Since I have been in Indy, I’ve skipped ten years of life. Not literally, in the sense that I left 2017 behind, and not academically, in that I have stuffed my brain full of knowledge and experience. But more contextually, in that I am practicing SEED’s developmental work through the eyes of someone who has spent time in this world, as someone who has seen the hurt, pain, and poverty, but also the joys of family and community. This is a continual process, and as I continue to intern with SEED, I am working towards discovering the reality of impoverished communities, while learning the power and potential that God has already laid within them.

Since you made it this far, then let me introduce myself! My name is Shea Krevi, and I am a junior at George Fox University (Newberg, OR) working toward an Interdisciplinary Degree of Business & Ministry. I am interning with SEED for the summer, partially at the World Ministries Center (WMC) in Indianapolis and partially from my home in Sisters, Oregon.

My first two weeks in Indy have been genuinely rich and engaging. The team at SEED has more than welcomed me with open arms and have included me in all sorts of projects, ranging from small administrative tasks to visionary discussions. I am exploring the work they do from all angles while diligently offering what I can. It really is the perfect learning environment. So as I wrestle with these thoughts and projects, I would like to share them with you, hoping to paint an even clearer picture of who SEED is.

Project variety has helped me to understand how SEED approaches all of their operational components. Every day that I have worked in the office, I have been consistent in posting to the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media accounts. I have counted inventory for our olive oil products, worked with weekly volunteers, sorted our subscription email lists and packed boxes for upcoming events (one of which I had the opportunity to attend). In addition, after sorting through thousands of photos from past trips to visit the Livelihood Groups, 29 have been selected and printed to be displayed at the WMC. So it has definitely been a busy couple of weeks.

To supplement the hands on work, David and I have been reading through When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett. Our bi-weekly discussions continue to mold my understanding of poverty, alleviation and even relationship. David likes to call this reflective process “the churn” and I find that to be a very fitting explanation.

It is opportunities like these that make me cherish being a student. I get to lean into the challenges that come with processing new information and re-establishing beliefs. Here are some questions that have challenged me this week, and once again, I hope they can be of value to you:

• How do we tell the stories of livelihood groups in a way that honors their gifts instead of highlighting their circumstances?
• How have my seemingly good intentions, and even donations, actually hurt people in the past?
• Why do we enter hurting communities asking what is wrong, before asking what is right?

Let’s keep talking, thinking, and praying about these questions. See you again soon!