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.
Friday, July 22, 2011
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
Friday, May 20, 2011
Hello world:) I am very new to blog writing as I am not sure that anyone would care to hear about my inner thoughts up until this point haha! But I now have a purpose that I feel is worthy of blogging about so here it goes........
Last summer I read an amazing book that open my eyes and heart called The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, the CEO of World Vision. God definitely started working in my heart in new ways as I finished this book and began to read a few more about missionary work in developing countries, serving God’s people, and living a life fully devoted to Christ. The thought of taking a trip overseas to serve God’s children became very appealing to me and so I started looking for a mission trip that would provide this opportunity. I prayed and prayed that God would open doors for me if he wanted me to serve in this way and I just trusted that he would get me where I needed to be.
Around this time my friend was talking about a blog she was reading and how inspirational it was so I looked into it and started reading. If I had only known what I was in for:) It is one of those reads that hooked me, which is great, but this one also makes me extremely emotional as I can’t help but sob as I read about what this young woman is doing in Uganda, Africa. (My poor co-worker probably thinks I am emotionally unstable going to work many many mornings with tired and very puffy eyes:) I still have a hard time keeping my tears under control when I talk about this subject or read Katie’s blog. I really should just except it, stop trying to control it, and just take it as a blessing...... especially because the Holy Spirit tends to lead and guide me through my tears.) Anyways, I cannot begin to describe all of the work that Katie is doing for her community in Uganda but part of it involves starting an orphanage and legally adopting orphaned children. I know, right, amazing and she is only in her early twenties! If you want, check out her blog to learn more http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com
Through her blog and the suggestion of my dear friend I found out about Visiting Orphans http://www.visitingorphans.org/, a non-profit christian based organization that takes groups on mission trips to orphanages all over the world. I began to pray and save money and I knew God would lead me to where he wanted me. I found a trip that is going to Uganda and Ghana Africa to bring supplies, love on orphans, teach vacation bible school, and I imagine much much more. I felt/feel that this is a great fit for me and placed a deposit down in December. Myself and 23 others, that I don’t know, will be visiting the community where Katie’s ministries are (I might even get to meet her!!!!!) and then flying to Ghana to work with children in an orphanage there. The total time is about two weeks.
Like I mentioned above, I started saving last fall to financially prepare for a trip but I am a full time college student and only work part time so I am asking for help. That help can be financially, through prayer, or I am open to other ideas as well. I am learning that a huge part of this journey is preparing for the trip in various ways. There are many new lessons I am learning through the process, some harder than others. God knows I have a hard time asking for help for anything, especially in a monetary form:) so it is humbling to have to ask but, as always, I am grateful for God’s refining touch in my life. Anyways, I have already had a huge response from some friends and family and everyone wants to help somehow and I am very thankful for that. At first I was thinking that I would set a number and start going from there but it occurred to me that I really should just let God provide what he thinks I need. The total trip is around $4000 plus whatever I can take to buy supplies for the children I will be loving on. For anyone who is willing and able to donate here are some options......
Update: June 28, 2011
At this point, the best option to help with this trip would be getting money or supplies directly to me.
Last summer I read an amazing book that open my eyes and heart called The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, the CEO of World Vision. God definitely started working in my heart in new ways as I finished this book and began to read a few more about missionary work in developing countries, serving God’s people, and living a life fully devoted to Christ. The thought of taking a trip overseas to serve God’s children became very appealing to me and so I started looking for a mission trip that would provide this opportunity. I prayed and prayed that God would open doors for me if he wanted me to serve in this way and I just trusted that he would get me where I needed to be.
Around this time my friend was talking about a blog she was reading and how inspirational it was so I looked into it and started reading. If I had only known what I was in for:) It is one of those reads that hooked me, which is great, but this one also makes me extremely emotional as I can’t help but sob as I read about what this young woman is doing in Uganda, Africa. (My poor co-worker probably thinks I am emotionally unstable going to work many many mornings with tired and very puffy eyes:) I still have a hard time keeping my tears under control when I talk about this subject or read Katie’s blog. I really should just except it, stop trying to control it, and just take it as a blessing...... especially because the Holy Spirit tends to lead and guide me through my tears.) Anyways, I cannot begin to describe all of the work that Katie is doing for her community in Uganda but part of it involves starting an orphanage and legally adopting orphaned children. I know, right, amazing and she is only in her early twenties! If you want, check out her blog to learn more http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com
Through her blog and the suggestion of my dear friend I found out about Visiting Orphans http://www.visitingorphans.org/, a non-profit christian based organization that takes groups on mission trips to orphanages all over the world. I began to pray and save money and I knew God would lead me to where he wanted me. I found a trip that is going to Uganda and Ghana Africa to bring supplies, love on orphans, teach vacation bible school, and I imagine much much more. I felt/feel that this is a great fit for me and placed a deposit down in December. Myself and 23 others, that I don’t know, will be visiting the community where Katie’s ministries are (I might even get to meet her!!!!!) and then flying to Ghana to work with children in an orphanage there. The total time is about two weeks.
Like I mentioned above, I started saving last fall to financially prepare for a trip but I am a full time college student and only work part time so I am asking for help. That help can be financially, through prayer, or I am open to other ideas as well. I am learning that a huge part of this journey is preparing for the trip in various ways. There are many new lessons I am learning through the process, some harder than others. God knows I have a hard time asking for help for anything, especially in a monetary form:) so it is humbling to have to ask but, as always, I am grateful for God’s refining touch in my life. Anyways, I have already had a huge response from some friends and family and everyone wants to help somehow and I am very thankful for that. At first I was thinking that I would set a number and start going from there but it occurred to me that I really should just let God provide what he thinks I need. The total trip is around $4000 plus whatever I can take to buy supplies for the children I will be loving on. For anyone who is willing and able to donate here are some options......
Update: June 28, 2011
At this point, the best option to help with this trip would be getting money or supplies directly to me.
Make a check to Anchorage Wesleyan Church and place my name in the memo line. If you live outside of Anchorage you can send it to 1041 East 76th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99518.Go to https://www.visitingorphans.org/donations/donate.aspx and make a donation there. Be sure to use my name, Shelby Sonnentag, when it asks if you want to donate to a specific team member. Also, select the trip Ghana/Uganda July 14-27.Another option is cash or check directly to me to take along for purchasing items to donate while I am there.
There are also some other opportunities in the works coming soon.
Please feel free to contacting me at anytime! shelbydjbsr@yahoo.com
Thank you so much for the prayers and help! I am so looking forward to what God has in store and also sharing this journey with all of you.
With Love,
Shelby
With Love,
Shelby
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