Andrew Chiappelli-a legacy of faith, love, truth and talent

Some people come into your life for just a short time, but leave an impression on your life that will leave a legacy for generations to come.

His name is Andrew Chiappelli.

My family met Andrew in 2007. He was a patron of our restaurant and we instantly connected with him. My children worked with us in the restaurant from time to time, and his love for children drew them into a blessed relationship of a man, who became family, a mentor, who always encouraged them in their faith and talents.

 My two boys were really rough and tumbling. Soccer, football, wrestling, trampoline, fort building type boys. Andrew was more of an artist, creative soul, who was full of mercy, peace and stillness. He gave my boys a gift of patiently waiting through the process for a creative masterpiece. They created everything from sculptures to paintings to planting things to decorating my house, including the boys, my daughter and me in the process. Yet, he would still go on the trampoline and jump with the kids, have water fights, build forts and tell these great adventure stories to them that delighted them.

Andrews’s relationship with my daughter was a sweet blessing. They had a special connection, as she is very artistic and creative. They would sing together and dance and do all kinds of fun projects together. He always encouraged her to pray and listen to God. He would do her hair and buy her cute outfits, even though, at the time, was struggling financially. His selfless love, still impacts my daughter today.

Andrew became a dear brother in Christ to my husband and I. Because he was single, he spent many nights at our house for dinner and board games, movies and walks and bike rides. He carved pumpkins with us, helped us decorate our Christmas tree, always helped me clean my house, as running a restaurant and home schooling three children always had me challenged in that department. He taught us about soaking in the LORD through worship and Andrew and our entire family would lie on the floor and “soak” in the words and songs and of God in stillness and peace.

When we were about to close our restaurant, he would work with us doing caterings and events to help us stay afloat and pay bills. Every time we gave him a paycheck, he would not cash it. When we closed the restaurant, he gave us an envelope with all the checks he didn’t cash, to help us pay others. He was there, praying with us and for us when we closed. Crying with us, helping us clean it out and sell the items to pay bills.

My husband became the general manager of Dai Bai Dang in Fresno, and we were able to start recovering from the hit of losing the restaurant. Andrew still spent time with us and ate dinner with us frequently. When that restaurant sold, my husband lost his job. We were about to lose everything we owned, but God gave us a ministry job in another city. We sold most of what we owned and then moved away in 2009.

We would call Andrew from time to time, but space and time got wider and wider. My husband got a General Manager job in Santa Barbara in 2010, so we moved even farther away from Fresno.

We moved to Easton in 2011, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, so my life became consumed with taking care of her. My grandmother passed away and so did my mom, by the end of that year. In 2012 and 2013, we were trying to re-establish our lives, struggling to find jobs and dealing with grief. We talked about Andrew frequently, wondering where he was, and how he was doing. I put up curtains and matching pillows he gave me in my new home in Easton and always thought about him and prayed for him. My kids missed him too. When they would jump on the trampoline or when they would quote funny things he said or did. “I gots the tegrity” was one of the funny things he said, about having integrity. He said it with a country voice and had us rolling in laughter.

I often looked him up on facebook to see if he had one, so we could reconnect. I found him and friended him but quickly realized he was not a facebooker. My son graduated in 2014 and we became urban missionaries. More years passed and we did not see Andrew.

In April, 2016, my daughter and I were in Fresno doing a fun mama and me day. On the way home I noticed I needed gas, so stopped in Easton to get some, before heading home. My daughter stayed in the car and I went into the building to pay for my gas. As I was walking back to the car, I saw a man pumping gas that looked a lot like Andrew. I thought, Oh my goodness, is that Andrew? I am a very outgoing person, so I had no fear in going up to some random man and tapping him on the shoulder to see if it was Andrew or not. If it wasn’t, I knew I would meet someone new. I walked closer to him and said, “Andrew?” The man turned around and said, “Oh my gosh, Teresa, how are you?”

With that, he, my daughter and I stood in the parking lot for over an hour talking and reconnecting. We told him that we were urban missionaries and invited him to come to our Bible Study, just across the street from the gas station, where we were standing. We told him that the boys would be so excited to see him and that he had to come over for dinner. He shared with us that he was helping to care for a couple in Easton, and that he was getting his master gardeners certificate. We reminisced and laughed and he marveled at how tall Carah was. She is 5’8” and was taller than him. Then he shared this amazing story with my daughter and I about his recent trip to Israel. This, I believe is so beautiful for all who loved Andrew to hear, as it is exactly what he now gets to be in permanently.

Andrew painted a beautiful picture of what he saw:

“The last time I was in Israel, I had the most beautiful encounter. I was visited by an angel every morning in my hotel room at 5am. The angel literally woke me up and told me to expect amazing things. The angel would have conversations with me about my desires and told me what to look for when I was there in Jerusalem.

The day that changed my life was the day we went on a tour to the place of Jacob’s ladder. We got up early and went into an armored vehicle to the spot. We had to travel through an area that is prone to violence and so not very many people take this tour. We drove for hours and slipped through the violent areas, without any issues. We finally came to a place that was in the middle of nowhere. In the distance you could see some mountains and sheep in the valley.

 There was this small stone building that was off to the side. It was very old, but still standing. Then there was this stone foundation in the shape of a circle. We all laid down with our heads on the rocks that lined the foundation. In the distance you could see where Jacob saw the ladder from heaven to earth. The tour guide told us to close our eyes and ask God for a supernatural encounter. So we all did. I am not sure what everyone else there experienced, but here is what happened to me.

I was instantly caught up in the spirit and I saw the angel that had been visiting me every day. He motioned me to follow him to Jacob’s ladder. I saw many angels coming and going up and down the ladder. It looked more like a stair case and on one side there were angels coming down and on the other side. I stated walking towards the ladder and got to the base. Instantly I was at the top of the ladder.

I was in the throne room. It was huge. There were thousands of angels and beings that surrounded the room. It was glorious. In the distance you could see this bright light. It was covered by clouds, but was so brilliant it drew you in. As I was looking at this light, I was instantly transported to the space right below this light. I was standing on a bright, clear sapphire floor. Right in front of me was a clear river. You could see the brilliant blue sapphire on the bottom. On the other side of the river were thousands of people worshipping God, right in front of the throne of God.

 As I was looking at the throne, I was instantly transported to the base of the throne. The throne was huge. I could see God sitting on the throne. His feet were this beautiful golden bronze color, the size of cars. His hands were resting on the throne and had great strength and gentleness in them. His face was the light I had saw earlier, but was covered with clouds. The sound of voices worshipping God was majestic and calm. I took it all in and felt peace and love like I have never known before. I was looking up at his face, covered and clouds and wished I could see His face.

 Instantly I was transported on His lap. I was a child again, and He was holding me close, with my head on his chest. I could hear his heartbeat. I could feel His breath on my head. He pulled me in and I was home. I wanted to stay there forever. I breathed in let out a deep breath, I was full of joy.

Once I breathed out, I was instantly taken back to my body, lying there on the stone foundation. I opened my eyes and tears streamed down my face. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay there in His presence. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I can’t wait to go there again.”

After he told Carah and I the story, we were mesmerized. We asked him to share his experience with our Bible Study group and he said he would. We exchanged numbers and became friends on facebook and began to plan times where we could be in each other’s lives again. It was beautiful and sweet and we were so delighted that God brought Andrew back into our lives again.

Then, I saw on facebook, that he had been killed in a crash. It seemed like a dream, like it was not real.The first thing I thought about was the vision he had just shared with us not too long before. I couldn’t help but smile. And even though my heart grieves that we only got to spend two years with Andrew and will not get to make more memories with him, that were long overdue, I am delighted to know that he is exactly where he wants to be.

I think of all the dreams Andrew had, that were never fulfilled on this earth; all the hopes he had for building a place for the lost and wayward, having capital to help people succeed, and so much more. I wonder if those dreams were really just shadows that were never meant to come to pass, but only to keep him moving forward on the path he was on for healing, growth, love, service, joy, a full life.

I am sure, if Andrew could attend his own funeral, he would talk about how he wasn’t able to see those dreams come to pass… but in reality, Andrew was a Dream Supporter. He supported so many people in their dreams. He sacrificed his own ambitions and dreams so many times to help other people’s dreams come to pass. In reality, he was a part of many dreams coming to pass.

My husband and sons were so sad to hear of his passing and that they did not get to see him. But his legacy and gift’s that he gave to my children and us are ever present and will now become a part of our own legacy.

We all have a different perspective of our Lord, because of the legacy he left with us. For that we will carry it on to everyone God puts into our lives, to bless, love, encourage and bestow a gift to. Until we see you again friend.

New Blog- Confessions of a Nobody- RAW Heart

I have a passion for sharing my heart for being a nobody in this world. I have begun to post a sub section of my RAW blog- titling them "Confessions of a Nobody," about my experiences in ministry that, I hope, will challenge others, who don't have a title or degree or ministry, to do ministry anyway... as a natural outpouring of just being a believer of Jesus Christ.

I decided to start a separate blog with that title, and continue to write in this blog as well. This blog, RAW- Real Authentic Worship, will be about my more personal struggles, successes and stories. Confessions of a nobody will be dedicated to experiences I have, partnering with the LORD in the crazy adventure of reaching and loving the lost.

If you want to follow my new blog.... here it is:

http://confessionsofanobodyraw.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a Nobody #4 – Walking in the Hornet’s Nest

 There they were, holding signs that had a picture of a young man on a poster board, with words that read “CAR WASH for FUNERAL EXPENSES.” I drove past them, on my way to the thrift store to get some things for my daughter. In the car with me, were two young people who came to live with us, after some months of homelessness and drug issues.

“I think that car wash is for him, Mama T,” the young man in the back seat of my car said quietly. He was sitting next to his girlfriend and his eyes were fixed on the people on the street.

“Do you want me to stop?” I asked

“No, you can keep going,” he said.

His curly hair was getting long and his eyes began to water. The loss of yet another friend was a lot. Since he had come to live with us, he discovered that one of his brothers got locked up and the other one was on house arrest. Both under the age of 18. His girlfriend held his hand and did not say a word.

We arrived at the thrift store and got out. The couple lingered outside to smoke and my daughter and I went in to find some things for her Sadie’s Hawkins dance. When we were done, he asked me if he could go back to the car wash to see if anyone could give him and his girlfriend a ride to the candlelight vigil. So I drove back to the corner where everyone was.

When we parked the car, the group assumed that I was another customer, there to support the funeral, with a car wash. My car needed one, but I was not there for that purpose. The young man and I got out of the car, and my daughter and his girlfriend stayed inside.

There were close to 50 people there; all helping, grieving, remembering. As I walked closer to the group, all eyes watched me. The smell of marijuana was thick and the tattoos on their bodies, indicated they were from the Bulldog gang. Against the wall, one man, close to my age, tensed up to see what I was doing there. He glared with a fierce intensity as I walked up to the young man’s cousin. She had a joint in her hand and put it behind her back, so that I would not see it. She looked at me, confused, and then at the young man. The young man hugged her and she responded with, “This sucks man.”

He introduced me and I gave her a hug. Her stiff body would indicate that she did not expect my embrace; but I continued to engulf her in my Mama T way, until she relaxed. He introduced me to all the people who came around him. One by one, I hugged them and shared my condolences. Joints were being passed around and sadness hung in the air. My heart was broken for them, for the loss of a life so young.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around to see a young man that looked familiar.

“Remember me?” he asked.

“You look familiar,” I said, “but I can’t place where I know you from.”

“I met you at the Hall. You were talking to me and my mom and dad. Your husband was breaking it down to my dad, remember?” he inquired.

“Oh yes, I do remember.” I said with a hug. He too knew the young man who had just passed away. One by one young people started to come around me, curious as to who I was. I clearly did not belong there, hugging and talking to this community of people. Yet, there I was: talking, embracing and encouraging them in their loss. Many of them knew Will, one of our Bible Study boys who was killed just two weeks earlier, so their sorrow was heavy. As the smoke and conversations rose in the air, the man who was standing by the wall began to soften. No longer did he stare me down with a fierceness. His posture changed, he leaned back against the wall with his arms crossed and began to talk to the people around him, eyes off me. I was told that he was the father of the young man, who had just passed. So his intense, silent inquiry was understandable to me.

There I was, me, a 41 year old, urban missionary, standing in the middle of Bulldogs from McKenzie Street. Loving them, hugging them, and being accepted by them. I looked at their faces: broken, sad, lost and angry; and had compassion for them. I had just walked into a hornets nest and was not stung. They were swarming around me, checking to see if I was a threat, to see if I had fear, to discover what my motive was. The love that was exuding out of me, from Jesus, was so powerful, that it was like smoke to a bee hive. It calmed them, and took away the threat. I did not look like them, I did not belong, but they saw Jesus in me, and although they may not be able to articulate what was happening, they were experiencing the love of Jesus.

 So many times, we, as Christians look at a situation with judgement and condemnation and miss an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. So many times, we are stricken with fear and cannot even get out of the building called “church” to bring Jesus to the dark places. So many times, we believe the lie that people who want Jesus, will just show up to church, because, you know, it is church. We live in a post-Christian nation. People are not going to show up to a building to find hope. So many people don’t even know who Jesus is. A lot of people see Christianity as an elitist, judgmental, controlling organization that has no room for sinners or the broken or the lost.

The young man, who lives with my family, continued talking to his cousin and then asked me if I could take him to his Grammie’s house, which was a few blocks away from the candlelight vigil. He wanted to pick up the letter his brother had sent him from the Hall. I drove into Bulldog territory, filled with joy that I was shining a light in a dark place. I gave him a sympathy card for his friend’s mom. He looked at it with bewilderment, as this gesture was a middle class occurrence that he was unaccustomed to.

“If you don’t want to give her the card, you don’t have to. But it’s what we do when someone we know dies.” I said.

“Oh, okay,” he understood. “No, I like it, I think she will too.”

He got out of the car, with his girlfriend and walked up to the door of his Grammie’s house. My daughter and I drove away. She looked at me and smiled. She too felt the joy of just being the light. Not preaching, not condemning, not expecting… Just loving, just giving, just being the hands and feet of Jesus.

If only more people with the light inside of them, walked in the dark; to give hope, to show love, to be present. They are looked at as the scum of the earth, a gang, this gang. But they are human beings with souls and hearts, who need Jesus. Open your heart to those you look down on. Give your hand to those, who you think are beneath you. Share the love of Jesus to those who do not know him.

You will find that LOVE is the most powerful weapon on earth. The LOVE of Jesus, shown to a broken world, is the ONLY thing that will change people, change our city, our state, our nation, our world. No amount of programs, laws, events, organizations will do that. You may think you are a NOBODY, that has nothing to offer this broken world… but if you know Jesus, if you have experienced his love in your own life… you are a somebody- who has the most powerful weapon on earth- AGAPE LOVE.

GO… go and change the world… by showing God’s love… start with one person, today. You will be amazed at how powerful your act of love is. It starts with one, then another, then another.

Matthew 11:19