February 1st, 2012 by Kim

I’m writing today, Wednesday, thinking of you and how you pray for us so faithfully. Today i have some things on my heart and mind and would like to share them with you:

1) Tutor for Emili- I got a good lead yesterday for someone who can help Emili with Slovak language. She (Emili) is still upbeat about school and is wanting to find someone who can help her. This person is a new teacher at our school. Although she is teacher of German language, she has her degree for Slovak language as well. Since she is only part-time teacher, she has more time to give to extra teaching like this. I was at school today, but wasn’t able to find her and ask her about this possibility.  As for school for Emili, it is different each day. For example, yesterday she came home and said, “mom, I think i need to go back to home schooling for math. I didn’t understand anything the whole hour”. However today, she was completely opposite, ” i understood everything, and did the whole worksheet front and back with out mistakes”! Today the worksheet was in English. So i really believe this extra tutoring is all she needs.

2). Hampton- like emili his days fluctuate between loving school and hating it! Every day is different! I am praying and asking God for wisdom with him and how much i need to “make” him go. Presently, he is going everyday from 8,00 until 12, with swimming on Tuesdays!

3). Ladies’ Bible Study- I had my first meeting last Friday night with the 5 ladies who will attend the bible study. We spent time praying for one another and discussing what each week will look like. since the study is in English and most of the women are not so proficient in English, we decided to meet every 2nd Friday to give them more time to do the “week study” (so 2 weeks to do 1 week). In the off weeks, i will continue to meet with 1 of the ladies, most fluent in English, and we will work on translating the material for the upcoming week- to make sure that there is full understanding. I have to say how already this study is giving me so much joy! From the first day’s study the teaching was about posturing ourselves before God in reverence and and fear, like the boy Samuel. Showing obedience to God, like Samuel, even when we don’t have all the details, situation, and have questions. Just obey. LIke a child, we must come to God.

4) House- The house is still not ready. The floors are being finished as well as the bathrooms. Then a huge clean up must be made before painting each room. So at least 1 more week. Tomorrow we meet again to discuss the kitchen  options. We must decide if we will move before the kitchen is finished. Currently, it is a empty room. No cabinets, appliances, etc;  only floors.
We faced some problems with the how the contract will be worded. For us it was an issue of integrity and honestly and we are not able to sign it in the words it was written. Although we completely can empathize with the position of the owner, and would not wish him to pay more tax than what is necessary, it is a difficult situation. We are praying for wisdom in how to deal with this.

5) Church- Our church continues to meet every week. We have experienced a real strength from them since our return, and feel it is stronger than ever. We are so encouraged. Since our numbers are steady at about 45 people each week (30 adults and 15 children) we are finding it difficult to meet in homes. When I say “home” think Slovak, 1-2 room flat (not house). You can imagine how packed it is! So great to all be together in this way. We are actively looking for a space to rent each week.

I’ve been working on this email all day It’s 10 pm now and I will wrap it up and send it on to you! Have a great evening together and thank you for all your prayers!

January 26th, 2012 by Kim

This morning, I am sitting in the quiet! It is 8:15, dishes are done from breakfast, lunches packed, kids are gone (even Hampton). Wow, it’s really quiet! That is the first news I have to tell: Hampton has started preschool! My other kids all started preschool after they turned 5 and it worked good for them to have 1 year of Slovak in preschool before entering 1st grade. However, with Hampton, he is so sad after all the kids leave for school, he was asking me over and over if he could go to school also. So I began looking for a school that would take him in the middle of this year. It was a problem. Preschools here are all funded by the state and are VERY full. Since they are at no cost to the parent you can imagine even finding a free space even at the start of a year. I decided to let this be my indicator if he would start “early”. If a space was open, then I would send him. So I was not aggressive in pursuing this, just told a few of my friends. After about 2 weeks, 1 friend called to say that the school her daughter is in has an opening. So I went the next dat (last Thursday) and signed him up. He went on Friday for just a few hours (i was able to go with him) and again on Monday. Tuesday was his official “first day” of school! He is happy, although does not like the food nor the nap! After minor adjustments (sending his lunch with him, and picking him up BEFORE nap time) he is off again this morning, happily! I would appreciate your continued prayer in this area for Hampton. It is scary to enter a place at such a young age where no one understands you and you understand very little. We are encouraged with his enthusiasm.

A few other things i would like to report on so that you can know better how to pray:

Emili’s school- I told you how excited Emili is to be back in school full time. Although that is still true, she has seen the reality of missing 3.5 years of formal Slovak language class. She is very frustrated and it seems that we need to get her a tutor. As before (during the 1-4 grades) her other subjects seem to be suffering because of her lack of Slovak language skills. Obviously, she isn’t so familiar with the terminology of Physics, Chemistry and even Math. I was trying to help her this week, and although I believe she would be able to do this work if it was in English language, it is very difficult to do in Slovak. So we are praying for the right thing to do. We are considering finding a tutor to help Emili on a regular basis We must make a decision before February 1, if she will be “full -time” or continue home-schooling part of this. I already see that she hardly has any homework, and I worry that she is not studying enough. When I ask her, she tells me that the teachers have not assigned anything. Or even, like yesterday, the Math teacher wasn’t at school, so they didn’t have math. We are considering finding a tutor to help Emili on a regular basis.

Housing- Although we have not signed a contract still on this house yet, we are moving forward and we are in constant contact with the owner. He is making many decisions now about the house and asked us for our decisions on paint colors, appliances, cabinet color, even design of the kitchen! We are excited about this. Yesterday, we were able to take from the storage place many of our kitchen appliances (oven, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher) so we can use them in the new house and not have to buy new ones. The owner believes the new kitchen can be finished in 1 week and the house ready to move in at the end of the month. We believe that it will more likely be by the 15th of February. In the meantime, we seem to be getting into a routine here at the Dorms. IT is so convenient to live so close in the city. The kids are walking home from school and to their after school activities. Laundry is a bit of a challenge in this small space. Since there is not a dryer (most Slovaks do not own one), we have clothes out drying every available space! Thankfully we were able to buy everyone enough clothes for at least 5 days before we left the States. That takes the pressure off to have something washed and dried in 1 days (which can not happen here)!

Kim

Slovak lessons- I got an interesting email last week from 1 company i had contacted back in 2010 about Slovak lessons for me and Zac. We had chosen to to use this company because they were very expensive. However, they wrote to me last week and asked for a meeting. They purposed that we exchange services. We would teach English for them, 2hrs per week, and they would give us Slovak lessons the same (2hrs per week). Although we have raised the money now to pay the full expense. We believe God has brought this to us. Giving us another opportunity to share our faith in the classroom setting. The contract is with one local international company. So the “students” are adults. This will be a new experience for us and we look forward to see how God will use us there. We begin lessons February 8th.

ALSO, I just remembered i forgot to tell you: some of the women in our church asked me to lead a women’s bible study, weekly. I have done this before and so i was honored they asked me to do it again. It will be on Fridays, here at our house (and at the dorm while we are here I have 1 book someone gave while i was in the states and recommended it. It is by Pricilla Shirer, “Discerning the voice of God” and “He speaks to me” I need to look at other resources online and decide if i will do the audio tapes (for myself) and if there is a leaders guide. It will be a little complicated translating it into Slovak.  I just need to spend some time making decisions about this. We are meeting for the first time this week! I am really excited. Here is a link if your interested to know more about this author http://www.lifeway.com/n/Popular-Authors/Priscilla-Shirer

Thank you again for your prayers and emails!

January 14th, 2012 by Kim

Dear friends,

I had a bit of a set back this week that I wanted to share with you. As you know we are staying (sleeping) at the top of Kompas until we find a house. We have 2 very small dorm rooms. It has been very “tight”, kids in one room, Zac and I in the other. Until Wednesday when we all moved to 1 room! From Thursday started the training weekend for students and they needed the space our family was using! That was my sinking! I spent the whole day moving and repacking everything into 1 room. As you can see from the photo, i was able to do it! It was very challenging also for my mind. For the first time since returning, I felt so terrible, uncared for, unimportant, etc. I know this can only be an attack from the devil, but still i felt tired after the day was finished. I know you are there in the US praying for us. Even not knowing the exact circumstances of the day. I want you to know how I feel I have special strength only from the Holy Spirit. I am not able to do this in my own strength. But I have been given what I need for today. Thank you for standing with us during these difficult days.

January 7th, 2012 by Kim

I wanted to give you a quick update on our family and arrival back to Slovakia.

We arrived last Friday evening around 9 pm. The van that was coming for us broke down on its way to get us from the airport (a 3 hour drive) and so when we came from the gate we only received a text message about the car problem  The kids were so completely exhausted at that point (it had been just over 24 hours of travel) they just collapsed there at the arrival area and slept. Hampton even slept on top of the 14 suitcases! (Soundly I might add) This was really a blessing because it could have easily been a very stressful situation trying to figure out this transportation problem. It was however resolved fairly quickly and we were able to get not only a rental van, but a driver that came for us from nearby capital city of Bratislava. We waited only 3 hours and he drove us all the way to our city (3 hours) with all of our luggage! What a blessing!

Speaking of our luggage, that is another huge blessing! We were only “allowed” 1 piece of checked luggage per person and was prepared to pay the 60$ for the second piece per person. However, at check in, I overheard the person next to me explaining how they were going on a mission trip and so their extra baggage fee was waived. So I asked if we were able as well to have waived fees since we too are missionaries. After a long discussion with her supervisor, our ticket agent arranged that our extra fees were completely waived! We all were so excited and thanked the Lord right there at the check-in counter!  Later I was so happy to have the cash in my pocket (literally in my pocket) to pay the driver who took us from the airport that next evening. I am certain it was no coincidence it was the exact amount I needed!

The kids were excited to settle in to beds in the dormitory at Kompas. and we decided to leave the 14, 50 pound suitcases on the first floor, since their was neither an elevator or space for them on the 3rd floor with us! After a long sleep we were excited to wake up to snowfall the next afternoon (yes it was afternoon when we woke up)!  Being New Year’s Eve, all the stores were closed! Thankfully, our friends in Poland called us and invited us to their house for the evening, so we drove 1,20 to their house just across the border and was well cared for (and feed) and celebrated the new year together! It was the easiest New year’s eve I can remember! We didn’t go to sleep until after 4 am!

The next day was Zac’s birthday and we were able to go to the Czech Republic (just one hour away) to a new cabin our mission has for it’s missionaries. It was vacant and so we were able to stay 3 nights there. What another huge blessing this was to have a fun place to go and celebrate Zac in the midst of all this chaos. It  was only about 1 hour from where we were in Poland. It was a beautiful place, lots of rooms, in the mountains, beautiful views, etc. Finally, we were alone just our family after a very long time. No TV, no internet. Just lots of talking, laughing, reading, hiking and games.

We made it back to Zilina on Wednesday and started house hunting. Friday was a holiday here (3 kings day) and so many people were off from work. We were able to see only 2 houses. The first house, the “blue house” is under reconstruction. It is a little on the small size, but with a few changes, could be made more conducive for our family. We spoke to the owner and he is willing to make some changes. A few downsides are it’s location, it is on a VERY busy street. Also, the earliest he predicts it could be finished and ready is the end of January. So it would mean a good month here at Kompas in the dorms. Positives are: everything will be very “new” after the reconstruction. another very interesting fact is that the owner of this house is the BROTHER to the family we used to rent from (not our last house, but the house before). We didn’t know this until we went to see the house. This family is a very nice family, we have a great relationship and they were extremely kind to us during our 4 years renting from them. A family that we pray for already and live out the Gospel of Jesus to; so it’s exciting to think about an extension of that.

The second house we went to see turned out to be a “dud”. In fact, it was not even the same house advertised. We have written about and inquired about several others. We have many realtors and friends looking for us as well. We are praying for God to give us just the right house for us; one that will have a 4th bedroom for the future guests we expect to keep over the many days we are living there. So far we have not walked into a house and said “this is it”, “this is the one, we just know it”. We are waiting and praying.

In a very short time we have managed to meet already with at least 4 families/friends. Today i went for coffee with a  friend. She was quite surprised our family returned to Slovakia, she admitted she was expecting us not. She listened intently as I told her how God has given me peace and contentment for living in Slovakia, even more, a love for it. I loved speaking so openly about my faith and my testimony of my God in my life.

Many of our friends think we are just crazy to have our family in a 2 room dormitory at the top of Kompas, no kitchen, no living area.  Tonight, one friend just said he didn’t believe me when I said i was “spokojne”-content. Again, I told him, “I can’t explain it, it’s from God, I am not lying to you. It is real”

We are so happy to be back in Slovakia with our friends here. Tomorrow we return to our home church and Monday the kids return to school and I will discuss my teaching schedule for the new term (starting in Feb.). Thank you in advance for your continued prayer for our family, our house, and the people of Slovakia.

Sorry this wasn’t so short after all (but what a joy to write it all down)!

November 29th, 2011 by Zac

One of the next steps toward returning to Slovakia is finding a new place to live. We are grateful we are not living on the street, but finding a new house to rent is a pressing priority.

We moved out of our previous house (pictured right)  for a couple of reasons. We preferred to not have to pay rent for 6 months while we were in the States. This alone is a huge financial savings for us. But also, the previous house had some mold problems that we believed were contributing to some chronic sickness with our boys.

We were thankful for the 4 years we had in this house. Our landlord was very gracious and helpful during our time there. And it was privilege to get to know her and her family through those years.

I (Zac) will travel back to Slovakia early (December 5-17) to look for a new house. I also will attend a special council meeting in Vienna focused on raising up healthy, reproducing churches across Slovakia.

God has always met our need in housing and we believe he has already prepared the prefect place for now. All of our possessions are now in storage. So, this means we will be moving in the first weeks of January – which is the coldest weather of year. (moving could look like the picture to the right!).

Please keep this whole process in your prayers as we search for God’s chosen location and make a winter house move.

November 29th, 2011 by Zac

Although we are not in Slovakia, we have recently heard great news from various ministry projects.

Summer Camps – The final totals are in from the summer camp ministries. 9 camps in different cities.

From 500 students, 59 put their faith in Christ! This is the highest number of believers ever seen in summer camp ministry!
American music band tour – The focus of this outreach was 2 cities in Slovakia. Over 2700 students were presented with the gospel and offered a copy of the Bible. At least 150 of these

expressed an interest in knowing more about Christ through follow-up.

These are astounding numbers! More than we have ever seen before. And we believe that it represents a change in the

spiritual atmosphere in Slovakia.

Please help us pray for further fruitfulness in these particular ministries.

November 29th, 2011 by Kim

Even Gwyneth said it just last week, “Mom, it seems like we just got here”. It’s true, it does seems like we just arrived in the US, although it has been almost 6 months! Time has moved so quickly. We have kept incredibly busy traveling from Houston, Texas to Boone, North Carolina. and every where in between!

Although tired of the actually traveling in a car, the kids have done exceptionally well (or so it seems at this point). They have endured Sunday after Sunday in a different church and actually enjoyed all the new places.

When asked, it is hard to name just one favorite place.  But the top of the list includes: 4 wheeler ride in Boone, NC ; homeschool co-ops in Greenville, SC (I know! Who would have thought it); garage saleing in SC; cabin with the Potts family; Halloween in Houston, TX; GA Aquarium in Atlanta; summer church camp in Arkansas (was that really THIS summer?);  23 mile bicycle ride in Atlanta, GA (maybe not top on the list, but definitely memorable);  baseball games, zip-line at Camp Highland, GA; Fishing and jet skiing in Columbia, SC; walking tour of Charleston, SC; inner tubing birthday parties, weddings of dear friends; playing in the ocean, swimming all day, everyday in Tampa, FL;  youth retreats and  father/son camp out in SC; deer hunting and Razorback football!

Not on the list would be: long car rides, home-schooling, leaving fun places and friends, so many new churches and  saying goodbye.

We are thankful that the list of good things is much longer than the list of bad! Now, with only 4 weeks left, we look forward to the final things God has in store for us here in the US. However, packing and saying good-bye, are not on that list!

This time has been incredibly busy and yet rich in friendships and opportunities to share about the work God is doing in Slovakia. We look forward to returning, settling into a new home and not traveling! Just living and breathing!

November 29th, 2011 by Zac

After our second full month of focused fundraising, we are both challenged and hopeful. Our current standing is at 40% of our total need. We still need quite a few new financial partners to join our team in order to meet our goal. 

Some have asked, “why do you need to raise so much money? Have you suddenly lost so much support”? This is a good question. And the answer is pretty simple. We have NOT lost an abnormal amount of support. The reason is this. Apart from the normal needs of a growing family and the weak US dollar, the core reason is that we have simply been living for some time at a low support level. Our desire has been to live within the monthly support that God has provided over the years. And we have managed to survive with this approach for some years.

But now at our 10 year anniversary in Slovakia, it’s time to prepare for the next “stretch” of ministry. Part of that good preparation is to reach the proper and healthy financial position required by Josiah Venture (our governing organization). JV sets our budget figures as well as our monthly salary. So, our goal is to reach this required financial position.

Over the last two months we have presented our ministry and needs to a large number of people in numerous states and contexts. Many have responded with open hands and hearts and many are still prayerfully considering the decision.

Our focus in these final two months will be in ElDorado, Arkansas and surrounding cities. And although the balance of our need is a challenging amount, we believe that God is able to provide what is needed. He always has been faithful!

If you have an interest in becoming a financial partner with us, please contact us at zshepperson@josiahventure.com or call us at 501-613-2185

September 10th, 2011 by Zac

Two days later we traveled to Victory Bible Camp where Kim and I spoke at a family camp for a weekend. I got to speak on one of my favorite topics “God as Father”. We examined several pictures in the bible that specifically relate to God as

Emili defends herself at camp

father and how that intersects with the whole concept of father and of course our own experience with our own human fathers. This topics never stops intriguing me.

Emili, Gwyneth and Sam each attended a week of Victory Camp, each having a week of amazing fun and spiritual challenge.

Kim on her birthday

Whole Shepperson family

August 20th, 2011 by Kim

So I’ve been thinking a lot lately of writing more, journaling more about these days while we are in the US traveling. Thinking about it while i am in bed, trying to sleep and not sleeping but thinking about all the things i want and need to do! I’ve even gotten up a few times with the intention of getting it “started”, but for whatever reason, didn’t get it done.

But here I am this morning, the morning after we arrived Charleston, SC, sitting in the quiet and beautiful lobby of this hotel, I left sleeping kids and husband, coffee in hand, I’ve  decided not wait any longer.

It’s been so long since i’ve even logged onto wordpress I forgot my password. Remembering the codes and organization of HTML is equally as foggy in my mind, but  I am determined! I’ve set up a new “category” so that it can be kept separate from the more “official” posts. I’m calling it ” Travel Days in the US” until I can think of something more creative and catchy.

My vision is to share this part of our life: “furlough” (did i even spell it right), “home assignment” . What does that look like for this family of 6?  The things we do, the places we go. . . .how we are doing,  personally with our family, and ministry -wise as we strive to our goals in support raising.

I know today i just have to get it started and hopefully with diligence, as I listen to the Holy Spirit in me, communicating more, with the people who love and desire to know more about our life as missionaires.

We have a wedding today at 1:00 PM, and  need to a few hours of school before that. So i’m off to wake sleeping kids and get them to a breakfast I am happy that I didn’t have to shop for, prepare or clean up.

until next time. . .