Sheppersons in Slovakia

Our schedule for our time home this summer is already filling up. We leave
Slovakia on May 27 headed for Atlanta International Airport! 12 weeks and 5 states later (GA, SC, FL, AR and TX) we will return to Zilina on August 20th. We are excited! Excited to tell all the stories of what God has been doing in Eastern Europe! We know our time will go fast. In hopes to see as many of you as we can, we are trying to plan ahead. In addition to church visits, we want to fill our schedule with as many personal visits as we can. If it is possible for you to let us know ahead (for personal visits) I can write that down too! (more…)

”Speak to us O’Lord. . . clearly, not in riddles, like you spoke to Moses, face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” This has been (and is) our prayer, daily, regarding our housing situation. God has faithfully provided the temporary funding we need (until we can be home to raise support) to pay the huge rent increase we are facing. Now the task of actually finding a house! Our April 30 deadline is almost here. Our house is all in boxes, with only a few more to go! We are patiently waiting for God to answer these prayers. (more…)

Although we do not currently have a contract for a new house, we are waiting on the Lord, confident He will provide for us.

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During the Christmas break from school we were able to travel to the capital, Bratislava, and attend the the ballet Swan Lake! It was so much fun for our family and definitely worth the 2 hour car ride to get there!

Everyone loved it, including Samuel Green, who watched without disturbing anyone from his 1st balcony seat (for the whole 3 hours-with breaks of course!). Although the girls had great seats on the 3rd row, they preferred Samuel Green’s better view which included the ORchestra pit. And of course they loved having their own little “room.” We all felt like royalty perched up on our balcony watching this magnificent production.

Emili has another ballet recital. She continues to enjoy her class, friends and teacher. Unfortunately, Gwyneth is not enjoying it as much and was not able to participate in the recital. In fact, she ahs chosen to take a “break” from ballet for the second semester. She enjoys watching watching her big sister and participating in her own “private” lessons (at home :). We are continually amazed (and thankful to God) for Emili’s security, self-confidence, responsibility and success in the “foreign” place. She has her own alarm clock and most mornings she comes down (all ready for school) and wakes me up! God is truly blessing her.

I was able to completely put off and surprise Zac with a party celebrating his 40 years. It was in the cafe after work on January 3 (the day after his birthday). It was such a testimony of friendship to see everyone there and a great balance of fun (poking at his old age) and appreciation. The girls and I prepared a big cake and posters filled with photos representing his 40 years! It was a lot of fun!

I am still teaching twice a week at the school Emili attends, Hliny VI. It’s a private bilingual school with a goal to teach subjects in English. This is the first year, so the English speaking is very minimal (10% in first greade, 20% in second, etc.) It is small school (only 1st - 4th grade) of only about 40 students. It has been a real blessing to our family. Not only does my teaching allow Emili to attend “tuition-free” but has given me so many new friendships with the teacheres. I believe the Lord is really using me there and I am excited to see how He will use me more in the lives of these new friends and students.

1. New House
We are still waiting and praying for the Lord to confirm if this is the house He has for us.

2. Furlough 2005
That our time home this summer will glorify Him. For the Lord to provide the fine details of scheduling people and churches (we will be able to fit them all in), a place to stay while we are in Greenville, a vehicle, transportation from the airport, fiances for all these extra expenses and needs while we are home. That He will keep us healthy during this busy time.

3. Gwyneth Anne
She stopped sucking he fingers! And she is riding her bike on 2 wheels! She is getting so big and it is wonderful to see the character God is building in her.

4. Samuel Green
He still does not speak words! Only sounds, and he points a lot. He also shakes and nods his head, so we know he is understanding and choosing not to speak! He is such a joy, grunts and all!

5. Emili
Emili continues to excel at school both academically and socially. She will however miss the last 4 weeks of the school year. Pray for her ability to retain all that she has learned this year and will be ready for school when we return in August.