Earlier this year, my friends took me to brunch to celebrate my birthday, my 32nd birthday to be exact. We took the train to San Juan Capistrano drinking mimosas all the way (ps if you live in southern California and haven’t tried this adventure yet - you should - it’s a DREAM!) then ate at the incredible Ramos House Café. While we were there we talked about how this year I was going to try and DO some of things I aspire to - I’m not waiting anymore for a REASON to celebrate or live large, I’m just making the memories now - adventuring now - writing down the dreams and then living them. So I read off my bucket list (which is shockingly short) here’s what it included on March 12, 2017: Catalina Island, Africa, Breakfast at Ramos House (CHECK), Duffy Boat Ride, Experience Israel, Malibu Safari Wine Tasting, dinner at SUR, Train to Santa Barbara for a weekend with Mere + some more lifelong hopes - have my daddy walk me down the aisle & have Kevin, Jamie & their kiddos all there & have Anna, Emy, and Mands as my matrons of honor, adopt at least one sweet asian girl and one african boy, take my family to Carlsbad State Beach for a week with the Garcia Family and the Linthicum Family, take at least one mission trip with my husband & one with our family, at some point invite a single girl or a single guy to be part of our family for a holiday so they won’t feel alone or forgotten. We took care of Breakfast at Ramos House that morning and then took our our calendars and planned for an overnight in Hollywood to accomplish dinner at SUR together in July. I love that I have friends who will dream with me! That said, I knew then and know now only God can fulfill my lifelong hopes - as you know, life today doesn’t look anything like I anticipated - and it isn’t always easy. However, I often pray that in the midst of the lonely, the Lord will be mighty and use me for His plans and purposes. I have asked Him to give me strength to run toward Him and to seek Him regardless of my feelings and desires in this season.
That very same day as we chatted about all this year MIGHT entail, there was a short term missions kick-off at EvFree Fullerton and while I brunched blissfully unaware of all God had in store, mighty things were brewing. You see this summer, my passion for foster teens and a bucket list dream of Africa in my 30’s will intersect and I have no doubt as I laugh and sing and cry alongside these beautiful African teens, my heart will grow, and God will work in me and through me in mighty and life changing ways!
I have been asked to lead a team to Rwanda to put on a camp for orphans throughout the country. In 1994, in just 100 days, over 800,000 people were slaughtered in one of the most devastating genocides the world has ever seen. Hutu extremists killed 70% of the Tutsi population and 20% of Rwanda’s total population leaving the country and their culture ravaged. It is now illegal to talk about ethnicity in Rwanda; however, we know that true reconciliation and forward movement can only come through forgiveness. While we are at camp, we will focus on grace, forgiveness, and hope beyond circumstances made possible through of the saving blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7).
From August 4 - August 16, my team of 12 tremendously gifted and passionate individuals will wholeheartedly and eagerly serve the orphans of Rwanda. The vast majority of our time in-country will be spent putting on camp in the district of Bugasera. We will have lessons and small groups each day as well as music, crafts, and games. Our last day of camp will include a birthday party complete with cupcakes from a nearby bakery - I have no doubt that will be a highlight! We will also be visiting a special needs orphanage to deliver supplies and spend some time with children who have been cast out due to disease. Though they are considered unworthy in the eyes of their people, we know they are made in the very image of God, fearfully and wonderfully, with a distinct plan and purpose (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-16).
I am exceedingly glad to be journeying to Africa and feel confident the Lord is asking me to follow Him in this great adventure. I believe we are a saved and sent people and it is my joy to be SENT for this purpose. I am honestly humbled and moved and truly cannot believe that the Lord was readying my heart and preparing me for His call in such remarkable ways. I have seen Him move in my heart in regards to foster care and a deep love for the orphan over many years. It started at World Changers when I was only 15. That first summer serving as His hands and feet as a Dandy Sanding ROOF RAF and interacting with a foster teen who had been taken in by his grandma, I knew beyond question that I was called to adopt, that I had the capacity to love one who is not my own, but deeply loved by the Father. He continued to stir my heart through Teen Leadership Camp - I was captivated by the most incredible teens - I heard their stories and was moved by their loss, but also their resilience, strength, hope, and joy despite harrowing circumstances. As I prayed for the teens upon returning home from camp, the Lord opened my eyes to their desperate need for the light and love of Christ to be poured into their lives through the faithful investment of adult leaders who would walk alongside them in an on-going capacity. In fall 2014, the Lord allowed me to start a club named CHOSEN and invite each of our campers to participate. At that first club we had seven teens come, and now we have over 25 teens participating on a monthly basis. We are seeing the Lord move and work in incredible ways and I am more convinced than ever that THIS is what He has for me. My heartbeat is for the “least of these” - for teens who desperately need to be seen and cared for and reminded they have value, significance, and abundant worth - and I have no doubt the Lord gave me the capacity to show them they are abundantly loved. I would have NEVER imagined it would lead me all the way to Africa to love the least of these - but I cannot wait to see what is next in the story He is writing with this passion for His kids and missions intertwined - He has something FAR better than I can see in store!
If you would like to join me on this adventure, please let me know! I would LOVE to send you emails prior to my departure and while we are away! Your prayers are truly the greatest gift you could EVER gift. If you do want to be a financial partner, you may take advantage of our online giving option using your credit card. The website is https://linux.fefcful.org/projects/give. You’ll then want to select RWANDA 2017 and my name (Shelly Swope) within the drop down menu.
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