October 26th, 2015 by Zac

I think we are getting better  at our  ministry to the Roma kids. That’s not the only goal, but any progress is good in this ministry.

This was our fourth year to do a summer day camp in the Roma village. This camp serves as the culmination to the our input into the lives of these kids all year, through our weekly kid’s club.

Nothing is simple or straight forward in this Roma environment. There always seems to be
plenty obstacles. As we search for a place to meet in the village, there are no really good options. Trash, broken glass, not enough room, too many distractions. It becomes a choice from the best of several poor choices.

Our team of 10 finally settles on one spot and starts to clear away the rocks, broken furniture, glass, human excrement and weeds. We pull out a tarp, which we connect to the side of a condemned building to make some semblance of a meeting space. And we throw down an old carpet we find in the dumpster. All the while, kids are eagerly watching, helping and asking when we will start.

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October 25th, 2015 by Zac

As our kids grow older and have summer activities of their own, it’s harder and harder for us to go back to America on a regular basis. But somehow we managed it this past summer.

Nothing can replace time with your family. It seems to do something for your soul. All of my family (Zac) were together and we spent extended time with all Kim’s family as well.

Kim’s mom is recovering steadily from her cancer treatments and heart attack she had in May. (if you missed that story click HERE).

My parents are holding steady and are much more stable now that my brother (Jac) has moved back home from Arizona. Having family as a caregiver in the house makes a huge difference for everyone. Thanks big brother!

Time at home also afforded us the chance to be with all those who so faithfully support us. Each Sunday and sometimes during the week, we spoke to churches and groups of people who have a heart from Slovakia.
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October 24th, 2015 by Zac

It surprised me that it was time for one of our family members to join me at our annual international leadership training conference. As our staff made the list of possible participants, Emili never crossed my mind. But it was true! EMILI is now youth ministry leadership!! I still can’t believe it’s really true, but time does fly and kids do grow up.

So, with a last minute conference registration and some school negotiations with her teachers, she was ready to go. Read the rest of this entry »

October 24th, 2015 by Kim

(this is the post from my Slovak blog that i mentioned in my earlier post – “a little update from Kim”)

There is a book we have at home,  a favorite of mine.  I have read it countless times to my 4 children (one who has needed it more than others), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst.

It’s a funny book, but serious and very real at the same time. Because let’s face it, everyone has these kinds of days. It’s about perspective. Particularly, how one boy reacts when things don’t go his way. Alexander (the main character in the book) decides that when things go bad for him, he will move to Australia

When he wakes up with chewing gum in his hair, trips on his skateboard,  drops his sweater into the sink while the water is running, he declares, it is going to be a “horrible, terrible, no good, very bad day”. And it is.

At breakfast, although his brothers get prizes inside their cereal bags there is only cereal in his cereal bag.

At school his teacher doesn’t like his picture of the invisible castle, she criticizes him for singing too loud, and for leaving out 16 when counting. His mom forgets the dessert in his snack, his brother pushes him into a mud puddle and calls him is a crybaby. When he punches back in return,  his mom punishes him for being muddy and for fighting. Read the rest of this entry »

October 23rd, 2015 by Zac

Sam is a rising force in our family. He is growing like a weed and prepared to surpass everyone in the family with his height and shoe size! His mind is like a steal trap and he manages Bible trivia like a college student. He is in his second year of high school (8 year high school that is) and eats up his school work like it was lunch. Obviously, he has his mother’s brains.

He has also taken up the bass guitar. He has lessons each week with one of our older teenagers in the church. A while ago, he played for his first time in our church worship. He seems quite natural at it and gets great complements from his teacher. We are proud of him and anticipate epic things from this next Shepperson generation!

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October 23rd, 2015 by Zac

We had extra responsibilities for our summer camp interns this summer since the normal intern leader was away. But it’s always fun to get to know these young, eager, mostly American brave-types. They toss their summer working possibilities for the chance to make an impact on the lives of young people in Slovakia. Along with over 100 similar interns in other Josiah Venture countries across Central Europe, they endure some grueling training and then a brutal summer schedule of back to back camps, personal discipleship, evangelism and camp follow up. They are a tough lot who typically get a taste of ministry in Central Europe that doesn’t soon diminish.

We are thankful that God motivates and mobilizes these kinds of servants that play such a critical role in our Summer camping programs. Thank you interns for your sacrifice and love for Slovak youth!! Read the rest of this entry »

October 22nd, 2015 by Zac

We’ve had a dream for some time, ever since our new house stands closer to the woods. It was a dream of having a 4 wheeler to explore the surrounding hills and trails. Now the dream has come true, thanks to a dear friend in Arkansas who graciously gave us his 4 wheeler. What a gift! Thank you Roger and Sarah! The next task was getting it here. And thanks to our new missionaries, Hudson and Kari Jones, we were able to fit it into their container that arrived with them recently. Thank you Hudson and Kari! Now within 1 short minute, we are in the woods to enjoy the wonderful Slovak countryside. What a great way to relax an spend quality time with the family. It’s a dream come true! Read the rest of this entry »

June 8th, 2015 by Zac

In the upside-down kingdom of God, things are not as predictable as they might seem. Like, to live, you must die, to lead you must serve, to be rich is to be poor.

Over 700 youth leaders from all over Slovakia gathered for 4 days of intensive challenge about living upside-down.

Kim and I both had seminars and other responsibilities. And Emili participated with her youth group team and as a conference volunteer.

If you have been following the ministry here in Slovakia over the years, you know that KPM keeps growing and growing in it’s strategic influence among youth leaders across the country. It is a real honor to be a part of this influential tool in the youth ministry movement of Slovakia.

June 8th, 2015 by Zac

Our family will be returning to our home town (ElDorado, Arkansas) for a visit this summer. Our arrival will be Wednesday, June 17. Then we will return at different times. Kim and the girls will leave on July 12 in order for the girls to participate in a summer camp. Then the boys and I will return on July 21. We are very excited about being home again and meeting many of you again face to face. And of course there are those special attractions we are all looking forward to, like swimming in warm water, fried chicken, hot weather, fishing, Spudnuts, root beer, barbeque and most of all family.  Home never looses it’s charm! Hope to see you soon.

June 8th, 2015 by Zac

Our Emili turned 17 in March! She is maturing so beautifully. All of you who have known her over the years would be so proud. Proud not only that she is growing and maturing, but that she lives a strong missionary life from day to day. Recently her class teacher used her as an example of a person who genuinely lives what they believe.

She works hard in her school to cope with learning in a second language. And she struggles hard to keep a healthy balance between school and involvement in ministry. She loves her youth group and constantly volunteers there to do anything from making desserts to washing dishes. She also has a leadership role in the summer English camp. And she manages to lead a weekly discipleship group of girls that she helped lead to Christ.

Now with only two years left of High School, the college search will begin. We are proud of Emili and love to watch what God is doing with her here.