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, 


Shelby

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

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.   

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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