Getting Ready!

Guess who graduated!

And I purchased my plane ticket last week and I am leaving June 30th! I cannot believe how soon that it. Also as a fundraising update, I have $300 dollars raised so far just from a Facebook post. Now that finals and Graduation are over I can really focus on fundraising big time. Thank you to everyone who has donated!

If you’d like to donate, here is the link! http://www.amigosdejesus.org/how-to-help/make-a-donation.html. After the primary page, click “review and continue” and on the following page there should be a small line that says “special instructions” here you can just say for Meg Ryan or something of that sort so that the money goes directly to the funds I am raising rather than a general pool. If you have any questions or concerns please email me at mryan@anselm.edu!!

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I looked up the weather in Santa Barbara, Honduras today and it is currently in the 80’s with a little rain. I have a feeling it will be a hot summer down there but I can’t say that I won’t love it (especially after spending the winter in NH for the last 4 years.) Today is the first day I’ve had the opportunity to really sit and think about what the next year will be like. Since returning from school a lot of people have been asking me what I plan to do for the next year or “what’s with this honduras thing” and unlike at school a lot of people can’t even begin to fathom why I would want to spend the next 14 months in another country, especially Honduras, not “getting paid!” It’s hard to put into words why I want to do this, without boring them the long and detailed history of what brought me to this point in life.

But besides looking up the weather in Honduras, today I also found a quote. And it helps put into words how I feel about choosing to spend the next year doing service. “A ship is safe in a harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.” I feel like my whole life has been leading up to this moment and to this journey. It has taken 22 years to build me into the person I am and it is time to set sail and to do what I feel I am best at, and that it serving others and working in the image of God in the only way I know how and to the best of my ability. So now when people ask me I’ll do my best to explain but when words fail, I will simply say it’s what I was built for.

TIme to Start Preparation!!

Dear Family and Friends!

Since I was younger I have always wanted to do a year of service, and as many of you know that desire has become a reality. I have dedicated the next year as a volunteer at Amigos de Jesus in Honduras. Over the past four years, I have been deeply involved in many volunteer programs through both the Meelia Center and Campus Ministry at Saint Anselm College. In the course of my different volunteer experiences I have learned much about myself but more importantly about the people and the world around me. I have opted to do a year of service not just because I have always wanted to but because it will serve as a great opportunity for me to develop spiritually, educationally and as an individual. I chose Amigos because the program not only gives me this opportunity but also offers me the chance to develop a new world view and to be a part of a faith-based community, focused on providing a safe haven for the neglected and abandoned children of Honduras. I honestly, couldn’t fathom a better way to spend the next year!!

Amigos de Jesus in a Nutshell

Amigos de Jesus (amigosdejesus.org) is an Orphanage situated in a rural part of the country that provides a home, education and family for neglected and abandoned youth of Honduras. The mission of the program is to work as disciples for these children, giving them the opportunity to grow spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially and intellectually. The volunteers and workers of Amigos focus on making a home rather than just a shelter for these kids, creating healthy relationships with and between the children. Through helping them grow, these children can thrive and have the opportunity to start anew with a brighter future.

HELP ME REACH MY GOAL!! 🙂

I am reaching out to all of you because we have been asked to fundraise $4,100 prior to departure to pay for expenses over the year. My departure date is june 30th. Please know that every penny of your donation will go directly to the Amigos de Jesús program and will support my year of service as well as provide some of the funds necessary for running the Orphanage. Please check out their website to learn more about this program.

If you would be interested in donating here are two great ways you can do it!

1. You can send a check made payable to Amigos de Jesús to the US office located at 126 Woodland Ave. Malvern, PA 19355. If you wish to send donations directly to this office, please indicate that the donation is for me (Meg Ryan!). This may be done by writing my name on the memo line of the check or in an attached note. (otherwise the money will be donated to a general fund)

2. You can donate with a credit card or Pay Pal account online at [[ http://www.amigosdejesus.org/donate-now.html ]] Under special instructions donors can indicate that the donation is to be allocated to me (Meg!).

Remember no donation is ever too small, every dollar helps me reach my goal!!. Thank you in advance if you are able and willing to make a contribution.

If you cannot donate or do not wish to please just send good thoughts and vibes to me and my fellow volunteers and we prepare for our year abroad!! Ohhh and pray that I successfully learn Spanish, I’m going to need all the help I can get there!!