lives of the poor rich in Christ. Have you heard of the book The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne? You might like it- it really challenged me and gave me a fresh perspective on what Christ said and did concerning loving the poor. As far as college goes… I’m not too sure. I told God I’m open to anywhere He wants to take me. Like yourself, I would be more than happy to be active in missions but who knows. Oh, and I’m form Little Rock Arkansas… yes, Arkansas. haha, what about you? Where are you from?

12. Hey again! I am graduating high school this year, i’m SO ready to graduate! haha But yes i do feel called to missions for life, especially Africa, when i was in 9th grade a friend of mine gave me a book on it and i just want to do anything and everything that God allows to help people and bring hope.

    What about, do you feel called to make international mission your life?

13. Hey- I was wondering if you have a facebook? A lot of us have been getting to know each other through messaging and I just wanted to invite you to join! =)

14. haha, that’s awesome. well, if you’re interested in getting a facebook I can send you an invite (via e-mail) just don’t want you to miss out on any of the conversations! =) oh and thanks for the number… just saved it in my phone. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we did a conference call with everyone?!

    Yeah well… I can’t take credit for being willing to, or wanting to stay in Africa. Just something God has put in my heart. That’s cool that you want too as well. So if God gave you the choice between staying in the states of living in another country what would you choose? Man, I just have to say that I am getting so excited about the team. I can’t believe it’s only 6 months away! =)

15. awesome! i will. I’ll need your e-mail address to send you an invite but don’t worry I won’t abuse it and send you forwards. =) I think that’s awesome that you’re open to God leading you where ever. I love that God takes advantage of our openness and takes us on wild adventures! I would definitely love to live out of the country… but we’ll see what God does. Like yourself I told Him I was open to where ever He wanted to take me… I guess I’ll see where that leads me! My hobbies? Well- I like lots of things but ultimately anywhere there are people there I love to be. I don’t know if this fits into the “hobby” category but I recently started going to a church under a bridge downtown- basically the congregation is full of homeless people. I love it! Anyways, besides people I paint some, I like photography and being outside. I’ll try almost anything. What about you? I know you said you like rock climbing. What else are you into?

16. that’s so awesome that you lead worship… how did you get into that? I think it would be great if you brought your guitar… in fact nothing sounds more appealing right now that worshiping in africa. that would be awesome. so how long have you played the guitar?

    oh- it’s all clear now… haha. so your a hiker and a biker? that’s awesome. I’ve never been mountain biking before but it’s always looked like fun. you sound like you’re pretty dedicated. how did you get interested in biking?

    as far as christmas goes… I’m seriously thinking that I am going to stay in Africa. I’m praying about it just to be sure but I may never have this opportunity again so I think I was to get all out of the trip that I can. Although I need to figure out what the details of staying would be… I do know that there are a few other people talking about staying, so that would be fun.

17. hey, im faith, i just joined the team, so i thought i should get to know everyone. i love the mountains too, hiking with my fam is one of my favorite pastimes. im absolutely in love with nature, i love how Gods power and creativity just shine through it. what do you think?