Written by Shade Supporter and Love in Action 2025 Participant Kelly Clavell
In preparation for our trip to Shade in May 2025, our group used the book Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions. The book not only contains pre-trip training, but also on and post-field engagement sections. In one of our post-trip meetings, I was struck by these words, “But more than a gift, this trip was an investment. God entrusted you with this opportunity. So embrace your responsibility to continue the process of learning and engagement.” The Love in Action Challenge was a tangible way to continue engaging with and sharing the experiences and observations from visiting Shade.
God showed me my next step! After prayer, I decided on my fitness and fundraising goals, wrote my email invitation, and sent it to my closest family and friends. It has been awe-inspiring to see how God has moved during this month. I increased and then exceeded my fundraising goal – only God! Many folks from my church, Church of the Resurrection in Maryland, were hungry to support an organization with which they had a connection. It was a privilege and humbling to be that connection.
When we arrived home after our May trip, I shared a meal with a friend who remarked, “You just light up every time you talk about your visit to Shade.” She wanted to support Shade even before the Love in Action Challenge began! Everything I encountered at Shade was a beautiful and clear picture of obedience to God. Every person working at Shade inspired me. The presence of God was clear on campus in the teachers, the gardeners, the leadership team, the cooks, and the students. In the U.S., we have so much material wealth, but so little spiritual depth. While in Tanzania, I experienced the generous spirit of God through hospitality, love, obedience and joy without material wealth. It was life altering. Bwana Asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!)
When the Love in Action Challenge kicked off in August, the weather was just beginning to cool down. For most of the month, it was glorious – especially the last week. I got back to the woods, and made use of the trails around the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls area near my home. My new rescue sidekick Freddie and I spent many beautiful mornings hiking through the woods. It was so peaceful and quiet. A walk in the woods cleanses my mind and helps me communicate with God. Often, He would put a song in my mind. Sometimes, He would lead me to contemplate the things in my life that needed attention. And truthfully, I spent some of my time training Freddie!
One thing I continually noticed was the light. I have always gravitated towards the light. It shines through and creates a beautiful glowing effect in the trees. The leaves dance and sparkle. It looks different every time, depending on the hour. The Love in Action Challenge encouraged me to spend more time walking in the woods, and it really helped me to connect to a book I read this summer, Listening to God. There is an ebb and flow in our walk with God, in different seasons and times, the light may look different, but it is always there, just like Him.
