So, I'm heading back to Ontario in less than a week! I'm so excited to meet more of my brothers and sisters and grow more in my Lord Jesus. I know God's been preparing my heart for the incredible things that he has for me this summer. It will so great to get away from everything and focus my attention on God and what He has planned for my life. I just can't stop smiling everytime I think about going back!
I've attached the support letter I've sent out. It explains the program a bit more. If you all could pray for the upcoming summer, what God will be doing and protection for our team, I would so appreciate it.
Hello All,
It’s been a crazy spring here in Langley, BC. The rain continues to fall but the sun-sets have been lovely to see when the sun decides to show its face. I’m currently a third year student at Trinity Western University as an International Studies major with a focus in global development and a concentration in communications. School has been full of midterms, papers and, of course, learning. Have no fear, I haven’t been studying the whole time and often enjoy hanging out with the wonderful girls of my pod. It’s been a crazy year but God is definitely working His beautiful plan in my life.
Last year a good friend of mine mentioned a ministry program called Global Shore Opportunities and their student program. GSO is a non-profit, mission organization run out of Southern Ontario. The student program allows university students the opportunity to earn some money working on their asparagus farm packing plant as well as mission experiences in the small town of El Tizate, Guatemala (it isn’t on any maps I’ve found so far). The founding families own a packing plant and the team is able to work alongside the other seasonal employees and live as a team in an old renovated church. This sounded like such a great op-portunity that I just couldn’t pass up, so I applied in the spring of 2011 and got in. I spent the summer with an amazing team of students and grew so much in my faith. The experience literally changed my life and drew me closer to our wonderful Lord and Savior.
Through this experience, I was able to live with a family in El Tizate, learn the culture of the people and be involved with a school that was established by GSO. We took individual Spanish lessons with the teachers of the school and help with the things that this small community needs. The children of the school have taught me so much about being a child of God and learning to serve God with my whole being.
I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to go back again this summer! I can’t wait to see what God has for our team and to see his work in Guatemala. I need to raise $2,000 for the ministry activities in Guate-mala. If you have the means to support me and this wonderful ministry through giving in this way, I’d be so appreciative. If it is not possible to support through giving funds, prayer is the best support I could ask for. Prayer is such a powerful tool and I believe it can work wonders for the work we will be doing. I believe in giving as the Holy Spirit leads you to and know that the Lord will provide for my needs.
Love from the great wet north,
Shelby McConnell
