Monday, August 6, 2012
And it begins!
My friends at PoliticIT put together this awesome video:) This may or may not be the type of donations you like to make but I bet it will be entertaining to watch us travel all over the country in a Bus!
Click on this link..... and then show some love by donating!
">
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Newest Adventure
Road trip!!!
I am headed to Salt Lake City on August 9th to meet up with my friends from PoliticIT.com. They are getting a motorhome ready for a four month trek across the US. Yep, we will be visiting every state.......meeting with and interviewing politicians, selling the innovative PoliticIT software, getting the PoliticIT name out there. It is going to be the trip of a lifetime:)
You are probably wondering what PoliticIT is and what we do...... Look here!
Many of you are also wondering why I am involved in this....... That is a great question;)
It all started years ago when a met a brilliant young man named Josh Light. I try to see the good in everyone but the moment I met him, I knew he was going to change the world in positive way. I have been supporting him ever since. As an entrepreneur he does many things but this, PoliticIT, is his latest project. Josh called me up and a few weeks ago and said he was taking his company on the road until the presidential election in November. :):):) In an ecstatic tone I said, "I'm in!!!!!!! Write me a job description." It took some convincing but I explained that I would be a perfect candidate to go on the road with PoliticIT and I would work my butt off to have such an opportunity.
Sooo, while traveling to every state over the next few months, which is a dream come true, I will be assisting Josh in selling software, interviewing politicians, and making PoliticIT a household name. What a perfect way to learn, build my resume, build a better network, gain experience, step out of my comfort zone for the opportunity of growth, work on understanding people and the system better, and most of all work on my discovering my purpose in life.
But Shelby, politics are not your thing! Well you are only partially correct about that:) Politics, politicians, and the political system all fascinate me! What doesn't is feeling pressure to identify with a specific political party, and the sense of disappointment I cause others when I don't believe the same things as them. Here is what I believe, both sides of the political system are necessary as well as everything in between. To keep a balance our country needs passionate people on all sides! As for me, I do not fit into a box that has been predetermined for me. I am more passionate about specific issues than I am about labeling myself, or others trying to label me.....for that matter. Right now education is my passion and, well, education is VERY political. So there you have it, this is the perfect opportunity for me to gain a deeper understanding of how I am going to help children obtain an wonderful education they deserve;) The dots are connecting and this is one piece of my life's puzzle! I am one blessed girl and I am sooo thankful.
Shelby
That is all for now.... I will continue to update as I can!
Thank you for the love and support!
I am headed to Salt Lake City on August 9th to meet up with my friends from PoliticIT.com. They are getting a motorhome ready for a four month trek across the US. Yep, we will be visiting every state.......meeting with and interviewing politicians, selling the innovative PoliticIT software, getting the PoliticIT name out there. It is going to be the trip of a lifetime:)
You are probably wondering what PoliticIT is and what we do...... Look here!
Many of you are also wondering why I am involved in this....... That is a great question;)
It all started years ago when a met a brilliant young man named Josh Light. I try to see the good in everyone but the moment I met him, I knew he was going to change the world in positive way. I have been supporting him ever since. As an entrepreneur he does many things but this, PoliticIT, is his latest project. Josh called me up and a few weeks ago and said he was taking his company on the road until the presidential election in November. :):):) In an ecstatic tone I said, "I'm in!!!!!!! Write me a job description." It took some convincing but I explained that I would be a perfect candidate to go on the road with PoliticIT and I would work my butt off to have such an opportunity.
Sooo, while traveling to every state over the next few months, which is a dream come true, I will be assisting Josh in selling software, interviewing politicians, and making PoliticIT a household name. What a perfect way to learn, build my resume, build a better network, gain experience, step out of my comfort zone for the opportunity of growth, work on understanding people and the system better, and most of all work on my discovering my purpose in life.
But Shelby, politics are not your thing! Well you are only partially correct about that:) Politics, politicians, and the political system all fascinate me! What doesn't is feeling pressure to identify with a specific political party, and the sense of disappointment I cause others when I don't believe the same things as them. Here is what I believe, both sides of the political system are necessary as well as everything in between. To keep a balance our country needs passionate people on all sides! As for me, I do not fit into a box that has been predetermined for me. I am more passionate about specific issues than I am about labeling myself, or others trying to label me.....for that matter. Right now education is my passion and, well, education is VERY political. So there you have it, this is the perfect opportunity for me to gain a deeper understanding of how I am going to help children obtain an wonderful education they deserve;) The dots are connecting and this is one piece of my life's puzzle! I am one blessed girl and I am sooo thankful.
Shelby
That is all for now.... I will continue to update as I can!
Thank you for the love and support!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Return Ministries
Our bus pulled up and we filed out at Return Ministries and children’s home to see over 200 children seated, singing in their seats. Apparently the audience had arrived so the show began. School was canceled for the two day celebration of our teams coming. They sang some songs for us and danced some African dances for us. (This has been common on our trip. They LOVE to sing and dance for us. It is one of my most favorite things here.) A little girl wandered over to where we were sitting and I scooped her up next to me and held her. Last night I prayed and prayed that God would show me who needed some extra love while we were at Return and he answered. We were attached for the rest of the day. She would wander away for a bit and I would go and find her. I don’t know much about her but I wanted her to know that I was seeking her out, that I loved her and that she was important to me. She is 5 year old Gift and she has a permanent place in my heart.
Return Ministry is wonderful place in Kampala, Uganda. Pastor Samuel and his wife have a home for 15 children and minister to hundreds of children in the area by serving food on weekends as well as teaching them about Jesus. Return Ministries name reflects its vision to help local children return to the Lord.(look up verse) We all start out innocent and from Him. Through the brokenness of the world and the generations before us, our hearts and lives break and it can be difficult to know God and understand His great love. When Pastor Samuel spoke on this subject the night before we met the children he serves, I really felt it in my heart, I could understand myself and the children a little better. We all are orphans at times. I have been hurt, I have been broken, I was an orphan before I knew my Jesus. Since I returned to Him four years ago, His love began to soften me and heal my heart, some of which I never knew needed healing. The process has been slow but tender and exactly what I have needed.
My life, my hurt, my brokenness, though very real, is nowhere near the depth of hurt and damaged to some of these precious childrens souls. I will never understand what some of these children have been through, terrible, awful, and sinful and wicked things, but I am beginning to understand what the healing process might be. Healing looks like many different things. It comes in many different forms. For the children I am meeting, a small part of that healing comes from the bits and pieces of love from they receive from others including myself and the team I am serving with. What an honor, what a responsibility. The joy we bring them, even for a short time, IS joy and it IS love and it DOES help. The more acts of love that they see, that they feel, the more they understand the Father’s love. With those acts of love, the process healing process begins for them, continues for some, and brings them closer to the ultimate love, the love of Christ Jesus.
Return Ministry is wonderful place in Kampala, Uganda. Pastor Samuel and his wife have a home for 15 children and minister to hundreds of children in the area by serving food on weekends as well as teaching them about Jesus. Return Ministries name reflects its vision to help local children return to the Lord.(look up verse) We all start out innocent and from Him. Through the brokenness of the world and the generations before us, our hearts and lives break and it can be difficult to know God and understand His great love. When Pastor Samuel spoke on this subject the night before we met the children he serves, I really felt it in my heart, I could understand myself and the children a little better. We all are orphans at times. I have been hurt, I have been broken, I was an orphan before I knew my Jesus. Since I returned to Him four years ago, His love began to soften me and heal my heart, some of which I never knew needed healing. The process has been slow but tender and exactly what I have needed.
My life, my hurt, my brokenness, though very real, is nowhere near the depth of hurt and damaged to some of these precious childrens souls. I will never understand what some of these children have been through, terrible, awful, and sinful and wicked things, but I am beginning to understand what the healing process might be. Healing looks like many different things. It comes in many different forms. For the children I am meeting, a small part of that healing comes from the bits and pieces of love from they receive from others including myself and the team I am serving with. What an honor, what a responsibility. The joy we bring them, even for a short time, IS joy and it IS love and it DOES help. The more acts of love that they see, that they feel, the more they understand the Father’s love. With those acts of love, the process healing process begins for them, continues for some, and brings them closer to the ultimate love, the love of Christ Jesus.
Amazima
So, after reading about Amazima’s ministry and feeding program for the last year I finally was able to see with my own eyes. Over 300 hundred precious sponsored children from the Jinja area come for the day to hear a bible lesson, worship, eat, and take home rice, beans, and flour for the week. They stay for the majority of the day and play and get loved on by the staff there, or mission teams like us. It was wonderful to see what an impact this ministry is having on the community.
Katie Davis, the executive director, was there and it was great to see her in action:) She was busy busy running around saying hello to the Amazima team, fetching band-aids for child's scrape, scooping up and loving on the few babies there, but I did get to introduce myself (no I didn't faint:) and later in the day she sat down with our team and told us her story and what the plans are for Amazima in the future. For any of you who have read her blog, she is how you would imagine and even more.
While we were there an old women came with a tiny tiny baby. They think he was around 7 months old and weighed around 6 pounds. The beautiful old women, the baby’s grandmother, said the mother had died and she was caring for him but didn’t have a way to feed him. This is not an unusual event, grandparents caring for children who's parents died, or not having a way to feed a child.
Katie disappeared into the house with them for awhile, assessing the situation. When she came out she walked over to Brad, the only other white employee at Amazima, and said with a huge smile, “I have to break the rule.” Although she has very little room at her home and previously agreed not to take in anyone else in for a months time, she couldn’t resist. When Katie left with her girls, the woman and the tiny malnourished baby went with them. She took them into her home to nurse there bodies and souls back to health. She is a humble servant of God, a blessing to her community, and more like Jesus than anyone I have ever met. We could all learn something from her example.
Katie Davis, the executive director, was there and it was great to see her in action:) She was busy busy running around saying hello to the Amazima team, fetching band-aids for child's scrape, scooping up and loving on the few babies there, but I did get to introduce myself (no I didn't faint:) and later in the day she sat down with our team and told us her story and what the plans are for Amazima in the future. For any of you who have read her blog, she is how you would imagine and even more.
While we were there an old women came with a tiny tiny baby. They think he was around 7 months old and weighed around 6 pounds. The beautiful old women, the baby’s grandmother, said the mother had died and she was caring for him but didn’t have a way to feed him. This is not an unusual event, grandparents caring for children who's parents died, or not having a way to feed a child.
Katie disappeared into the house with them for awhile, assessing the situation. When she came out she walked over to Brad, the only other white employee at Amazima, and said with a huge smile, “I have to break the rule.” Although she has very little room at her home and previously agreed not to take in anyone else in for a months time, she couldn’t resist. When Katie left with her girls, the woman and the tiny malnourished baby went with them. She took them into her home to nurse there bodies and souls back to health. She is a humble servant of God, a blessing to her community, and more like Jesus than anyone I have ever met. We could all learn something from her example.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Welcome to Uganda
July 15-2011
Sorry for typos:) I will clean it up when I get home......
Some how after almost two full days of travel and only 3-4 hours of plane sleeping, I am still awake and feeling up to writing this. Actually, I think I am the last one up in my room right now which, for me, is odd. I can’t help it though, I want to get my thoughts out before the slowly fade and are clouded with new ones tomorrow. What an amazing day. We made it to Cannan’s Children Home in Jinja Uganda with a welcome that made me cry. I have envisioned these precious little African children, just scooping them up in my arms and loving on them, for so long now that my heart almost couldn’t take the emotion of the dream come true. The children all ran out and greeted us at our bus and started grabbing our hands, touching our skin. My eyes filled up with tears and I tried to fight them but I couldn’t. One girl, maybe about 15 years old, looked me in the eye and asked me why I was crying. With all I had in me, fighting through the tears to talk, I looked her strait in the eye and said, “I have been waiting a really long time to meet you and I am really excited to see you and be hear right now.” She was satisfied with that and we began to unload the bus spending the next two hours bonding with the children. Some how I thought I would have to seek out a few little ones but they found me. I spend most the evening with a young girl, the one from the bus, and a four year old little boy that I picked up along the way. We just talked and hugged and, let me tell you, the are just hungry for love. These children want to be close and touching as much as possible and it was so wonderful and beautiful and I think I am in love...... Africans, Ugandans, are beautiful. From their skin to their smiles and their bright white eyes, but mostly their spirits. They are so joyful and that alone is inspiring. It was a magnificent first day.
Sorry for typos:) I will clean it up when I get home......
Some how after almost two full days of travel and only 3-4 hours of plane sleeping, I am still awake and feeling up to writing this. Actually, I think I am the last one up in my room right now which, for me, is odd. I can’t help it though, I want to get my thoughts out before the slowly fade and are clouded with new ones tomorrow. What an amazing day. We made it to Cannan’s Children Home in Jinja Uganda with a welcome that made me cry. I have envisioned these precious little African children, just scooping them up in my arms and loving on them, for so long now that my heart almost couldn’t take the emotion of the dream come true. The children all ran out and greeted us at our bus and started grabbing our hands, touching our skin. My eyes filled up with tears and I tried to fight them but I couldn’t. One girl, maybe about 15 years old, looked me in the eye and asked me why I was crying. With all I had in me, fighting through the tears to talk, I looked her strait in the eye and said, “I have been waiting a really long time to meet you and I am really excited to see you and be hear right now.” She was satisfied with that and we began to unload the bus spending the next two hours bonding with the children. Some how I thought I would have to seek out a few little ones but they found me. I spend most the evening with a young girl, the one from the bus, and a four year old little boy that I picked up along the way. We just talked and hugged and, let me tell you, the are just hungry for love. These children want to be close and touching as much as possible and it was so wonderful and beautiful and I think I am in love...... Africans, Ugandans, are beautiful. From their skin to their smiles and their bright white eyes, but mostly their spirits. They are so joyful and that alone is inspiring. It was a magnificent first day.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Update, two week countdown:)
Hi,
I just wanted to give an update on how things are going two weeks before my trip. This might get long, I am sorry about that, but I want everyone who is interested to be informed on how things are going:)
First, thank you all for your prayers and financial support. I have raised more than enough to cover the portion of the trip that I needed help with and I am so excited to be able to bring extra money to bless those who I will be visiting. God is so so good! He hears us and He answers prayers. I never doubted that He would provide but I am still overwhelmed with emotion when I think about everyone who cares enough to help with this cause. If you would be so kind to say a prayer for wisdom and guidance on how to spend the money you all have entrusted to me. Much of the trip is unknown since it is my first, I am not sure how all of it will work out but I know God will guide me and I figure since He provided beyond my personal need, He knows where it needs to go and He will show me how to get it there.
On another note, I am staring to pack my suitcases and plan on taking two filled with supplies and stuff for the children and just a carry on for myself. If I can pull this off it will be nothing short of miraculous. Generally, two bags, over the maximum weight, still doesn’t seem like enough stuff for a 5 day trip:) Anyone know what I am talking about? Haha, but seriously, I really am up for the challenge. There is an increasing large part of my heart that wants to live without any material items, or maybe just what I could carry on my back. How amazing it would be to live each day having to trust that God will provide my basic needs. Maybe, hopefully, in the near future, God will lead me to a living situation like that! Anyways, this trip is not about my comfort, it is about glorifying God and loving on His children so I am happy to pack light.
Also, for those of you who don’t know, we have had some trip plans change pretty last minute. I wish you could see my facial expressions how excited I am about this right now. God is up to something and I can’t wait to see what it is!! Originally, we were supposed to visits Uganda and then take a flight across Africa to Ghana but Autumn, our trip leader, was having real problems making the trip accommodations there. Calls and emails were not being returned, prices were super high, and things just were not working out. We all prayed and, a few weeks ago, decided to go to Uganda as planned and then Ethiopia, instead of Ghana. Even though I am sad about skipping Ghana, God has opened up some amazing opportunities for us in Ethiopia. Who can argue with Him? He does know the past, present, and future and I am happy to be where He wants me to be:)
Here is a brief overview of where our team will be going and who we will be visiting.
Jinja, Uganda:
Canaan Childrens Home
Amazima Ministry
Kampala, Uganda:
Sixty Feet- a prison for children:(
Return Ministries
Fly to Addis Ababa July 20th
Korah, Ethiopia:
Project 61 Ministries
Restoration Orphanage
Kebebe government run orphanage
Fistula Hospital
American World Adoption Transitional Home
Most of these places have websites so please feel free to look them up and see what they are all about.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking an interest in this trip and the people God is allowing me to serve. Please email me if you have any questions, comments or for any reasons at all. I really like to hear feedback too. I will post again soon:)
Love,
I just wanted to give an update on how things are going two weeks before my trip. This might get long, I am sorry about that, but I want everyone who is interested to be informed on how things are going:)
First, thank you all for your prayers and financial support. I have raised more than enough to cover the portion of the trip that I needed help with and I am so excited to be able to bring extra money to bless those who I will be visiting. God is so so good! He hears us and He answers prayers. I never doubted that He would provide but I am still overwhelmed with emotion when I think about everyone who cares enough to help with this cause. If you would be so kind to say a prayer for wisdom and guidance on how to spend the money you all have entrusted to me. Much of the trip is unknown since it is my first, I am not sure how all of it will work out but I know God will guide me and I figure since He provided beyond my personal need, He knows where it needs to go and He will show me how to get it there.
On another note, I am staring to pack my suitcases and plan on taking two filled with supplies and stuff for the children and just a carry on for myself. If I can pull this off it will be nothing short of miraculous. Generally, two bags, over the maximum weight, still doesn’t seem like enough stuff for a 5 day trip:) Anyone know what I am talking about? Haha, but seriously, I really am up for the challenge. There is an increasing large part of my heart that wants to live without any material items, or maybe just what I could carry on my back. How amazing it would be to live each day having to trust that God will provide my basic needs. Maybe, hopefully, in the near future, God will lead me to a living situation like that! Anyways, this trip is not about my comfort, it is about glorifying God and loving on His children so I am happy to pack light.
Also, for those of you who don’t know, we have had some trip plans change pretty last minute. I wish you could see my facial expressions how excited I am about this right now. God is up to something and I can’t wait to see what it is!! Originally, we were supposed to visits Uganda and then take a flight across Africa to Ghana but Autumn, our trip leader, was having real problems making the trip accommodations there. Calls and emails were not being returned, prices were super high, and things just were not working out. We all prayed and, a few weeks ago, decided to go to Uganda as planned and then Ethiopia, instead of Ghana. Even though I am sad about skipping Ghana, God has opened up some amazing opportunities for us in Ethiopia. Who can argue with Him? He does know the past, present, and future and I am happy to be where He wants me to be:)
Here is a brief overview of where our team will be going and who we will be visiting.
Jinja, Uganda:
Canaan Childrens Home
Amazima Ministry
Kampala, Uganda:
Sixty Feet- a prison for children:(
Return Ministries
Fly to Addis Ababa July 20th
Korah, Ethiopia:
Project 61 Ministries
Restoration Orphanage
Kebebe government run orphanage
Fistula Hospital
American World Adoption Transitional Home
Most of these places have websites so please feel free to look them up and see what they are all about.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking an interest in this trip and the people God is allowing me to serve. Please email me if you have any questions, comments or for any reasons at all. I really like to hear feedback too. I will post again soon:)
Love,
Shelby
Monday, May 30, 2011
Fundraising Video
Praise Him! I know many of you have joined me in prayer for my upcoming mission trip and the fundraising that I have been working on, thank you very much! I just have to share with you how God is working......
I have a friend named Josh G. Skoglund who also happens to have a heart for missions work. He heard about my upcoming trip and gave me a call to offered his help. Josh has some has been blessed with some amazing tech-y skills and wanted to make a video to help with the fundraising process. So, we made a video! I was positive that God would open the doors to help me raise money I just wasn't sure how. I have to say that when Josh and I met to discuss this idea I couldn't help but see God's hand in it. I love love love seeing Him at work!
I have to admit that the thought of being in a video.....that is posted on the internet..... for all to see..... has been a little rough for me. I tend to be a pretty private person and have a tough time even listening to my voicemail recording with out being embarrassed:) Once again, God is good! He knows what I need more than I do! Hahaha, I guess I will have to get over myself and out of my comfort zone once again. I am trying to remember that the video is not about me. It is about raising money to bless some precious orphans with. That makes it more than worth a little discomfort. Thank you SO much for your hard work Josh! What a gift you have.
Please check it out!
shelby.dean.missions from j.hosh on Vimeo.
Love,
Shelby Dean
I have a friend named Josh G. Skoglund who also happens to have a heart for missions work. He heard about my upcoming trip and gave me a call to offered his help. Josh has some has been blessed with some amazing tech-y skills and wanted to make a video to help with the fundraising process. So, we made a video! I was positive that God would open the doors to help me raise money I just wasn't sure how. I have to say that when Josh and I met to discuss this idea I couldn't help but see God's hand in it. I love love love seeing Him at work!
I have to admit that the thought of being in a video.....that is posted on the internet..... for all to see..... has been a little rough for me. I tend to be a pretty private person and have a tough time even listening to my voicemail recording with out being embarrassed:) Once again, God is good! He knows what I need more than I do! Hahaha, I guess I will have to get over myself and out of my comfort zone once again. I am trying to remember that the video is not about me. It is about raising money to bless some precious orphans with. That makes it more than worth a little discomfort. Thank you SO much for your hard work Josh! What a gift you have.
Please check it out!
shelby.dean.missions from j.hosh on Vimeo.
Love,
Shelby Dean
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)