Intro

Six years ago I went on a short term trip to Dakar, Senegal to spend some time with missionaries there.  We did some work around their compound, took in some touristy sites, and most importantly, saw the work that God was doing through his people there.  We saw aid clinics outside the city, orphan kids with scabies, villagers digging a ditch into the desert to run water to their collection of huts, and one of our team fell extremely ill, needing to be life-flighted out of the country.  These experiences have left an indelible imprint on me.  I went hoping to have a good time traveling, and much to my chagrin I ended up running into God. 

These experiences have been used to slowly transform me, moving from my eyes to my head, and creeping their way into my heart.  God has used these to marinate me, not merely adding flavor but also softening me on the inside, breaking me down.  Over the last six years my walk with Christ has continued to mature…from times when I walked away from Him to the last few years where I’ve been learning ever more about how little I actually know of God. 

My walk is now taking me to Accra, Ghana for 40 days, from Nov. 1 to Dec. 10.  I am trusting that the Spirit will continue to guide me during my time there, as I learn more about Christ and His ways, and explore the work He’s already doing there.  My plan is to spend most of my time in Accra working with 60+ orphan children, as well as traveling to an outlying village to see the work of the church of Pastor Samuel Owusu, my host.  Several people from Richmond have been helping Pastor Samuel raise money to support these children, now God’s now leading me there to serve them first-hand.  I want to hear and learn their testimonies of Christ, and look forward to sharing them with you.   I don’t know where all this is going, but I’m stepping out in faith and obedience to our Father in heaven.

I’m sending you this letter to ask for prayer and financial support.  Money raised will be put toward supporting the needs of these orphans, and will complement our recent fundraising efforts.  In addition, if you’d like to help with my airfare and travel expenses you are welcome to do so.  Please send me an email at joshsheldon@gmail.com to let me know how you can help....I'd love to know that this trip and the orphans are in your prayers!

Thanks and God Bless!
Josh