Stepping In to Service Through Volunteer Work on Mercy Ships with Shelby Colette

In this episode, Kara is stepping in with ICU nurse, Shelby Colette as she takes us with her to reflect on her adventures aboard the “Mercy Ship.” She has served as a volunteer twice on the ship, giving surgical care to people who would not otherwise receive it. Shelby shares that her journey with Mercy ships started even as a child. Her parents' travel taught her that the world was much bigger than her backyard. The dream took form in college when she saw a flier hanging in her nursing school hall that sparked a deep desire in her to one day be on that ship. Despite the dream, after nursing school she got a job, and was in a very serious relationship. Her life was settling down and she could see it written out for the next 30 years. But she felt a little part of her dying, knowing she was made for more. When Mercy ships reappeared, she knew it was her time to go. Even though it felt like she was exploding her own life and stopping everything she had been working for up to that point, she made the brave decision to break off her relationship and let go of everything she knew. Shelby shares her perspectives on how sometimes other people’s stories have a great impact on our own. She doesn’t claim to tell her patient’s stories, but rather honors them as she offers the great treasures she stored up from watching them hope against devastating circumstances, find joy amidst deep pain and have peace when there was no answer. Listen in to gain a valuable lens into a part of the world and a topic that we aren’t generally tuned into.  Connect with Shelby: shelbycolette.com Shelby Colette, RN, BSN has been a nurse for sixteen years.  She's traveled the world, but found her true passion in volunteering aboard Mercy Ships and serving the world's forgotten poor through the love of Jesus.  That's where Shelby discovered her true love of serving those the world has overlooked and a continuing deep faith in Christ.  Shelby loves reading, writing, and being a mom to her three beautifully wild children.  She lives in Oregon with her husband and kids. Connect with Kara: Website: ⁠https://www.steppinginwithkara.com Newsletter: ⁠https://www.karastoltenberg.com/subscribe⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/steppinginwithkara⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/karastoltenberg⁠