A Generation In NeedThe Writing is on the Wall…
The Writing is on the Wall… In this newsletter Joe shares how Facebook is an important tool to connect with students and for students to connect with him…
Keeping up with technology and the way it is used by students is so im- portant. For example, did you know email is now considered by many students to be something for “older people”? Did you know that text messaging, instant messaging and online communities like “Myspace” and “Facebook” are fast becoming the new email replacements? Annie and I are both on Facebook, we use it as a way to stay in community with students, to invite them to events, share family and ministry photos, and happenings. Let me be clear though, it is not a replacement for personal contact, but it is a way to increase both awareness of what’s going on and the number of oppor- tunities for personal followup. Let me share with you some of the ba- sics: Once you create an on line ac- count, you begin by finding people you know, and requesting for them to accept you as a “friend.” Once they confirm that they would like to be friends you are on your way to being in an online community! One
of the first things to know about Facebook is your “status.” Everyone on Facebook has the ability to change their status as often as they want. It is a sentence that begins with your name and the word “is.” So if I clicked on my status it would start with “Joe is _______” and I would fill in the blank with some- thing funny or serious that will let everyone know at a glance what I’m up to. Right now my status reads, “Joe is writing his newsletter.” Pre- viously my status read, “Joe is think- ing about not thinking about think- ing.” You should have seen the re- sponses I got from that one! Students update their status often and it gives great insight into how to pray, and even how to shape ministry and sermon topics. Facebook also has the ability to send and receive messages (an equivalent of email), these mes- sages cannot be seen by everyone. Lastly there is your “wall,” this is just what it sounds like, if you write something on your wall or someone else’s wall it’s available for everyone to see. So I sent a message to some friends and asked them to post a note on my wall to you, my readers, to tell you something about what this ministry has done or means to them. Here are responses and posts left on my “wall” in Facebook, enjoy!
From some students:
What has CA done for me???? Well, if it weren’t for Joe and Annie at CA I don’t know what I would have done. I was really alone and I didn’t know who I was least who God was. I didn’t really have a family who loved and supported me and CA gave me that. I remember one summer a friend and I were living on campus and we were so hungry we were eating mac and cheese mixed with tuna like every- day. It was pretty bad. Joe and Annie were so saddened by this that they invited us over for dinner and they “accidentally” made too much food so that we could take some left overs home with us. I think we ate for like two weeks after that. That little gesture of love showed me that someone cared and that I did matter. It also showed me a little taste of what the Lord is like as well. CA brought me to Christ and my life has never been the same since. I want to thank Joe, Annie and the many others who have helped on staff and volunteering for CA. I owe you my life.
At first, I was very intimidated by you because you’re so stoic and quiet and I’m the….exact opposite. But Joe, getting to know you has been an amazing thing for me! Seeing a strong, positive Christian man be an awesome husband, father and teacher showed me that I didn’t have to lower my standards to get the same thing!
Joe, listening to you speak about the Word–your genuiness about it all– seriously moves me. I’m so glad I’ve had such an amazing influence like you in my life and I pray that God continues to use you to glorify Him and be a blessing on the lives of other college students like you are to me!
From a mother and daughter:
It is with great pleasure that we write about Annie, Joe, and Campus Ambassador’s. I came to know Annie & Joe through my daughter. Our daughter graduated HS and didn’t want to go on to college, so we told her to get a job. She did just that and began working with Annie. Immedi- ately, Annie took her under her wing and adopted her as “a second mother.” She invited her to their home, to Campus Ambassadors, and to church services. Our daughter made friends – good friend’s – one’s with morals, values, and ethics. We had no idea just how instrumental Annie and Joe would be on our daughter. As time progressed, our daughter asked to go on a Ministry trip to Mexico. We encouraged the interaction, and felt that it would be a “great life lesson.” After 10 days of working with “The Children of the Dump”, in Puerto Verde, our daughter learned so much. She gave of herself and now values all that she has, even more. We are very proud of her. Her relationship with Annie and Joe continues…and we believe will last for a lifetime. We are very grateful parents for the love, support and counsel they gave her. Thanks for being you!
Joe, i wanted to post this on your wall but it only said i could post 1000 characters, that was a problem lol. I managed to narrow it down to 1719. hope you can still use something from it. Thanks. When I first started working at WSC I began as a temp in the bookstore where I met Annie. She was so friendly and easy to work with and our personalities just clicked so well. As the days turned into weeks and eventually into months Annie and I developed more than just a coworker relationship. She became a friend; a second mother to me. We used to joke that I was her child with no strings attached. Annie said she had me the easy way and could send me home whenever she wanted. I remember the first time Annie introduced me to Joe and Stacey. She asked me if I would like to have lunch with them. We talked about the bookstore and I learned about CA. It sounded like such an amazing place. Although I am Jewish that did not matter to them or anyone else in CA. They opened me into their hearts no questions asked. I went to a couple of multitudes and also some dinners at the CA House. There I met some amazing people and made some great friends. Unfortunately I be- came so busy with work and school that I didn’t have the time to continue attending. Annie and Joe have been there for me through my best times and my worst. There was a time when I got mixed up with the wrong people and someone ended up taking ad- vantage of me physically. I couldn’t of been more scared or unsure of what to do. At this point in my life I felt alone and it didn’t help that my parents and I were not talking. Annie took time off from work to stay in the hospital with me. Although this may sound silly, she bought me real food when the nurses gave me meatloaf that I couldn’t even look at. That meant a lot to me! Also Joe and Annie let me stay at their house while I was recovering and trying to work things out with my parents. Joe also talked to my mother and me while I was staying there. I really respect how he kept his word of not sharing any- thing I told him with my mom. Honesty goes a long way with me. I could probably write pages on how great Annie and Joe are. I could never repay them for the things they’ve done. They make WSC a better place and a better campus and Campus Ambassadors wouldn’t be the same without them. I know I wouldn’t be
From a local Pastor:
“The ministry of CA has helped and supported our church more than we could possibly give back. Campus Ambassadors, Joe and Annie Shea and co. understand the meaning of “ministry partnership.” Knowing that we can send people to CA with full confidence, and that CA can send people to us and know they will find a welcoming church home is a confidence not to be taken for granted. CA’s mentoring has helped our church move from being an en- dangered relic from the past to a vi- brant and healthy ministry – no exaggeration! Bless you for all you do…
A few months ago a former student and friend who would call himself an agnostic changed his status to read “is thinking more about suicide these days.” Meanwhile I had just finished looking at some pictures that he was in. He was actually on my mind when I logged on and saw his status. I quickly replied, “I just logged on to send you a message. Your status is getting too dark my friend. I could come out to you to have lunch on Wednesday. Would that work for you? praying 4 U”
We have been meeting every two weeks now for lunch. Yesterday he asked if we could go deeper, he would like to understand how I came to have faith in Jesus, and wants to believe but has many challenges, please pray for him to see God’s FACE and for his name to be written in His BOOK!
=== JOE ===
Family Update:
Jeremiah completed his first year at Anna Maria College which is located close to Worc. State, and has been bringing many friends to the weekly worship event and free diners at Worc. State. He plays on the worship team and serves in many ways. He has also been helping Joe with the midnight Bible study at Nichols College. He is even considering going on staff in the ministry as a student intern!
Joey just completed his sophomore year of high school. He and a few friends ended the year by collecting money from their friends to buy enough Mountain Dew for everyone. They purchased over one hundred and fifty 2 liter bottles and stored them in his closet. On the last day of school they filled a small pickup truck and set up a table outside the school and handed them out to everyone. We were really impressed with the organization and execution of the plan! He is also learning to play guitar, and is picking it up fast.
David will now be moving to the eighth grade. He continues to display a deep spirituality and compassion for others into all that he does. From submitting prayer requests at church to bringing Joe’s newsletters into his school and giving them to his teachers. He is also learning to play guitar, and is working on a number of praise songs.
Sam will be entering sixth grade in the fall. This year he decided to learn to play trumpet and has really worked hard at it. We just attended his end of the year concert. He is in the fifth grade band but when it came time for the sixth grade band to come up, Sam did not leave the stage but was asked to play with the sixth grade band as well! We were so proud! So now everyone plays an instrument except me, so Joe is talking about getting me a triangle to play when we all do something together.
Aunt Gert is also doing well, next month she will turn eighty-nine. She enjoys playing cards with David, Sam and me and enjoys reading and learning something new every day. She is a great encourager and tries to get Joe to slow down, not that it works!
Joe continues to keep busy meeting with students, sharing and serving in any way he can. Eight months ago he began to experience discomfort walking, especially his knees. In November it went from ache to pain in his right knee. It seems he has de- veloped a form of arthritis as a com- plication of the Crohns disease that he struggles with. Five months ago he began talking a new medication that he has to inject himself with every two weeks. It does not seem to be working very well so two weeks ago he had an MRI and it revealed multiple tears in his cartilage that will require surgery this summer.
Prayer Requests:
Please pray for new staff, there are three different people considering staff positions.
Our Soul Stride fund raising walk was able to raise $3,500 after ex- penses to help new staff but most of it was used to allow students to at- tend our regional week long leader- ship training retreat called “Infu- sion.” During the retreat two stu- dents made decisions to follow Christ and six students were bap- tized! Please pray for these students and for the support that is still needed for our MA team.
Please pray for Joe’s health and for wisdom concerning this new medica- tion, it is very expensive and does not appear to be helping. If there is no real improvement, Joe is planning to try stopping them after the next injection. Please also pray for the surgery he will be needing, and that he will be able to walk on campus without pain.
=== Annie ===
