Support Letter

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Mark 16:15

“And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

For the past several months, my spirit has been restless. I have felt a pull within me to go to the nations, unsure of what God exactly had planned for my life.  Upon my short term mission’s trip to Haiti in May, I knew instantly that this is where God wanted me to be. This word of The Lord was confirmed by the immediate support of my pastor, my church, and my loved ones. Contact was quickly established with Sonlight Ministries director Carmen Niehaus and a plan of action was soon in place. Although the adventurer in me wanted to hop on the first flight out and devote my hands and heart to those in need without waiting a moment, I knew that I had to wait until the middle of August when the Sonlight team would return and my passion could be put to good work.

I have seized this wait as an opportunity to raise funds so my presence can be less of a burden and more of a benefit to the Sonlight Ministries and Sonlight Academy that it runs. I have committed myself to follow God’s will for my life with a minimum of 2 years serving in Haiti. Sonlight has presented me with the opportunity to teach the 2nd grade class, as well as being the local Interior Designer for the ministry.  This trip will focus on reaching the Haitian people so they can reach out to their fellow community about the kingdom of God.  Knowing that once a person has grown in their life they have set a way of thinking and living, that is the reason why Sonlight has opened an academy to teach the children of Haiti about God since they will be the next generation.   As of this moment I am not aware of what else that God will place into my life while I am in Haiti, but I am aware that the options are endless and all things are possible through Christ.

This is a huge step in my personal life and my walk with God.  A year ago I started questioning the idea of God and started attending Salisbury Church regularly.  Soon after that, God placed me in a group of fellow believers that made my mind crave more of Him.  Within a few months, I found myself at the altar crying out to God wanting to turn my life over to him, so I sought spiritual guidance and soon was baptized.  Now I find myself, not even a year later, devoting my life to God’s will and following him to Haiti.  Even though I am well aware that God will take care of all my needs, I cannot do this without your help.  I would like to invite you to be a part of my journey and help make a difference in the lives of others.  Your support could be committing to pray for me on this journey, being an encouragement to me, or helping me meet my financial needs.  I firmly believe in the power of prayer and I know that God is capable of anything and everything.  This trip costs $18,300 per year, which breaks down to $1,525 a month.  The financial part of this covers my cost of my housing, electricity, clean water, provided meals, traveling back and forth from the United States and Haiti as well as providing me with a small stipend check to live off of.  I am aiming to raise as much of the cost as possible before I leave, but I know not to worry about it that God has everything already planned out.  If you are able to support me financially, I would be so grateful, but most importantly, I ask that you keep me in your prayers throughout this year, as I know God will be doing some drastic things in my life and in the lives of others around me. 

In Haiti, needs are evident.  People need homes, food, clothing, medical attention, and an education.  Most importantly, they need a Savior.  Through Sonlight Academy, I will have the opportunity to help meet two of their needs, one being their most desperate, a way of salvation, and the second being an education.  Please take this letter and pray over how the Lord would have you involved in what He’s doing in the nation of Haiti.  After seeing God’s hand move so powerfully in my life, I know that nothing is impossible for Him.  He will make a way. 

If you would like to be part of this mission through financial support, please make checks payable to Sonlight Ministries and write Alisha in the memo.

SONLIGHT MINISTRIES
Alisha Riley
P.O. Box 8031
Evansville, IN 47716

I embark on this mission with Mark 16:15 in my heart; go into the world and preach the gospel to all creations.  I realize that without the Lord leading me, and the prayers of the church uplifting me, my efforts will be meaningless.

Thank you for your support!

Alisha Riley