Spotlight: Nick Shearman

The first installment in our series to insert you into the lives and minds of our team members is with Nick Shearman. Team members were asked to share what they are most excited about as well as what they are most nervous about:

"You have got to be crazy" was my mom's reply when I told her I was thinking about getting involved with the NATIVITY:NIGERIA team. "Why in the world would you want to go to Africa?" she asked lovingly. There's really no easy way to answer that question, even today I have trouble expressing my motivation to go. I know if I want to help people, I don't have to look much further than my own backyard, and there are plenty of ways to send my support to those less fortunate abroad, but, I honestly feel called to serve.

I'm Nick Shearman, and I'm a 22 year old sociology and geography student planning to transfer to, and complete my degrees at Towson University. I tutor reading and math in the Baltimore City Public Schools, I am an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Baltimore County Police Department, and until the recent closing of our shop, you may have seen me at Hudson Trail Outfitters in Towson, outfitting people for their own adventures. Now I'm read to have mine.

I will admit that I am not a regular churchgoer, in fact I was probably guilted into going that fall afternoon when I first heard about Nativity's clean water efforts in Nigeria. It was at that Mass that I watched the Advent Conspiracy video, calling us to consider what we spend and waste during Christmas. It truly had an impact on me and I considered how I could give more fully without the constraints and expectations holiday consumerism. Through the winter I kept thinking about the message and the parish's outreach efforts in Africa. I decided to apply to the team, and was accepted.

So here I stand, packed and prepared; my checklist double and triple checked. Camera, toothbrush, bug spray all stowed away, but most importantly I have the support and love of my family, my friends and my team members with me. I am grateful for this extraordinary opportunity, and although anxious, I am excited to be part of the incredible work Nativity is doing in Nigeria.