A DREAM COME TRUE
Anu Bibin has translated an article written by Fr T. J. Joshua, a well known speaker and preacher in India. He has been the professor of the New Testament in the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam in India for the last fifty years.
RYAN’S DREAM
One day six-year-old Ryan Hreljac returned home from school with a great dream. He asked his mother if she could give him $70 to help the poor. He explained that his teacher had spoken to them about the terrible living conditions of people living in Africa. His little heart was greatly moved when he heard that many children did not even have access to clean drinking water. His dream was to build a well for the children in Africa.
DOING THE CHORES
He was overjoyed when his mother promised to pay him for helping her with some household chores. He worked very hard, doing extra jobs and eventually he made the $70 which he thought was enough for constructing a well. But when Ryan approached WaterCan (a charity based in Canada that help to build wells in Africa) with his savings, he was told that it was only enough to fix a hand pump for the well and they would need about $700 more to build a proper well.
DETERMINATION
Ryan was unshaken and was determined to provide a well. So he set about trying to do more fund raising. Through his family and friends, he approached many people to try to raise the extra money. A local newspaper ran a story about Ryan and his dream and this alerted a TV company, who sent reporters to interview him for a television program. This TV coverage generated lots of interest in his project and he raised a huge amount of money. Soon he was able to fulfill his dream and WaterCan built a well near the Angolo Primary School in Uganda, a location chosen by Ryan.
A VISIT TO THE WELL
His dream did not end there. As a Christmas present, their neighbours got together and bought tickets for Ryan and his mum to fly to Uganda. When they reached the small village, they saw the new well, beautifully decorated and named after Ryan. All the villagers rushed out to meet him, calling out his name, their cries filling the air with love and joy. Ryan’s mother remembers that day as the happiest and most memorable day of her life. Meanwhile money still kept rolling in for the appeal and in the next three years Ryan raised $60,000 enabling them to fund the building of another 30 wells in different parts of Africa. Even today, Ryan still has the same dream and is working hard to provide clean water for all the people in Africa and the developing world through his charity, Ryan’s Well Foundation.
INSPIRATION
The story of Ryan’s life shows us how the determination of one small boy changed the lives of very many people. It demonstrates how a loving, caring and compassionate nature can make a difference even working across the boundaries of colour and race. It is a wonderful example and a great inspiration for us.
If we have a dream or a good idea that could help other people we should not sit back thinking that it is too difficult or it will never happen. Following Ryan’s example, we should take heart and give things a go. We should not be afraid to dream great things! With the Help of the Holy Spirit we too can accomplish amazing things. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
