Ecola is officially over. Two years of intensely studying the Bible, immersed in community, and intentionally pursuing Christ has changed my life for the better in so many ways. It is sad to say goodbye, hard to transition into “normal” life, and often lonely without your friends constantly around you. Change is difficult, but it is not bad. My steps for next fall are hazy to say the least, but I have been blessed with an exciting opportunity for this summer: serving at an English Camp in Haiti!
This is a six-week camp run by the Tlucek family who opens their home to roughly 400 children ages 4-14 every weekday. While volunteering, there will be many opportunities to serve: whether it is teaching one of their English, Science, Bible or Math classes; being a leader of a group of children and taking them from class to class; or doing administrative work behind the scenes. While my specific job has not been defined yet, I will be serving in worship, kitchen work, and wherever needed in addition to a job listed above. The dates I will be serving are set for June 11th through August 15th. More information on English Camp can be found at their website (www.mcmhaiti.org).
I am extremely excited about this opportunity for many reasons. It has always been a desire of mine to visit different countries and see how their cultures vary from our own and this is an opportunity to be directly involved with the Haitian people. To also spend six weeks devoted to pouring into children's lives and teaching them about Jesus is such a wonderful opportunity. Through this experience I am excited to see how my perspective on life here in the US will change, and how God will stretch and grow me.
As you read this, I ask that you keep me in your prayers. There are many thoughts in my head, but here are a few requests I have:
- For God to calm my anxieties: about traveling, going to a different country and culture, and meeting new people
- For God to be preparing my heart and to be open to what He has for me to learn
- For the summer camp to have more children than they have in the past and for the volunteers to be able to effectively minister to them
- Overall general safety and open hearts
This opportunity is totally from God. Although it has been a desire of my heart to visit other countries, the reality of it seemed far off. Naturally, this would not have been something I would inclined toward, but God really put this on my heart and all of the doors have been opened so far. I am excited and eagerly anticipating what God has to teach me this summer.
I am raising support for this mission trip, but the purpose of this post is not to ask for money. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me (shelbytyalorrudy@gmail.com) or Facebook message me.
Thank you everyone for reading this, for investing prayerfully, and for your support. I really appreciate all the encouragement I have received in the past two years in coming to Oregon and even now in this new adventure. I will be doing my best to keep updates on this blog as I prepare to go, when I come back, and hopefully while I am down in Haiti. Thank you all!
"So walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6b-7
Shelby, Your mom put me on notice that you are on the cusp of yet another adventure! I've read your post, and am so tickled at the opportunities that are opening before you :). I was just reading about Joshua leading the people of Israel through the Jordan river, and was reminded again that those passages in our lives that hold the greatest promise often begin in difficult places! Just as they had to get their feet wet before the way opened in front of them, our feet need to be "wet" in anticipation of the things that God alone can do, and will accomplish in and through our lives. Praying for you today that you will bring great joy to a whole lot of kids in Haiti, and that you may know the fullness of His grace for whatever lies ahead. Hard to believe that it has already been TWO years! Trust Him, and be a blessing-- Lynn Morrison
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