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Letters to Rev Shawn
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Rev Shawn &
Staff,
We salute you and thank God for all you do for His children. The world is a better place because
of the determination and strength you put into the ministry God has entrusted you with each and every day. May He continue
to bless you with kingdom blessings in Christ Jesus, and may everything you put your hands to on behalf of His people prosper
a thousand fold! We love you and salute you as a general in God's Army. - Wesley & Melanie Long of "His
Ministry"
Rev
Shawn,
I
am writing today to tell you thank you. You never gave up on any of us. You have sacrificed your life so that
others have a chance at life. You have truly been a gift from God... You have been a major influence in my
life. Thank you for always believing in me. - a former student
Rev
Shawn,
We don't know how to begin to thank you for all that
you have done for our daughter during the past year. We've entrusted her care to you and thank you for all of the
love, care, and guidance you are giving her. -Tim & Terry
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Mrs.
Shawn, Mr. Paul, & the staff at HTM,
My time here at Harvest Time Ministries has been amazing, a special time of change, growth, and training.
Each one of you has played a vital role in my life and has taught me so much. Harvest Time will
always hold a special place in my heart. This is not a goodbye letter, but a thank you letter.
Thank you for all of the love, support, and acceptance that you all have shown to me. I am privileged
to know such wonderful people and to count you all as my good friends. I am so thankful that a ministry
like Harvest Time was available when I needed it most. God is so good, and I would have never experienced
that goodness. My life has been touched by God through this ministry, and for that I am truly thankful.
I love you all! -Jess
 Dear HTM and Rev Shawn,
Just a note to tell all you guys THANK YOU for all that you do. I am so blessed as a mother to have ever crossed
paths with Harvest Time Ministries. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be a young girl there!
My daughter has been given a second chance at life. I see it each time I read her letters. God
has His hand on each and every one of you, and I thank Him for that! - Bridget
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This letter was received after a student's first family visit.
Rev Shawn and HTM Family,
I would like to send my thanks you to all
of you. What a blessing my family and I received from God! My sister was hesitant to send her daughter to Harvest
Time, but, I thank God that she listened to that still sweet voice. I have not seen the light in my niece's
eyes in so long. I no longer see the girl who was self-centered. I see a girl growing in Christ, who thinks
of others. I give God praise! My heart overflows with joy knowing that she is safe. Thank you for all
that you do for our precious girl. -De Ette
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Mrs. Shawn,
I hope that all is well with you and Harvest Time! I haven't forgotten
about Harvest Time, and I think that it is impossible to ever forget it. I keep the things that I learned there in my
heart all the time. As a matter of fact, I still have my folders from Bible Classes. But, I just thought I would
let you know that it was a big mistake that I left Harvest Time. If I had stayed, I believe that my life would
be totally different from what it is and what it has been. After I left Harvest Time, my life seemed to crumble.
I would see the newsletters sent to my home, and I always thought how my life would have turned out if I would have stayed
at the Ministry until I graduated high school. But, what's in the past is past, and I have moved on and learned from
the many mistakes that I have made in my life... Thank you for being the spiritual leader that you are. -a former
student
The following letter is from a ministry graduate.
Dear Mrs. Shawn, It was so good to talk to you last week. I am so glad to hear that the ministry
is doing so well ! I love reading the newsletters every month. I love hearing about the girls now, seeing how
God has transformed them. It really brings back memories! Well, our sixth wedding anniversary is coming
up in February. We have 4 beautiful children now. My little girl told us last year that she prayed
and asked God for a little sister, and He told her she will have one. She said, "whatever you ask Him for, He'll
give you, just pray and ask." Well, she got her little sister! She is three-months-old now! Now we
are done! My kids are such a blessing.
We have been attending our church for 7 years now. We all are involved in different parts of the church.
I am involved in a woman's group for mentoring women. It is so awesome! Tell everyone I said "Hi".
Hope to hear from you soon. -Wendy
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While some of the letters we receive from former students are very upbeat and positive, there are those that are
sad and even heartbreaking to me. Sometimes there is a graduate who maybe doesn't do so well, or who
had a few big bumps in the road. Nevertheless, I am glad to hear from them, and that in spite of their bad decisions,
they remember what they were taught at Harvest Time, and it changes their course. The following is one of those
letters.
Why am I sharing this letter with you? It is because I speak to parents all the time that are heartbroken
by the decisions that their children are making. Most of the parents that I speak to are raising their children
the best way that they know how. As a ministry, we see many successes. Yet, the decision is up to the student,
whether or not they follow the direction that they are given. I am glad, though that the Bible says "God's
word will not return back void". We are instilling in our students core values that are there even when things
are extremely difficult. I would like to encourage parents to continue praying for your child, and instilling into
them the things that matter most; and, even if things turn for the worst you can know that deep inside of a wayward teen,
they still remember the things that they were taught.
Dear Mrs. Shawn
There is so much in my heart I do not know where to begin. I feel ashamed and disappointed in myself. For the
past year, I have felt as if I am merely rotten through and through. However, when I remember the time I spent in your
care, I remember how you showed me that I have potential. I remember how you taught me who God is, and how He revealed
Himself to me. I know this was real and I know He saved me from my own destruction. I know the seeds that
have been planted have not returned void.
When I discovered my pregnancy, I felt that fire and passion of how big and important my decision would be. I
knew that what I chose would direct my life for a very long time. For all "practical" purposes, to carry seemed
impossible and as if it would further ruin my life. Then I
remembered what I am passionate about, what once drove me... souls. Had I not spent that time in your care, I would
not value human life. I would not have been able to see how the "easy way out" was no way out at all.
This is the most difficult thing I have ever done. I want to thank you for planting those seeds. When
it came down to choosing my my path, I remembered what you taught me. It took a long time and a world of hurt,
but what is in my core has finally begun to emerge. His
mercies really are new every morning - I get it now. Thank you for teaching me how to be strong when it really counts.
-a former student
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