January 30th, 2010 by Zac

Thanks to your generous year end gifts, we are no longer in minus figures in our ministry account at Josiah Venture! In a previous post, (see previous post) I had explained that the global financial crisis had forced some supporters to reduce their monthly giving – creating this shortfall.  So, we would like to say a word of deep thanks to all of you who gave extra or gave special gifts to Josiah Venture in December to bring us to this place. We sincerely appreciate your personal sacrifice and investment into God’s kingdom through us. It certainly made for a happy new year!

At the same time, I have to be honest and say that our debt free status may not last long. In the last year, we have only added one new monthly partner to our support family, from the ten partners (we have mentioned so often) we need to shore up our financial needs. Also, in this condition, we have NOT been able to add back  the $500 salary reduction that we imposed on ourselves last year.

So, please pray for us in this situation. We  really need God to bring those additional 9 monthly partners to us soon.

January 29th, 2010 by Zac

It’s usually the same every week. On Sunday afternoon, “Mr. Jay”, as we’ve nicknamed him, calls me (Zac) on on my cell phone to make sure we’re at home, and within 30 minutes he’s knocking on our door. All the kids run to greet him because they know what this means for them – PLAY TIME! He sword fights, plays computer games, chases, tickles, laughs and jokes. And at some point in the chaos, candy of some kind (usually chocolate) comes out from his pockets for each of our kids.

Dinner together usually follows, prepared with love by my wonderful wife. Then me and Jay find a quiet room for focused time in God’s Word and for prayer.

For some months, Jay has been coming closer and closer to our family and to God. He also is enrolled in our school for youth leaders at Kompas. So, there is always lots to talk about – from theology to Bible study to relationships to ministry.

At present, he is working in his father’s business and is asking God to show him the next steps for his life. He wants to finish his college education and serve God wherever he leads.

It is obvious that God has His hand on Jay and that he has great plans for using him here in Slovakia.

Please pray that Jay will keep growing in God’s wisdom and grace in the days ahead.

January 22nd, 2010 by Kim

I have trouble writing about needs, when God has so graciously and abundantly supplied so much (especially at the end of the year). We are so thankful we are finally out of the red (after 11 months). God has used so many people during these hard economic times to give  and give to our ministry. We celebrate and continue to be thankful for how He provides for us.

We can’t control timing of when needs come, and God does say that “we have not because we ask not”.  So, I’m writing about some of our urgent needs: Read the rest of this entry »

January 22nd, 2010 by Kim

So here is our family’s Christmas story. I was hesitant to share it until now. I pray I can communicate it correctly.

Because of the financial situation we are in,  I sat down to think and plan for Christmas and made out a very modest budget for our family. Because things are so much cheaper in the States and because online shopping is so much easier than shopping here, I decided it would be best to order all our gifts from the US and have them mailed here. Read the rest of this entry »

November 25th, 2009 by Kim

For the last 6 months we have faced a growing deficit in our financial support. Primarily this is due to the financial crisis in America, which has forced some of our major supporters to decrease their giving. Over these months this deficit has grown to now $5000. Josiah Venture graciously continues to pay our normal salary each month in spite of this growing debt, but the debt still accumulates on our account.

We have tried to be proactive in reducing our monthly salary by $500 per month, and this has certainly helped. But we still have to find additional supporters to replace our losses. So, we are asking God to provide us with 10 new supporters at $50 per month (or 20 at $25). This would bring us back up to sufficient support. However, we also have to repay the $5000 debt we have accumulated over these past months. (And just in case you are wondering, this debt has accumulated from our normal, fixed, monthly salary expenditures. We have not been overspending or buying anything new. It’s simply a matter of a financial support shortfall.)

If God would lead you to begin partnering with us monthly or to help in our situation any any way we would be very grateful. All gifts are tax deductible when given through Josiah Venture, which offers the following options for how to give.

* Mail your monthly check (our name attached on a note) to Josiah Venture at:
P.O. Box 4317
Wheaton, IL 60189-4317

* Create a monthly electronic bank transfer by clicking here and following the instructions.

* Use your credit card to give, by clicking the same link above.

We are grateful for you who faithfully stand behind us here in Slovakia and who have a global view of the kingdom of God.

If you have any questions, please e-mail us (zshepperson@josiahventure.com) or simply pick up the phone and call us at our US number -  864-335-9388.

November 19th, 2009 by Kim

you email someone you don’t know and ask them to bring over items for you when they come to serve in Slovakia on a short-term trip! Christmas gifts, school books, dvds, food items, clothing items,  electronic equipment (even an electric piano once); you name it and I’ve probably asked for it! Part of me feels really guilty when I do this, then the other part is so incredibly thankful they said “yes”, I soon forget about the other ( i know there are many of you who can relate to this).

This has been me so many times, I honestly can not tell you how often we have been the recipient of these generous “bringers of imports”- countless.  However, I am reminded of them (and thus never to forget them) on a daily basis. Whether it is while I am doing school with Emili (school books), or cooking with brown sugar, eating pancakes with syrup, or peanut butter, listening to Emili practice her piano or eating the last hot tamale, I am reminded and I am thankful. I understand that I would be without all these wonderful things if they had said “no”,  because shipping is way too expensive.  It’s funny the kinds of things (big and small) that bless you when you are away from them for so long, huh?

So this is for all of you who have sacrificed (and only packed 1 set of clothes for yourselves) to allow more room in your bags for things for our family. The Lord brings you to my mind almost daily, and I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. Bless you!

October 22nd, 2009 by Kim

Yep it’s true! October 14th was the first snow here in our city! It didn’t last for only one day, but for that whole week. It snowed everyday. I always remember snow in October, so i’m not quite sure why i’m so surprised, and yet  I am. Maybe since it was less than 7 days ago we were bike riding enjoying the nice fall weather! Also, the leaves have only just begun to change. I guess I should be more surprised that summer lasted as long as it did!

Nevertheless it’s that time now. The dreaded task of going to the basement to find the winter clothes boxes (x4), have everyone try on all the winter clothes, sort out the misfits and pack the summer ones back up. It’s at least a days work (that I have been putting off all week). But it seems I can’t put it off any longer, the kids must wear warmer clothes to school now!

Speaking of school, we’re off to a great start this year! With now a first, fourth and sixth grader, school and school activities take up the largest part of our day.

Sam LOVES his first grade class. He is going to school with Gwyneth now (although he rarely sees her there). That means Gwyneth, being the eldest (on most days) at school loves the responsibility of taking care of little brother, getting him from class and bringing him home.

Emili continues her homeschooling now as a sixth grader. Just last night, as we were listening to her read aloud from one of her books, we were commenting on what an incredible reader she is, agreeing that neither Zac or I were quite that kind of reader in the 6th grade. We’re so proud of her!

For a bit more interaction with kids her age, she goes to school on Tuesday & Thursday for a Biology class. Interestingly, it’s the same class of students she attended 1-4 grades with. The students have welcomed her back excitedly. It was fun to watch that reunion! Also, I know the teacher of this class, and she is a loving, kind woman with similar beliefs and values it seems. What a blessing!

I’m still teaching at the school 4 days a week and even in Sam’s and Gwyneth’s classes! It gets busy around here in the afternoons with sports, music, homework and supper preparations-I’m certain no different than yours. We’ve learned flexibility (even Hampton, since he has to have his nap in the car 2x week!) and grace (like yesterday when I forgot Sam’s sports bag, so he missed his sports class) Everyone is happy (for the most part) so we keep going

October 12th, 2009 by Zac

Training Center Kompas published it’s year end report this summer while I was in America. There is a well done, online version that gives a thorough overview of what TCK is all about. Click here – TCK annual report and enjoy reading what God has done in 2008. The report is in both English and Slovak languages. (for a larger report image, right click on any report page and select “open image in new window” – then click again to enlarge).

_________________________________

October 12th, 2009 by Zac

A new year in our training school for youth leaders has started! This is our largest school ever. Here are the statistics.

* 21 students (We were asking God for 20 students in connection with our 2×3 vision)
* 15 mentors and teachers

* 13 girl students, 8 boys
* 14 local churches represented
* 14 cites in Slovakia represented

Will you pray with us that this year’s students will infuse significant energy into the movement of God among the youth of Slovakia?

October 1st, 2009 by Zac

These were the best and most promising! They were a collection of 160 young leaders from 11 central European countries whom we were entrusting to pass the baton to the next generation. Some of extraordinary appearance, most common, some gregarious, most quiet, some of high school age, some of professional status. But all carefully chosen for this conference because of their gifts and passion to inspire the next generation to walk with God.

The baton represented the process inherent in Christ’s mandate for us to “go and make disciples”. It’s a process of reproducing ourselves (as reflections of Christ) in another person, who can in turn do the same. Read the rest of this entry »