Dear
Family and Friends,
I have sent this letter to you to share with you
some of the developments that have occurred in my life over the past 8 months. Up
until March of last year I spent most of the last few years living what I would
consider a selfish, lukewarm lifestyle. It was all about me—being concerned
with success at school, singing to feed my ego in bands, seeking the pleasures
of the world, among other things. My priorities were all messed up. It’s easy
to fall into that trap because most of the forces pushing in against us tell us
that it’s all about us, especially in our affluent culture.
When
Everything Changed
This past March I spent my spring break with my
grandparents in Florida. That week I had the opportunity to go to their church
several times and really focus on my relationship with God that I had neglected
for far too long. God opened my eyes to my foolish ways and the things in my
life that I had placed before Him. I was reminded of the brevity of the life we
have been given on this earth. All I knew at that time was that I wasn’t going
to settle for the life I had been living any longer. I had to give Christ
everything that I have because Christ has given me everything that He has. He
gave His life so that I may live and live to the fullest. Ever since that week
in March I have been on a mission to live the way Jesus intended for me to
live. It has in no way been easy and I’ve still stumbled here and there, but
I’ve never been at greater peace or experienced a greater love for my God and
other people than now. It truly is amazing to see how God has turned my life
around!
During the spring, I was invited to consider going
to Haiti on a short term mission trip through an organization called Global
Partners in Peace and Development. I struggled with the idea of going at first
because I thought spending the money to travel there for a short time period
was kind of a waste of money. I suggested giving the team the money it would
cost for me to go because I figured they could find more effective uses for it,
instead of me actually going. But God had other plans and eventually I felt as
though I was supposed to go. That surrender to go has rocked my world ever
since! There are some things you can’t see from the sidelines. It didn’t take
long for me to realize that Haiti was about to become much more than just a two
week short term trip in my life. Within days Haiti had officially stolen my
heart and I knew that I would never be the same.
Out
of Place
After returning home I felt so out of place. Life
was so much more purposeful and fulfilling to me in Haiti. I saw children who
had next to nothing, but were filled with a joy that is hard to find here in
the states. I saw precious smiles from children that have been through more
heartache and pain than most of us have experienced in our entire lives. I saw
children who just want to be loved. I can do that. What greater privilege is
there than sharing the love that God has given me with the children and people
of Haiti? Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). It was
through my short term trip to Haiti that I realized God was calling me to serve
Him full-time there, I just wasn’t sure when or how.
Over the next few months, the answers to those
questions started to be revealed to me. I was made aware of a need for people
to come serve at a school I had visited while in Haiti through a mutual friend.
The name of the school is Christian Light School and I was told to contact
Sherrie Fausey, who is the founder. Without knowing my background, Sherrie told
me the greatest need is for someone to come to Haiti full-time and take over
the financial and business capacities of the school. Well it turns out I am a finance
major, so you can’t get a much better match than that! What an example of God
aligning my gifts with a specific need – little did I know, but He had been
preparing me for this moment. So over
the past few months I have been studying and learning about CLS and I am so amazed
at how much God has grown the school over the past 13 years! Perhaps you would be willing to visit our
website at christianlighthaiti.org
to see it for yourself.
Going
All In
After some additional prayer and council, I filled
out the application and left it in God’s hands. I’ve been at peace with the
decision to go since before I submitted the application. I suppose this is what
it feels like when you get the call and you submit to it. This is going to be a
difficult journey. I definitely don’t take this call to serve lightly and I’m
going to give it all I’ve got. I’m all in!
That being said I need your help. I ask each and
every one of you reading this letter to pray for me! There is great power in
prayer. Pray especially for my walk with the Lord—that I will continue to
follow Him and seek Him first in all things, and that He will guide me in the
steps leading up to my departure for Haiti. Also pray that the financial
support that I need to go will come in and that I’ll know when it’s time to
leave.
I’ve come up with a preliminary budget and according
to that, and the council of those already serving in the field, I believe I’ll
need around $2,000 a month in support in order to meet basic needs and support
the ministries I’d like to be a part of. I’ve committed to serving for at least
a year at this point so that’s $24,000 plus initial travel expenses, etc. I
realize this is a sizable amount of money, but I believe that the proper
provisions will be met at the appointed time. Of course I’m anxious to go and
I’d leave tomorrow if I could, but I know I need to be patient and wait on
God’s perfect timing. Will you consider partnering with me on this journey and
in turn supporting this ministry? I know that CLS is a place bearing much fruit
and I’m honored that God is allowing me to serve in this way.
Please contact me if you’d like to know more. I’d love to talk with you!
In Christ Alone,
Joshua A. Shappell
