Last Friday I mailed a bunch of documents for Fabiola's visa and today I was able to submit the electronic application. It is supposed to take up to 30 days to process. Then the National Visa Center will let us know if they are requiring anything else. My guess is that there will be some other documents that will need to be submitted, but hopefully not. Once the visa application has been approved and all supporting documents have been satisfied, Fabiola will be scheduled for her interview at the embassy. She will need to go to an approved facility to get a full medical evaluation before her interview. That is probably going to be pretty expensive because she will most likely need some vaccinations to get up to US standards. We have already spent over a thousand dollars and it wouldn't surprise me if it's at least another thousand by the time the process is finished. If I had to make an estimate I think it will be at least 3 months until she has her interview.
It's been great visiting with my family and friends in Pennsylvania! I've enjoyed worshiping at my home church. I didn't realize how much I missed some things at home until I experienced them again for the first time in a year. Last week I had a medical checkup and some initial testing revealed I might have a problem with my heart. I wasn't feeling very well at the time so it seemed like a possibility. Since then I have had a blood test and an echo cardiogram today. Everything has looked good. I'm very thankful for that. I've also started to feel better since the weekend. I think I've gained close to 10 pounds and I can feel my strength returning.
Fabiola is still living with the girls from Christian Light School's children's home. Things are somewhat unstable at the moment because the landlord of the property decided that instead of charging $1,000 per month she now wants $1,200 per month and 2 years of rent paid upfront. This is unreasonable and something CLS can't afford to do. Now Fabiola and some other people from the school are looking for another place for the girls to move to. The landlord wants the girls out of the house by the beginning of September. Yesterday was the beginning of teacher orientation and school starts next week. Fabiola is looking forward to seeing her students!
I've been applying for countless jobs over the past 2 weeks. I haven't heard anything so far. It can get depressing when so much effort has gone into applying for jobs and there are no indications of even an interview at this point. I have to trust that God has something for me. The next month should be very interesting. I want to give Florida a solid chance but I know I can't go without work for much longer.
Please pray for Haiti as they continue to go through the election season. Pray for Fabiola's visa process. We would very much like to be whole again. Pray for Christian Light School and the children's home. Pray that they have a great start to the school year and that all of the students and staff are well taken care of. Lastly, pray that God will open and close doors as He guides me on the path He has for me. Thank you for your prayers and financial support for Fabiola!
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Friday, July 10, 2015
Some Good News and Status Update
Last night I was checking Fabiola's immigrant visa case status online, like I do every couple days, and USCIS has finally approved the petition! The first part of the process is done! They should be sending a letter to my parents detailing the next steps. It's about to get a lot more expensive, but I'm so happy that some progress is being made. It really lifted my spirits.
I got sick again starting Sunday night. I've really been feeling weak lately, but today I feel a little stronger. The evenings have been hard because we normally lose power around 4 pm. Once the fan goes off it gets really really hot. We do have batteries, but we don't start to use them until it gets dark in the hopes they will last throughout the night.
The girls from the children's home have been living at the same place as Fabiola and I for about a month now. We have enjoyed having them around. Fabiola has been helping them get organized and showing them how to cook, etc. I normally just goof off with them whenever I have the energy for it. I chase the younger ones around the house and silly things like that. When the power goes out I try to use some of that time to read the Bible. The girls see me do this and I hope it's a good example for them. I want them to have a man in their life that loves the Word of God. I love listening to the girls sing songs of worship to the Lord! I love seeing them read the Bible! The other night they were sitting together at a table and writing prayer requests. After they write the prayer requests they pass it to the person next to them and they pray.
There are some things I will not miss about living in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. There are also things I will miss. My wife is at the top of that list. When I leave on July 22nd, Fabiola and I will be married almost 8 months. It's been a hard 8 months, but it's not because of our marriage. I don't know how I could have made it this long without her. I'm not sure how I'm going to make it without her while I am in the States and she is still here. She is such a sweet, beautiful person. We have been through a lot in only 8 months and I know we can make it through anything. Our covenant of marriage will last until one of us draws our last breath or the Lord comes back.
I've been talking with the board of CLS and Sherrie and I believe they have reached the decision to allow Fabiola to receive financial support in Haiti to help cover her expenses here. So if anyone who currently supports us would like to continue to support Fabiola's work with Christian Light School you can do so. This will be a big help and will allow me to focus more on paying off debt in the States and preparing things for when Fabiola can come. Sherrie will get the money to her through payroll so it won't even be disbursed to my personal bank account. It will just be for Fabiola, which in my opinion is a great investment!
At the moment I think I will be keeping my travel schedule the same as when I originally bought the tickets. I will stay in Pennsylvania until August 20th and then fly to Florida to begin looking for work. I'm going to try to earn a little money while I'm in Pennsylvania if I can get some small jobs to do, etc. It's certainly a bittersweet time thinking about the return to my country. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone, but I'm really going to miss my wife!
I got sick again starting Sunday night. I've really been feeling weak lately, but today I feel a little stronger. The evenings have been hard because we normally lose power around 4 pm. Once the fan goes off it gets really really hot. We do have batteries, but we don't start to use them until it gets dark in the hopes they will last throughout the night.
The girls from the children's home have been living at the same place as Fabiola and I for about a month now. We have enjoyed having them around. Fabiola has been helping them get organized and showing them how to cook, etc. I normally just goof off with them whenever I have the energy for it. I chase the younger ones around the house and silly things like that. When the power goes out I try to use some of that time to read the Bible. The girls see me do this and I hope it's a good example for them. I want them to have a man in their life that loves the Word of God. I love listening to the girls sing songs of worship to the Lord! I love seeing them read the Bible! The other night they were sitting together at a table and writing prayer requests. After they write the prayer requests they pass it to the person next to them and they pray.
There are some things I will not miss about living in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. There are also things I will miss. My wife is at the top of that list. When I leave on July 22nd, Fabiola and I will be married almost 8 months. It's been a hard 8 months, but it's not because of our marriage. I don't know how I could have made it this long without her. I'm not sure how I'm going to make it without her while I am in the States and she is still here. She is such a sweet, beautiful person. We have been through a lot in only 8 months and I know we can make it through anything. Our covenant of marriage will last until one of us draws our last breath or the Lord comes back.
I've been talking with the board of CLS and Sherrie and I believe they have reached the decision to allow Fabiola to receive financial support in Haiti to help cover her expenses here. So if anyone who currently supports us would like to continue to support Fabiola's work with Christian Light School you can do so. This will be a big help and will allow me to focus more on paying off debt in the States and preparing things for when Fabiola can come. Sherrie will get the money to her through payroll so it won't even be disbursed to my personal bank account. It will just be for Fabiola, which in my opinion is a great investment!
At the moment I think I will be keeping my travel schedule the same as when I originally bought the tickets. I will stay in Pennsylvania until August 20th and then fly to Florida to begin looking for work. I'm going to try to earn a little money while I'm in Pennsylvania if I can get some small jobs to do, etc. It's certainly a bittersweet time thinking about the return to my country. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone, but I'm really going to miss my wife!
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Our Current Situation/Looking Ahead
It's been a rough past day. We haven't had electricity since Monday. There is still electricity at the school so it appears it is not a widespread problem. Something happened that is only affecting the place where we live and the surrounding houses. With no electricity we can't pump water, charge devices, run a fan, or use our internet. As hot as it is now not having a fan, especially for sleeping at night, is very difficult. I've been down this road many times since coming to Haiti and it's never fun. It leaves me restless and unable to sleep. I lay awake in bed soaked in sweat. Then I get up and pace around in frustration.
To top all of that off, Fabiola went to her visa appointment this morning and she was denied. She told me the man didn't even look at her. He also didn't look at any of the letters or paperwork that I had prepared for her. Is the US government taking advantage of Haitians with the visa process? I think they are. They charge people $160 just to get the "appointment" for non-immigrant visas.
The thing that hurts the most is that Fabiola and I knew that if she didn't get the visa today we probably wouldn't be seeing much of each other until her immigrant visa is approved. Unless God tells us something different and provides some more miracles I won't be coming back full time to Haiti once I leave on July 22nd. We received $702 in donations last month and $825 so far this month. It's not even close to what we need to get by. I was setting aside money to pay this year's taxes, but it looks like I'm going to have to use it now and figure out how to pay the taxes when it comes up next year.
I know God can do anything and I truly believe that, but maybe it is time for me to go back to work in the States and prepare a place for my wife and the family we would like to have. God called me back to Haiti in March and I obeyed. I'm thankful I was able to finish out this school year and spend an extra 4 months with my wife. I'm also thankful for everything God has been teaching me through His word and in all of the trials we have had to endure. I'm ready to come back and serve God in the States. I've been greatly troubled for my own country for quite some time. I only wish my wife could be with me! It will happen eventually. It's just not happening as quickly as we were hoping.
Here is the current plan (leaving this open for God to move and change it as He sees fit): I will fly home to Pennsylvania on July 22nd. I will probably cut my time in Pennsylvania shorter (maybe only stay 3 weeks instead of 4). Sometime in mid August I will fly to Florida and start looking for work. Until moving to Haiti, I had lived my entire life in Pennsylvania. Fabiola and I both want to stay in a more tropical climate so Florida is the obvious choice. It also puts us closer to Haiti and only one flight from Pennsylvania. I was supposed to be coming back to Haiti on August 25th, but I will remain in Florida and hopefully be working full time by sometime in September. Fabiola will continue to work at the school and live with the girls from the children's home (the girls moved in with us over a week ago) until her immigrant visa is approved. We have no idea how much longer that is going to take.
I do want to take a moment to assure everyone that despite all of the trials that we have faced, our faith has not been shaken. I love the Lord and He has a plan for us. I don't know much of what lies ahead, but I do know that we serve an Awesome God that loves us unconditionally. I know Jesus is coming back!
Thank you to all who have helped us along the way. Thank you for praying and financially supporting us. Thank you for your continued support! Please be praying that God will open doors and close doors as He directs our path.
To top all of that off, Fabiola went to her visa appointment this morning and she was denied. She told me the man didn't even look at her. He also didn't look at any of the letters or paperwork that I had prepared for her. Is the US government taking advantage of Haitians with the visa process? I think they are. They charge people $160 just to get the "appointment" for non-immigrant visas.
The thing that hurts the most is that Fabiola and I knew that if she didn't get the visa today we probably wouldn't be seeing much of each other until her immigrant visa is approved. Unless God tells us something different and provides some more miracles I won't be coming back full time to Haiti once I leave on July 22nd. We received $702 in donations last month and $825 so far this month. It's not even close to what we need to get by. I was setting aside money to pay this year's taxes, but it looks like I'm going to have to use it now and figure out how to pay the taxes when it comes up next year.
I know God can do anything and I truly believe that, but maybe it is time for me to go back to work in the States and prepare a place for my wife and the family we would like to have. God called me back to Haiti in March and I obeyed. I'm thankful I was able to finish out this school year and spend an extra 4 months with my wife. I'm also thankful for everything God has been teaching me through His word and in all of the trials we have had to endure. I'm ready to come back and serve God in the States. I've been greatly troubled for my own country for quite some time. I only wish my wife could be with me! It will happen eventually. It's just not happening as quickly as we were hoping.
Here is the current plan (leaving this open for God to move and change it as He sees fit): I will fly home to Pennsylvania on July 22nd. I will probably cut my time in Pennsylvania shorter (maybe only stay 3 weeks instead of 4). Sometime in mid August I will fly to Florida and start looking for work. Until moving to Haiti, I had lived my entire life in Pennsylvania. Fabiola and I both want to stay in a more tropical climate so Florida is the obvious choice. It also puts us closer to Haiti and only one flight from Pennsylvania. I was supposed to be coming back to Haiti on August 25th, but I will remain in Florida and hopefully be working full time by sometime in September. Fabiola will continue to work at the school and live with the girls from the children's home (the girls moved in with us over a week ago) until her immigrant visa is approved. We have no idea how much longer that is going to take.
I do want to take a moment to assure everyone that despite all of the trials that we have faced, our faith has not been shaken. I love the Lord and He has a plan for us. I don't know much of what lies ahead, but I do know that we serve an Awesome God that loves us unconditionally. I know Jesus is coming back!
Thank you to all who have helped us along the way. Thank you for praying and financially supporting us. Thank you for your continued support! Please be praying that God will open doors and close doors as He directs our path.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Our Budget
I remember when I was first in the process of planning for my move to Haiti. I was visiting a church in support of another missionary and I ran into the former president of a mission agency. I told him I was going to be serving in Haiti. He asked me how much I thought I was going to need, $2,500-3,000 per month? I said I thought $1,500 per month would be enough. I thought he was crazy for recommending that much! Well...if I was only in Haiti short term (1 year or less), and single, the $1,500 per month probably would have been enough.
Now that I've been serving in Haiti for over a year, and I've become a married man, I realize that the estimate I was given is much more realistic than what my original budget called for. So, I decided it was time to give a budget update. Here is our budget:
| Current/Ideal or Anticipated Personal Budget (Monthly) | |
| Category | Amount (in USD) |
| Rent | 400 |
| Food (groceries) | 400 |
| Internet | 60 |
| Cell Phones | 40 |
| Health Insurance (Basic International Coverage for Josh, up to 200 if Fabiola is added and we get a better plan to include things like pregnancy costs) | 45-200 |
| College Loan Repayment | 235 |
| Life Insurance | 10 |
| Gas for Car | 150-200 |
| Car Maintenance (also includes insurance and other taxes) | 75-100 |
| Dining/Activities | 100-200 |
| Retirement Savings (at least this much) | 100 |
| Travel to States (estimated airfare costs if broken down per month) | 150 |
| Clothing/Hygiene/Other miscellaneous needs | 50-100 |
| Total Monthly | 1815-2195 |
| Taxes (Social Security/Medicare, state, local) at least 20% (after non income expenses are deducted) | 324-369 |
| Tithe (at least 10% after non income expenses are deducted) | 162-185 |
| Total Monthly with Taxes and Tithe included | 2301-2749 |
| One Time Costs: | |
| Fabiola's Immigrant Visa/Green Card | 1,500-2,000 |
| Josh's Haitian Residency (Annual Haitian Visa, Costs Less to Renew) | 200 |
| Cooking Stove | 250 |
| Pots/Pans/Plates/Cups/Other Kitchen Items | 200 |
| Mattress Monthly Donations Received Since January 2015: January: $1,490 February: $645 March: $1,565 April: $7,103 (Over $5,000 of this was used to pay 2014 taxes (about $3,000) and vehicle expenses/repairs (about $2,000)) Looking at our current budget needs and the monthly donations we have been receiving, it is clear that we are falling significantly short of meeting our monthly budget. God has provided in our time of need (look at April, for example!) There is no doubt somehow or another we will be able to to get by. Logically, and in my finite mind, it currently looks impossible, but God has brought me through so much. I have learned a lot during my time in Haiti. I've been living from one miracle to another for quite some time now. I look forward to seeing how God is going to come through for us! |
250 |
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Plans for the Next Two Months and a Trip Home!
It's hard to believe that Fabiola and I have been married for over 6 months already! I'm so thankful to have such a great wife! She is way more than I deserve!
The last day of school is quickly approaching. June 10th will be here before we know it! Our first graduation is happening on Sunday, May 24th. The senior boys have finished the English A Beka program. We are proud of them and look forward to seeing what God has in store for them!
After school is over I'm planning on spending more time in prayer and in the study of the word of God. I will still be at the school several times a week, but there shouldn't be a need for me to be on campus every day. I would like to focus more on sharing the gospel with those around me when less is required of me at the school. I also want to start a weekly Bible study with some of my friends. That could start as soon as this week. Fabiola will be helping translate for some teams coming this summer with Ken and Andrea Taylor.
Fabiola and I are moving to an apartment in the beginning of June. Our friends from church have an apartment on their property. They were willing to give it to us for the same rent we currently pay. It will cost more because it will require us to drive to go anywhere, but it is a nice area where we believe we will have more peace. It will also give us an official place to call home. Right now we are living in a place with other people and it's hard to have the privacy we would like. I have enjoyed our time where we are though, and it was convenient being able to walk to the ministry.
I'm excited to announce I will be coming to the States for about a month! I will be arriving in Pennsylvania on the night of Wednesday, July 22nd. I will be in Pennsylvania until Thursday, August 20th. Then I am flying to Florida the night of Thursday, August 20th and visiting there until Monday, August 24th, before returning back to Haiti. I really want get the most out of the time I have while in the States, so please contact me if you would like me to visit your church, or if you would like to just get together. Every moment is precious and I know it will go by so fast!
My hope is that Fabiola will be able to come with me. We have applied for a tourist visa. I have heard that they normally don't give a tourist visa to someone who has already applied for an immigrant visa, but we have to at least try. Fabiola's interview is scheduled for 11:00 am June 24th at the US Embassy. Please cover this in prayer! I would love for her to be able to meet everyone! If she does get approved, the airfare will probably cost a lot more than what I just paid for my tickets, because it will be much closer to the time we will leave. One of our current needs is help with the travel costs, especially if she is allowed to come.
Thank you to all of those who pray for and financially support our efforts in Haiti!
The last day of school is quickly approaching. June 10th will be here before we know it! Our first graduation is happening on Sunday, May 24th. The senior boys have finished the English A Beka program. We are proud of them and look forward to seeing what God has in store for them!
After school is over I'm planning on spending more time in prayer and in the study of the word of God. I will still be at the school several times a week, but there shouldn't be a need for me to be on campus every day. I would like to focus more on sharing the gospel with those around me when less is required of me at the school. I also want to start a weekly Bible study with some of my friends. That could start as soon as this week. Fabiola will be helping translate for some teams coming this summer with Ken and Andrea Taylor.
Fabiola and I are moving to an apartment in the beginning of June. Our friends from church have an apartment on their property. They were willing to give it to us for the same rent we currently pay. It will cost more because it will require us to drive to go anywhere, but it is a nice area where we believe we will have more peace. It will also give us an official place to call home. Right now we are living in a place with other people and it's hard to have the privacy we would like. I have enjoyed our time where we are though, and it was convenient being able to walk to the ministry.
I'm excited to announce I will be coming to the States for about a month! I will be arriving in Pennsylvania on the night of Wednesday, July 22nd. I will be in Pennsylvania until Thursday, August 20th. Then I am flying to Florida the night of Thursday, August 20th and visiting there until Monday, August 24th, before returning back to Haiti. I really want get the most out of the time I have while in the States, so please contact me if you would like me to visit your church, or if you would like to just get together. Every moment is precious and I know it will go by so fast!
My hope is that Fabiola will be able to come with me. We have applied for a tourist visa. I have heard that they normally don't give a tourist visa to someone who has already applied for an immigrant visa, but we have to at least try. Fabiola's interview is scheduled for 11:00 am June 24th at the US Embassy. Please cover this in prayer! I would love for her to be able to meet everyone! If she does get approved, the airfare will probably cost a lot more than what I just paid for my tickets, because it will be much closer to the time we will leave. One of our current needs is help with the travel costs, especially if she is allowed to come.
Thank you to all of those who pray for and financially support our efforts in Haiti!
Friday, May 1, 2015
Praises and Classroom Visitations
April was a great month! I was faithful to God's call to come back to Haiti and He has been faithful to Fabiola and I! Our needs continue to be met. This month we received enough money to cover 2014 taxes and pay for the remaining balance on the car! I knew it was going to be an extraordinary month and it was. We praise God for His faithfulness and provisions!
Over the past month I've tried to make more time for getting around to classrooms. I think it is really important to spend time with the kids and see how they are doing. It also gives me an opportunity to evaluate teachers. We need effective teachers and leaders in the school in order to fulfill the mission we have set out to do. For the most part, I was very pleased with the primary grades I have visited. We have some wonderful, gifted students who are working hard to be successful in their studies. I still need to tackle the secondary grades. Hopefully I will have the time to do that this month.
The 4 year old's were eager to show me their drawings! Mrs. Fabiola and Miss Jocelyne have been doing a great job with these kids!
Pre-K with Miss Guetty sharing the story of Esther
Kindergarten with Mr. Monfort. I can tell he really cares about his kids.
1st grade with Miss Stephania. She is one of our newest teachers. She is doing a good job so far.
2nd grade with Mr. Joshua (I was filling in for a sick teacher)
I also substituted in 3rd grade!
4th grade with Mr. Peter
Nothing has been moving forward in regards to Fabiola's VISA. USCIS sent a letter to my parents at the end of March stating they wanted another marriage certificate and proof that I am an American citizen. We are currently waiting to get the other marriage certificate from the Haitian government. This can be a really slow process unless you know the right person and can pay the right price. I have been frustrated at times about the situation, but I have to trust that it will get done in God's timing.
I'm about to start the process of getting my residency for Haiti. This will cost around $200. If anyone would like to help with this cost it would be greatly appreciated. Fabiola and I have had at least two more partners join us this month in pledging monthly support! It's always such an encouragement when our fellow brothers and sisters want to get involved in the work we are doing in Haiti! It looks like we still need more monthly supporters, but God continues to come through for us in some way or another each month. It's been incredible to witness and experience the provisions of God in our lives!
Please be in prayer for Christian Light School--the children, the teachers, the administrators, the support staff, the families in our community, and the leaders of the ministry. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the difficult decisions that are ahead. We are facing large budget cuts due to a lack of funding. The ministry continues to grow and donations are down. Something has to give sometime soon. Pray that God will provide, but ultimately that His will be done. Also be in prayer for America. I pray that Christians will rise up and take back our country! Reach out to your neighbors and show them the love of Christ! Show people their need for a Savior!
Thank you for continuing to be apart of this journey with us!
Monday, March 30, 2015
Home
My first week back was crazy busy! We had a lot of guests staying at the school. One group from Ontario, Canada and another from Auburn, Alabama. Both groups were awesome! I had a lot of catching up to do on the financial work and still haven't made up all of the ground yet. I also had to do payroll and finish putting together child sponsor envelopes last Friday.
In Haiti the schools have off for the entire holy week. I'm very thankful to get a break after my chaotic first week back. It couldn't have come at a better time because I woke up this morning with a cold again and Fabiola also has a cold. I'm having a hard time staying consistently healthy here. Pray that I can figure out what I'm doing that is causing me to get sick so much.
One exciting development is that we are about to have our own personal car that we will share with my brother-in-law Max-harry. I traded in my taptap (It ended up not being a profitable business like I had hoped), Max-harry paid for 25% of the total cost, and Fabiola and I have to come up with the remaining $1,500. If anyone would like to be a blessing to us and help pay for the remaining $1,500 you can do so by clicking on "give" in the tabs above this blog, or clicking on this link: http://www.christianlighthaiti.org/joshua---fabiola-shappell.html
In the past few days we just found out we will probably owe close to $3,000 in taxes from the donations we received in 2014. The disbursements that were made to us were reported on a 1099-misc. I didn't even know we would have to pay taxes, because we were originally told that it would be covered under a stipend. The board of Christian Light School then found out from a CPA in January of this year that they couldn't legally do a stipend. If anyone feels led to help us pay for these taxes it would be greatly appreciated!
Our financial situation has looked bad for awhile. I know that God is going to meet our needs somehow. I know He wouldn't have called me back otherwise. Please pray that I will have peace on these things and truly hand it all over to God. I think I mostly have, but every time another financial blow comes along it's hard on me. We are so thankful for those who have and are supporting us and I believe that God is going to grow our support. I look forward to testifying to this in the coming months!
God bless you all! We love you!
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