Dear Mrs Ryan and all the Ryan family,
Mr Ryan will forever be Mr Ryan to me, despite him always introducing himself as ‘Shaun Ryan’ in his jaunty manner.
He changed my life. Coming to Selbourne Gospel Hall each Sunday afternoon was one of the best bits of growing up in Luton and his kindness, joy and radiant enthusiasm has left a very clear impression upon me.
As Sharon said, we know Isaiah 53:6 off by heart as a result of his persistence and diligence and the week he erased the first word to see if we knew if caught us all out!
Mr Ryan also spoke at the end of a session once about ‘inviting Jesus into your heart’ and I remember it so clearly and actually did it that night as a little girl in bed before I went to sleep. I didn’t understand all it meant at the time, but I am still walking the walk and am profoundly grateful to all the Ryan family that were so invested. I can still see him picking up a large song card and turning to you Ruth to say ‘Elim 342’ and seeing you change songbooks. Thank you all for the love and commitment you gave.
I am very sorry not to be able to be with you today but am and will be holding you in my prayers today and in the coming days.
For Mr Ryan, who now truly lives in Sunshine Square.
Alison Radbourne
21/12/2023
