Only One More Weeks

I'm finally home for the holidays and 100% done with my undergrad!  Now I'm getting ready for my next journey.

I'm heading to El Tizate, Guatemala!!!  Here's a few pictures of the places I'll be going.

El Tizate, Guatemala

This is the town where the school is located!

Colegio Cristiano Avivando el Fuego, the beautiful school.

 The wonderful kids I get to see everyday.

While I'm there, my official position is ESL Assistant at the school.  My main job will b e tutoring two young girls, along with a number of other things.  If you want more into, check out my support letter below.


Hey All!
It’s been a crazy journey these past few months and I have some amazing opportunities ahead of me. I’m currently entering into my four months of university. I will be spending this last semester in Ottawa, Ontario as part of the Laurentian Leadership Center and graduating in December with a degree in International Studies with a Concentration in Communications. The million dollar question on everyone’s mind, “What are you going to do after you graduate?” I’m so glad you asked. God has blessed me with an incredible opportunity to go back to Guatemala for an entire year!

I know this is where God is moving me and I will be mov-ing there in January 2014. I will be an ESL (English as a Second Language) Assistant with Global Shore Opportunity. I’ve been with GSO for two summers and I absolutely love the organization and their goals. The main initiative of GSO is to pro-vide Christian education to the children of El Tizate, a small community 20 minutes outside the tourist town of Anti-gua. Many of these children do not come from Christian homes and this school is a needed and practical way to show them the love of God. My main job while there will be to tutor two little girls in English as well as serving as an aide to the two English teachers at the schools. I will also have the opportunity to continue learning more Spanish for myself. God has been giving me a very passionate heart for the country of Guatemala and the children of Colegio Cristiano Avivando el Fuego. I love the children there and feel very blessed to see God grow in their lives. I am so grateful to be a part of a small portion of their lives.

Since God has called me to serve these children in Guatemala, I know He will provide. I need support on two levels. The first support I will need is financial support. I need to raise $7,000 to cover the entire year. This will be used for housing accommodation, food and adding to the support of the school. If you are willing and able to provide financial support then I would greatly appreciate. The second type of sup-port I need is prayer support. I realize that not everyone is able to support me financially but I also need spiritual cover-ing. While financial support is necessary, prayer support is not an option. God is doing big things in my life and in the lives of the students at the school and Satan is not happy. Prayer coverage over this next year and for support to come in is more important to me. As I find myself faithful to God has His plan for me this upcoming year, I know He will pro-vide both the prayer and financial support needed.

If you are willing to support me through prayer, I would love to put you onto a prayer e-mail list. This is where I send updates on more specific prayer needs going on throughout the year. If you are willing to commit to praying for me then please send an e-mail to: shelby.mcconnell@mytwu.ca. I will put you on my prayer list and keep you updated.

If you feel led to give financially then there are a few different options. There is an addressed envelope to send checks. Make checks out to “Global Shore Opportunity” and note that it is for “Shelby McConnell”. Another option is to make an online donation through this website.  Again, put my name in the ‘notes’ area.

Thank you for your prayers and support, especially your prayers.
 

I'm leaving for Guatemala on January 2!  I'm really excited for whatever God has planned for me!

God's Next Endeavor

My next big adventure:  

Ottawa

I'm spending my last semester living in Ottawa with a house full of students.  We will participate in classes in the mornings and intern with various organizations and people in the afternoon.

I'm interning with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

I've been researching the organization and current issues in government for the past few weeks.  Some things have really struck me through it.  There's a lot of religious oppression over the city and government.  Maybe oppression isn't the right word, more like religious suppression.  The concept of remaining 'neutral'.  

During my quit times with God, the city of Ottawa keeps coming to mind.  I keep getting a sense that it needs prayer, the whole city.  That God needs to regain ownership over that place.  It's been out of his hands and that He wants it back.

Tonight was no different.  My entire prayer turned to the city of Ottawa and the Canadian government.  I keep feeling like I need to pray for freedom over that city.  We need to fight for God to capture the city.  Three words came to mind for the city:

RECAPTURE

REGAIN

RESTORE

This is where my prayers keep turning to.

I've never felt like this towards a place.  It's completely new for my prayers to turn so directly towards this city before.  Every time I'm with God this is where my attention is focused.  I will keep praying for Ottawa.  I know God has some amazing plans for the next few months there and I hope I'm able to see his work.

If God brings Ottawa or myself to mind, I ask that you will pray with me.  For the government of Canada, for the kingdom to come over Ottawa, and for those of us that will be there. 

Journey to Become King

First of all, It's been a crazy journey this summer in Costa Rica.  I didn't have much time to write here because I had to do so many other things.  I'm sorry.

Secondly, God has been teaching me a lot and I feel like I need to share this one here.

I was reading in I Samuel (chapters 7-10 to be exact) about how Saul became Israel's first king.  There were several things that struck my heartsrings and gave me a good reminder of the mindset I should be in.

Saul was met by Samuel because he was looking for some of his father's donkeys that ran away.  This was the task that was set before Saul to complete, fins the donkeys and bring them home.  That was it.  Pretty simple right?  But this is where God chose to encounter him and raise him up as king over his people.

I keep thinking of his willingness to chase after a few donkeys.  Think about it.  Why did he go chase after them?  Didn't they have servants to do that?  They were not cattle or sheep but a couple of donkeys.  So why did Saul go after them?  Not only did he go after them but he traveled a long distance looking for them.  Just a few donkeys.  

This was Saul's mindset when he left his home.  Then he meets Samuel who invites him to a dinner and tells him that he's anointed to be the first king of Israel.  If I were him, I'd probably be thinking, "I should go look for donkeys more often."

It was on this journey to find a few donkeys was where God brought him into his 'destiny'.

God does the same for us.  When we have a task that seems menial or unworthy of our time, God completely changes it for his plan.  It could be to bring us to people who need to hear from God, and he chooses to use us. 

I'm reminded of a story.  A while ago, I went on a treasure hunt with two of my friends (If you have no idea what a treasure hunt is, click here: Treasure Hunt).  We weren't having any luck at our first location and decided that we should try a new location.  My friend Christoph really wanted a cup of coffee before we left so we went over tot eh coffee shop.  While he ran in to get some liquid energy, Katie and I stayed in the car.  While we were waiting, a women parked next to us and got out of her vehicle with a stack of books in her hands.  I saw the top book was one I was reading at the time and I ran after her.  I got to talk and pray for her.

At first we were joking around that we were always waiting on Christoph for something.  This time it just happened to be for coffee.  But if Christoph didn't want a cup of coffee then I would never have talked to her.  We would have never encountered her and God couldn't have blessed her. 

It's a lot like Saul's journey to becoming King.  He was just doing something that I personally would be a little annoyed by, but God used that time for him.

The seemingly pointless tasks are still vital parts in the plots for our lives.  God has a plan for the things that I get frustrated by and the things that I don't want to do.  If I'm willing to do them, God can use it.

God can use anything really.

This really impacted me this summer.  I keep asking God why he brought me to Costa Rica when my heart is in Guatemala.  But I have to trust that God has a plan for me and this summer is a big part of that.  Maybe it's through relationships that I have formed here or places I've been.  Maybe I just needed to be on one trip for one person this summer.  And that's enough for me.  If that's the only reason I'm here then I praise God for choosing me as a vessel for him.

Costa Rica Here at Last

FINALLY, I have arrived in the beautiful country of Costa Rica! 

I spent the last 13 hours in transit on the most indirect route possible.  After taking a red eye flight to Charlotte, North Carolina (and getting very little sleep), I had a 4 hour layover in the airport.  I was extremely tired and had to board a 3 1/2 hour flight to San Jose. 

I slept off and on the entire journey but there is no time difference from Colorado so jet lag won't be a problem! 

I'm not sure what to expect on this first trip which starts tomorrow.  There are 5 leaders here to lead a group of 10.  Needless to say, we will definitely get to know everybody!

More to come!

Worship in all Things

Since I've been back at home, my family has been training for a 5k race.  I had not been running while at school so I was really out of shape and definitely not acclimated to the altitude yet.   It was a rough first week, let me tell you. 

Last week, my mom, dad and I ran later in the evening.  It was dark and we went to a local park that has a lit pathway.  I wanted to push myself so I ran ahead of mom and dad.  I had decided to run 3 laps around the park.  On the third lap I was beginning to get worried because I hadn't run into my parents yet.  One side of the park is pretty well-lit but the other side isn't.  I was turning the corner into the darker side of the park and thought I saw some shadows moving up ahead of me.  I thought it was my parents but as I got closer, I realized there was nothing there. 

I began the run by listening to worship music and as I got tired I continued thinking of running as worship.  As I realized there was nothing there, God said something to me that was absolutely incredible.  This is what He said,

"My people can see the shadows when they are walking (or in my case, running) on the lit path.  When you see the light, you also have the ability to see the schemes of the devil."  

I had never thought of that before.  It was so cool to encounter God on something as mundane as a run.  And the words He said are true.

We, as Christians, cannot be afraid of the darkness we encounter.  We cannot be afraid of being attacked.  I know this has been said a number of times but I feel like it remains true.  If you're being attacked then you're doing something that the enemy doesn't like and something to advance God's kingdom.  Also, God will not let us be attacked beyond what we can bear and He will not abandon us in our time of need (I Corinthians 10:13).

Journals!

Handmade journals from burlap coffee bag.

All journals are $10.

Want to know why I made these?

Check out my support letter here.

Hello All,

            It’s been an amazing year.  I’m busy with papers and spending time with friends.  I’m currently just finishing my fourth year at Trinity Western University as an International Studies major with a focus in global development and a concentration in Communications.  I feel God directing me towards a life in missions.  I have had many opportunities in the past few summers to be a part of missions in Central America.  I have learned so much from my

            This summer I have been given an amazing opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with the Praying Pelican Missions.  Praying Pelican Missions us a nonprofit missions organization with a vision to impact the world for Christ.  I will be serving an 8 week internship as an intern mission trip leader.  I will be an integral part of a 3-6 person leadership team hosting short-term missions groups each week.

            We will be staying at various places across the country of Costa Rica.  My responsibilities during this time include lining up ministry opportunities and ministry sites, such as construction projects, children’s ministry, sports ministry, etc., meals, recreation, and transportation.  I would also be participating in meal preparation, worship and debrief, meetings, and generally guiding each church’s trip.  I’m so excited to see what God has for me in this season.

            I feel so blessed to have this opportunity.  I need to raise $200 a week for the duration of my 8 week internship in Costa Rica.  This means that I need to raise $1,600 by June 1^st.  I am also responsible for the cost of flights down there.  If you have the means to support me financially, that would be much appreciated.  I know that finances can be tight and it might not be possible to give funds.  I would ask for your prayer.  Prayer is such a powerful tool in the kingdom of God.  I would appreciate if you could partner with me in prayer or financial support.

            I desire to see the God move powerfully in people’s lives.  I believe that God has led me to this organization and this opportunity to serve him in a new way.  I’m so excited to see what he has in store. 

Much love,

Shelby 

Find out more about Praying Pelican Missions here.

Obedience and Freedom

I was reading Leviticus today and stumbled across this passage.  The heading for it was blessing for obedience.

"If you walk in my Statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.  Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing.  And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely.  I will give you peace in the land and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.  And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land.  You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.  Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.  I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you.  You shall eat old store long kept, and you shall clear our the old to make way for the new.  I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you.  And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.  I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves.  And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect." [Leviticus 26:3-13]

This blew me away.  I know God's promises are good, but these totally exceed my expectations. 

Some people read this and just skim over it.  "Yeah, yeah.  We know God is great and everything."  BUT just take a moment to imagine what 5 soldiers against 100 would actually look like.  Brutal right?  Now imagine the 5 chasing the 100 and winning.  It's looks so insane to me.

I believe that God has the power to do this.  I don't believe this to be some great metaphor but that God would actually make this happen.  These are all promises from God and all we have to do is obey.  It's not a fair trade off but God doesn't mind picking up the slack. 

While I could go on and on about the incredible things God promises here, I just want to point out one more at the very end.  "And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect."  This is something that God has already done for us.  The chain that is binding us down is already broken.  Anything that is trying to tell us that we are not free is lying.  A lot of times we choose to believe the lies instead of the truth which keeps us under the wrong yoke.  God given us freedom and he will help us get out from under the lies of the enemy and walk upright with God.

It is only in him and through him that we are free.
  

True Love

I just want everyone to know that

God loves you.

He has a deep, passionate desire for every person on the earth.  Christian or Atheist.  Black or white. Man or Woman.  He loves everyone.  He sent is son to die.  He literally watched his son cry out in pain and agony and die for us.  That's insane!  It's crazy!  That's love!

And his love does not rely on whether we do good things.  He love does not rely on how bad we've been in the past.  His love does not rely on how good we do in the future.  God loves us whether we choose to follow him.  God loves us whether we never choose him at all.

God loves us infinitely and without bounds.  His love will never leave.  There is nothing you can do to run away from the love that God has for you.  Whatever you do, God's love doesn't change.  God's love is ever-present and inviting.  He longs, deeply and passionately, for EVERY person on this planet.

If no one chose Him, He would still love us.  He would still pursue us and long for us.

I know it's hard to feel God's love and maybe you've never experienced it at all.  I want you to ignore the fact that you don't fully believe that the great God could ever love someone like you.  Just suspend your disbelief and try this.  If only for 5 minutes.

I dare you. 

It's simple.

1) Hold your arms out
2) Say (out loud) "God, please show me your love"


That's it.  That's all it takes.

I believe that God will touch you tonight.  I believe it because I know the truth.

The truth is God loves you and he will show it to you.  He wants you, all of you, to love.  So if you think I'm crazy (and it's ok if you do) just remember the truth that God loves you.