Date: May 7, 2022

The past two weeks have been interesting. A few curve balls have been thrown our way, but it's all good. We'll explain more in the video below. Suffice it to say, God is up to something, and we're remaining sensitive to His direction.

Meanwhile, we continue to make plans for the rest of the year. This summer we will be inviting Kaylee Smith to join our team for a short leg of our journey. If you don't know who Kaylee is, you can "meet" her in this video here.

In today's edition:

Video Update (10:25 min. long)
The Farm (Cont.)
Fresh Finds: Zambeezi + Bonus: "STORY"
Prayer Needs
Relational Scars

-- The Farm (Cont.)

And finally, Greg has managed to get a tour video...

The farm continues to teach all of us very important life lessons. Not only that, but there is a deep theology behind understanding how we relate to the rest of creation. Are we Thieves? Stewards? Or Heirs? In due time Greg will be writing blog posts about what he is learning, but until then you will have to catch some of it through his farm tour video.

Farm Tour

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 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 it's 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

-- FRESH FINDS

Greg loves the intersection of business and mission. The idea of the double bottom line (profit + social good) is a unique strategy for long-term, sustainable missions...

This week at the Farm the guest speaker was André Houssney, owner of Zambeezi.

Zambeezi is a company dedicated to ethically sourced, organic, fair trade products from Zambia. While the products are not unique to the Western market, their approach to business and the treatment of tribal communities is golden. Read their story from the link below.

Zambeezi

BONUS: Right before prepping this e-mail a friend of ours released a spoken word piece that we found to be quite impactful. We love the line below:

"Every suffered loss has Kingdom gain, that's why He came."

Ruzanna Tovmasyan has worked very hard to get this to Spotify, Apple Music and now has a video on YouTube (linked below). Fair warning, some of you may want to have a tissues at hand, it's a touching production.

STORY

-- PRAYER NEEDS

MEMORIES, EMOTIONS, CURVE BALLS - OH MY.

Memories of the past can be a real bother, especially when you are already prone to beating yourself up. Caroline was sorting through some really tough parts of her past and it took an emotional toll. Keep her in your prayers as she walks out all that the Lord is teaching her.
Greg has had a few meetings this week that have given us great encouragement and great consternation. Please pray that we remain sensitive to what the Lord has for us while we are here. Some of our near-future plans are likely to change, so we need wisdom while moving forward.
We have been blessed by receiving additional supporters since our last e-mail. We still have financial needs unmet and are praying for more partners to join us in this journey so we can keep moving toward the goal.

-- Relational Scars

Caroline's past has left relational wounds that have made marriage somewhat difficult. But what is more troubling is that her story isn't an uncommon one...

Learning to grieve well, repent fully, and to take up a new identity isn't a cakewalk. In fact just when we think we have it all figured out, random memories can tank our day, perhaps even the entire week.

In this raw, open and honest blog post from Caroline, she shares some hard truths about her past. It's not a pity party though. Hopefully it will leave you encouraged knowing that there is a redeeming God who is more committed to your highest good than you will ever be.

Relational Scars

-- PICTURES

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

If you aren't already a supporter, prayerfully consider partnering with us. You can donate here. If you have any questions regarding donations, feel free to respond to this e-mail and we'll get back to you promptly.

If you would like to unsubscribe, no hard feelings! Be blessed, you will always be welcomed back.