About Jonny Syrbe  

The day Life Came to Town...

Life had not come to town until 19 years of age, in Port Jefferson Station, New York, USA. I had struggled as many tend to do in the growing years. However, not only did I struggle personally within—through being born with a cleft-lip & palette, having speech therapy for 12 years, bite plates, 9 operations—but also through challenging circumstances within the family. There of course have been good memories, and with many laughs, yet our family had also been splintered and broken apart through divorce and other internal hardships between one another.

I was an emotional mess by the time I was 19 years old through what I encountered growing up & through the choices I chose to make. I had hated my life and questioned God…more like attacking Him (as He tends to be the first one we attack when something goes differently then we’d prefer!). I used to beat myself-take razors to my wrist and more for attention etc. I started drinking when I was 12…got into trouble…ran away from home the first time when I was 7 years old with one of my brothers…I was often mistaken for being a girl…could care less how I really did in school…and more. Well, after all, I lived out what I believed I was…and that wasn’t much.

Then when I turned 19, I had met a girl who was 15, we dated for 1 ½ years. I regret much of our involvement, and realize that it was not the right thing to do, however, through their family returning to church-that's how I came to know Jesus. The church they had gone to was Christ Church Unite Methodist (CCUM). So, I went with them as I had been in desperate need of finding out who I was, why am I here…and the relationship wasn’t meeting those needs. I had many unresolved conflicts within…and without. I was jealous, possessive, quick to anger, lacked self-control, lacked self worth, and had  a very low self image-to point out a few.

Then the Day Life Came to Town, it all began to change…and it was all because of Jesus. I still had compromises in my life—the greatest influence had been my relationship—which came to an abrupt end. After some time of going through tremendous pain & healing, I had now put my whole trust in Jesus. Making Him not only my Saviour, but also my Lord. I now began to soar.

How amazing His grace & mercy! When I didn’t care about Him…He died for me…loved me…and now forgave me. Well, in the beginning 2 years I had received several ways and opportunities from the Lord to walk out forgiveness in my life (from the past) which I still carry these principles out quickly today many years later.

Through my life experiences & how Jesus began to transform my life, a passion developed with compassion for reaching out to others in need. Little did I know it would spread out throughout the nations on every corner of the globe. Still today I do what we call in the USA-or English; "the pinch test". Where I pinch myself often while thinking to myself...is this for real...is this really my life...I hope I never lose that sense of awe.

One day my pastor Randy invited me to a Youth Camp. There had been much fear in me...as i still had been struggling with my self-esteem and confidence. I thought who am I? How can I make a difference? But then I prayed, "Lord if I could just touch one youth's life it'll all be worth it." And much more than I had faith for happened. During that week Randy noticed how the teens were responding to me, and invited me to pray about becoming a youth advisor. With fear and much trembling I accepted. Then the following year I became the Youth Director. I began to sacrifice my work to be available for the youth. 

I began to take them to many different churches and events to help them exand their perspective and understanding of God. As it is limited I believe as long as we stay to "our own".

While in Youth Ministry, I became a student of CFNI (Christ For The Nations, NY, USA)…and the founder of People For Missions (PFM), Colin Fullilove came during Missions Emphasis Week…and that was the beginning of the end for me. Combined with his life & story, and the challenging teaching of Professor Dennis Bambino…I knew God was calling me to something deeper than I could ever have dreamed of…

Previously I had had an accident with a job I had-construction. I had to carry 50+ pounds (20+ kilos) of shingles up a 20-30 (5-10m) foot ladder for a couple weeks, which caused me to have a hernia problem. I lost my job..didn't have health insurance...lost my car insurance...lost my apartment etc. I lived in a couple's apartment for a few weeks...then lived in my car for a few weeks.

During the time in their apartment, I woke up one night to a Telethon from World Vision. I began to cry as they showed the different needs throughout the world. It was at that time I felt led to sponsor a child. No money. No job. How could I? I left that up to God. And He did provide somehow. And with my faith at the time being the size of a mustard seed (well, more likely...my faith was like 1/4 the size of a mustard seed!), I asked the Lord-or told Him; "Lord, someday it would be amazing if I could go to her country. She was Maria Nolberta Yoc Canon from Guatemala.

Little did I know that within about a year, I would survive a car fire...begin CFNI...and be on my way to Mexico! And within about 2 years...to her very own country. Though I still have a dream to find her.

Oh...the car?! Well...let's say I was a fool. A jerk. My car was an idol to me. I would not let anyone sit on it...drive it...nor touch it. It was fast and beautiful. It was a 1971 Cutlass Oldsmobile with a Rocket 350. When I drove by heads turned. I had beaten at least one Corvette off the line. I was nearly killed because of it.

One day my car broke down. I had done some repairs, which led me to believe she was going to be okay. I started her up..."VRooooom-Vrooom". How excited I was...only to hear a loud BANG & BOOM. Next thing I knew there were flames coming up both sides of the car. I had to open the car door to jump through the flames. And you would have thought I would run? Nope. I did...but to the front of the car to begin scooping up snow on the hood like a dog digging for a treasure. Within a few moments I began to see white flames...THAT was when I split! That was when I ran away...towards the Fire Dept. Within a minute of running away the car exploded.

When we returned I just fell to my knees as I watched my idol go up in flames. I cried. I sobbed. I mourned the death of the idol that meant so much to me...what I had put so much of my time, money and energy in.

Then the weeks...and months to follow I was humbled...really humbled. I bought a 12 speed bicycle...and after some time a couple of other cars...that broke down. (One of which I had to leave by the side of the road never to see again.). It was then that God began to work in my heart, tearing away my pride. Oh, by the way later...much later I repented and asked God forgiveness for my attitude against Him and for the idolatry in my heart. Thus He healed me and set me free. I now had a loose grip on things.

In time I was able to buy the same car-but convertable. What a blessing. So, what did I do when others needed a car? I through them my keys...and said, "Have fun! Enjoy it." After some time, I had a head-on collision...another test. However...I passed! I was okay with it, except for the pain! Well, nearly everyone thought I was crazy to restore it...but I did...a major accomplishment. And then before long, my friend's father backed right into it in a storm. When I heard of it, I didn't even flinch. I knew that I knew then that God had delivered me from the grip of materialism and that form of idolatry.

To be continued…

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