Dustin's Story

Thank you to Amy DeBurgh for writing today's blog, and thank you to the Dearborn family for sharing Dustin's story.

Five years ago, the Dearborn family made the trek north to Union Grove, Wisconsin from Indiana.  They needed to satisfy their curiosity about Shepherds Ministries.  They had heard about us and wondered if this could be the place for their son, Dustin, to find friends and the freedom every young man longs for.  What they found was both exciting and emotionally difficult.  We learned how it all came about in a letter from Dustin’s parents.

"It was May of 2009 as we sat in our living room having a discussion with Dustin about the possibility of him going to Shepherd’s for a two week trial visit. We had prayed beforehand that God would be in the middle of our conversation and that His will would be done. After about an hour of explaining everything to Dustin and answering all of his questions, he looked at us and said “I’m OK with going and trying it.”  The “drop off” day was both exciting and very hard with some separation anxiety that seemed to hit us more than it did him. He was immediately surrounded by supporting staff and a lot of new friends; we cried most of the four hour trip home. Little did we know that God was opening a wonderful new door in Dustin’s life! He would call every night excited, telling all about what he was doing and all of the new friends he was making."

After Dustin’s visit to Shepherds went so well, his parents had a feeling this was it.  The cloudy view of the road, as seen through the tears of Greg and Paula, and the expressions of joy from Dustin, seemed to verify a big change was coming.  Kids grow up.  They want their independence. 

Sure enough, Dustin’s time had come.  Shepherds was the answer for him. Dustin moved in August of 2009.  He is a Catalyst client, who lives nearby and works at Shepherds Enterprises.  Dustin is a big-hearted guy who is always looking out for his friends and asking about the well-being of others’ family members.  He keeps a mental record of those who are struggling, prays for them and wants updates on those people. When he asks about those for whom he has prayed, it is as if he expects to hear a good report. “Is there any change with Ryan?”  “How is Steve?  Is he better yet?”  It is the kind of question that marks Dustin as a man of strong faith, the kind of person I want praying for me and my family.

Lately, Dustin has given us reason to pray for him.  He was diagnosed with DFSP (Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans) which is a rare sarcoma cancer.  I asked Dustin’s parents if they wouldn’t mind telling me a little about receiving this news and how God has shown his faithfulness.  This was their answer:

"You can imagine how it feels to hear that your child has cancer, it’s devastating. Of course you ask why, but we never blamed God, He was our source of strength and comfort through this. It could have gotten much worse at many turns, but it seemed to us at each step of the way when it looked like it would, God brought about the best possible solution under the circumstances. We are so grateful to Him for His graciousness to Dustin and us!"

Even through the poking, prodding and other intrusions associated with responsible medical practices from caring professionals, Dustin has maintained a positive attitude and a caring spirit.  While in his hospital bed, after surgery, he asked one visitor how her son was doing and said that he had been praying for him.  No one, but the Spirit of God, influences Dustin to do that.  He is showing himself to be the kind of man who is independent and strong enough to care about others, while he himself is hurting.  It’s hard to find a guy like that.  He has taken his independence and used it for the good of others. 

  

Dustin’s mom and dad agree that since Dustin has moved to Shepherds, “(He) has grown into a much more independent person, his life skills have improved dramatically, and we have seen him grow spiritually which is awesome.  Dustin has been baptized since coming to Shepherds and regularly attends the men's Bible study; we also hear more “God talk” in our conversations with him. Dustin has turned into a wonderful, caring young man and part of that is due to Shepherd’s influence in his life.”  

You might want to hear about the end diagnosis?  Mr. and Mrs. Dearborn were happy to report:

Dustin had surgery on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 to remove the cancerous tumor in his upper chest...and had plastic surgery on Friday, February 20^th.  They tell us he is now cancer free, that all margins around his tumor were clear. There is a chance it can return, but we are praying and trusting God every day that never happens!

The outcome for Dustin looks good.  The future is bright, and it looks like his cancer is gone too.

Calling All Farmers!

Thank you to Amy DeBurgh, Director of Volunteers and Guest Services, for writing today's blog, an invitation to all our local farmers.

You are cordially invited to attend a Farmer’s Appreciation Dinner!

Bertha Mae Wilson, better known as Gramma, grew up on a dairy farm in Texas.  Because she did, I grew up hearing stories of ornery horses that would chase rowdy children into the house and up the stairs.  Memories of buckets of oats dumped on a sibling’s head and a five year old girl driving the car ‘round and ‘round the barn with echoes of “Bert! When I catch you, yer gonna get it!” lit up my childhood with imagination.  Even now as a grown woman, I picture those events as if I read them in a colorful children’s illustrated book. 

There’s something about a farm.  From a city-girl’s outsider perspective, everything goes right and all is well in a home that is surrounded by land on all sides.  I’m sure that’s not always accurate, but that’s how I imagine it.

In reality, from what I hear, long dry spells, too much rain, rain at the wrong time and unexpected cold spells, heat waves, wind and hail keep you watching the sky.  Hard work doesn’t stop knocking no matter what the heavens answer.  No wonder prayer never really goes out of style.  We know that you have some unique stories to tell.  We’d love to hear them.

I don’t know much about farming, but I know this much - meat isn’t raised in small styrofoam packages wrapped in plastic, and popcorn doesn’t come from the movies!  Someone sacrifices to make that a part of our comfortable lives.  We are thankful.  That is why Shepherds Ministries is hosting the first annual Farmers Appreciation Dinner (the first of many).

You should know, we don’t just take a bunch of pictures, teach new songs to a choir, bring in musicians, put up decorations, make a bunch of calls, cook a ton of delicious food and buy gifts for just anyone.  But we’ll do it for Farmers! So bring your spouse or a family member or two, and come enjoy an evening in your honor.  We promise you’ll be glad you came.

When: Friday evening, January 30^th, 2015

Where: Shepherds Ministries 

1805 15^th Avenue in Union Grove, WI

Why: To be appreciated and enjoy a time of fun and fellowship!

What time: 6:30 p.m. until you get tired of being appreciated

Who we are: Shepherds Ministries is a not-for-profit organization situated on 92.5 acres of land (57 acres of which is still being farmed).  We are a college, a residence and a vocational center all designed to promote appropriate independence for adults with intellectual disabilities. We believe strongly in the value of community. 

How to reserve your spot:  Call, Email, Write or Stop on by.

Amy DeBurgh, Director of Volunteers and Guest Services

 262-878-5620 (ext 2304)  ~ adeburgh@shepherdsministries.org

1805 15^th Ave, Union Grove, WI. 23182

Volunteers: Flying into the Volcano

Thank you to Amy DeBurgh, Director of Volunteers & Guest Services, for writing today's blog.

If you want to know what effectiveness looks like, you will have to look hard.  A passing glance, at any institution, organization or individual, will not immediately reveal the treasure that lies within. 

Effectiveness is a word measured by degree.  The degree of something is a range.  For example something finds its place somewhere on the spectrum from worthless to worthy, from cold to hot.  The hottest volcano on earth can’t be judged by a cool photo on someone’s Instagram page.  You have to be brave enough and care enough to get dangerously close to understand just how effective that volcano is at being hot.

People are like that.  So are institutions, organizations, churches and ministries.  It takes time and concern - even bravery - to really find out which of these are most effective.  This is an important step if you want to give a person, place or institution your time, energy or money.  When you do, you won’t regret it.  It will be priceless to get to the end of your life, to the end of your wealth, and realize you didn’t toss it all away into a very hot-looking, but dormant volcano.

When Jesus said, “What you do unto the least of these, you do unto me,” in essence He was saying be wary of doing that which seems like it means something, but doesn’t.  Don’t get ripped off in how you spend your resources.  Care for the truly needy and do it with no thought of self, but with an all-consuming interest in Christ’s glory.

This is Shepherds Ministries to me.  Here, we believe that people with intellectual disabilities are created on purpose for a purpose to reflect the image of God with the freedom that comes from knowing they are a glory-bearing champion.   They are growing in the independence necessary to express that awesome purpose.  We and they have a need to be effective.  

So, to me, the volunteers who give their time, energy and wealth to such a cause aren’t missing out.  They are flying helicopters into the volcano, while tourists are snacking on cotton candy below.

Speaking of cotton candy, it is difficult in a cotton-candy-world to wake people up to the reality of volcanoes.  It shouldn’t be, because hot, flowing lava is dangerous, interesting and way cooler than the passing pleasures of eye-candied, vaporous trivialities that so many Americans are consumed with today.  We can be such a distracted people.  

There are those who get it, though.  I find that volunteers are not only effective, but they are interesting people.  They are tossing off the emptiness of boring self-service and venturing into better places.  This is because they are interested in interesting things.  Follow them to the real things, the meaningful things.  They are in good company.  Christ Himself ventured down.  He gave up wealth, entered time and history to show the value of serving in this sacrificial way.  And, it’s safe to say, He was effective. 

The In-Crowd

Thank you to Amy DeBurgh, Director of Volunteers & Guest Services, for writing today's blog.

I have never really cared about being a part of the in-crowd... until now.  About once a week, usually on a  Friday, a gang of ladies from the Catalyst program comes into my office. They are a lot of fun.  I am so amused by them.  We talk about their upcoming weekend plans and make each other laugh.  It’s that Friday feeling that everyone recognizes; the energy and smell of coming freedom.  They, like I am, are anticipating a few days off and they have a feeling the potential for friendship wackiness is high.  I get caught up in their enjoyment, and feel very welcomed there. 

These ladies are so terrific.  They have a gift that most adults don’t have.  It’s the ability to cut out the formalities and just enjoy life and each other.  It’s a fun thing to get pulled into.  All of a sudden, I have instantaneous, accepting friends.  Not just any kind of friendship is being built here.  It’s a convicting one.  Questions are thrown to me and answers are expected.  If we’re honest, we’ll admit that sometimes we catch and throw the fast-pitch “How are you?” and we don’t really take time to give or get the answer.  That kind of indifference is missing from these ladies.  They ask.  They look at me.  They wait for the answer.  They respond.  And I think I want to be more like that.

Hurts, joys, thoughts about God, triumphant achievements, perturbations, are all readily available.  My girls can’t be fake.  Honesty defines them.  How refreshing.  A conversation about the Lord is just a word away.  It’s a safe and fun place to be me.  I can tell they feel that way about each other too.  They share in the benefits of adulthood employment, independence and freedom while maintaining the childlike faith that Christ puts immeasurable value on.

In a manner of speaking, I guess I kind of feel like part of the in-crowd now. It’s a really good in-crowd that accepts everyone.  What a special thing.