Date: June 18, 2022

The past two weeks have been eventful. In town they hosted the King Kamehameha parade and Greg went on multiple field trips to historical sites on the island, mapping some of its spiritual history. We've started some really cool aquaponics projects. Greg was officially accepted as staff for the farm and Caroline got a part time job that suits our family perfectly.

We've also been praying about how long to be here and what our family hopes to accomplish. Our current plan to stay for another year. We'll spend that year as staff here on campus while consulting on projects internationally. It's a really exciting time for the farm, and it's on the cusp of some really impactful projects that we'll be sharing over the coming year.

In today's edition:

Video Update (9:08)
When Helping Hurts: Why Did Jesus Come?
Personal: Staff, Jobs, and Transitions
Fresh Finds: 100 Gardens

-- WHEN HELPING HURTS

It was just another week. The day felt like any other day of class. Then in the middle of a presentation on site designs, our teacher said something so basic, and yet very profound: The Why we are designing something informs What wedesign How we design it...

It seems obvious, doesn't it? Of course WHY we do something would inform how we approach it. And yet, we are often unaware of why we do certain things the way we do.

What does this have to do with our ministry? To be a follower of Jesus, and to engage in community development from a biblical worldview means we should start with this foundational question: Why did Jesus come to this Earth?

Blog Post

BECOME A SUPPORTER

Pursuing the Great Commission is an amazing journey and we are wholly dedicated to it. We've left our jobs, sold our home and sold pretty much everything we own in response to Jesus' command to "Go."

Make no mistake, we love the nitty-gritty work of going to the nations, but it has its costs. We need faithful partners for prayer and financial support. Please consider becoming a one time or a monthly supporter of our missionary work. All donations are tax deductible, and every dollar is truly life changing.

Support Us

-- PERSONAL

It's been a roller coaster these past two weeks.

We've been praying about what to do after this quarter and we have a lot of peace about staying here for another year. Greg has been accepted as full-time staff and will be responsible for multiple projects at the farm, as well as consulting for the Panama project. Caroline has gotten a part-time job that serves the campus, and is becoming more and more involved local community outreach programs.

We are doing very well and are extremely excited for the coming year. With the quarter at an end it is bitter-sweet, though. Friends that we have made since we first arrived here in Fall of 2021 are leaving. We're sad to see them go, and are preparing for Ellis to be sad about saying goodbye to all his classmates. Keep him in your prayers as our family adjusts to the constant social changes.

-- PRAYER NEEDS

We always love your prayers and encouragement. Here is how you can be praying for us over the next two weeks.

Pray for Ellis as he prepares for another transition season here on campus.
We are contemplating various housing options since we will be here for so long. Please pray that we land on the right solution for our family.
Continue to pray for the Panama project. Pray for the team leader, Jake, he needs wisdom for when to start and needs long-term staff to join his team.

-- FRESH FINDS

Agricultural projects serving great purposes.

Check out this organization who uses aquaponics in a variety of contexts aimed at serving their communities.

What caught our eye was their partnerships with juvenile and adult correctional facilities. Pretty cool stuff. AND if you keep hearing us say "aquaponics" and have no idea what the heck we're talking about, the video on their website will give a good overview.

100 Gardens

-- PICTURES

Ellis climbing his favorite banyan tree.

King Kamehameha Parade.

Ellis and his class came to visit the farm! What a bunch of goof balls.

Harvesting tilapia from our aquaponics system.

We love snail mail. Feel free to send us a letter and we will do our best to respond!

Greg and Caroline Shepler

75-5851 Kuakini Hwy. #608

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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