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Jonathan and Ryan Lanci began attending The Orchard about 3 years ago. Jonathan is a disabled Veteran with a traumatic brain injury that occasionally causes him to slip into a "waking coma." He says it is like a person who is sleepwalking but appears alert. The first episode of this went on for almost two weeks while he was on a mission in Iraq. He regained conscious awareness in the middle of the desert while walking with his squad, fully loaded, and equipped with a rifle. He was unaware of where he was or what he had been doing for many days. Doctors say he acquired the condition when shockwaves from firing large munitions passed through his brain.
After being discharged, Jonathan spent years in drug and alcohol addiction. The Lord drew him back to church and led the way to recovery. He eventually met Ryan, his wife. Their first date was to a shooting range where Ryan easily outshot Jon with his own gun. While humbled, he fell in love.
Fast forward. Jonathan and Ryan were serving on a security team for a large church about 45 minutes away from their home in Marengo. Their growth was stagnant, and their faith was growing weak. The cares of the world began overwhelming their commitment to the Lord.
They decided that their home church was too far away, and they needed deeper connection. They started to look for a new church, and the first one they tried was our little country campus, The Orchard Marengo. They quickly knew it was home and enrolled their kids in Awana. At first, their participation was infrequent. They were involved in many activities for their kids.
Men in the church began to encourage Jon to lead his family to greater commitment. Jon began to increase his dedication to the Lord. Ryan was hesitant. She grew up amidst some spiritual dysfunction and was wary of church participation and doubtful of the benefits. With faith, they began to increase attendance. They joined a life group but still struggled with attendance.
But the Lord faithfully worked in both their hearts. They have come to treasure the work that God does through our congregation. On an almost weekly basis Jon tells people that the pastors need to stop writing every message for him. Their faith, marriage, parenting, and relationships have all gotten much stronger.
The Orchard Marengo has loved and supported them as they have struggled with debilitating illness. Their faith in the Lord has carried them through these trials. We continue to lift Jon and Ryan in prayer.
This past summer, Jon began to struggle. Because of the TBI, Jon cannot work. He began to question God's plans for him. This summer Rachel asked him to head up games during the summer Backyard Bible Camp. He nervously agreed. Jon has a gigantic, fun, chaotic personality. His energy filled the fields with exciting games. The kids absolutely loved it, and so did Jon. He is now the game director for Awana. Ryan has a calm, gentle, focused, and well-planned nature. So, Jon brings a storm of fun, and Ryan brings peace, planning, and sincerity. They are perfect together!
The have begun reaching out to every family they can. In the past six months, two families have become regular attendees in the church through their efforts, and they are seeking more!
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