Meet Ryan

Ryan has been one of my very best friends since college. We've experienced the ups and downs of life together, and now he's joined me in helping at Team ASAP. He's made it down two Friday's in a row and intends to make it a weekly thing. Read below to hear some of our conversation we had after the Team ASAP crew left...

Alright, so you said after the kids left the gym, "Dang, it just seems like a lost cause." Elaborate on that...

"Well it's just out of my realm of possibilities to deal with...kids of that age from this environment, and that they can be this hardened and neglected...to be so tough but to be such a baby...crazy emotional swings with no boundaries. It's like they're all raising themselves, kids raising kids, and it's just hard to believe that this is all happening just a few blocks from where we live. It baffles my mind."

What did you think when you left the gym last week?

"The first time it really didn't hit me...this time, it hit me."

What was it like showing up today, and the kids running up to you, giving you a hug and remembering you?

"It was awesome when they came up and recognized me, and I'm still coming out of my shell around them. It's just crazy how much attention these kids need. Last week, I was here for about an hour and I was just thinking how I wanted to leave, and I just wanted to quit...so I can't imagine what you go through on a weekly basis being here by yourself with 25 kids, and you just really need help."

How do you think you can relate to them growing up without a dad?

"Honestly, I think their problems are beyond not having a father. When I look at them, it's like they don't have anybody. It's like their parents don't have any hope for them either. It's a cycle. Hope hasn't been instilled in them, or something better than living in the ghetto, and they need to hear it. Hopefully I can instill some of that hope and change some of their perspectives on themselves and on life."

Do you see any hope in a program like this with kids like this, or do you think it's a lost cause and that I'm just wasting my time?

"I really don't think you're wasting your time, because I look at the alternative. What would these kids be doing if you weren't there? You're giving them a chance. If you have 500 kids, not all of them are gonna be doctors and lawyers...so some of them are gonna be drug addicts, and degenerates...but you're giving them a chance. Especially with the older kids that can comprehend, I see a huge kind heart and willingness to listen...it's just the young ones that are the toughest but hopefully over time with what your teaching with education and faith you can lay a good foundation."

What made you want to come the first time?

"It was just really a personal decision, I was going through some hard things in my life. When you look at yourself in the mirror and you realize sometimes how short life is and how meaningless most of our daily activities are...I just realized I wanted to find something to do that would help me realize what's important in life, and maybe help someone else along the way. All I can do is try to make the small world that surrounds me a better place and hopefully change a life or two along the way."

Which one kid stuck on your heart the most?

"Probably Envr. He was kind of seeking me out, and I spent the most time with him. So hopefully we'll be able to build our relationship a little more, and he will allow me to speak into his life and help him in ways that I can. I hope to be back next week."

-Ryan

Meet DeShaun

After about 2 months of crying at the door to the gymnasium, I could no longer refuse this adorable youngster. DeShaun has 2 older brothers in the Team ASAP program, and he would follow them over each and every day just to be turned away at the door over and over again. He would usually cry for about 5 minutes or so, before sulking his way across the street to wander the projects alone. Team ASAP is not a babysitting or a daycare program, so there's no time for 4 and 5 year olds to be running around crying and biting people because they didn't get their way. Well, there's been an exception. Persistence truly does weaken resistance, and I believe our Lord Jesus said it best in Luke chapter 18--> And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

That question Jesus asked haunts me...
"When He comes, will the Son of Man find faith on the earth?"
Will He find us burdened in love with Him?

DeShaun has been a wonderful contribution to the Team ASAP family, and he's definitely a huge hit with the lady volunteers. Here's a little bit about him...

What's your name?

"Nunu."

Huh?

"I'm DeShaun."

What's Nunu, is that what they call you?

"Yeah, that's what my Papa call me."

Who's your favorite person on the planet?

"Rambo."

Why?

"Because he's my only friend that I have."

What do you think about Coach Matt?

"I think he's the coolest one ever."

Why?

"Because he always gives us treats."

What do you think about Dodgeball?

"I think it's fun."

How old are you?

"I'm 5."

Ok, well do you know when your birthday is?

"No."

And do you wanna take the good path or the bad path?

"The good path."

-DeShawn

DeShawn comes from a rough background and is already beyond his years from the things he's experienced and seen. He acts out quite a bit like any other 5 year old and has already formed some pretty destructive habits, but everyone loves him. We're trying to get his childhood back and let him know that it's ok to be a good boy. I try to show him attention and one on one time, but it get's tough with a gym full of 30 wild kids all needing to be noticed and loved. Come hang out with us sometime, DeShaun would love it.

God Bless,
Matt